[CefGemYAffews]

I haven't posted in a couple of years but I really need some help/advice. I rescued my male pit bull when he was a year old, 2 yrs ago. I allowed him to run and play in my large back yard with my female pit bull. I didn't know you shouldn't let a large young dog run and play hard and he blew out his back knee. The vet said operation but I didn't have the money for it so I opted for not letting him run and play for almost a year. The vet put him on 75mg Carprofen as needed and that helps. Recently I've been letting him out to play with his sister on nice days and for short periods of time. It's hard to keep him in all the time...he has so much energy.

My first question is since Carprofen is an NSAID like Motrin can I give him Motrin instead of the very expensive Carprofen. I'm not asking the vet because I figure he'd just tell me no and I know there are a lot of very experienced dog owners and breeders here.

My second question is does anyone know if it's possible to put some sort of brace or something on his back leg so he's not bending it when playing?

He's a beautiful big red nose pit, very loving. When I say big....he's gonna be 3 yrs this month and he's very tall with huge feet. Most people say he's the biggest pit bull they've ever seen. This is my Nick

[h0ldem]

Ehh.. I don't know, I don't like the idea of giving human drugs to dogs because our bodies aren't the same..

[hubua990]

Ibuprofen for people does not break down in dogs right and can be poisonous.

[DeilMikina]

You can have an orthopedic brace made, the company is orthodogs, they aren't cheap either. When you say you didn't let him run for a year, were you doing conservative management or what? Because if he was still walking around and doing normal stuff otherwise you didn't do anything useful. Did the vet explain the other knee will probably go as well and crippling arthritis will set in? He's a young dog, you are better off saving up money and getting his knee fixed. Do not give him Motrin, it is not recommended to use in dogs as it can cause lots of stomach issues. Join the orthodogs group on yahoo and do some research, maybe there is a cheaper or generic drug you could get instead.

[ptolerezort]

Have you thought about swimming therapy?? i don't know what you could use, but I'm sure if you find something big enough for him to float in with a vest and you supporting him its worth trying, ask your vet. I've heard swimming is great for the joints, because the weight is lifted yet they get exercise.. sorry for your big boy.

[neotheMit]

Honestly, given the severity of the problem and the liklihood it will continue to get worse and then cause arthritis (painful) and mobility problems (quality of life), I think my best advice is to save up as quickly as possible and pay for the surgery.

[CefGemYAffews]

Thank you all for your comments and advice. To going postal, yes the vet explained everything to me. He was allowed to walk around and I walked him outside to do his business. I won't be giving him any human motrin. I think you're all right about saving up for the operation and I'm going to start doing that, I hope it's not too late.

[hubua990]

Have you looked into any kind of joint supplements? Drs. Foster and Smith sell a ton on their website. I really don't know much about blown knees, but it can't hurt to look into a supplement while you're saving for the surgery.

[77rexulceme]

no one mentioned it yet, but I used care credit to pay for my dog's acl surgery. it's interest free for a cetain promo period and as long as you pay on time, and pay it off in the time given, there is no interest and no application fee. you have to use it at a participating vet tho. It's really helpful for these expensive pet surgerys!

[mynaflzak]

no one mentioned it yet, but I used care credit to pay for my dog's acl surgery. it's interest free for a cetain promo period and as long as you pay on time, and pay it off in the time given, there is no interest and no application fee. you have to use it at a participating vet tho. It's really helpful for these expensive pet surgerys!

Care credit is awesome and such a life saver for those who come across huge expenditures for their pets... I agree, it's definitely something to look into if the pup requires surgery - and just to have for the what ifs

[realnilkless]

http://www.tiggerpoz.com/