To do or not to do, TPLO surgery? *sigh*
- Thread starter DUKEISRAD
- Start date
LoveMyDoggie
Boxer Insane
Never heard of suck a thing. That is awesome!
LoveMyDoggie
Boxer Insane
Opus
Boxer Pal
I won't call it "advice" but I will share my experience on this:
#2 daughter has a female who had this procedure about 6 years ago. Bella would go running with daughter & fiancee when they rode their bikes around the neighborhood and pulled up lame one day. The were referred to a team of surgeons locally (Nashville, TN) who claim a near 100% success rate for knee surgery. They said that the options for her were surgery or stay lame. They didn't think any appliance was going to help given the severity of her injury. So they bit the bullet, had the surgery and went through the 3-4 month rehab program and she was fine......for about a year until she tore up the other knee. The vet had warned them to save up their money because she would probably need the other knee fixed as well and he was right.
So, another surgery, another rehab and here we are. She seems fine...no apparent pain and no loss of mobility (aside from normal aging) and able to do all the things she used to, even if a little slower now, being nearly nine years old. All for the price of a good used car (+/_)
Was it worth it? Well, it wasn't my money, so it's not my call. What's a dog worth? On paper, it's a dead loss. She is a rescue, not purebred, representing a whole $100 investment up front, so spending $6K+ to restore her health is financial folly. But that's not how we dog lovers think so, yes - if the only alternative was to permanently crippled I'd have to say it was worth it for us . You would have to make your own determination on cost vs. benefit but we'd do it all again.
Your mileage may vary.
#2 daughter has a female who had this procedure about 6 years ago. Bella would go running with daughter & fiancee when they rode their bikes around the neighborhood and pulled up lame one day. The were referred to a team of surgeons locally (Nashville, TN) who claim a near 100% success rate for knee surgery. They said that the options for her were surgery or stay lame. They didn't think any appliance was going to help given the severity of her injury. So they bit the bullet, had the surgery and went through the 3-4 month rehab program and she was fine......for about a year until she tore up the other knee. The vet had warned them to save up their money because she would probably need the other knee fixed as well and he was right.
So, another surgery, another rehab and here we are. She seems fine...no apparent pain and no loss of mobility (aside from normal aging) and able to do all the things she used to, even if a little slower now, being nearly nine years old. All for the price of a good used car (+/_)
Was it worth it? Well, it wasn't my money, so it's not my call. What's a dog worth? On paper, it's a dead loss. She is a rescue, not purebred, representing a whole $100 investment up front, so spending $6K+ to restore her health is financial folly. But that's not how we dog lovers think so, yes - if the only alternative was to permanently crippled I'd have to say it was worth it for us . You would have to make your own determination on cost vs. benefit but we'd do it all again.
Your mileage may vary.
bxrbgood
Boxer Insane
All experiences are welcome. Thank You for sharing your #2 daughters.
What surgery did she get. Their are 6 types of canine knee surgery.
I have read that a traditional ligament repair with some newer materials available now, holds better than the materials used in the past.
What surgery did she get. Their are 6 types of canine knee surgery.
I have read that a traditional ligament repair with some newer materials available now, holds better than the materials used in the past.
Opus
Boxer Pal
She had the cranial ligament surgery - canine version of the human acl - a complete tear the first time and a partial the second. It didn't involve screws or repositioning the kneecap but they did reshape the socket to help stabilize the joint and maybe prevent it from happening again.
As I said, she was a rescue and had been severely neglected. She was malnourished and had been bred before she was a year old. The vet said that that combination (along with normal boxer hereditary factors) was a major cause of her joint problems.
As I said, she was a rescue and had been severely neglected. She was malnourished and had been bred before she was a year old. The vet said that that combination (along with normal boxer hereditary factors) was a major cause of her joint problems.
DUKEISRAD
Boxer Buddy
@bxrbgood I am so glad to here that the brace is already making such a difference! that is great news! 
I also am open to any ideas, experience, or suggestions. For now we are holding off on any surgery since she is slowly but surely making improvements. Surgery could very well be an option in the future if she happens to re-injure again or go lame. I just want others to know its okay to take some time to do the research, as all of the opinions we got from dr.'s made us feel like we had to rush into doing surgery. For the time being she is happy and healthy and still her looney self
just, a little slower! and more limited. @Opus Also so great to hear that Bella was able to bounce back after surgery and have such great owners now to take care of her the proper way!
I also am open to any ideas, experience, or suggestions. For now we are holding off on any surgery since she is slowly but surely making improvements. Surgery could very well be an option in the future if she happens to re-injure again or go lame. I just want others to know its okay to take some time to do the research, as all of the opinions we got from dr.'s made us feel like we had to rush into doing surgery. For the time being she is happy and healthy and still her looney self
just, a little slower! and more limited. @Opus Also so great to hear that Bella was able to bounce back after surgery and have such great owners now to take care of her the proper way!