Tplo

[Chance's mom]

Anyone else out there going thru the surgery? Sure would like some help, we are just coming up on 5 weeks post surgery. Can also help someone in the "early stages" from what we have learned.

 

[Babyblue5290]

I'm sorry, but what's TPLO?

 

[Chance's mom]

Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy? Thanks for responding.

 

[Babyblue5290]

I'm sorry (again lol) I don't know anything about the surgery, but I'd like to say I really hope everything goes well for your pup when it comes time for the surgery as well as a speedy recovery!

 

[Chance's mom]

I was told when we entered into this that it was normal in large dogs. I'd post a picture, if i knew how to do it, of Chance. I can't believe after being a dog owner and knowing many people that have had dogs have never been thru this. Our only decision was "hey he's 5," now I 2nd guess our decision, my god, what didi we do to him!!

 

[Chance's mom]

One more note. He has tears in both knees. AGAIN, HE'S 5!!! A caution to all....this surgery is not cheap, again not an issue for us but when all is said and done $3,000. will be a fairly low estimate. Surgery was $2,300 but we are not done yet with follow up x-rays continued Rymadel for the next (atleast 2 months). Again, what the hell did we do?? I am praying for Chance and us that we made the right decsion.

 

[Chance's mom]

Please send out a prayer for Chance

 

[Rubylove]

I work for an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in knee surgery so even though it's not veterinary I might be able to offer some insight!! An osteotomy is a procedure involving reshaping of bone to give relief from injuries and also to stabilise a joint when necessary. Does your dog have a cruciate injury? This can be a painful condition but more often leads to joint instability so in your case I am assuming the surgery is being undertaken to repair the cruciate and stabilise the stifle.

Human recovery from a cruciate reconstruction/tibial osteotomy is about six to twelve months in total, with intial recovery being about three months. This is with a leg brace and rehabilitation, which I assume your dog has (or a plaster cast).

The reasons for this kind of surgery are not only for pain control and to restore stability but also to help ward off problems later in life such as osteoarthritis.

If your dog is young, healthy and active his recovery should go well, but you will need to keep him from doing too much with the leg for six weeks initially if possible! (though he should be weight-bearing almost immediately) A good thing about cruciate reconstruction (although osteotomies need a little more rest) is that exercise and rehabilitation and using the joint are the keys for a strong recovery - at least in humans!

Good luck and good on your for taking care of your dog so well.

 

[Chance's mom]

Thank's so much for your input, i have felt so helpless thru all of this. ANY insight will help1

 

[Rubylove]

Thank's so much for your input, i have felt so helpless thru all of this. ANY insight will help1

How's your dog doing? Is he/she weight bearing? Or seeming to be in any pain? Or raring to go and just frustrated that his/her hindleg is acting funny? Lol...

And what was the initial injury?

 

[Chance's mom]

Thanks, he was mostly "weight bearing" right away but two week he quiit and developed an infection. So again, another thing we were not warned against

 

[Rubylove]

Thanks, he was mostly "weight bearing" right away but two week he quiit and developed an infection. So again, another thing we were not warned agined.

Oh wow. Post-op infections are, unfortunately, a risk of joint surgery and although not common, are not especially uncommon. Did the vet do a washout and put him on antibiotics? It sounds like you are not too happy with your vet - is this the case or has it just been a long road?

 

[Leigha]

I sent a prayer up for your dog. Hope all is well.