The preparation for Kaz’s TPLO surgery has been the hardest part. Endless hours have been spent worrying about her injury, researching it, and discussing alternatives. In the end, we have decided that a TPLO surgery is the best solution to repair Kaz’s torn cruciate ligament. Hopefully our time spent preparing for this surgery will be beneficial to a successful recovery.
Mental Preparation
The mental preparation has been rough. Starting four months ago when we first noticed her limp, it has been a constant battle with my brain to determine the best solution for her.
It began with denial, “It’s just a slight limp, it’ll go away on it’s own.” When the limp didn’t improve after a few weeks I thought, “She probably just pulled a muscle.” We took her to the vet and after a horribly confusing conversation where I still didn’t understand the severity of her injury; “She just needs a lot of rest and the prescription anti-inflammatory to heal her partially torn ligament.” It wasn’t until I researched the injury on my own and talked to a second vet that I finally accepted that Kaz had torn her cruciate ligament and was going to need surgery to ever fully recover from the injury.
Supplements and Restricted Exercise
Torn cruciate ligaments can’t grow back together and repair themselves. Even with the help of 
supplements like glucosamine or elk velvet antler, the ligament can only scar over and learn to function around the injury. My brain still had a tough time accepting this, so we decided to give Kaz a couple months restricting her movement and enhancing her diet with supplements to see if there would be any improvements.
We have been giving her Glucosamine, Wapiti Labs Natural Mobility Elk Velvet Antler powder, Wapiti Labs Elk Velvet Antler Strength tincture, and Rimmadyl (Carprofen) pain killers/anti-inflammatory. She has had good days and bad days on this regiment, but it was heartbreaking to limit her to a one block walk a day when we knew she wanted to be doing more.
Surgery Consultation
Since Kaz is only 2 1/2 years old, we couldn’t bear the thought of her living the rest of her life with so many restrictions and that was the deciding factor for the surgery. We met with Dr. Lozier at North West Veterinarian Specialists for a consultation on the surgery. He thoroughly explained the differences between a ligament replacement, a Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA SURGERY), and the favored Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO SURGERY).
Dr. Lozier seemed very confident in the TPLO and his success rate with that particular surgery. I remember telling BJ that I would hate to have him as a friend, but would love to have him as a vet. He told us 85% of his patients come back with positive results from the surgery. He stopped counting a few years ago when he had performed 2,000 TPLO surgeries, but he assumes he’s completed close to 5,000 of them. His experience and passionate belief in the success of the TPLO assured us that this was going to be the best solution for Kaz.
Kaz is scheduled for her surgery next Thursday, November 12th. We will be dropping her off Wednesday, the night before, so she can be prepped for the procedure. After the surgery, she is carefully monitored for a day and if everything looks right, we can pick her up on Friday.
on Nov 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Oh Courtney, Kaz looks so very sad. I know that’s her perpetual “look,” but knowing about her surgery, it’s almost like she’s saying, “oh, poor me.” You’re a very good mama and I know she’ll do just great.
Love you a bunch.
Pat
on Dec 9th, 2009 at 10:51 am
How is your dog doing now? Our dog is scheduled for surgery next week and we are still unsure if this is the pest option. He is a 120lb Rottweiler.
Please respond if you can
on Feb 15th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Your story is our EXACTLY! Our Hungarian Kuvasz had surgery in Kansas City one week prior to yours. How are you all doing? I REALLY want to know, if you have time to answer.
In His Mercy,
marti
on Feb 22nd, 2010 at 11:25 am
I was curious what you all have to pay in total for the surgery.
Thanks,
Jennifer
on Feb 22nd, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Hi Jen,
We ended up paying quite a bit. Probably close to $4,500 after all the follow up appointments. I think it is still too early for me to say it was 100% worth it, but Kaz seems to be recovering well. We are at about 12 weeks post op now and she is almost walking without a limp.
Good luck!
on Apr 11th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
My little 9 kg dog had TPLO surgery 3 days ago. My vet initailly thought she had an ankle injury. After x-rays and conservative rest and anti-inflammatorys a specialist vet diagnosed a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, and due to a ’slipping’ patella and steep angle of her tibial plateau he recommended a TPLO. Boy was I surprised to learn it was her knee after being so careful with her ankle all those weeks. I am usually a real reseacher but having found the 3 weeks leading up to this decision so stressful (emotionally and financially) I decided to put faith in my specialist and go with the TPLO. He advised that this was this best solution for her injury. I didn’t prepare myself for what this long recovery process would be like (as surgery was done the day after diagnosis), and I must admit it’s only the second day I’ve had her home and I’m struggling. Although this is being done for her good and to return to an active life again I feel really awful putting her through surgery, and she is so miserable at the moment with a swollen, bruised little leg. Pre surgery she was using her leg to walk slowly (but not fully weight bearing) and then hoping on 3 legs when moving faster and doing a few stairs and jumping up on the couch. Happy enough and no evidence or pain. So of course I am hoping that these next weeks/ months go by well without too much additional stress (although the finacial is still going to be causing pain!). My good wishes out to all who face this and other medical problems with man’s (and the girls) best friend. Cheers from New Zealand.
on Apr 24th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
HI
Our French Mastiff had the TPLO 10 weeks ago he received an infection and after a few weeks on Anitbiotics seemed to come right he is now limping on his leg again is this normal after 10 weeks…?