She just wasnt making much progress. Keep up the good work! Cornell University Veterinary Specialists. She can stand up on her own, but not easily, and she will often scoot on her butt to move. TPLO surgery involves making a curved cut in the tibia from the front to the back, much like half a smiley face. Hi Bridgitte, However, it does work well for dogs who are interested in the world but calm about it. Your dog will need to be confined to a crate or small area, especially when you are gone. I hope you can find the answers you need, and you receive good news at the recheck. How did the recheck go? I recommend you schedule a consult with a veterinary rehabilitation professional. A full recovery usually takes up to 6 months. Best wishes and good luck! To correct the slope, the top of the shin bone is rotated until the slope is level. When your dog stands, if you look from the side, you can see that your dogs knee is bent, at a slight degree of flexion averaging around 110 degrees. I hope your girl can make a full recovery. Then gently pull upward to support some of the dogs weight. Hi Cynthia, Im afraid my Anatolian, after 12 weeks has not improved much. They can also evaluate him to see if he is progressing normally or if he is falling behind. Hi Maranda, To aid in your dogs recovery and use of the leg, carefully follow the exercise instructions provided by your dogs surgeon. Limping is usually greatly decreased, but all activity should still be restricted. He is scheduled to have the surgery tomorrow morning. He is requiring a lot of support on the sling, so I can help his foot go through the motion. Had it removed and he was good as new. He has never acted like a dog that had a serious surgery. I would think your pup should have returned to mostly normal function by now. She tries to jump up on as all the time, pulls at her leash and is a wild lady outside for bathroom time. The vet said this was normal. I was concerned and wanted to be sure he was strong enough to have the second one done . I am the one who wrote for advice as my germanshort-haired pointer was recommended to have both knees done. They may need to do some testing or x-rays just to gather enough information to make a diagnosis and find the appropriate treatment. Some people set up a dog crate or small exercise pen to use for the recovery area. It is best to be conservative and consistent. I thought it was initially muscles and have been massaging her hip and thigh. Hi Cheryl, Hello Dr B. My dog just tore both CCLs a week apart his surgery was October 26th and we could only get one done at a time. Still, no toe-touching. I have a 6yr old Shih tzu by the name of Milton, we had to get a TPLO surgery done on his right knee, we are nearing week 10 on the 28th of December and we have been cleared to start walking a little more, I am currently having trouble getting my baby Milton to sit up on his own, do you have any recommendations? I also noticed she had a popping that I could feel, so we took her to the surgeon and X-ray showed bone healing, and no obvious injury. What is TPLO surgery? Practically speaking, this translates to the symptoms you see such as reluctance to move, difficulty changing from one position to another, and limping. Thank you so much. We walked 4 blocks yesterday, with no problem, no limp, nothing, completely normal! Everything has finally settled down after the removal, and the swelling/infection and need for antibiotics and pain relief has been gone for about 3-4 weeks now. Unfortunately, cruciate ligament tears usually occur because of degenerative changes that are genetic. This is generally normal and simply a result of cutting into skin, muscle, and bone during surgery. This is not typical for 5 months post TPLO. Hi Sara, This would be a great thing to discuss with a veterinary rehabilitation/physical therapy professional. After surgery, youll want to do range-of-motion exercises with your dog, using the leg that was operated on. The surgeon said this was the absolute best option to let her live her remaining years pain free and healthy. I am sorry your girl tore her cruciate ligament and had to have TPLO surgery. Any time you notice the recovery process taking a step backwards, it is a good idea to inform your veterinarian of the change. As you learned from some of the FAQs, you do need to keep a close eye on your dog as he or she recovers. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). She tends to drag her right foot, and when she sits her back legs are extended out and not underneath her. 6 months post-opMost dogs should be walking and trotting normally (i.e. I understand your concerns about delayed healing after surgery. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. Large breeds of dog usually benefit from surgery the most. The slower your dog walks, the more likely he or she is to attempt to bear weight on the leg, which is what we want. I understand how this could be worrisome for you. This is a common issue after surgery. It is puzzling to me what this problem could be since it started 2 years after the surgery. Cover him or her up with a blanket, ensure the TPLO recovery area is not in a drafty area, and provide a nice warm dog bed to get him or her off the cold floor. Hi, Dr. Buzby. I think it would be best to reach out to your vet or the surgeon who performed the knee surgery. I truly appreciate your insight and will certainly look into the laser treatments and the Dasuquin. Second is our other product, Dr. Buzbys Encore Mobility hip and joint supplement. As difficult as it may be, carefully following the rules about exercise restrictions now will pay off big in the future. My little dog Coco had TPLO procedure 3 weeks ago on her right leg, she has been great, then only lately she has started to limp. You can also get acepromazine (sedative) if you need some help keeping your pup quiet in the crate. I did call his vet but was told to just watch him. I understand your concern about this weakness/neurological issue in your dogs good leg. Is this normal? Wishing you the best. 30 feet today. To the point now she has what looks like hives. Women! She isnt limping at all, and the implant looks great according to her 4-week radiographs. Hi Lisa, I was wondering if you could provide an update on your Anatolian Shepherds progress. If it were to fail, a TPLO procedure can still be performed. They are there to help your dog have a successful recovery. This is a great question for a rehab vet! Your dog will already be more sedentary during recovery, which lowers his or her caloric needs. Hi Marie, Can anyone advise if these symptoms are similar to what they experienced with their dog? If you have any concerns about how the recovery process is going, make sure to reach out to your vet. Over-activity can be devastating with regards to the TPLO. What could this be and is it something we should be worried about? Thank you for this excellent information. Daisy needs help to lift her back end up via the sling, but amazed us again by walking gingerly without the sling about 12 feet. Sitemap | Privacy Policy Both Daisys hind legs were lame and she was unable to stand. It sounds like you are doing a great job with keeping Paddy calm and resting. My 70 pound shepherd (5.5 yrs old) mix Grizzly had a TTA process done in March 2021 on his right knee and a TTA on his left knee in December of 2021. Plus we offer a variety ofresourcesandvideosto support you in whatever you decide. Should I go back to medication to keep him calm. Foraminotomy Bilateral (after neurological investigation) Surgery and drugs + Up to 3 nights hospitalisation + Discharge with up to weeks analgesia + Follow up examination at 4 weeks if required. It is expensive, but is a low molecular weight, and more easily assimilated. Cost of the surgery itself is usually around $700 plus the price of the metal plate and screws . Your email address will not be published. But your pup may be a good candidate for a brace. I get it. The reason a vet would do both legs is to minimize the total amount of recovery time. Hi Kamila, When hes walking, his surgery leg will cross over his other leg and he trips. In fact, injury to this ligament is hands-downthe most common orthopedic injury in dogs. 10 to 14 days post-op The dog will continue to bear more and more weight on the leg. an addition $6000 isnt sitting well with me since there is no guarantee that she will be any better off. A vet that practices rehab/physical therapy can give you ideas about more exercises to do with Paddy to make sure he gains strength and mobility in the affected leg. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Hi Brandon, Keep them from licking or chewing their incision. Get prescription saving tips and more from GoodRx Health. I hope you can find the answers you need to help relieve your dogs discomfort. We have him in our lounge room (its a small area) and were sleeping on the floor as he usually sleeps on our bed with us hes a very loved and spoilt boy. When I leave the house and come back for example he bounces off that leg in excitement, he is off all his medication now. In general, this will involve strict exercise restriction at first. Thank you. Most dogs benefit more from surgery or physical therapy. A better grip means your dog can walk with confidence. The lack of complete weight bearing you mentioned sounds normal for his stage of recovery and so does the intermittent outward splaying of the leg. Best wishes and good luck! Is this a long time to still be favoring the leg? She cried when I put him downstairs but then got mad at him when he came close. You are doing a great job with a very excitable pup! Since activity will be limited for a while, feed your dog less than normal to avoid weight gain (which would put additional stress on those joints). Consult your veterinarian if this happens. I agree with Lisa about providing some exercise to reduce muscle atrophy, just be sure to limit his activity to short walks (with support from the harness or towel around the belly) during the first few weeks. My Female Lab tore her Tplo 3 weeks ago, She came down with a UTIi because she held her urine in. I have a 6 year old boxer pit mix named Gracie. Provide water exercise as much as possible but also continue pain relief. I understand your concern about your pups chances at returning to normal function post-op. The recovery for TPLO surgery was easier than the broken leg. Dr. Julie Buzby June 20, 2022 102 Comments. Shes doing all of this without any indication pain. The damage from the torn CCL could worsen their condition. I am so sorry your girl is having issues with her right knee just weeks after surgery on the left. He is not charging us for this except for the medication. The source of infection most of the time is when the pet owner allows the dog to lick at the surgery site. Nanda, A., et al. We definitely value those therapies and have edited the blog to add them to the article. In the short period of time from when your dog injures themselves to when they finally have surgery to correct the injury, it is astonishing just how fast they begin to lose muscle mass and range of motion in the knee. I was wondering if hell be coming home with a drain tube, or if its normal for dogs to have one after this surgery? Every time she gets up she still doesnt put a ton of weight on the leg despite a successful surgery. I am hoping it is not a full tear as she is demonstrating some weight bearing..just trying to avoid surgery if possible . without limping). Hi Lisa, Once the cruciate ligament has ruptured, there is nothing left to keep the femur from sliding on top of the tibia. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports. MSM Joint Boost is a single ingredient daily joint health solution for dogs of all ages and breeds. After surgery she was sent home in a full splint/cast for seven days. My dog had bilateral TPLO surgery in April 2022. Saul - Bilateral TPLO; Dog Knee Surgery Success Rates: TPLO, Tightrope, TTA, and Reinjury After TPLO Surgery; Sampson - TPLO with multiple complications; Dog ACL Surgery Cost in 2021 Dog: Find Out What The Cost Of How Do I Know If My Dog Needs Surgery? Great to hear your baby is doing well. But look for the silver lining. Even though the surgery corrected the structural problem quickly, it is the post-surgical therapy and exercises that will truly make the surgery a success. I shouldnt complain they are worth every bit of sacrifice! After surgery. He does put weight on the leg and once he is moving he walks on all fours but slow and softly. flexion), the ACL inside the knee joint is always load-bearing, meaning it always has tension on it. The rehab vet can also let you know if hydrotherapy is a good option or if they do have concerns about the surgical site/hardware. We have floorboards and sometimes he slips a little and Im worried this will damage his knee. Do you know how much this is likely to affect her recovery? If you or your vet suspect your dog will have a difficult time getting around after surgery, you may also want to consider buying or borrowing a sling. I hope you find out that Happy is doing well. I completely understand what a challenge it can be to live with a grumpy old senior pup. I posted on a few days ago but Im not finding the comment. Praying for a positive outcome and a complete recovery. Automatically re-order your favorite Is still on Rimadyl, glucosamine, etc. . Is it common to be knuckling 6 days post op? We are continuing to use the sling for extra support as well as nightly massages to his surgery leg and knuckling ankle! Whatever you choose, ensure that your dog doesnt have access to anything to jump on. Finally, a dog may also shake because he or she is feeling a bit chilled. Dog Surgery Recovery Stories & Information | Best Dog Joint Supplements This could be as simple as an aggravated nerve from an injection given in the muscle while administering anesthesia which can take some time to resolve. Veterinary Partner. She has been confined (small area) and resting as prescribed the last 11 days. It could be that there is something else entirely different going on and it is just showing up as leg pain or mobility problems. Here at TopDog Health, we have created informative step-by-step guides to help pet owners like yourself learn the essentials on how you can best help your dog after surgery. I know that only x-rays can conclude this, but do you think there is a chance he has done some internal damage to the implant? Attempting to escape from the crate or jump over a baby gate can cause serious injury to a recovering dog. I am glad you are reaching out about how to transition your pup back to normal activity after surgery. Happy had the lateral suture surgery (ACL) 11 days ago. Just always quick movements in the house. I hope you can find a way to work in a few exercises periodically without too much fuss. Hoping for a positive outcome and wishing you both the best. His left knee has healed up and his right knee hasnt been acting up. If there is significant pain, administer a doggie aspirin; also use a supplement with MSM/glucosamine/chondroitin daily to help support the joints. He thinks its the arthritis bothering her. RETURN TO TOP. This allows the femur to sit more squarely on top of the tibia instead of slipping off the back. However, he continues to knuckle, and it seems like he is unable to control his leg. A dogs CCL helps connect the shin bone and thigh bone to the knee. 2023 Dog Knee Injury - All Rights Reserved. Wishing you both the best of luck. If you notice your dogs toes looking swollen, if the toes feel cool, and/or the two center toes are splayed apart, this may mean the bandage is too tight. Thinking of you! P.S. It was very successful but weve just been overly cautious about her running with other dogs due to the fast change of direction that can happen when they play. Alternatively, it is possible that your dog is shaking because he or she has a full bladder or needs to defecate. TPLO surgery corrects the slope and the sliding. I am not sure I can put her through another TPLO as she had a really tough time including gastroenteritis from the NSAIDs, pain meds, and was not eating or drinking well. Specialist-led anaesthesia, including meticulous pre-operative assessment, intraoperative monitoring and perioperative management. Give lots of praise and some treats when your dog calmly tolerates wearing the E-collar. Her progress has been slow. Good Luck, He actually was reacting to the hardware! But here are two fun tools to get you started: Put on your chef hat and get creative with the foods you use! $1000 less than the TPLO and less invasive. Peter. Then a metal plate is attached using several screws to hold the bone together so it can heal. Crated though seemed to be the best for us. Flexerna Omega is a daily omega-3 joint supplement designed for dogs of all ages to naturally support their joints and improve everyday comfort. Just today found out Winnie , my 4 year old chocolate lab will probe rely have to have the same surgery, I am horrified. Thank you for the reply! You.Are.Awesome for taking time to answer everyones posts and questions! Have there been any new updates? When I picked him up a day after his surgery he was knuckling constantly. Any insight/ advice? Often with the TPLO surgery the dogs feel good. Its been hard to keep him lying down, he wanders in the lounge room a bit, is this ok? Failure of the metal plate or screws used during TPLO surgery is rare. My 130 pound Anatolian Shepherd had bilateral TPLO surgery 5 weeks ago. They mentioned just waiting until his 2 week suture removal. This can be overwhelming, even for an experienced dog parent. Some fun fillings include: A word of warning about using food in these brain games. Though 2 rounds of antibiotics for a week each, Needless to say she licks it constantly and sleeves we purchased work but if shes alone eventually the sleeve loosens and she back licking and irritating the area and tunnels, According to the X-rays her veterinarian says screws are intact, Removal of the screws and plates has been suggested as the only option, Any feedback Dr. Buzby would be appreciated. They can let you know if the range of motion your dog displays is normal or if some physical therapy would be a good idea. He doesnt drink much anyway but what should I be looking for? So far, all is going normally except he isnt drinking much. Is everything ok? Because of this bending (ie. In a TPLO procedure, the tibial plateau, the portion of the tibia adjoining the stifle, is cut and rotated so that its slope changes to approximately 5 degrees from the horizontal plane.This prevents the femur from sliding down the slope of the tibial plateau when the dog puts weight on its knee. Im so nervous shes going to hurt it. He also has a soft non draining lump at the base of the suture thats hes on antibiotics for.. the X-rays showed the bone had healed at 8 weeks. Thanks Kim. I am not sure if this is a complication from the TPLO or if there is something else contributing to these symptoms and complicating matters. Your email address will not be published. One thing I would suggest for anyone whose dog is having more problems then normal is to get an MRI sooner, rather then later. Sounds complex, right.dont worry I am going to show you exactly how it works. Hes now doing this about every 15 minutes. Best wishes and good luck! I will say that I tend to recommend them in very few cases. I live in a very remote, rural location and the surgeon comes to the local vets office about once every 4-6 weeks. How was the recheck? Without examining your dog, myself, it is hard to know if this will go away on its own or is something more serious that needs immediate attention. Did everything look ok? Especially if a dog goes home the same day as the surgery, he or she may still be a bit drowsy from the anesthesia and other medications. It would be best to discuss this concern with your vet, the surgeon, or a veterinary rehabilitation professional. This is our third Rottie to have the procedure. Hoping all is well and this is no longer a concern. I am suspicious that there could be a nerve issue causing pain. I purchased pet insurance for her as a puppy, and they have covered 90% of the cost surgery and all that goes with it after a $100 deductible. First, in order to understand how to help your dog recover from a TPLO, you need to know a bit about the surgery itself. It is also a good idea to further restrict your dogs activity as a seroma may mean he or she is too active.
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