Dog torn ACL's

[birddogdad]

Have never had a dog tear an ACL  before but it was pretty devastating. Come to find out, she has torn both back legs. Researched all the 20+ surgical options for repair and opted for TPLO - tibial plateau leveling osteotomy arthrodesis. This corrects tears and allows working dogs pretty much full recovery with minimal future issues. Problem was the cost. At quotes in the Seattle area from 4500$ per leg to upwards of 7K it was troubling.. My vet recommended the WSU Pullman school and I was amazed at the cost reduction for having patients in the teaching environment and costs are around $3200/leg. Back Leg #1 was done last Friday and I am nothing short of amazed. 4 weeks I return for back leg #2. Full recovery I am told will be in time for fall season. Down time for the dog is key to success, no walking, jumping, stairs ect for 8 weeks post surgery, so for her, it will actually be 12 weeks.. I will post weekly updates and pics if I can figure it out here with her recovery status for those who may have similar issues with a working dog..

[vandeman17]

Wow, how did she injure them?

[birddogdad]

Wow, how did she injure them?

just running..

[vandeman17]

Wow, how did she injure them?

just running..

Ouch. My 5 year old goes balls out all the time and it scares me. I watch her jumping sage brush, downed logs etc and I just pray she doesn't hurt herself. She is a dog though so can't really hold them back. Keep up posted and good luck!

[jackelope]

Really common in active lab sized dogs it seems. Happened to my yellow dog as well.  DoubleJ has a thread going on it happening to his dog too.

[Mfowl]

Sorry to hear! How do you keep the dog inactive during the recovery time? 8+ weeks seems like a long time to keep a dog from being a dog.

[bigdave]

no walking for 12 weeks?  how does that work?

[quadrafire]

no walking for 12 weeks?  how does that work?

House arrest. Leash walk only out to potty, that's it.

[Ridgeratt]

no walking for 12 weeks?  how does that work?

House arrest. Leash walk only out to potty, that's it.

 

When our dawg had her's done the vet gave me an example of putting a 100.00 bill on the fridge. Said if she tears it bring me back 12 more of them with the one on the fridge and he will repeat what he had just done.

[jackelope]

Ya you put the dog in a crate that is just big enough and leave it there for 8-12 weeks. It's torture.

[Mark Brenckle]

Our lab/dane cross had both done at the same time. We used a strap around her belly to assist her walking and going outside. We got her a comfy bed and a play-pen type enclosure. The kennel we have for her is plenty big, until you need to reach in and help lift 120 lbs.
Tramadal and ace pills helped keep her mellow. Her surgery was in April, she's fully recovered but we keep her calm on the wood floors, don't let her chase the neighbors cats, etc.

[Mark Brenckle]

Here's a picture of the x-ray.

[WA hunter14]

Different injury but equally amazing, had a dog lost spring break her pelvis, when I saw the xray I felt sick. There was a clear separation about a half inch wide, I thought I was going to have to put her down. The vet was happy though that it wasn't the broken leg we thought it was,  she said no surgery needed just lock her in a kennel so she can't jump or run for 4 weeks and she will fully recover.  She's healthy as can be no issues at all .

[Mudman]

Sound advise.  My wife assists on these all the time.  Our dog has had one.  If you are westside I may be able to suggest a good Doc at a better price?  Would have to ask wife.??  Yes 12 weeks, pills, kennel all important. Its hard.

[lamrith]

Wapititalk should post in here anytime with his Vet recommendation, I am sending him an email... 
Do NOT get it done locally, all the vets here on the Wetside charge way to much.
His dog had to have BOTH knees done a year or two ago and out the door total was around what the local here charge for ONE.  and the vert is supposedly a pioneer in the field.  His dog was back up and going pretty quickly.