'Knee Surgery '

Lucy (66.24.100.217) -

My younger lab had to have knee surgery last February because she had torn the ligament in her knee which is equivalent to a human ACL. We noticed that she would limp after she would run for a while chasing her ball. Then it got to be that she wouldn't even put weight on that leg when she would first get up. So we took her in for x-rays and they did surgery that afternoon. A thousand dollars later and she still would run on it all day long if we let her. She is much better than she was before but she doesn't know when to stop running. Anybody else fork out big bucks for the love of their 4 legged friend?

Comment #1 Katherine (72.83.124.12) -

Our dog also tore her ACL, she tore one last October- November and now it is just the next December and she tore the other one. Yeesh! Well, it's only money!

Comment #2 Amanda (24.41.67.102) -

My dog has had both of her rear-knees surgically reconstructed. Three years ago I paid $1500 to have her right rear knee fixed after a complete ACL tear. Then this last fall another $1200 to repair the other rear knee from the same type of injury. SHe is now 12 years old and 6 months post-surgery from the second one adn doing quite well considering her age. They told me she might not do well this time around but she is young at heart and I am determined to help her recover properly. These are just a small portion of her medical history. Quiet the adventurous pooch and costly for a pound pup! But I would do it all over again if i had to.

Comment #3 Kristen (24.1.219.92) -

My dog has a torn ligament in her knee. She 13, but wants to run and play. She is 23 pounds. She has adjusted her life to this, however I am worried that this will get worse. I have heard many different opinoins about surgery because of her age. Has anyone had surgery on an older dog with this same problem?

Comment #4 platinum elf 3 from Pennsylvania (Contact Member) -

I posted a question about the difference between the two types of surgery back in August. My beagle tore his ACL in one knee while running through the house, playing with my son. Our vet told us that we could have the surgery, but that sometimes they get better on their on. Of course we opted to take the "wait and see method" since it was cheaper. One year later he has blown out both knees. My baby is an 8 years old and we had his surgery done on one leg at the end of August. After the surgery, he showed signs of being a happier, active dog again and I was so happy.

Three months later, we are taking him in for the surgery on the other knee in a few days.

Comment #5 courtney fry (67.72.98.45) -

hi this it Courtney fry last time when my dad took my

dog Hershey she was snifing and runinng around beside

my Dad he was walking too so all of sudden

my Dad found a hole and my dog Herhsey fell

into the Hole and my dad seen my dog in the hole

and then my dad carried her into his truck

and my dog was lying down in painful and my dad

was in the vet with my dog and my dog was limping

and then vet came too greet her and then she went too

a Room and she cheked her paw and then put

a Bandge Cast on her paw and then she was done

now after the vet my dad went back too hunt

he left my dog in his truck and he got a Buck

and then came back too put the Buck in his back of his truck

thing you

Courtney fry

Comment #6 Rebecca Jones (67.84.157.119) -

My dog will be 13 this month. she had ACL surgery six years ago and did well. She now has torn her ACL in her other knee. I am looking for info on how older dogs do with this surgery. It was hard on er 6 years ago and I know it will be tough this time. Any info or re assurance would be appreciated....

Comment #7 Rachey (202.7.183.132) -

howdy

my dog is 13 years old n has torn his acl.. when i took him to the vet they told me he has a stage 3 heart murmur n he may not make it through the acl surgery.. he seems to be in alot of pain not even movin at all.. the vet put him on some pain killers that dont seem to be working.. he said it would be 800 for sugery but i dont know if he will make it.. just wanted to know if any older dogs survived the surgery at around this age?

Comment #8 Kelley Edwards (66.113.44.236) -

My bulldog has just had his knee replaced for the 2nd time! I have trouble keeping him off it, just to take him out to the bathroom. Any one else haveing troubles?

Comment #9 rita (69.122.185.0) -

My dog Tiffany will be 5 years old and 5 pounds overweight. She is a toy poodle and her ideal weight should be 12 pounds.

She recently fell down a flight of stairs approximately about 6 to 7 steps and started limping when I picked her up and carried her down the rest of the flight. Her hind leg has a torn ligament in her knee according to the vet. I am on the fence about having her have surgery. I want her to get better and have an active lifestyle as before. But I hear mixed reactions like she will never be the same, etc. I would like to hear some of your opinions from people who have been in my situation.

Comment #10 Amarilla's Mom (65.249.53.145) -

Our Yellow Lab is 3 and a half years old. She has been limping for 6 months. After several Vet visits we did xRays and her ACL is completely torn.

The Vet has told us we have two choices. A TPLO - Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy - surgery that costs between $3200 and $3700 plus loads of other expenses or an External Capsular Fixation which costs $1500 approx.

The TPLO is more invasive but is more durable. The ECF is effective but may or may not last.

I cannot find any information on the Web about External Capsular Fixation and my Vet does not have any literature. Has anyone experienced this surgery?

Does anyone have advice on making a choice?

Both would be extreme financial hardships.

Comment #11 helen hogan (69.138.222.187) -

my 14 month old pugston ( boston terrier/pug )went for an acl surgery today. any suggestions on keeping her calm during recovery time ? she is very active..thanks very much...

Comment #12 Holly from San Luis Obispo (Contact Member) -

To Amarilla's Mom,

We just had a TPLO surgery on our 2 year old yellow lab and although it was difficult to pay for, we are happy we did it. he recovered wonderfully. the recovery process is long and you must supervise your dog very closely so that he does not jump or run at all. Unfortunately, his other knee is loose and we are saving money for a second TPLO. I guess it is very common for dogs to need both knees repaired. The decision to do surgery was made easier since doing the surgery soon will yield the greatest reward considering it is such a robust surgery and putting it off will just cause joint disease. The cost of our TPLO was $2100 and was done by a vet who had experience but was not a board certified orthopedic surgeon. Perhaps you can shop around a little more? I don't know about ECF, but after hearing the options, a TPLO sounds like the best value in the long run for a strong dog. Best of luck to you.

Comment #13 Nelda Barrier (205.188.116.206) -

My eight year old Cock-a Poo has just been diaganosed with an ACL tear and needs surgery. He's eight years old and weighs 23 pounds. I would go though this surgery myself before I would subject him to it. Obviously, I cannot. I would appreciate any advise anyone can give.

Comment #14 Nelda Barrier (205.188.116.206) -

I need to know more about knee surgery for dogs. My 8 year old Cock-a Poo has been diagnosed with an ACL tear. Please. If you've had this experience, please contact me.

Comment #15 Darcie from Dublin, CA (66.125.241.194) -

Our 10 month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel just came from a vet visit. We noticed that he soemtimes limps and lifts his leg for a few seconds after playing with his brother. We thought it was just a muscle crap or pinched nerve. Our vet says he has a bum knee and could need surgery. No x-rays were taken. Arthritis will occur regarless of surgery or not. This poor puppy has been through the ringer since we got him from a breeder out of state. At 15 weeks he was diagnosed with Parvo. His brother did not catch it luckily. What is the breeder responsibility? I would never give him up, he is family. We will have the surgery if needed, which I am sure the vet will opt for. I am more upset with the breeder. Do they really know what they are doing to families when they sell these puppies, or is that what they expect knowing that we will take care of them. Regarless of price.

Comment #16 Lisa (4.230.72.244) -

I found this site and wanted to leave some information on it for others to read. I have a 8 year old Australian Shepherd, and 2 years ago I had to do the TPLO surgery. At that time is was $2100 dollars, and though it was hard to come up with it, I did the surgery and my dog Nikki was not limping or hurting anymore. This was done on the 17 March 2006. Five days ago I saw the symptoms showing up in her left leg that was not operated on, 2 years later I have to do this again. Financially I cant afford it but its all I can do, she is scheduled for surgery on 2 April 2008, though this time it is $2400 dollars. I know I am getting myself in debt even more but I love this dog more than anything in the world. THe first surgery was difficult as I didnt know what to expect, the healing process goes fast, then you have rehab for the dog and finally they can be themselves 6 to 8 months down the line. Nikki was just found on the road as a pupply, though she didnt cost a dime then, now its hard to believe what she has had done to her. I wish everyone good luck here. Lisa.

Comment #17 Maureen (24.9.49.237) -

TPLO - I had it performed on my black lab - both knees about 2 years apart. The first blew when he was about 7, the second when he was nine. There was no question when I saw the result of the first surgery that we would do the same on the second knee. The first surgery was done by a specialist for about 3500, then my family vet performed the second for about half of that cost. (assisted by a surgeon) Definately shop around a little - some vets provide things that are more luxurious than necesarry. (and you have to accept that if one knee is damaged the second isn't too far behind.) We had to put him down this fall due to a malignant tumor in his chest, but the TPLO's and the 13 years of a happy lab were worth every penny.

Comment #18 LuAnn Corbin (71.58.243.89) -

Rottweiler knee surgery done today on one knee. 14 months old. Curious on what kind of rehab to do. Vet said it will take a good year and ahalf to totally heal. Any advise?

Comment #19 Lynn (75.84.230.6) -

I have a rottweiler that had the surgery on both knees at the same time, cost $5, 000. Done 4 years ago. We struggled with the cost and feared that it would not work and we would regret it. It turned out to be the best money we ever spent. My husband now says he is a 4 wheel drive dog since his front legs and chest got very strong since that is all he had to support himself for almost a year while we saved money. Now his sister needs the surgery and we financially are in a horrible position. I would do it again and most likely will be shortly. Hopefully, her surgery turns out as well as her brothers. Doctor has recommended a TTA procedure which I have not seen anybody mention above. Has anybody heard of this? The cost is much less then before because he now has someone that will do the surgery in his office. Her brother was taken to an orthopedic specialist but we can not afford that this time.

Comment #20 dianna osmolski (74.206.68.109) -

my 5 year old spitz had both acl repaired, 1 in jan/08 and the other in april/08. she is recovering nicely but lately i noticed a click from her most recent repaired leg. When she walks slowly there is no click, but if she goes to trot or wants to pull on the leash she starts to click. i have her on synov g3, 4 daily and metacam which i am weaning her off of. anybody else ever had the clicking problem and what to do for it. as far as the money part goes, i just than god we had the option to fix her.

Comment #21 Jody (70.15.185.41) -

I have a german shepherd. She will be 2 in August. Last october I found out that she tore her knee ligament and needed surgery, so i had the surgery done. The surgery and recovery went well, but now she has tore her other knee. She wont put alot of pressure on it and i know that the surgery needs to be done. My question is, once these two surgerys are done, are her knees going to be okay until shes older when i know that she'll eventually get artrithis, of is there a high risk that she can hurt her knees again and the vet will have to go back in. I can't afford to keep loading all kinds of money into her, she's a year old and has had both knees go. Its so hard to keep her calm becase shes just a puppy. I want to beable to have this surgery done and be assured that she'll be ok til shes older. Any advise?

Comment #22 Tina (208.27.203.129) -

My dog had ACL surgery yesterday on both his back legs. I am just wondering if anyone else had both legs done at the same time and if they have any suggestions or information that could help us. He is a big dog so he is heavy to lift. Because he can't stand on either leg we have tried holding his bum to help him go to the bathroom but he will not go. When will he start putting some weight on his legs and do a little walking. I know I have a long recovery period but every story I have read has only been surgery on one leg.

Comment #23 Matt (63.138.210.67) -

Does anyone know of agencies or org.s that help with payments for these surgeries, specifically if your pet was rescued from a shelter or pound? and specifically in CA? I have been quoted about $3700-$3900 for each, the TPLO a little more expensive that TTA surgery. thanks.

Comment #24 Kim (71.228.130.236) -

I have a 10 year old yellow lab with severe dyslplasia. She recently tore her ACL and the vet is suggesting the TPLO surgery.

She had an FHO when she was 2 on that same leg (but in the hip) and has had another surgery on her should to clean up bone spurs when she was 4. As it turned out her elbow bones have fused, (not sure why this has happened)

The main concern is that she is putting too much weight on the front legs which are not in good condition. The poor thing doesn't have a good leg to stand on.

For anyone who has done the TPLO surgery in an older dog with pre-existing joint problems, I NEED ADVICE. Does the quality of life improve drastically after this surgery, or am I confining an otherwise happy dog to a crate for 6 weeks to prolong the inevitable?

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