Dasch needs surgery for a torn ACL

Our sweet terrier-mix Dasch tore his ACL this week, and his veterinarian Christopher Griffiths indicates that he will need a Cranial Cruciate Ligament surgery on his left (rear) leg to stabilize his knee.

Our veterinarian, Dr. Griffiths, at Walkersville Vet Clinic says that Dasch needs this surgery as soon as possible to prevent further and/or bilateral injury. This orthopaedic surgery is invasive, and it will require, at least, three months of recovery, in which, he will need to have strict periods of rest. He  will also need close care to prevent further falls and re-injury.

Recovery will be challenging for Dasch because he is, by nature, a cheerful and active dog, who enjoys running and jumping. Another challenge is we live in a walk-up apartment where we will have to manage his walks to include a trip up 10-12 stairs, so we will need to get him a special harness and outfit our apartment with baby gates to limit his risk of re-injury.

Dasch is eight years old. He has been a big part of my heart since I adopted him during a hot, Austin, Texas summer in 2010 from Austin Pets Alive. I often say that, when I adopted him, we grew together, and we healed each other's broken hearts. Time moved on, and we quickly became a family.  Dasch was adopted by my husband, David, so he has a Mama and a Dad, who love him dearly. We do not have children, and Dasch is our son (sunshine).

We are doing our best to cover the costs of his surgery, but we moved across the country, to Maryland recently, due to our marriage and our need to live and work in the same city. And since that time, our finances have been especially tight as I took a pay cut, and David and I shouldered the costs of moving across the country on our own. 

If anyone could help, even just a little, it would mean so much to us. We love Dasch very much, and we are trying to get him treatment as soon as possible as he is currently functioning by limping on three legs and living in pain. It's heartbreaking and humbling to watch as he still exhibits his big heart and  loving disposition despite being injured.