Knee Surgery(CCL)
Submitted by Cantu on October 31, 2011 - 11:14amI have an 8 yr old Bulldog and I was told last week that he needs surgery because he has a CCL tear. Has anyone had this done? I was told there are two different surgeries that can be done is this true? If you have any advice please share? I'm scare to have surgery because he is old but I also want to get it done ASAP because I don't like seeing him in pain.
CCL Surgery
I had a 7 yr old that had a torn crutiate and ruptured meniscus. He was already a little arthritic at that age and looking back I still would have had the surgery done. He was never 100% after the surgery and I think it probably aged him some...but he rarely needed more then aspirin and he got around very well even up to his passing at 11 1/2. He had the old fashioned method done, not TPLO but that was like 10 yrs ago and I know the have made advancements in the methods. He was not in pain after the first day and by the time we had surgery done 2 weeks after he hurt himself you would not have known he needed surgery.
Your dog at 8, I might want a second opinion to discuss options and methods. The TPLO has a longer recovery and is more invasive. If your dog is real active then this is likely the methond I would have done. but if he pretty much sleeps all day the the old method would probably work just fine.
I also had a 1 yr old that had an almost complete tear and we had the old method done on her, she is 6 now and that leg is as strong as ever. She was a pretty active girl, has slowed down some now but she returned to showing after the knee surgery and other then the scar you would have never known she had blown her knee out.
Good Luck! The recovery is long...and it is very important to follow the surgeons instructions. The success of this surgery has everything to do with the after care. No stairs, running, jumping, couch, bed, etc for at least 6 weeks and 8 weeks with TPLO.
I had a friend that had the TLPO done on her girl with great success. She kept her on leash and pretty inactive for 10 weeks.
Get yourself an ex-pen, my vets recommendation over being crated.
Sadie had the TTA method done when she was 8...she is now
11 1/2. We opted for the TTA method because she was not real active...the leg today is stronger then ever. No matter which method you opt to have the aftercare is most important...like the things mentioned above. Sadie didn't want to do much for the first few days but after that she was walking. She stayed crated alot which she likes, but when she wasn't we would have her on a very short leash so she could not lunge to play with the cat. Overall I am glad we had the surgery. Also make sure you have an experienced orthopedic surgeon or someone you feel very comfortable with. Good Luck with your decision.
Lola has had two TPLO's
her first she was 2.5 and second she was just turning 4.. Both were costly and recovery was long but shes 100%.. she was young and FULL of energy so I went TPLO.. If I was going to put her through surgery I wanted it to be the best one.. I did make the mistake of the first surgery using a vet who wasnt as experienced in TPLO and the Plate was removed, the second surgery was done by one of the best surergy centers in the US and the recovery was a breeze.. your bully is 8 which unfortunatley is older in bully years so you really have to look at their activity level and overall health condition. The ligament will not heal itself, only scar tissue will build up and make it tolerable for them but artitus will set in quicker.. I would opt for surgery if I were you.. bullys tend to slow down as they get older and a torn ligament could speed that up.. with a new knee it could put more "pep" in their step lol.. good luck