Can you help with advice... CRUCIATE KNEE LIGAMENT

**Randi** · 06-11-2010, 10:53 AM

Thank you so much Seravieve!

This just what my friend needs. She is also terrified because of the stories she read on the web.

I'm hoping she will join PT in a few days, so she can keep us updated on what's happening.

Eli looks like a big dog, too - he and the others are gorgeous!

Thanks again!

**snakemama** · 06-11-2010, 02:48 PM

When I was a vet tech, I got to assist on several TPLO surgeries. It's a long procedure, but something that is done regularly, especially with canine athletes.

From the patients I saw, every single one where the owners followed the follow-up advice did fabulously! (Keeping the dog's weight down, following the exercise schedule provided) The only dog I worked with who did NOT do well post-surgery was a dog whose owners allowed him to put on over ten pounds after the procedure!!

A very close friend of mine had a TPLO performed on his older St. Bernard two years ago, and she recovered quickly and last time I saw her was running around the backyard with her little boy.

**Freedom** · 06-11-2010, 04:23 PM

Quite common here, I know of 3 dogs who have had that surgery. If you have the dog in Agility, the risk for needing it increases. Also, these smaller ones, if they land wrong jumping off a chair, sofa or bed, they can need it.

The recovery is the hardest part. After 3 to 5 days, the dog feels great, the pain meds are working, and the dog wants to do all sorts of things it can't do for a few more weeks, lol.

**Seravieve** · 06-11-2010, 06:03 PM

Full healing time is ~6 months.. The first 8 weeks we had to keep him confined to the living room, and usually on a leash so we could keep him under control. We also crated him if we needed to leave. No stairs for 3 months. This was a big problem for us, as our bedroom is upstairs, so we moved to sleeping on the couch and floor with him.

There are THOUSANDS of stories of people having MAJOR problems from TPLO surgeries, but these are people who don't follow instructions. With this type of surgery, the dogs feel so much better in a short time that they often overdo it too soon. That is why it is so important to follow all directions post-op. Also, we saw a lot of pictures of dogs with HUGE scars all over from the surgery... not the case. Eli's scaring is SO minimal. Another thing to remember with TPLO is that the dog will try to overcompensate for the injury and often injures the other leg as well. Our vet estimates 45-65% of dogs who damage one knee will damage the other. Just something to keep in mind. Makes you really want to follow the directions post-op so you dont end up out of $5k instead of $2500.

Glad I could help! PTer's have helped me a lot, so I'm glad I can offer advice! =)

(Eli is a big dog, lol... for a Boxer. He's 70lbs now.. had him in the low 60's after his TPLO. Everyone says woof woof, thank you for the compliments!)

**MonicanHonda** · 06-11-2010, 06:13 PM

I have also heard about the reinjuring the other leg post-op... my vet said it happens more than half the time. So post-op care is definitely important.

**Randi** · 06-12-2010, 08:45 AM

snakemama, Freedom and MonicanHonda, thank you so much to you, too.

My friend appreciates your advice, she sent me this:

"Thank you so much, I was so pleased to read the positive outcome on those dogs, will you thank everyone from me. When all this is over I will join Pet Talk. Yesterday just after I spoke to you I noticed that Macy was licking the side of her tummy all the time, at a closer look I saw a ca. 2 cm. raw wound that had suddenly appeared. I rang the Vet and we are due to see her today. Meanwhile Brian took a photo of it and emailed to the orthopedic vet (from the hospital where surgery was due on Monday) He rang and told us that the Surgery would have to be postponed, as he thought it to be WET ECZEMA which have to be treated with antibiotics and would take a few weeks. When we woke this morning, two more wounds had appeared - can you believe it, just as nasty as the first one. I hope it's nothing, but poor Macy is not a happy dog, even though she ate well this am."

I found a couple of pictures of Macy and their other dog, Bonzo which I took a few years ago when I visited. They're such sweet and friendly dogs.