Anyone whose bully has had TPLO...
Submitted by Kathy Chester N... on April 26, 2012 - 9:40pmcould you give me the short course? Our regular vet does this surgery also and it's a lot cheaper than the specialist. He does 4 or 5 a week and has excellent results. Chester will probably have to have this done this summer, his limp is off and on, but he does favor his back leg. I'm interested in the recovery. They don't have anyone overnight at the office, so I would probably try to bring him home that night. Are they allowed to walk right away, just outside to do their 'bidness'? Or do they have to be carried. I know they have to be penned or crated, but how much movement are they allowed? Hubby was thinking about taking the other 2 to the mountains for two weeks so Chester wouldn't be tempted to run around, but I can't lift him. Any info would be appreciated.
no experience myself
no experience myself sorry...but hope the cutie pie gets better soon,
smoochies the scrunchy face
Same day
if he comes home he will be very sore. Mine were always kept over night. The recovery is longer with TPLO then the old method. He will likley not put any weight on it for a few days, so if you have stairs that could be troublesome as they should not do stairs. The recovery is at least 10 wks with TPLO and he will need to go back at least once, maybe twice for xrays to check the plate and screws. Ex-pen with a bed and his toys works well, it gives them just a little room to move around, but the first couple of days he will not want to do much. Besure he gets a pain patch. I have only had the old method done, but my BFF had the TPLO done and she kept her on leash for 10 wks, 2 wks longer then the vet said it was ok. Just wanted to make sure all was well. The only other thing I will say is there can be more complications with TPLO. Make sure your vet has done several of these on bulldogs. My specialist said it was a little more tricky to do a TPLO on a bulldog because of the shortness of the bone and the outward curve of the stifle/knee, which is not typical for most other breeds.
Good Luck
ps .. I would be prepared just in case
to carry him for the first few days. The other option is to help him with a type of sling (rolled up towel under tummy to help lift his rear end and let him do the work in the front end and his good hind leg. After a week he shoud be able to use that leg a little, but he must stay on leash. The success of the surgery is really dependent on the after care.
Deb, what was the old method?
Is TPLO supposed to be better than the old method? We could have the specialist do it, but our vet's partner has done a lot of them and he did mention that one a few weeks ago was a bulldog. It's $1000 less to have our vet do the surgery. But I really do worry about him being kept overnight when no one is there to watch over him, that was why I would want to bring him home. I'm not sure if the specialist has overnight care, I'll have to find out.
Conventional Method
Since I have had 2 very successfull "old" methods done I can't say if one is better then the other. But a specialist will tell you that for heavy, active dogs TPLO is the better choice. I know nothing about the newer TTA method. Also since the medical procedures/knowledge advances so quickly a method done 5 years ago is now obsolete and something is always newer and better. The TPLO was relatively new when Norbert had his surgery done. Since I had success with that method I was comfortable using it for Cleo and I had a pocket book I had to consider. The TPLO was about $1k more if memory serves me.
Your choice in the method depends on the dogs activity level and if he is overweight, get the weight off. While we all want to do our best for our dogs there are times that finances may make that choice for us. Thankfully it has been 5 years since I've had to have this surgery done so I have no idea what the differences in cost is. I just know it is way more expensive then it was.
Norbert was always around 67 lbs and he had the old method done at age 7. It was the method recommended by the specialist at that time (8/9 yrs ago) It was the best option for him, he was not real active, older and I'm glad we used a less invasive method. In hindsight the surgery was hard on him so I'm happy with the choice.
Cleo was 1 and active when hers was done and again I chose to have the old method done on her. My vet did this one. My vet even though he is not a specialist he does have extensive training, experience and knowledge in these surgical procedures. Cleo will be 7 this year and that knee is as strong as can be. Happy with the results.
My friends girl that had TPLO was a very successfull surgery and recovery as well. Chloe is young and also very active so the TPLO was a great option for her. She went back to winning in the show ring after about 8 months and runs around on their 20+ acre farm like a crazy one.
Unfortuntaley have been through TWO TPLO's
Lola had TPLO's on both knees 14 months apart.. My biggest advice is ensure your vet is well experienced in TPLO's and here is why.. My regular ortho vet did the first knee and after those results I went to a specialist that does probably 10 times more a week.. First TPLO was not a good experience at all.. Lola barley used her leg for weeks and eventually the plate had to come off because the screws came loose.. horrible experience but after it was all said and done her leg is fine..
Second TPLO was AWESOME.. she was walking home that day, no pain meds after 3-4 days and was back up and going at the expected time, no complications with plate and no issues with healing..
I chose TPLO because Lola is 70lbs young and very very active.. it provided the most stability.. the old method uses string to replace the knee and I had no confidence in that.. works for some but Lola is too active.. FOLLOW the rehab, keep your baby pinned and exercise accordinly and you will be back on the mend in no time.. If possible ask to speak to a few of the recent patients who had their TPLO's there.. see how the recovery went.. if the vet is not as experienced that will drastically impact the healing.. they cut the bone, rotate it and istall a plate and screws.. if any of that is compromised or completed incorrectly it causes issues.. I was completly shocked in the diffrence with lola's two surgerys.. it was night and day and I would of paid double to have not had my normal vet do the surgery..
My girl had the TPLO about 4 years ago
My girl was 5 and tore her cruciate ligment. My bulldog vet said I needed an orthopedic surgeon to do the TPLO, he said because of the weight of a bulldog it was the only way to ensure it would last. The cost is high, $3200, but well woth it. I took her in and they kept her overnight. She was walking on the leg the next morning. I would definitely go to an orthopedic surgeon and have your dog evaluated. I had to keep her on a flat surface for 4 weeks, no running, jumping or stairs. She did great. After that, she was able to get back on the couch with her sister. She is fine now, no issues. I am so glad I spent the money and had it done right. I live in Virginia and there are only 2 orthopedic surgeons in this area. I just kept her in my bedroom on her bed. She healed really well. Good luck with your bully.
Surgical Options
Surgical Options
Surgery to stabilize the knee is usually the treatment of choice for dogs over 20 pounds, Schulz says. There are several types of surgery, and the best choice will vary for an individual dog. Surgery may range from $600 to $3,000. Surgical techniques used to repair CCL tears include: