TPLO for cruciate tear

[Reilly]

My 5 year old girl had a TPLO done on her right leg last May and was playing again by September. She fell the day after Thanksgiving and has been limping terribly since (on the repaired leg) and also tore her left cruciate. Our surgeon was unsure of the injury in the right so we have been swimming to strengthen it. We are meeting with him again this Thursday to see where we go next.
He thought maybe a torn meniscus, but thought exploratory surgery would be best to diagnose the problem because she is showing no signs of such an injury.

I am very frustrated and want my girl healthy again. I hate to see her go through more surgery than necessary. I am wondering if anyone else had a TPLO done and how their dogs are doing? - or If anyone might have gone through a similar situation. Thanks! Kate

 

[kagricola]

Our Newfie mix had two TPLOs. She tore the second ACL while recovering from the first surgery and i'll never forget the day she started limping, because I knew right away what had happened. She did extremely well recovering from both surgeries, but it was hard to put her through the second one. She was very active and just didn't do well with the rehab regimen we tried before deciding on surgery. I did a lot of research and talked to a lot of vets and we were very happy with the quality of life she had for the 5 years after the surgery.

 

[Jeannie]

My Samantha has had two (each hind leg) ACL surgeries--not the TPLO but the traditional surgery. She also tore the meniscus which required a third surgery. She is happy and pain free now but her gait is not the smooth flowing movement she had before. BTW all her surgeries were within 8 months--July (1st ACL), October (2nd ACL) and March (meniscus).

 

[Reilly]

Thanks, before the 1st TPLO we consulted with several vets in our practice and none would recommend the traditional surgery. They said the tendon wouldn't hold up giving her size and considering she has quite a bit of arthritis in the right leg (one already operated on).

Hopefully our round two will also go well - we just need to get her right leg up to speed again.

 

[Reilly]

We saw the surgeon today - the lameness in her right leg is still a mystery. He thinks it is related to her advanced arthritis. Surgery to repair her left tear TPLO & / or ligament replacement are all off the table unless she can get stronger. We are just looking at keeping her happy and comfortable for now. She can still continue her weekly swims, but is to lame to go for walks and play (both which we all miss very much - especially Reilly).

 

[Pam G]

Poor Reilly, I sure hope that right leg comes along so she can have the surgery on her left. This must be so difficult for you because she is so young. Have you tried adaquin shots? I've heard that some newfs have had good results with this..especially if it is arthritis. Keep us posted on her progress.

 

[Jeannie]

I hope Reilly gets feeling better so you can do the surgery. Been there, done that. It is hard. Prayers coming your way.


On another note: Since you PMs are turned off I am posting this here. Your avatar is over sized. It is 480 pixels wide and the limit is 250 pixels. If you don't know how to resize it please PM me and I'll be glad to do it for you. Thanks for understanding.

 

[Reilly]

I asked the surgeon about the shots and considering she is given 2 scoops of nupro joint supplement and 3 glucosamine w. chondroitin tabs daily he did not think the adaquin would help. However, I am going to check with my regular vet.

Sorry about the pic, I thought I resized it appropriately - guess not. I was really shocked when I saw how huge it was. I also opened up the PM's in my profile.

I haven't taken advantage of what a great resource this site is and thus never looked to closely at my profile. I will be on more often now. Thanks for your support!! Kate

 

[Ivoryudx]

Keep in mind, there is nothing wrong with getting another opinion, from other clinics. Your girl is only 5, and if the arthritis is that bad already in the right knee, that has already been repaired once - last May, I would want to know why she was a candidate then, and not now.

Adaquin helps some, but not others, and there is no way to know if it will help unless you try it. It is different than Nupro, or Glucosamine. I would definitely talk to my regular Vet or get another opinion, because the longer the left is let go with a torn ACL the more chance of arthritis to take over.

jmo,

 

[NinaA]

Just found out today Echo has blown her right ACL. Consult with surgeon in two weeks. Any suggestions in the meantime or after. I have done this before but with a smaller dog, so I don't think my advice would necessarily apply to your situation, but boy to I feel for you.

Nina
et al

 

[brady]

Timmy has blown both his right and left ACL on his hind legs. the left is "newer" than than the right. The vet hesitates to do surgery though because of his SAS. He sure doesn't know enough not to slow down. He does break my heart though. We do give both he and Brady supplements (syn flex). Every now and than if he acts like he is having a pain I give him a Rimadyl, not a routine basis though.

 

[dbradley]

I feel for you. These surgeries are just no fun for us or the pooches.

If you vet hasn't mentioned it already, keeping Reilly's weight low will help her out a lot, Better for the arthritis and the tear.

 

[NinaA]

I give gluc an chon. What else should I be giving Echo as a supplement that might help now and after surgery? I couldn't get a consult for 3 weeks, and the surgery will be 2 after that.

Nina
et al

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Our girls get Ester-C, too. I was told that it's a natural anti-inflammatory and helps those with arthritis, etc.

 

[NinaA]

Okay, thank you. I'll look for it.

Nina
et al