Lab tore her ACL...questions

[PSU]

Hello Friends,

 

I hope all is well. Our seven year old lab Dakota tore her ACL over the weekend playing on a local lake. We had felt for years that she probably had a partial tear and the x ray confirmed this. Our vet here in Plymouth has suggested the TPLO (Tibial Plateau leveling Osteotomy) surgery, which my understanding is around $3,000 to $4,000. OUCH! She is a very hard charging lab in all seasons and especially on our island in Frazer / Smarts Bay in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

 

Has anyone had their labs go through this surgery? Were results satisfactory? Recovery time pretty lengthy?

 

Thanks for any insight!

 

Andy

[BringAnExtension]

Andy, my lab mix is going to have the surgery next week.  I can't tell you the results, only that I will be going through something similar at the same time.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

My Lab had ACL surgery about 4 years ago on one back leg. 6 months later had to do the other leg!

She has not been the same since! Very stiff in both back legs and basically unable to hunt since the surgery.

I would ask your vet about the chances of your dog having the same results and also about the chance of it needing an operation on the other leg soon after! My vet told me that the chances of the other legs ACL tearing would be very high after doing one leg.

Cliff

[PSU]

Wow, that's what I heard as well Cliff-bummer and expensive!

[side_laker]

Sorry to hear about your lab. I will check with a friend and see what surgery his lab had. I know about 6 months after the surgery his dog tore the other one. I want to say he had it done down at the U (or somewhere like that)

[Jplante]

I dont have any experience with this, but as i was reading response about dog needing the surgery on its other knee after. I wont if it is like a athlete, where they come back from an ACL and tear the other because favoring it so much? Just thinking out loud basically 

[CLOTAGAMES]

The lab at Life of Riley had her ACL done last year and still gets around good. She must be 7 or 8 years old.

[PSU]

Thanks for the feedback friends, looks like about a $3,500 surgery and yes, the professionals say what you have all said that a second ACL injury happens often in the other hind leg as a result of over compensating....

[Cliff Wagenbach]

PSU,

Check with Chip at the Ely Veterinary Clinic if you are willing to drive up here to get it done.

Good Vet and much, much cheaper!

Cliff

[norwaybay]

Only thing I can add is was told the same thing (ACL) on my British lab.  She was hobbling about and surgery was the only option and would be 2-4 thousand.  I live in Grand Forks so the price is pretty standard.  I spoke to a friend who had a springer and was told the same and he rested her for a month.  We opted not to pursue surgery and kept her from running and jumping off the dock for a month and now you wouldn't know anything was wrong.  Had spoken to a few friends who have done the same and the dogs are all none the worse for the wear.  Just an option and I would have paid if it was life or death because I do like my dog

[PSU]

Interesting Norway, thanks for the insight!

 

[PSU]

Anyone ever hear of the "Tightrope" procedure (Arthroscopic swivel lock) versus the TPLO? Seems a bit less evasive than the TPLO with a quicker recovery time.

 

Just curious

 

 

[smalliehunter]

My dog is 8 now and had the tplo at 5 years old. There is a simple test the vet can do to test the ACL. You can find the surgery much cheaper.  If you want info on who I used pm me.  Couldn't be happier with the outcome.  She has had 3 awesome hunting seasons since.  Very long and tedious rehab process but well worth the money!  My vet told me 50%chance on blowing other knee, within first year.  I think a proper rehab plan and being strickt on it will prevent that.  Worked for me anyway.  I was more around 2 thousand with 6 months free checkups.  Trick is finding an honest vet.

 

[PSU]

Sent you a PM Smalliehunter