Ortho Vet in Los Angeles Area?

Users kpwlee (Bugsy's mom and a moderator), Max'sMom, and JackieG have a lot of knowledge of ACL/CCL issues - all are on the east coast (I believe?) but should be able to give you some good advice.

Do you have a vet school nearby? I'm from Florida, and, luckily, only 3 or so hours from University of Florida, which has a top notch vet school. That might be worthwhile to look in to.

My third suggestion would be to look for a vet who could do acupuncture - Pirate sees an acupuncturist for other issues, but her care during his knee issue was what helped him bounce back so quickly - user calliecritturs can help you locate a good 'holistic' vet if you PM or email her (AND she has a buffy coated cocker spanYELL so I'm sure she'd love to talk with you anyhow!!)

I know you asked for specific advice, but I just thought I'd throw some ideas out :) I personally wouldn't hop right into surgery - I am continually amazed at how much acupuncture and herbs did for Pi. He doesn't even have a hitch in his step!

P.S. - Welcome to the board...we LOVE pictures, around here :)

Here's info for the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine's veterinary medical center in San Diego:

UC Veterinary Medicine Center, San Diego

10435 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite 101
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: (858) 875-7505

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/UCVMC_SD/

I'd head there, if the drive's not too bad. (I'm used to a couple hours just to get to work, so I'd drive a couple hours to this place--but, that's just me :-) 

Poor little darling!  Hope you can find a good place to take her.  I'd also recommend UC Davis if you can get there.  Probably the best vet school inthe state I'd assume.  Like Megan was saying the others here will likely have some great advise for you.

...Did I hear something about pictures of a cocker???  hint hint  (another cocker lover here!!!)

US Davis is an AWESOME vet school.  Often -- for this type of surgery, a **vet school** can be a superior answer.  Typically the knowledge is cutting edge and the care is excellent.

 However -- as Megan said I would also encourage you to try TCVM first.  Traditional Chinese VETerinary Medicine -- not a Chinese vet, but rather it's acupuncture and other complimentary therapy that actually specializes in healing.

Even if you DO have to have surgery, TCVM can help the healing surpass everyone's wildest dreams. 

 http://www.tcvm.com -- that's the Chi Institute and there is a locator on the left that will help you find someone good who is close. 

 I'm not sure how far away you are but one of THE BEST in TCVM vets is Cheryl Schartz -- she literally is the lady who "wrote the bookd" ("Four Paws Five Directions";) and she IS in California (and I"m honestly not sure where).

Holler if I can help.  Callie

 Oh my gosh!  I didn't realize so many people had responded.

sl2crmeg, thanks for all your suggestions.  I will contact the users you suggested.  It seems like UC Davis is the closest vet school (thanks for suggesting it, FrisbyPI and Johnny&Tessy), actually, but it's about an eight-hour drive.  It's so funny--I was looking into TCM for myself, so of course I would consider TCVM forh my dog, Delia!  (I'll get to adding a photo of her post-haste!)

calliecritturs, I looked up Cheryl Schwartz and she is apparently also in NorCal (in Oakland).  I lived up North *last* year...if only we had Delia then.  It'd be so much easier to get her treated by the suggested folks!

I looked up the local vets specializing in TCVM on the tvcm.com site, but I couldn't find individual reviews for them online.  This is what I was looking for, so if anyone familiar with SoCal vets can contribute, Delia and I would appreciate a reply! :)

My 8 year old, 11 lb Pixie tore her ACL a little over a month ago.  We took her first to the regular vet, and then to the TCVM vet, who strongly recommended surgery and recommended Dr. Balfour at Animal Surgery Emergency Center (ASEC) in West Los Angeles.  We had a consultation with him, liked him immensely, scheduled Pixie's surgery (for this morning) and, a few days later, left for a long-scheduled 2 week vacation while Pixie was cared for at home.  When we returned to town at 1am this morning, we noticed that Pixie had improved somewhat, so I cancelled her surgery appointment.  We have decided to place Pixie on restricted activity at least for the remainder of the summer to see whether she will continue to improve on her own.  If that doesn't work (or if she has a setback), then we will reschedule with ASEC.

ASEC is a great hospital, but be forewarned - they are among the most expensive in LA.  If you are uncertain about surgery for your dog, the Yahoo Group called "Conservative Management" is a wonderful resource.  If you are leaning toward surgery, there is another Yahoo Group called "Orthodogs".  After Pixie was diagnosed, I joined both groups in order to learn about the pros and cons of both surgical and nonsurgical options.

The UC vet school has a medical center in San Diego--is that closer for you? (I think I posted the contact info about, but if not, let me know.) It might be worth checking with them and then heading north, if needed.

I just phoned the UC vet school in San Diego and was told that they handle heart, bladder and kidney cases only - all ortho issues are handled at Davis.  Too bad - I was hoping to take Pixie there.

Bummer! I was so hoping that would work for you!

fuzzypenguins

It's so funny--I was looking into TCM for myself, so of course I would consider TCVM forh my dog, Delia!

It IS funny - Callie and I were talking on the phone over the weekend and we were HOPING you'd be open to it :) Delia is adooorable, look at those eyes!

Sorry, everyone.  I thought I was supposed to get response notifications, but I'm not!

Thanks for the ASEC/Dr. Balfour rec, luv3dogs--maybe we'll end up there just for a consultation.  I'll also check out the Yahoo! groups.  And thanks for letting me and FrisbyPI know whether UCSD's vet school handled ortho issues.

Delia stopped limping as soon as we put her on Metcam (an anti-inflammatory), and she's been off it for several days and still isn't limping.  Interesting...