Anyone have experience with TPLO surgery for dogs?

Just got back from the vet. No healing has taken place so the next step is surgery. We have a choice of 2 kinds. Just wondering if any Boomers have had this for their dogs?

Oh no! I haven't experienced this with my babies.
I just want to give you a hug on this new decision.

I decided not to have surgery on Merlin's tendon/ligament tears. I wish you luck on your decision.

I'm sorry there is no healing. Hugs for you and Keoki.

Yes, major disappointment for us. I just wish I knew what the best decision was...my head hurts just weighing the options.

Our Pit Bull/Australian Shepard cross had cruciate ligament surgery last spring. Our vet also offered two surgeries. One was about $1,700 for a plate to stabilize the joint performed by a specialist. The other was more traditional surgery where our vet would drill holes in the leg bones and run a strong filament through them to stabilize the joint. We opted for the less expensive surgery and after a veeeeeeery looooooong 8-week recovery period where I had a 70 pound Pit Bull living in my house and only going for leash walks, she is doing great. Of course Charlee thought it was just peachy-keen to lay on the couch all day and get to sleep inside when it was cold! She limps on the leg sometimes when she's been too active or has been laying down a long time, but otherwise the joint is very stable.

Ahh, Hugs and prayers out to you to make the right decision. Hugs to Keoki

Oh Wow, L4l. Good luck with the decision making. A tough thing to have to do. HUGS your way!!


Nan

Thanks guys. Drac, we have that same choice. The plate one (TPLO) would be done in Birmingham by a trio of board certified orthopedic surgeons. The one Charlee had is the one my vet does (I think) but I know my vet is concerned about that one as Keoki is about 57 lbs. I have a call in to my original vet to talk to him about the one he does.

Charlee is roughly 70 lbs and the challenge is to keep her from running off down in the woods to chase coyotes. We have to lock her and our Lab up at night in the dog pen.

It's so hard to know what to do. Our vet told us whichever way we went, to expect arthritis as she gets older. But even though she's fairly young dog - maybe 6 or 7 years old - she has arthritis in the last 5 vertabrae of her spine already. Since she's sort of a rescue, we're not sure why, but suspect it's from her Australian Shepherd side. She has a short little tail and I've read Australian Shepherds that have those are prone to spinal problems.

L4l,

I'm sending you an email about this, so don't throw it in your round file.

Gil.

Btw, Draclvr, I thought it was you at first. FYI, your PM runneth over.

Oh L4L I'm sending prayers and good thoughts for you and your baby.

Midgie

Have no such experience and am so sorry for you and Keoki. I know you will make the right decision for him.

Whatever your decision I hope there will be healing. So hard to watch a lame animal and wonder the best course of action to take.

L4L it is always so hard to make a decision when your pet is involved. Just know whatever you decided it will be the right decision because you are doing what you think is best for Keoki. You can't see the future so after weighing your option you will do what is best for Keoki. Hugs and Love to you both.

About 15 years ago my Irish Setter had the plate one . It was either amputate the leg, euthanise him or 900$. Healing was fast and I didn't confine him because of work schedual I just couldn't manage it. Results -no limp, no arthritis and a happy doggy.

This is not a good time for you -we are all on your side and all praying for you and Keoki.

So difficult - but all the very best, looney4labs, with whatever you decide

Thanks for all the good words and thoughts. We are still musing. I couldn't think yesterday but the brain is work better today....though I'm still foggy....

Oh gosh L4L. Many thoughts and prayers going out to you and Keoki. How old is he now? I know you will make the right decision.

Hugs,

Bets

Bets, Keoki is 9. He was diagnosed with arthritis at 4 months. He is the sweetest dog and loves loves loves to fetch. He would make a wonderful assisting dog as he will pick up Everything on the floor...paper, cans, little lego pieces and hold it gently and bring it to me.

After talking with my vet and discussing our goals for Keoki, we have decided to go with External Fixation. It's an older technique...well proven and less drastic than TPLO. The success rate is good and it is one my vet does frequently...I believe it may be the one that Drac had? My vet said Keoki will walk out of the vet after surgery, and his recovery will be what we have been doing for 6 weeks. Then they will work up a rehab plan. The idea is to get him back to going up and down the stairs and into the back yard and on normal exercise walks. I wish we had a pool, or the vet had a pool for the therapy.

Gosh Yankee, TPLO here now is $2500.00. Sounds like your setter had a great recovery. How long did you have him after the surgery?

Yes, that's the surgery Charlee had. She also walked out of the office and would have tried to jump into my pickup, but I made her stand until I lifted her up into the front seat. We gave her a full 8 weeks of rest (on my couch!) because she's such a large active dog with only leash walks and gradually let her have more freedom. We live out in the country and out dogs are outdoor dogs, so it took her awhile to adjust back to being off a leash - she though she should just run off into the woods. One thing that helped a lot was a pet gate that I put on the hummingbird porch. It's 8' x 16' and covered, so she could be outside on her comfy cushion, but couldn't try to do too much. Plus she could hang out with Buddy, our old Lab.

Holy cow! And I thought $1,700 was a lot for the TPLO! When is the surgery?

Hi L4, It's good you have positive feelings about the operation and you certainly know about the recovery. 900$ 15 years ago was quite alot. Are your vets expensive out there -come to Lexington, Texas for a breather. Although in Dallas they charged my daughter 600$ to neuter her cat. And a no-special neut at that. I didn't confine Touser or leash him and the vet was hot mad at me but he recovered very well. He lived 2 more years. We found him on the side of the road, victum of an oversized pickup. Irish Setters like to run, I suppose he was chasing cars. I will never understand it -they have 13.89 acres of woods to run/roam and they choose the road, cats too. Consider they(cats) like the litter box instead of the wonderful outdoors and sometimes they don't even use the box, they think outside the box haha.

Kioki has a fine home

Merlin's tendon/ligament surgery is 8 thousand a foot. That fact coupled with the fact it's 6 months each paw healing is too much for him especially at his age. Good luck L4L!

Drac, it's scheduled for 2 weeks from yesterday. Keoki will also not be allowed to jump on/off or do stairs for 2 weeks....then 6 weeks of basically what we do now....walking around the house, leash outside. Then we'll start building up with rehab.

Yankee, yes it was. I was laughing when I was telling daughter I paid $50.00 for my cleaver 32 years ago and how horribly expensive that was. Course, since I've used it every single day since then, and usually multiple times a day....I got a deal

I would so love to have acreage for the dogs...but I'm so paranoid I'd want it all fenced so they couldn't get lost.

The quote from the TPLO is for a board certified orthopedic specialist....I probably could get it done more cheaply elsewhere. Vets here like everywhere have wide ranging fees. I've been with my vet since 1991. He is one of the more expensive ones in the area, but for good reason. Daughter worked at most of the vets in this area at one time or another. My vet was the last one she worked for, and she came home and said "I see why they charge more, but they are very much worth it."

Cats do indeed think outside the box

Ana, that is crazy. Thanks

About 4 1/2 years ago I had to make a similar agonizing decision regarding an ACL tear that my 10 year old dog had. The attached link was extremely helpful, along with my vet's advice, the opinion of another vet and the guidance of prayer. I ultimately decided not to go ahead with the surgery. Money was never the issue, but rather her level of discomfort and lameness. She stopped being the dog she wanted to be and it broke my heart.
I literally sat on my dog for 6 months - absolutely no stairs, limited activity, and the use of Rimadyl for pain/inflammation. She recovered and lived to be 16 1/2 years old.
Your decision is the best one only you can ultimately make for you and your dog given all the circumstances. Take comfort in knowing that you will get through this.

Michele

http://tiggerpoz.com/

Thanks Michelle, it is a hard decision. Money, while not plentiful, is not the issue. We just want Keoki to have a good life and not have it shortened. I love how many animal lovers we have here