But the only way to know for sure is to have your dog examined. I noticed many comments are talking about the TPLO surgery. TopDog Animal Health and Rehabilitation document.write(new Date().getFullYear());. without limping). Im just hoping that his not standing on his own is a confidence issue and that one day soon hell realize he doesnt need to be so dramatic and can actually do it without assistance! There is no additional bruising or swelling externally. A dogs CCL helps connect the shin bone and thigh bone to the knee. Because of this bending (ie. crossing my fingers!!!! Make sure you cut back on Deramaxx/pain meds as she starts to feel better. I am glad your Doberman seems to be making a full recovery. date for your upcoming Scheduled Orders. Today she is noticeably holding it up. With that being said, large breed dogs are at a higher risk for arthritis due to the increased weight on their joints. Hi! It would be extremely rare for your dog to have a reaction to the implants, but much more likely to be having a reaction to the suture material used to close the tissues/skin. I agree with Lisa about providing some exercise to reduce muscle atrophy, just be sure to limit his activity to short walks (with support from the harness or towel around the belly) during the first few weeks. They can also help set reasonable goals and follow up to make sure your girl is meeting all the milestones as expected. This is our third Rottie to have the procedure. Ask your veterinarian for a full list of costs. And a full recovery can take up to 6 months. However, if it is becoming problematic, please contact your vet. They definitely helped.his coat improved and he started healing faster. She is also dribbling urine on our way outside. CareCredit. In fact more and more, larger animal hospitals have physical therapy departments built into their suite of comprehensive services. Everything has finally settled down after the removal, and the swelling/infection and need for antibiotics and pain relief has been gone for about 3-4 weeks now. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). He walks with his right leg sticking out a little bit but overall, no issues. Is recovery longer when both knees are done at once in comparison to only one? I am sorry your dog is having issues with his TPLO surgical site. He is also going to give her some muscle building steroids. An amazing all-natural source of chondroitin, vitamins, mineral and proteins for healthy cartilage and the anti-inflammatory support that maintains daily comfort. She had her 14-day post opp, it went well and shes still on anti-inflammatory. Once the cruciate ligament has ruptured, there is nothing left to keep the femur from sliding on top of the tibia. Although the TPLO is a great surgery to repair a torn ACL in dogs, it is not the only option, therefore it is best to have a conversation with your veterinarian or veterinary surgeon and discuss which option would be best for your dog. Good Luck Surgery is scheduled for this coming Tuesday. I have a 6 year old boxer pit mix named Gracie. Given the change from pre-camp to post-camp, it seems like he tweaked it pretty good. Was it the same vet that did both surgeries? Wishing you all the best of luck! Or learn how to do doggie massage and try it out on your pup. Currently changing the antibiotic to see if its an unusual allergy, but hes shown no real change after 24 hours since the change. . The orthopedic surgeon may recommend using an ice pack on the incision and around the joint several times a day. . Only have one stifel done at a time if both stifels (legs) have been diagonised. Is still on Rimadyl, glucosamine, etc. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. An infected incision may be swollen, red, hot to the touch, and/or oozing pinkish red or yellow liquid. In most cases, this total cost includes pre-surgery blood work, anesthesia, anesthesia monitoring, pain medication, the surgery itself, post-surgery care, and to-go-home medications. All you can really do is try your best and it sounds like you are doing very well! Hi Christel has Zoe been diagnosed with torn ligaments acl (anterior cruciate ligament) xray cannot tell this but your vet should be able to manipulate your dogs leg and tell if it is a torn ligament. Any thoughts on what and why he keeps doing this? I keep putting her in her patch of grass and she just doesnt move. Feel free to leave an update as things progress. They recommend another surgery to try to fix it before it becomes a fracture, and of course another large amount of money to do it. It was very successful but weve just been overly cautious about her running with other dogs due to the fast change of direction that can happen when they play. Veterinary Partner. You are doing a great job. We have also started her on a new kind of joint supplement called Dasuquin. I understand your concern with trying to increase Miltons exercise since having his TPLO surgery. At our last appointment (8 weeks post) he told us some favoring at times could be normal during the process of slowly returning to normal activity (maybe too much activity too soon), but we had none. But before discussing the alternatives to TPLO surgery there are several things that should be considered in order to choose the best surgery option for your dog. For 4 months after the surgery, dont let your dog run, jump, play roughly, or climb stairs. We are seven months post op and she is VERY active. Sometimes this can be an issue with double coated breeds and is seen commonly if they are taken to a groomer to be shaved for the summer. A vet that practices rehab/physical therapy can give you ideas about more exercises to do with Paddy to make sure he gains strength and mobility in the affected leg. They may need to take some x-rays to evaluate the surgical site and plate. Hello! Now that you have identified the most important factors, lets discuss the most common alternatives to TPLO surgery. CCWO/TPLO. Did her limping start around the same time she started increasing her activity? Rosies injury was a progressive onset, bad arthritis in both knees & diagnosed with hip dysplasia in both hips. I know that helping your dog recover from orthopedic surgery can be a bit daunting. However, it does work well for dogs who are interested in the world but calm about it. Or could it be an infection of the bone? She doesnt seem to be in pain, and weve seen improvement with her using her leg a little bit more, but the sound is so concerning is this normal? Hi Geri, It would be best to have her examined by your vet. Wishing you the best. Be sure to use a barrier between your dogs skin and the ice, such as a towel. Radiograph, Post Op - $192.52 - Cost of x-ray to be taken following surgery to check placement of implant and knee joint angles. Did her x-rays look normal? (2019). Best wishes to you both! The fact of the matter is And lastly. Injuries can happen during recovery. In dogs, the ligament starts to degrade and becomes weak over time whereas humans usually tear during sports. flexion), the ACL inside the knee joint is always load-bearing, meaning it always has tension on it. Appreciate any recommendations Ty. (2019). You.Are.Awesome for taking time to answer everyones posts and questions! Your email address will not be published. She has over the last week or so developed a cyst on the inside of her TPLO leg . Even if she doesnt return to pre-surgery bounciness, whats important is that she isnt in so much pain (in my opinion). Think about how it feels when you are desperate to find a bathroom. This is an important issue that needs to be ruled out. I hate seeing him like this and I blame myself for this happening, but he was doing so well for the longest time and its been 5 months since he had gotten the surgery done. Large breeds of dog usually benefit from surgery the most. It was determined at the time of surgery that Sirius had one fully torn knee (left) and one partially torn knee (right, with . I highly recommend you schedule an appointment for your vet to evaluate Grizzly. For dogs, injuries to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) a ligament that helps hold the knee together are common. This constant tension or stress on the dogs ACL, therefore makes this ligament the most susceptible to injury. However, if you need medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please contact your local veterinarian. Hi Ayla, Keep up the good work! I understand your concern for Dakota and this worrisome popping sound since her TPLO surgery. I am sorry your boy is still struggling a bit after his knee surgeries. As a word of caution, this one isnt good for reactive dogs who would get worked up or start running around. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports. What could this be and is it something we should be worried about? Then, on top of that, you might be adding in extra treats. 10 to 14 days post-op The dog will continue to bear more and more weight on the leg. With that being said, limb weakness/neurological issues can be a temporary side effect of some pain medications commonly used for orthopedic surgery patients. I am really at a loss and scared to do this as the procedure is so expensive and no guarantees that we wont have further problems later on. As mentioned before the best-case scenario is that you find a professional canine rehabilitation facility in your area and set up an appointment for soon after your dogs surgery. I understand how much work this is when you have a large dog. Wishing you both the best of luck. Its Free. Hi Jennifer, Developed by Dr. Barclay Slocum, the TPLO surgery was originally considered a radical procedure for addressing canine ACL injuries. Jennifer. Thus surgery generally results in faster . Your dog should be able to bear a good amount of weight as they walk. When she first gets up she still tends to knuckle on her right foot. Have there been any new updates? And, we followed the surgeons instructions and did not let him off the leash until the middle of March, 3 1/2+ months post op. I am suspicious that there could be a nerve issue causing pain. I did take her to the surgeon today and he said the implant feels perfect and she has good range of motion. We call these guides TopDogs Home Therapy Guides for Pet Owners and we provide the digital/pdf version completely for free to pet owners. I understand your concern for your pup and this ongoing pain he is experiencing. It is not painful for the dog and the area should not be hot or red. You only get one chance to help your dogs TPLO heal correctly. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery corrects the injury and has a high success rate of restoring function to the knee. My 80 lb GSD mix had bilateral tplo about five weeks ago and Im concerned his progress is slow. He rarely runs and is wiped out after a 1 mile walk. Limping is usually greatly decreased, but all activity should still be restricted. Daisy is a 4yr old GoldenDoodle. Provide water exercise as much as possible but also continue pain relief. Cost of the surgery itself is usually around $700 plus the price of the metal plate and screws . Keep them from licking or chewing their incision. Cornell University Veterinary Specialists. When your dog stands, if you look from the side, you can see that your dogs knee is bent, at a slight degree of flexion averaging around 110 degrees. Some hospitals may even include post-surgical physical therapy available at their hospital. So far, all is going normally except he isnt drinking much. Does this mean hell have to get surgery done on the same knee? I am sure this will be a ray of hope for Jennifer and others in a similar situation. Shes recovered really well despite going lame at 4 weeks. Hes just not himself. I lift her into and out of the car. We have a 5 yo 95# cane corso with a partial ccl tear.. Hi Katherine, By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. She is having TPLO today on both knees! If this occurs, surgery might be needed to fix it. Without examining your dog, myself, it is hard to know if this will go away on its own or is something more serious that needs immediate attention. Yes, I just read your other comment from last week! Every time the antibiotics would reduce all of that and then boom all of a sudden back after 5 days off the antibiotics. Brooks, W. (2021). Also, when hes walking he limps,and will drag that leg, but his leg also seems unstable.. Feel free to leave an update as things progress. I am concerned with how Zoe will fair during the day when we are not home. This clinically effective, daily joint powder can be used alone or as a BOOSTER to any existing joint supplement. And is the swelling normal? We followed all of our vets recovery instructions and she is now running and walking with no limp whatsoever. If there are any complications such as reinjury or infection this process can take longer. Without examining your dog, myself, it is hard to know for sure what the cause could be. My dog was starting to get better/not limping and putting weight on leg about 2 months after surgery. My advise would be to see if there are any dog rehabilitation facilities in your area and if possible, have them help with the rehab. It is well understood that all pet owners absolutely hate theE-Collarie. Maybe you want to teach your dog to balance treats on his or her nose. Feel free to leave an update letting us know what you decided. Licking is calming, and these toys give your pup something to work on for awhile. The 2nd most common complication is due toOVER-ACTIVITY TOO EARLY. The average cost ranges from $3500 $5500. Is your pup taking Gabapentin by any chance? He has still had lameness in his 1st leg (the left) so I had radiographs taken last week. The lack of complete weight bearing you mentioned sounds normal for his stage of recovery and so does the intermittent outward splaying of the leg. Give your grey-muzzled companion more good days. For example, consider hanging a sign on your door that says Do not knock or ring the doorbell. You dont want your dog leaping up and sprinting to the door every time you have a visitor or delivery person. Day 4Sleep (although I cut back on her Tramadol from 200mg every 8 hours to 100mg every 6 hours and she seems to be alright with it). GoodRx works to make its website accessible to all, including those with disabilities. Reading about these surgeries is a bit scary. Together these superstar ingredients reduce inflammation and promote joint healthtwo things that are very good for post-op dogs. Dominos story (and numerous complications) are on the Dog Knee Injury Facebook page. Hi Lisa, thank you for responding so quickly although I was hoping to hear your Anatolian was back to normal by now. GoodRx provides no warranty for any information. If one leg was done before the other she would not have a good leg to stand on, which would force her to put all her 90lbs on a recently plated leg. My dog (weimaraner) had a broken leg at 15mos, which required 2 pins. If you have any lingering concerns about how the healing process is going, please reach out to your vet. We plowed a path around the property and she seems to be doing better not having to walk through the deep snow. Hi Kamila, Try relaxing with your dog in the recovery area while reading a book or watching a show. But it could also cost as low as $2,000, depending on your dog, where you live, and where you go for the surgery. I do think you should contact your vet and let them evaluate this issue. If there arent any complications, the bone typically heals in about 8 weeks. UK: 1,750 - 6,000. Im just monitoring & keeping an eye out, ice, rest & meds. She is back to normal activity but yesterday we noticed a soft squishy lump on the inside of her one legs under where her incision was made. Chin up, and cheers to all the dog parents out there who love their furBabies as unconditionally as they love us! My dog hates the raft-like collar around her neck but getting used to it. I have read that sometimes braces can be used in lieu of surgery. She may have over-done it in the yard today, but I am worried that she has an injury to her meniscus. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. The damage from the torn CCL could worsen their condition. It is a good sign that your girl doesnt seem to be in any pain. After much consideration, I opted to do both of her knees at the same time, as the recovery would be much easier and less stressful on her, and myself as well.. 2 years later and now he has a cyst like looking sore on his knee. Also, they tend to have shorter life spans and therefore have senior dog issues earlier in life. It could be the difference between your dog getting full function of the leg back and always having residual problems. Also, keep other animals out of the recovery area so your dog isnt tempted to play with them. They can let you know what to expect during the recovery phase and what symptoms to be on the lookout for. She has also been placed on Phycox a joint supplement, as she will certainly develops post traumatic arthritis in her knees This surgery is expensive, it was $5k, these days not many people have that much just sitting around somewhere waiting to be spent, and i didnt either.but Ellie, is family, you love them, dont want to see them in pain, so you bite the bullet, tighten the wallet and do itive always had labs, and Ellie is my second lab to have this injury. Without examining her myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. Coco has a confined space inside with comfortable beding and she is let out to go to the toilet. After she gets going that stops. Even if you have done everything right, complications can still arise and would need to be addressed. We give her S3 everyday and limit her running because she can over do it and will show signs of discomfort, which is mostly arthritis around the knee. We are almost 2 weeks post op. My dog had TPLO surgery on his left leg in December 2021. Praying you received good news, and all is well. Dogs must use their sense of smell and touch to locate and unbury their edible treasures. Then you can gradually increase how much exercise your dog gets until he or she is back to normal activity levels. All Rights Reserved. Other signs your dog is in pain include: If you are seeing signs of pain, please talk to your veterinarian. As difficult as it may be, carefully following the rules about exercise restrictions now will pay off big in the future. Hi, Finally, a dog may also shake because he or she is feeling a bit chilled. Harry now has a happy life thanks to the vet, Harry weighs 52kg. His own office is about 5 hours away and has rehab facilities, including an under water treadmill where she can exercise without all the weight of her size. Hello Chrystel, Best wishes and good luck! Yes, it can be common to see knuckling the first few days after surgery. Should I be concerned she has injured her plate or bone site? Now the surgeon says that 2 of the 3 screws holding the top of the plate are broken and it looks like the bone and plate have shifted a little bit. Wishing your pup a speedy recovery and happy days ahead. The vet I go to is going to do TightRope CCL Repair which is approx. lampshade, that is put on dogs after surgery. If it wasnt reinjured, the clicking sound could eventually go away. If you determine that your dog is overweight, work with your veterinarian to help your dog lose weight. I am sorry your dog has had so many issues with his knees over the last year. Dog Surgery Recovery Stories & Information | Best Dog Joint Supplements My husband said he has noticed a positive difference. It is odd that she would start having trouble this far out from surgery after previously returning to normal function. Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. Especially if a dog goes home the same day as the surgery, he or she may still be a bit drowsy from the anesthesia and other medications. Just wondering how things are going today. . Hi Jennifer, My 11yr. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Could she be allergic to the implants. Then, your vet will go over what to expect for your dogs recovery and future. For an active dog, weeks of exercise restriction sounds a lot like torture. Happy has significant muscle wasting due to splint. I am very grateful for your time and care. Whatever you choose, ensure that your dog doesnt have access to anything to jump on. I will make another appointment with the vet, but they cant seem to tell what is wrong with him and the pain killers are not improving his situation other than making him sleep all the time. This wearable harness has handles you can grab to help hoist your dog up off the floor. TPLO surgery costs more than other procedures because of the specialized equipment and the required training. Let your dog snuggle up to you. My mini golden doodle puppy just had TPLO surgery 9 days ago. I understand your concern about your Husky and his mobility deficits since his TPLO surgery. This typically happens within the first two weeks after surgery. Some fun fillings include: A word of warning about using food in these brain games. And he is stil mobile without a limp. This will show them how well the bone is healing. Her leg is looking great and her incision has healed really nicely! I know how difficult it is to keep a young rambunctious puppy calm for extended periods of time. RETURN TO TOP. Since one ligament degrades and fails, 40-60% of dogs tear the other knee within two years of the first injury. Dont forget to download ourAT-HOME REHABILITATION GUIDE FOR TPLO SURGERY. I am still working through a ton of comments that came in over the holidays, so I am a bit behind. Any advise you can provide would be appreciated. The leg can definitely still recover without the exercises being done. He appeared to have no strength in either leg and it was difficult to get him up and moving, we used both a harness and a sling to get him up. He is a large dog (132#) and is 10.5 years old. Since I havent examined her myself, it is hard to know what normal is. Hi Gloria I am reading a lot of comments about either doing bilateral TPLOs simultaneously or doing one at a time. It appears that in my dogs case, one caused the other. I got tramadol for Domino, and it helped tremendously. And you can slow down and spend more time just hanging out together. I think after clear X-rays , we think she twisted her knee.. When a dog has a torn cruciate ligament and needs surgery such as a TPLO, recovery, and everything it entails, can feel daunting. She only started standing on her own a week ago and doesnt do that all the time. You may end up with a dog who has arthritis and has limited mobility if the surgery is not done. Embrace Pet Insurance. Others use furniture or baby gates to confine their dog to a small area. Primary healing takes a minimum of 8 weeks. HELP! Hopefully underwater treadmill exercises are the answer Ive heard thats the best option after this type of surgery. This is not typical for 5 months post TPLO. In an effort to help make the entire TPLO experience a bit smoother for dogs and their parents, I have compiled and answered the most common questions about TPLO recovery. The leg also seems to splay outwards (not always, just sometimes) You may want to try to take some steps to cut down on your dog accidentally running or jumping. I mention this so you can understand the importance of following the orthopedic surgeons instructions about exercise restriction post-operatively. Alternatively, if your dog is having a hard time getting up from the floor, he or she might benefit from the Help Em Up Mobility Harness. Easily change the products or shipping Can the leg still recover OK without doing these exercises? My German Shorthair had TPLO surgery 9 weeks ago and has gone thru 3 rounds of antibiotics for swelling, lameness, heated knee and pain. It is possible that arthritis from her previous injury could play a role in her healing process.