Cranial cruciate ligament - TPLO surgery (dogs)

[Sneeze]

Big Hank has been diagnosed with a tear to its Cranial Cruciate Ligament and my vet has suggested the "TPLO" surgery as the best method to address this problem.

Apparently, it’s one of the most common surgery's done to dogs (sans nut removal) - but I have never heard about it until yesterday.

The specialist they have referred me to is Western Veterinary in Calgary.

If any of you folks had this procedure done to your pups, what was the cost?
Also, any hints, tips, tricks, advice, suggestions that may relate to anything about the surgery.

I would even like to hear about the smallest experiences you may have had with this surgery or injury. How did your dog injure itself? (I am not sure how mine did it)

If I have to go to Calgary next week and fork over 4 grand - I want to make sure the 4 grand is well spent and the best doctor available is doing the work. I would kick myself if after the surgery things went wrong and I hear there was a vet in Vancouver who charges $200 bucks more but is twice as good.

Thank you for any advice you may have.

[bubba 96]

My vet is awsome, some of the surgeries I've seen Picts of her do are simply amazing, she is in between airdrie and cochrane, anyone I've referred her to, has never said a bad thing ever. Her clinic is called cochrane lake small animal clinic, her name is Dr.Koebisch....she has been treating my albino boxer since she was a pup....

[mad fisher]

My bull mastiff had one knee done and then a year later had the other one done.
He is great now. Just make sure to follow the rehab recommendations and all will be well.

I think he is actually better than before. As he runs like crazy at the dog park and wears himself out now....

[Andrzej]

If I have to go to Calgary next week and fork over 4 grand - I want to make sure the 4 grand is well spent and the best doctor available is doing the work. I would kick myself if after the surgery things went wrong

Things can go wrong after every surgery and TPLO has 90% success rate so there is chance of failure and you have to accept this.
It is not like you spend extra 1g and there will be better outcome.

Western Specialist Centre has Board Certified Surgeons so you are in good hands.
Your reg vet can refer you to particular Doctor. I would recommend Dr. Audrey Remedios.

[NUK SOO KOW]

My 2 year old pointer just had one done last June. Sucked as he tore it pretty bad, right before our last summer in Canada. We had the surgery done in Lethbridge. FOLLOW the rehab, as hard as it is, and your pup will be fine. It is long and difficult. Lots of kennel time and no stairs. We had lots of stairs in our home, carried that dog up and down for three months! Anyway here we are 7 months later in Australia and he's tearing up the beach like nobody's business!! Well worth it, he's my best friend, nice to be able to run together and swim in the ocean!! PM me if you have any questions. Good luck!!

[molly]

I had a malamute that had both legs done several years ago. I am amazed at how costly this is now. I had a "specialist" come out to my vet's clinic and do it, with my vet assisting. The specialist said my vet could do it himself, no worries. So when the second one was required, my vet did it. There were no problems. Why do you need to use one of those fancy clinics when most likely a "regular" vet can do it? Your fee is helping to pay their high overhead.
I would call some other clinics if I were you. Try Okotoks Animal Clinic...they are very good and not far from Calgary. My vet is in Turner Valley.
Good luck!

[REPO]

Our pitbull/lab cross blew out BOTH back knees at the same time! The local vet told us to put her down as the surgery would have been $8K to get both done. I did a ton of reading on it. We ended up just restricting her completely, and had to carry her all the time so she could do her business. We would take turns taking her to work, where she would just sleep under my desk. It was a very long drawn out event.

Now she is all healed up. No surgery or anything. She can run like mad, and still chases coyotes, swims, etc. We don't let her run after the quad anymore, as at the end of the day she would be quite stiff and sore. She can easily jump into and out of the back of our truck, etc.

With good (extreme) care they can get back to normal over time.

[Acesneights]

Sounds like its time for a new puppy for the kids at Christmas.

[tri777]

Originally Posted by REPO

I did a ton of reading on it. .

More people should take advantage of this before they do the vet thing, imho of course.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by bdarling

Sounds like its time for a new puppy for the kids at Christmas.

pretty hard to just go and replace a family member though

[Sneeze]

Long road ahead.

I tell you good vets are hard to find. They nickle and dime you to death. Somehow a 3400 "verbal" quote turned into a $4400 estimate when I got him there. Plus the $500 my local vet billed for a "referal".

"Come back in 2 weeks so we can pull the stiches out"
"Come back in 4 weeks for follow up radiographs"
"Come back in 8 weeks for follow up radiographs"
"Come see us once a week for 'hydrotherapy"

Me: "Is any of that included in this estimate?" - "No, you would have to pay our consultation fee each time of $185, plus the cost for each service, radiographs are $200 each (!) and we need to take two each time."

Told them I would do the surgery myself. They dropped the price back down when I was leaving with the dog.

I understand guys gotta make a living and 8-10 years of school comes with a price tag, but $2000 dollars an hour is a bit over the top! Plus, there is no warranty!

One day I will build a home for a vet. I am going to give them an "estimate" thats 100k too low, then explain to them at settlement that my estimate didn't include nails and they cost $100 dollars each. If they would like warranty on poor worksmanship, they will have to pay me $185 to speak with them on the phone about the concern and then I will charge again to fix any lousy work I did in the first place.

[bucktaker]

My dog tore hers when she was three years old costed over four grand all in. Tore it jumping out of the box of truck going hunting. Never came back from it ended up being an expensive well trained house dog. Would I do it again ...in a heart beat good luck

[c_vet]

In Carstairs its reasonable. you should check them out.