Aww! Say it ain't so! :darn:
A "personal" word on conservative management... read everything you can on it, espcially success with heavy dogs, and length of time to try conservative management.
Our experience with "circumstance forced" conservative management was not a good one. Thule ruptured the first cruciate at the end of October and while on "conservative management" waiting for surgery in March, on New Years Day, she ruptured the second one. She has arthritis in the first knee that she ruptured. Thule was quite heavy - 130 lbs, and she's tall too at 28" at the shoulder, and it's my opinion this contributed to the second rupture (as well as the first). So, I guess all I'm saying is be careful!:hugs:
But, for some real experience - and no shortage of opinions... try the Yahoo Group "Orthodogs"... these people are really knowledgable.