TPLO surgery
 

Has anyones dog had to have TPLO surgery?
Thanks!

Dear God, we're going through this just now. Our dog Cricket messed herself up, and we're exploring surgery. $6,000 was the quote. She is improving, but it's been about 7 weeks. :sadangel:

Fletch is not getting better.

We were told that without, she's just gonna get arthritis, and within 2 years, the other leg will go, due to shouldering the extra load. Prayers for Fletch. :sadangel:

Two vets told us basically the same info. Fletch is scheduled for surgery Tuesday. No one here does this surgery. It's a long recovery.
Thank you for prayers! Prayers and best wishes for y'alls furbaby.

I hope everything goes well and your pooch makes a full recovery.:yesnod:

Fletch

Awww.

Cricket.

Cricket is cute! Love the flying nun ears!

Welcome back, LisaJohn!

:angel: for Fletch :angel:

Sending good thoughts for both doggos.

We had VPI ( nationwide ) insurance on Levi, our late swissy.

They covered a lot and paid (reimbursed) in a timely manner.

Next dog will have insurance again :yesnod:

Attachment 27586

Yup. Our Levi had the procedure on his left side about 4 years ago. U of Mo vet school did the surgery. We were told there's a 50/50 chance the other side would need it - so far so good. Levi's @ 75 lbs, and I slept with him every night in on an inflatable mattress for eight weeks so I could lift him up and down to go out.

It was worth the cost and effort.

Thank you for the info on Levi! So glad to know he's doing well. I have a crate set up beside my bed near his favorite window for the first two weeks. We also have a pack and play and a play yard fence to use for the other 6 weeks. Thanks for the inflatable mattress idea. I have one and we'll sleep on it if we need to. Fletch weighs 24 lbs so taking him out to potty is not a problem. I just worry about him being in pain from the surgery.
How old was Levi when he had surgery? We think Fletch is 9-10 years old.

Levi was almost 5 (we think - he's an adopted stray). After the first week, he didn’t seem to show signs of much pain. Biggest problem was keeping him off the stairs and from over doing it.

We adopted Fletch from the local humane society. He is a 2011 tornado survivor.

No dogs for us, but here's hoping for speedy and successful recovery!

Loki has cost me over $10k in vet bills. :banghead: Both he and Nukka have insurance now. :yesnod:

let's just say I could have purchased a brand new full dresser Harley for what we spent on Mochi's vet bills. ( not complaining, just saying)

THAT'S why Levi had insurance :yesnod:

Hey guys! Thank you for the helpful info. I researched 2 vet schools, Miss State and Auburn (yeah I know), and the specialist in Birmingham was in the same price range. $3400-$3700. My local vet said use Birmingham.

Hey Snide and JRD...do you think Fletch could get insurance?
In case the other knee goes?
Thanks

Call and ask. :yesnod:

We use Healthy Paws.

I never heard of that surgery and I found this. Can’t verify if it’s good info but seems very well researched.

Thought it might have some good info. Major surgery on dogs usually doesn’t turn out well. I hate to say it but every time I’ve done it, it only prolonged the dogs life by a year or two no matter the type of surgery. In fact, it seems that the trauma of the surgery causes other issues that end up killing the dog. DM for example.

Had a dog undergo surgery for bloat. Survived that but slowly lost control of his rear legs in the year following the surgery. Technically unrelated but this was a super strong dog with hips of steel.

Not saying it’s science, but I’m batting 1000 on this. No matter the surgery the dog just doesn’t do well. I hope yours is different. :sadangel:

:iagree: :angel:

The person who owned Cosmo & Clara (before he died and we took them in) paid for bilateral knee surgery for another Boxer friend at the dog park...think it set him back $7-8K. He said that Otto (surgery patient) was his supercharger for his car (he was a Mopar guy) :Jeff '79: I told him he did good :yesnod: the look of pride on his face as the dog frolicked in the park without pain was priceless. :seasix:

They are worth every penny!
 

Cosmo & Clara were already pretty advanced in age/ineligible for insurance when we got them, but will keep it in mind for any possible future doggos. :seasix:

I slept on an inflatable mattress when Cosmo couldn't do stairs anymore, definitely was a big help. :yesnod:

We had that conversation and discussed all the "what if's". We didn't feel pressured from either vet. Our local vet said if decided not to have surgery he would take of and monitor Fletch closely.
My sis lost a dog to bloat at the vet's office.
I appreciate the info.

On the way to Birmingham now.

:angel::angel::angel:

Fletch did well with the surgery. The nurse said he had some pain meds and was sleeping. He will spend the night. A Dr. and staff are there all night. She said we could call anytime during the night to check on him. Hopefully we can pick him up tomorrow.

OMG! My poor little guy. We had a rough night and morning.

Awwwwwwwwwww! Get well soon, Fletch!! :angel:

:kingpin: <-------(gentle hug)

Day 10. Fletch slept 5 and a half hours straight last night. Doggie drugs seem to be keeping him calmer. It's been tough for him. The thunderstorms do not help.

Glad he is getting some sleep :seasix:

Have you tried the Thundershirt? It didn't work for Cosmo, so I was able to get my $ back, but have heard it's helped a lot of other dogs during storms.

I am late in joining the conversation because I did not recognize TPLO. Our dog had it in both legs. It was successful but she has had problems since. Just last week. She could not walk the other morning. We thought she jumped off the bed wrong.

We called the vet and were getting ready to take her in. Darn if she did start walking fine. A little hobble and I think it was because of a little related pain. They looked her over and just gave her laser treatment.

She is doing good. I will have to ask my wife what it cost us. We have had insurance for a long time. By the way, she is a rescue from Blount County. They named her Emmie Lou Harris who was also born in Alabama. She didn't bark, she only sang, thus the name!

Best of luck.

Glad to hear from you.

Yes. He has a Thundershirt and we use it. It seems to help. He goes from pacing and panting to laying down. I also got some essential oils last week to try. I don't know if they help him but the cats seem to be sleeping longer and the house smells nice. I dread the fireworks.

Thank you!
Beautiful lady and Emmie Lou is cute too!

some people use a hemp oil made for calming dogs and say it works good.

4 weeks out from surgery. Fletch is improving! Walking most of the time on all 4 legs and less limping the past few days. He jumped up on the couch yesterday before I could stop him. He's still taking anxiety meds during the day and sleeping better at night.

Sounds like good progress. We have not elected to do the surgery, and now after 8+ weeks of improvement, Cricket chased a bird in the back yard, and now she's back to square one. :sadangel: She may be relegated to only going outside on leash from here on out. She as too much spirit to understand she's not 100%

Poor Cricket. I hope it's a minor setback. Fletch can't figure out why he can't run free outside, swim or go for a ride. He's also taking Dasuquin joint supplement. The anxiety doggie drugs help.

De ja vu!!! 6 weeks out of surgery for Fletch’s left leg.

I thought cats were expensive! :willy:

I can now add doggie nurse and physical therapist to my list.:willy:

You have to care of your bestest buddies.

Continued well wishes for Fletch's TPLO Surgery - Part Deux :yesnod: :angel:

Part of the reason I opted NOT to have the surgery. Cricket has recovered, and adapted to her disability. She has learned to run (with an altered gate), but continues to have a great quality of life. She's still a moron at 11 and chases anything small and furry, despite her advanced age...she's definitely a puppy at heart. Since she no longer gets quite as much exercise as before, we've cut her food ration down from 3 total cups a day to 2, and it's having a positive impact on her weight. Less weight also means less wear and tear on the legs. Eventually her other leg may give out, but holy cow was that fast for your pup.

Best wishes for round #2.

YES!

Glad to hear Cricket is doing well. The vet said a second tplo happens often. The vet said there is research and studies to investigate why so many dogs are having this type of injury. Fletcher’s recovery seemed to be easier this time. We are now rehab for 4 weeks.

:cert: Good that you love 'em enough to get them fixted up. :angel:

Glad your buddy is having a better go this time around. It's possible Fletcher "knows" what's going on and has his eyes on the finish line. Always easier when you've been through it before.

Yesterday’s nap time

Snug as a bug in a rug
 

Awwwwww! He looks like he is resting comfortably with the rest of the crew :seasix: wish I could give him some pets and hugs :yesnod: feel better soon, Fletch! :kimblair: