[Dailydrool] Torn ACL surgery cost

[Riche Churchill]

Thanks to those who have offered advice about a torn ACL and operation. 
We probably won't have that done as the vet doubts the necessity. As 
said, we are lucky that this dog is an absolute angel about being 
crate-confined for 23 and a half hours a day.

But I have to say am appalled at the prices mentioned that people have 
paid for this type surgery. I do realize some live in high-rent, 
high-wage areas, so vet's overhead is much higher than our smallish 
southern town, but.... really(!)... those figures are outlandish. I 
seriously doubt our bill would be even as high as $500 for the surgery. 
Including anesthesia, surgery, overnight stay, medications, follow-up 
visits, etc.

In my opinion, our vet is a absolute artist with orthopedic surgery, 
even tho not a specialist. Back when we were heavily into rescue work, 
can't begin to count the number of dogs he "fixed" for us that had been 
injured by cars, guns, beatings, whatever -- or those with dysplasia. He 
once repaired a compound fracture of one of our cat's lower legs; and if 
you've ever felt a cat's leg, you will realize how tiny the two bones 
are between hock and paw. The cat fully recovered without even a limp.

So, believe me when I say it's not the cost that will determine our 
decision; it will be how the dog does and what our vet says. It would be 
another story if the price tag was $5,000 or, worse yet, $10,000. No 
doubt about it. Any dog with an owner willing (and able) to pay that is 
a lucky dog with a fortunate owner, indeed. (Or not, if it didn't REALLY 
need that or some other type surgery in the first place.)

Riche