Just in case anyone with a big dog is facing torn cruciate surgery I'd thought I'd share.
Our Sassy is finally back out chasing the squirrels although I keep a sharp eye on her and limit her time outside.She is in the final stages of her second TPLO surgery and things look as good as new except for the hair growing out. Two winters ago she came up lame and our vet announced she had a torn cruciate in her hind leg. Basically it's a blown out knee like football players get.Because of her size she was a very tall slim looking 175 lbs, he said we should have TPLO surgery. To over simplify it, TPLO is a major surgery where they actually saw the bone in two and change the angle of the knee. Then they put a plate and screws in to hold it together while it heals. I was just freaked out, really a mess. I spent days talking to other vets and the two thing they all agreed on was if properly done and with slow therapeutic recovery her knee would be better than new and she was going to blow out the other one! Well we got through the surgery, taking her to a specialist in another state and by last summer she was up to the full throttle of her 3 years. Winter came, more snow and yep out went her other knee. At least this time we knew what we were in for and prepared for the expense. I can't say enough about this fantastic procedure. My last Saint at 13 developed spine deterioration and it was a very painful process in spite of his good heartedness and love of life. At only two I couldn't see Sassy facing years of knee trouble and arthritis when we decided to do the first surgery, I also had convinced myself it was a freak accident and the other knee would be fine, oops. I am now looking at Seamus and wondering if pet insurance isn't a good idea. I was told that the angle of the dogs tibia is a contributing factor in the torn cruciate in both legs so I may get him checked. Anyway I am forever thankful that veterinary medicine has followed the lines of complex sports medicine. Connolly
