One owner shares the story of how she decided which surgeon to choose to perform her dog’s TPLO repair surgery.

My girl is 1.5 years old and just like all labs she is crazy, loves life to the fullest. Took her to the dog park after a rain freeze in the winter, she was running fast and tried a sudden stop to follow another dog, I know she stumbled but kept going all the way.

Later on back home after her nap, she got up 3 legged, couldn’t put her hind leg on the floor, got really nervous took her to the vet right away. He examined her and said partial tear of ligament, prescribed METACAM and couple of weeks of rest.

One week later though we didn’t go to parks during, she was still active, hard to stop.

One morning last week, she went outside to the yard, and on the way back she started yelping couldn’t climb the stairs back in. Took her to hospital, x-rays and exam revealed both knee ligament gone. Vet suggested Dr Philibert for TPLO. I started my research and getting second opinions about TPLO for other VET through e-mails. Many responded and suggested TPLO is the best way to go.

One clinic which is about one hour drive called me, and said they have an alternative to TPLO, called MRIT which is great because they can do both knees at the same time, much cheaper. I thought I found the silver bullet.

I Took the appointment and was willing to drive an hour for the surgery. Then I started researching MRIT, and all the articles mention that it is not suitable for large breed dogs who are active.

So I called the clinic again and I reminded her that my dog is a lab who is yong and who will acheive over 100lb weight at some point in her life, the receptionist assured they done it over 100s of times on labs and no problems. Still not convinced so I sent an e-mail to the Vet himself asking questions; his wife replies back to my e-mail with a need to consult. I mentioned to her my dog has already been examined and x-rayed, I know what is wrong I’m past the analysis point and now looking for options. All I’m asking are information about the vet’s experience and capabiliies and rate of success in his practice, why should I pay for that let alone drive an hour when he could simply reply to my e-mail.

My Questions:

I’m trying to see the drive behind Dr Bacon pursuing MRIT on a labrador as oppose to TPLO when MRIT is not the recommended option for large breed dogs.

Does Dr Kevin has any supporting evidence that this method works on Large breed dogs?

Is Dr Kevin TPLO certified?

Does Dr Kevin perform TTA? Does he advocate it?

What are the warranties that if MRIT is chosen will not fail? and if it fails then what are your insurances?

What are long term side effects to MRIT in term of arthiritis, since TPLO is known to reduce the occurance.

These types of information are not specific to require a consultation, they’re the type of information which will help to make an informative decision as to the physician I choose. The reply right after was, “I spoke to Dr Kevin and he think its best if you would attend alta vista hospital for surgery”.

Anyways, the whole point behind this story, is do a lot of research don’t be afraid to ask questions. After considerable research I found TPLO is the best for my lab and the Dr initially referred is well known in the area.

Cheers!

Researching TPLO Surgery Options is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Crash had two TPLO surgeries – first on his right leg, then on his left leg, about 8 months apart.

Crash’s 1st leg was a gradual slow tear. He had been limping for around 6 months, and I finally got talked into taking him to the vet. I did and he had a partial tear. I felt so bad for not taking him in sooner. Here is what I wrote the morning after the first night.

Home After Surgery – The First Night

We laid on the orthopedic dog bed from 6pm to 11pm. He took the tramadol(pain) and Acepromazine(seditive). Took him out to potty just in case but didn’t have to go.

The Second Day

Well the 1st night is over. We went to bed at midnight with the pain meds and seditive starting to work. My insulin pump woke me up at 3am to a low cartridge alarm.

Then he woke up at 6 and had to have my attenion. He switched postitions and so did I to the front of the crate. From 8 to 10 am I had my hand in the crate petting him and as so as I started to sleep he would make noise. He is on his antibotic and pain med now along with eating dog food piece by piece wetted with water.

Recovery

Everything went well he healed on time.

Second TPLO Surgery

Then fast forward to almost 8 months exactly after the 1st surgery. Crash and I came home from dog-sitting for my dad. Crash jumped off the been and made a ouchie sound and then was limping. I called the vet to bring him in. They knew immediately that he tore it as so did I.

When I called the surgeon I told them I was on a time crunch b/c in 10 weeks my mom was getting re-married in Hawaii. So we scheduled the initial visit and surgery back to back days. Everything went well and healed 2 weeks faster this time. I have to say that is because Crash/we knew what to do and plus it was nice/warm/sunny out. The last time it was cold/winter/snow.

Both times we gave him all his meds like clockwork. He took a few days before he would poop. The 1st pee was always a river. The 2nd time I didn’t take him pee as often so he peed himself twice which was my fault.

Transportation Experiences

The 1st time he was in my backseat with Lisa but she had to hold him upright the whole time b/c he wouldn’t lay down and he cried the whole way home. The clear bandage was awful and didn’t even last the 1st night I had to get my dad to take us back and they then just tore it off.

The 2nd time he was in the back of my mom’s SUV and two of us held onto him which made it easier. They also had a better bandage on too. My mom was back in town so I didn’t have to call someone to come watch him while I was at the store/gym.

Tips:

• Make sure you have someone to ride with you post surgery. A SUV will be best so you can lay the seats flat.
• Get a small bowl you can put water in so the e-collar fits around it.
• The 1st few meals they won’t want to really eat or drink so wet the dog food. I hand fed my dog.

Double TPLO Surgery – Crash is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Our Dogue de Bordeaux (very large at 145 lbs) had his 1st TPLO in June 2011 for a partially torn CCL and his 2nd TPLO a couple of weeks ago (other knee) with a again a partially torn CCL and Meniscus. He is now 16 days post op and doing well. His 2 week check up show’s he’s right where he needs to be, lateral movement is as it should be, we’ve started passive range of motion therapy for him and will continue to support him with his sling for at least 4-6 more weeks (snow and ice on flagstones), so we don’t risk him slipping and injuring the new surgical leg. He does have controlled walking on the “lawn” where he has solid footing. I think we’re the only place that shovels their yard…LOL

We had Fabulous results with his first leg, No residual limping at all even after agressive play/exercise. Kudos to our surgeon, Dr. G. Bouck and his staff!

After care, they tell me can either make or break the success of the surgery. Take nothing for granted, do your best and be diligent.

Best of luck to all in a hopefully uneventful recovery.

A few tips from one owner to another:

• Inexpensive, non slip flooring – Wal-Mart Puzzle pieces kids playroom floor
• X-Large dogs – an X-Pen is ideal more room for you to sit with them while icing and heat
• Lots of tummy rubs, massages, hugs and kisses….. (that’s the easy part)

TPLO On Two Legs Within One Year – Pilot is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Well I thought I may have been lucky but now, I think not. My beautiful Sophy had her first TPLO at 4. She is a very active, joyful Lab and after doing the research I thought the TPLO surgery was the best option. Three years later, she has just started holding up her other leg. I have been treating her with Acupuncture and chiropractics but the vet said she would not be doing her job if she took my money for alternative treatment and my Sophy needed surgery after all.

So I will try alternative therapies and conservative management, but I have to say I am so torn. Sophy is a joyful lab that absolutely loves to run full-out, all the time. Restricting her activity forever just seems so wrong. I do not want to put her through TPLO but at 7; I just think maybe I should get it over with and let her be Sophy again.

The TPLO is a brutal surgery but in 12 weeks she will be right as rain. Conservative management and/or alternative treatment may avoid it but I would hate to string it out for a year or more and then have to do surgery anyway.

Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks!

Deciding Between Alternative Treatment or Surgery – Sophy is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Dr. James St. Clair of TopDog Health and Rehabilitation explains the importance of post operative icing within the first 72 hours following ACL repair surgery. Icing will help constrict the blood vessels and prevent inflammatory agents from entering the knee joint. The use of ice can also help relieve pain and make your pet more comfortable.

Icing Options Following Dog ACL Surgery:

• Ice Pack (Standard) – Do not conform to body
• Gel Pack (Gel) – Great choice, conforms to body and stays cold
• Frozen Bag of Peas – Good backup, just does not stay cold very long
• Therapy Wrap – Hot and Cold therapy wrap, easily conforms to body

How to Ice Your Dog

Dogs can be very sensitive and may react. If your dog reacts to the coldness of the ice, go ahead and place a towel over the area you plan to ice in order to prepare them.

Ideally you’ll want to place the ice source so that it wraps around your dog’s injured knee – this is where having a gel ice pack therapy wrap can come in handy.

Post Operative Icing – Video is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

8 year old yellow lab (named Betty) that was possessed with the “I love life way too much” syndrome. We did daily walks of three miles and were joined by another lab lover twice a week for five mile adventures. One day I noticed Betty really holding back, not interested in her walk and struggling to keep up. I assumed she was starting with the hip issues that we Lab lovers are all to familiar with but a visit to her vet revealed otherwise.

X rays revealed knee issues…… I never processed that dogs have knees. Anyways, a veterinarian orthopedic specialist was recommended. We met with the doc and were given a first class education on what was going on with our friend. One hour he spent with us answering every question, regardless how inane, and most importantly spoke to us in terms we could understand. Oh, and he drew lots of pictures to illustrate his points, very helpful.

Advice to all, get a great orthopedic vet and do the surgery. My best friend, even though wounded on knee number two, is like a puppy again. They’re worth every penny.

TPLO Surgery on Both Knees – Betty is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Benson just had his last check up at 7 weeks after his TPLO surgery. He can now gradually start resuming his normal activities. We agonized over which method to persue after we learned he had a complete tear of his CCL. TPLO sounded so grusome!

We did a lot of research, including talking to a veternarian at our state veternary school. Because of Benson’s age (not yet three), size (large) and activity level (very activie and loves to run), we decided on TPLO.

He was able to put some weight on his leg the day after surgery. The first couple of days were hard because he had the plastic cone on and was still groggy from the anesthetic, but after that he did nothing but improve. We followed the walking/icing/knee movement instructions fairly well and cut down on his food as per the vet’s recommendation.

We are very happy with the TPLO surgery results. I took him to the dog park for the first time since the surgery and he was so happy to be off leash, even though it was for only a short time.

UPDATE 11/7/11 – Benson’s owner checked back in to let us know he is still doing great. He’s just about as fast as he was before the surgery (he definitely looks pretty happy in the picture!).

TPLO Surgery for Large, Active Dog – Benson is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

My 1-yr old rottweiler, Rosie, suffered a right broken leg in May 2010. In Nov. 2010, she had TPLO surgery in an Orthopedic Hospital to repair the CCL and correct the angles in her leg.

Two weeks post-op, she developed severe swelling in her leg & abdomen, and a fever. I took her to my local Vet, & they sent me to the Orthopedic Hospital. Rosie was put on Clavamox, & they took a culture of ooze coming from her recent suture site. Several days later, she was switched to Zeniquin – to treat a Staph infection. She stayed on Zeniquin for 2 weeks.

Six weeks post-op, Rosie broke the top 3 screws of her TPLO brace while pulling on her leash in 2″ of fresh snow.

The next day, we returned to the Orthopedic Hospital. They stabilized her leg, and the following day, on Dec. 29th, a TPLO repair was performed. She received 3 new screws; an external fixator; and her leg was injected with antibiotics. Zeniquin was continued for 6 more weeks. Another culture was taken.

Seven weeks later, on Feb. 15th, 2011, Rosie’s external fixator was removed because the upper rod was loose. Another culture was taken.

In late March, 2011, Rosie received another injection in her leg (around the bones/plate/ & screws), of antibiotics. It was decided that the plate & screws will have to be removed after her bones have healed.

I bought an Exogen 4000+ Bone Healing Ultrasound system, and gave her 80+ daily (20 minute) treatments.

On April 14th, Rosie was started on Avelox, for 4 weeks.

She was taking Carafate for her ulcer, which healed quickly. Rosie put on weight, & started using her leg again! Rosie’s xrays showed good bone growth – for the 1st time since Dec. 2010.

April 27th, Rosie returned to the Orth. Hosp. for xrays & evaluation. Excellent bone growth; building more muscle. Scheduled to return back to Orth. Hosp. in early June for more xrays. Hoping to get the hardware removed!

Rosie will get more antibiotic injected around her bones, when the hardware is removed. Another culture will be taken. I’m sure she will need more oral antibiotics. At some later date, Rosie will need arthroscopic bi-lateral surgery on her elbows to remove bone chips due to dysplasia. We will keep our fingers crossed for her future.

Currently, Rosie is happy; eating well; playing; & using her leg very well. She has built a lot of muscle. Rosie will be 2 years old on July 4th, 2011.

To summarize, we almost lost Rosie due to infections & medications. We considered amputation of her rt. hind leg; and even euthanasia. It was a very dark 6 months. Of course, Rosie was, (and is), taking 6+ Tramadol daily for pain. Thousands of pills/hours of care ’round the clock.

My previous rottie had 2-TPLO surgeries with no complications. He had 6 more years of running & playing.

UPDATE ON ROSIE

This is a follow-up on my rottweiler, Rosie’s story, following TPLO surgery in Nov. 2010. Rosie will turn 2 year’s old on July 4th, 2011.

On June 15th, Rosie had the plate & 6 screws from her TPLO surgery/ & revision, removed due to contamination from staph. The original top (3) broken screws were left inside the bone. They were entirely encased in solid bone.

Purulent material was removed from the joint capsule; and slime was debrided off the bones. R-gel antibiotic was infused around the entire area. Rosie was kept in a hard cast for 2+ weeks.

After culture results came back, Rosie continued a 6 + 1/2 week course of Avelox.

We are keeping our fingers crossed! Rosie is doing very well now. Will keep updating.

UPDATE

Rosie is now getting aquatherapy! She finished her antibiotics, (Avelox), and is rapidly growing muscle!

I’d like to give credit to (VOSM), Vetetinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group, Annapolis Junction, MD. Dr. Sherman Canapp is Rosie’s surgeon, and Dr. Scott Christopher helped us every step of the way. They saved Rosie’s leg, and her life.

TPLO Surgery Complications & Staph Infection – Rosie is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

Hi my name is Hannah and I had my TPLO surgery on March 8th 2011.

I stayed one night in hospital and came home with so many meds my owners didn’t quite know what to think! For the first week I was given Percocet every 8 hours for pain and antibiotics every 12 hours for infection, which I didn’t have. Plus, I was given 1/2 meloxicam tablets for the first 10 days. I really hated all those pills I had to take because they made me feel weird.

My mom did most of the rehab with me because my dad has a very busy job, he’s a shift worker. I had a sling and a harness so I could go up and down our stairs easier when I had to do potty breaks. I only used the sling for 2 weeks because after that mom just used the harness to help me go slowly up and down our stairs. I’m not on any pain meds now or antibiotics because I’m healing really well. My dr was really good – he didn’t use stitches so I don’t have to go back to have anything removed.

I go back for my xray on May 2nd, which will be 8 weeks post surgery. I am now 24 days in. I’ve been to my vet for a check up and she says I’m doing great.

I start rehab at The Spaw on April 13th. I think that will help me to use my leg without limping as much and it will help build muscle. I can’t wait to go for my first long walk in the park where we would go before my surgery all the time. I dream about it every night. The lake where I watch the ducks swim and all the great huge sticks I love to carry. I think that’s my favorite part of the walk. I know my mom and dad are doing what’s best for me right now because they love me so much. They bought me a big kennel we keep in our living room, but I hate it in there so I get to lay on my ortho bed outside of it.

I’ll keep you all updated on my progress as I go. Thank you for letting me tell my story.

~Hannah~

TPLO Surgery Experience – Hannah is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries

My Schutzhund competition dog had tplo surgery 6 months ago. His recovery was very slow. I did plenty of low impact therapy from month one, then put him back on Rimadyl when the surgeon advised that he should be able do everything he did prior to surgery. After some hard training work, he developed a large swelling over the joint, and a small fistula began to drain.

I am resigned that my dog can no longer do the work to compete in the sport. Had I know the outcome, I would have opted for extra capsular repair.

Think twice about Tplo. When it works, I hear good things, but when it goes bad……it goes very, very bad.

Tplo Complications in Dogs – Hammer is a post from: Dog Knee Surgery and Ligament Injuries