[jpolk21]

New to the forum so I'm hoping this begins a useful tool for raising my dogs. Here is my issue (sorry for the length):

My English Bulldog Baylee just turned one years old yesterday. About three months ago, she was diagnosted with an autoimmune disease called Immune Mediated Polyarthritis, which basically made it too painful for her to do anything. She was put on Prednisone, which suppresses the immune system in order to help treat and manage the IMPA. Since being put on treatment plan, she has done great (thankfully, she is done with the Predisone and is now on a diffirent, less harsh drug to maintain the disease). She has been having some difficulty standing and walking as of late - I thought it was related to her disease and she was still recovering some strength. She recently developed a small skin issue (again, due to her suppressed immune system) so I took her into the vet and had him check her knees. After analyzing her, he recommended I see an orthopedic because he thought she has torn ACL. Went to the orthopedic today and he confirmed that she has a torn ACL on the right leg and a partially torn ACL on the left. If she tore her ACL's without having a separate condition, I would do it no question. However, given her other issue, I worry that she might be under continued stress as she grows older. My question(s) are does anyone have a dog with IMPA who has any advice and has anyone had a dog that incurred two torn ACL's? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as to this process. Right now, we are going through with the surgeries (roughly $2,600/knee), but I worry how she will recover given her age and pre-existing condition. Thank you.

Jeremy

[Lunareclipse]

Ok, I don't know what to tell you to do to help your doggie, but I do know of a place that can help your doggie walk more comfortably. They do make doggie wheelschairs to take pressure off of torn ACLs while they are healing. Eddies Wheels|Dog Wheelchairs and Other Pets I would contact them and ask. They are very nice people and a lot of people suggested them when I needed a wheelchair for my dog. We just bought a wheelchair from them today for our dog's hip dysplasia. They even helped me raise the money to afford the cart. I would also talk you vet about it.

Here is a dog that got his cart from eddies wheels before ACL surgery so they can be ready when he has his surgery. Rocky the 157 lbs. Rottweiler in his Eddie's Wheels dog wheelchair! - YouTube