I haven't been online all weekend, and was just catching up and saw your post about Belly...
My girl tore her ACL when she was a puppy, and now she's ten. We never opted for the surgery because they basically said that while that leg was healing, the other ACL could tear (because she would be overusing it), and we could be in a perpetual surgery mode, which no one wants!
So, we treated her with Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements for a while, then once she could walk on it again, we switched her to a food that contains Gluc & Chon and she's been totally fine ever since!
My uncle's dog (who is identical to ours) did the exact same thing and they opted for the surgery and said it was the most miserable six weeks trying to keep her from moving around too much.
Anyhow, just wanted to let you know in case you want to try something before thinking about surgery. Dottie has other issues with her hip now (sciatic nerve), but it is in no way related to the ACL tear from her puppyhood
Good luck!!! I hope everything turns out ok with your baby!
Re: **Montana**
One other thing - this is the food we have been feeding Dottie for the past three or four years:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2750853&lmdn=Lifestage
Before she was a senior, this is what she ate (the blue bag):
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10853191&lmdn=Brand
Megan & Chris
Thanks for thinking of us! She seems to be feeling much better, thank goodness, because I am not sure how much longer we could have kept her on lockdown..lol.
I will bring up the food to Mike. Right now she is on a low carb food to try and keep her weight down but if we can get some with the gluc in her then that would be awesome. Right now she gets treats (lots of them) that have gluc in them.
I think the bigger issue is that she has had lots of hip problems since we she was a year old. We aren't sure if its because she is a mutt and it has something to do with the breeds that she is or not. Some days are really good others she's a mess. We think that at some point this summer we are really going to have to spend the money and get X-rays done to see what the real issue might be. Our vet doesn't seem to think that her hips are displaced but something isn't right.
Sorry for the ramble! Thanks again for thinking of us and for the recommendations on the food!