To my animal champion friends: I need some guidance and advice on behalf of a friend. They have a 120 lb rottweiler fur daughter named Bella who is their dearest heart. She's 5 years old, with some hip dysplasia/hip arthritis issues. She has torn the ligaments in her back left knee this week (ACL), and would require a surgery that would cost them something like 4000 dollars. That is out of their money range, and with her older age (for a big dog) and existing joint problems they are not comfortable with it being the best option anyway. They are looking at non-surgical avenues including self healing (not very promising), and braces and/or 'wheelchair' dog cart.
Their local vets are strongly advising against a dog cart or a brace and are not willing to explore the option, I think because of her size or even because they are not familiar enough with the use of mobility aids for dogs.
They want to seek a second opinion, and do more research. So friends, do any of you have access to vets that would be willing to speak to them who offer these options, promote or work with making mobility aids, or do you know of a dog who uses one of these things? Basically anyone we can talk to for education and real information?
