Labrador retriever CCL injuries?

[lewy]

I used the vet in Issaquah for my lab, wasnt cheap, bout 26 or 2800. she was only 2 when she blew her knee out on a hunting trip so i wasnt gunna let her limp around for 10 years. I would say she was 95% after the surgery and to this day (shes 6 now). Its a pretty intense surgery and you need to plan on having somebody around for a couple of months afterwards to keep an eye on the dog while it heals.....glad I did it, so is she

[6x6in6]

Lewy, which vet?

[lewy]

Drawing a blank at the moment, will look it up and post. The clinic is just on the south side of I-90 in Issaquah

[lewy]

Dr. Fry did the surgery. His clinic is 660 nw gilman boulevard Issaquah

[6x6in6]

Thank You!!! 

[6x6in6]

This is where the Mrs took our dog for the consultation on the referral.  http://www.pugetsoundanimalhospital.com/
Anybody know of them?

[Happy Gilmore]

if you want it fixed right, there are board certified surgeons that do this daily. most vets do shots and scrapes and refer out the major surgeries because of the complexity and staff requirements. there is one clinic in spokane http://www.vssspokane.com/ that is my wifes truck right there  and another at wsu. not sure of the wetside. the clinic here gets stuff from the basin to butte, so that tells you how many surgeons are around. the surgical centers do not do anyting but surgery, and they are good at it.....expensive, yes, but if you knew how many botched fixes get sent to them on any month you would puke. imagine giving your vet 800 bux to set your dogs leg and then have it not take.....then get refered to a surgeon who has to go in and plate it after breaking it again. ask your vet if he has ever done or seen done, a hip transplant. can they do a ct, ultrasound?

There's a guy in Issaquah, maybe at the Alpine Vet Clinic, I can't remember for sure. That's who my vet refers to. I can't remember the Dr's name.

$$$$$

[PNWsportsman]

As I understand CCL tears are very common in labs.  My lab is 4, extremely active, and in good shape.  She started limping after hunting in ten degree weather (seems to me it would be easier to tear something when its really cold.) 

I have a good friend who is a vet.  I mentioned to her my dog was limping.  She immediately asked it it was the hind leg, and told me I needed to have her checked out soon.  I still havent taken her in but intend to shortly. 

WSU would be an option for me so I will look into it. 

Thanks for the info

[YellowDog]

PNW and 6x6, I would highly reccomend the VCA Specialty Center in Lynnwood (not the regular VCA clinic) .  I would reccomend Dr. Amy Little at the VCA Specialty Center.  She did not do my dog's surgery but she and her staff took the post op x-rays and they were very nice, knowledgable, professional, explained things to us, showed us the x-rays, and she was one the local vet that we were referred to if we wanted to do the surgery local. They were also able to take the post op x-rays without sedating my dog which shocked the hell out of me because she is pretty high strung when at the vet but they got 'er done and saved me $100+ on the anesthesia. 

They have also helped us through the unfortunate need to euthenise our 15 year old cocker beagle mix and 18 year old cat this year and were very compassionate and provided top notch care for those pets in their final days.  They are spendy but I think their rates are comperable to other West side surgery centers.  The TPLO surgery quote I got was in the $3700 price range while WSU charged me $2580. 

[6x6in6]

Thanks YellowDog.  The Mrs did chat with VCA in Lynnwood.  Seems as she has spent a ton of time talking with vets all over the PNW and beyond.

She is leaning at using this guy http://jeffmayodvm.com/default.aspx after our call to him, for a couple of reasons:
Because he comes to your vet and performs the procedure as an experience for your clinic to participate in.
He firmly believes in the same form of initial re-hab that is so common with humans meaning send them home ASAP after surgery to get them back to a comfortable environment.  Same day surgery and go home that afternoon.
Sure, cost is a part of it.  He charges $1,400 to perform his part, the TPLO.  This does not include the facility cost at your vet office.

The facility cost is where we have an "in" sort of.  Since our dog's vet declined to have the procedure performed at their office, we opted to go to our large animal vet who works with our horses and our non-profit horse rescue's horses also.  They are so intrigued by this opportunity to be a part of this, administer aid, support the surgeon and be a part of a learning experience, they are going to open up their facility for cost and without mark-up for the surgery.

I encourage any of you who have to go through with this with your dog to at least take the time and give Jeff a call.  Very nice guy and is willing to take the time to discuss your any question and readily volunteer any information he has with you.

If we do indeed go with Jeff, I will report back further with more detail leading up to the surgery, the day, and then post op.

[6x6in6]

Just to update......
Surgery is scheduled for this Friday and the vet clinic's estimate to support the surgeon in his work ranges from $750 to $1,200.
And yes, DVM Jeff Mayo is going to perform the procedure.

[YellowDog]

Hey 6x6, how is your pup?  Do you mind updating us on the final cost with the surgery center charges?  Was your dod weight bearing right away? 
My pup had her second knee done on December 30 so she is just over 3 weeks post op and is doing great.  Can't wait until the 8 week point to get the follow up x-rays to confirm everything is set and healing correctly.