TPLO - Trying to Make a Tough Decision (how much, labrador, retriever)

[kobi]

Our 5-year old rottweiler, Ecko, has been favouring her rear leg (VERY minimal weight bearing) for the past 2 1/2 weeks. We're not sure exactly how she did this, but took her to the vet approx. one week ago. He said that it looks (from preliminary vet exam) that it is a torn ACL. He couldn't say whether it was a partial or full tear without further tests (requiring her to be under anaesthesia). He recommended that we give it a week of minimal movement (taking her out for washroom only; having to stay in a room/crate where she could be very quiet, etc.), and then see if we saw any improvement. Over the past week, her knee starting making a popping sound, which is happening more often now than it did a week ago. From my internet research, it seems to possibly indicate a torn meniscus?

My husband and I are agonizing over what to do. Our vet said that, based on the size of Ecko (she is approx. 100 lbs.), that a TPLO is the only option in terms of surgery. And, of course, there is the high cost associated with this, etc. We are particularly torn due because there seems to be a high rate of ACL tears in the other knee after the first TPLO is done. We honestly don't have the money to pay for this and CERTAINLY don't have the money to pay for a second surgery if the other ACL goes. It's hard for us to tell how much pain she is in, as well. We have seen no improvement over the past week in terms of her ability to use the leg, either.

If anyone has any insights they might be able to offer to help us with this difficult decision, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Keeper]

What is a TPLO?

[Amazonchix]

TPLO=Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy

It repairs the acl in the knee aka a form of knee recontruction.

[Amazonchix]

Kobi...

We feel for your family and the financially hard decision. Our Pearl just had TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement), which is the newest acl repair for the knee. Only certain dogs can benefit from TTA (it has to do with the knee angles), whereas TPLO is still a wonderful procedure too. The reason more often than not a dog will have to have the surgery on the other knee is due to being over-weight for their frame.

Have you checked around on the prices? We chose the number one surgeon in our state therefore the price we paid reflects that. I was told by some that there are other vets who feel comfortable performing the TPLO procedure that would have cost us possibly half of what we paid. There are also credit lines available to people who need up to 4 years to pay off the surgery. I believe it was called Care Credit...your vet should know more about what is offered locally. A second opinion may not hurt either.

Please read our experience with our TTA procedure. There are also pictures of what Pearl looked like post surgery. http://www.city-data.com/forum/dogs/...s-request.html

I also found this website very helpful to us as far as what to expect for post surgery care, even though this website has to do with a TPLO procedure and ours was a TTA procedure. Our TPLO Experience: Intro

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions of our experience.

[grannynancy]

I am afraid that I have heard that, for a large dog, TPLO is really the way to go because just reattaching the ligament is usually not adequate.

If you did go that way, is she overweight and could you lighten her up to keep the added stress off the other knew [I know most people keep rotties too fat - you should see and indent and feel her ribs]?

I think there are plans that allow you to break the bill up into low or no interest payments - not insurance plans but something that allows you to pay over time. Something like "companion care credit"?

I feel for you; I know it is an expensive surgery - if you do it you should shop around for a veterinary orthopedic specialist. There is a yahoo group called "orthodogs" for dogs with orthopedic problems that may have some suggestions.

Hey amazonchick - like minds think alike! I just read your post which went in while I was typing.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Kobi,

I think it's only a decision that you can make. It depends on how strong your bond is with the dog and what you feel like you are able to handle financially. I know that in light of the current economic situation, a lot of people are going to be faced with tough decisions like this.

Just keep in mind, that right now, at this moment, there are a lot of really healthy dogs at shelters who are being put down because they have no homes.

Woof x3

[Aptor hours]

Oh that is heartbreaking. Needless to say if I could come up with the money in any way I would have it done to my dog or I would pay for your dog to have it done. I don't know much about the procedure but my friend did have it done with great success on her Lab Good luck with whatever you decide.

[EJCNRJ]

I was in your shoes one year ago... My husband took our Labrador Retriever to the dog park and she went to fetch a ball and tripped in a ditch. She limped for a little over a week until we took her into the vets. They took x-rays and told us the bad news. Since she was over 50 pounds that one surgery was out of the questions (i'm not sure what it was called) We debated about TPLO for a few weeks but they said not to wait to long because it would be harder to fix. We decided to use our tax money. It ended up costing a little under $3000. She could not run for the next 4 months and believe me that was hard for her not to do. Let me tell you... We don't have a lot of money but it was spent well. She doesn't limp anymore and runs like she was never injured... She is 5 years old now and has an active future ahead of her!

[tikitwo8765]

i am sorry about your situation...are there any vet schools by you? you could maybe look into that. universities with vet schools often offer services to the public for reduced prices. not sure if they would repair a torn ACL, but it may be worth looking into.

[sdweisman]

i too am so sorry you're in this position. have you thought about a credit card you can pay off? i know that i would do most anything for my dogs to live a longer, healthier life. i agree with tikiwo8765, try a vet hospital and see if offer services to help their students.
good luck and i hope your baby is feeling better.