When I was growing up in the early 1970s my dogs ran in a neighborhood pack during the day but they were always close by and nearly always home in time for dinner. They had the freedom to run and most of the time stayed out of trouble if people secured their trash cans.
I don’t recall the dogs being taken to the vet unless they ate something bad or were hit by a car. Many times one of our dogs was captured and put in the pound but he was capable of climbing chain-link fences. He escaped twice.
Today, the frequency of dogs tearing their own knee ligaments has become a growing issue. Many vets will tell you that your dog will need surgery, and many web sites claim that surgery is the only course of action. Surgery can range from $800.00 to $4,000.00 or more, for joint repair surgeries. I know of accounts where no surgery took place and the dog recovered on its own.
One account describes such an experience by Max and his dog named Tigger:
Treating Canine Ligament Injury
http://home.earthlink.net/~tiggerpoz/index.html
Another site claims that surgery is the only solution for a torn cruciate ligament and, if left untreated, will result in the development of arthritis in the joint.
Knee Injuries in Dogs
By Nancy Otten, Animal Health Technologist.
http://www.thewagway.com/Behviour%20Tip%20Sheets/knee_injuries_in_dogs.htm
The increase in such injuries may be directly related to dogs being kept as pets in urban environments where leash laws and confinement for long periods contributes to the weakening of muscles and joints. Nancy Otten states directly that “Poor physical conditioning and obesity increases the chances of knee damage.”
The unintended side-effect of leash laws is the added income for veterinarians. But such are the consequences for choosing to own a dog in a city with a leash-law, especially if you have no large fenced-in yard.
Animal Medical Clinic of Springfield http://www.amcspringfield.com/ recommends a couple of insurance plans if you are planning on getting a dog.
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