Kelly_Louise Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 (edited) Hello! My little girl is ready for an appointment for the Specialist to see what can be done for her Cruciate Ligament ruptures. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any conditions under which they would decline to operate on her? She was booked in for surgery previously but it was the one where they let scar tissue build up etc (not sure what it's called). The vet said that it would not help my little dog, and I am hoping against hope that the Specialist does not also decline to operate using the TPLO or Cranial Wedge methods. Are there any reasons that anyone knows of that would exempt her from surgery? She is 7 years old and both legs are affected. She was previously a little overweight but has been on a strict diet and lost about 5 kilos. Thank you for your time and help! Edited November 9, 2006 by Kelly_Louise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fido666 Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Hi KL, There's been a few posts about TPLOs on here (I myself started a thread over a year ago), try doing a search. My boy had a Cranial Closing Wedge over a year ago as a baby. It worked very well and recovery time was about 16 weeks all up, a Cranial Wedge would not be quite as invasive IMHO. I'm not sure why a surgeon would decline to perate other than age but perhaps the damage your dog has was too great for the "scar tissue" method to work? You might want to join Orthodogs on Yahoo Orthodogs, it's a goldmine of info on this sort of thing. Cheers, Corine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted November 30, 2005 Author Share Posted November 30, 2005 (edited) Hi Corine, thanks for the reply! I actually have read most of your thread, and I have to admit the many discussions on there have given me so much hope that my baby may one day be pain free - and by the way you have such a beautiful dog! Although she has already developed some arthritis, she also has shots for that, but the ligament damage has really got her down and it distresses me so much to see her like that. Your thread gave me alot of information and I was so happy to see the pics of your puppy so active and back running around!!! It was really encouraging!!! I just want Chloe to be able to get around and go for long walks again and to be able to get up and down with ease without pain.... and I'm hoping surgery will do that! I have just spoken to the specialist and we have an appointment for Monday for him to evaluate her. I am really looking forward to it (that sounds terrible but I just want my girl to have her new legs asap). I will just have to try and be patient until then. I have done quite a bit of research and read many papers on this type of surgery (and ended up here in my quest for further knowledge!!), and I will certainly check out the Orthodogs site - thanks for the recommendation. I found this website helpful so I thought I'd join and be able to share with others who understand!!! Thank you! Fingers crossed that the Specialist will think that surgery will help my little Chloe! Edited November 30, 2005 by Kelly_Louise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malleerr Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Hi Kelly, TPO are done on dogs under the age of a year old, and that show no signs of athritis in their hip joints, i have not heard of it being done for ligaments before....but i could be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted November 30, 2005 Author Share Posted November 30, 2005 Oh I hope not... Chloe is 7 years young!!! The fact that she already has some arthritis does concern me alot and I am afraid that will prevent them from doing the surgery... However, with the shots (which will be continued), the arthritis does not seem to pose too many problems - it is mainly the ligament that is causing the most pain. I am so worried... I don't think I will last until Monday when they check her out. From the moment they told me she needed surgery I have been very upset and spend my working hours looking for any sort of information I can so that I know exactly what is happening and how I can best help her. I wish it was Monday already... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malleerr Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Hang in there Kelly-Louise .....I know its hard - we have had many difficulties with out pup too, she has been through 4 surgeries in the last 4 months, so i can understand how much worry is invovled and STRESS!!!!! Do you have her on any type of glucosime for her arthritis???? Who suggested the TPO to you, was it the surgeon?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 (edited) . Edited May 7, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malleerr Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Thanks for clarifying that Anne.....sorry if i gave you heart failure Kelly-Louise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted November 30, 2005 Author Share Posted November 30, 2005 (edited) Thanks for your understanding malleerr!!! It can be stressful can't it - your pup just makes me melt? I guess because I feel so helpless and I know she is sad, but I don't know what to do!!! Yes Chloe is on medication and shots for the arthritis (and also for the Cruciate ligament) which she will continue even with the operation. We also give her Sasha's Blend which apparently helps too. The Tibial Plateau Levelling surgery or the cranial wedge opteotomy was recommended by our original vet. He said it may be more helpful to her than the original surgery was scheduled. I'm actually glad because I have heard these types are much better for bigger and heavier dogs and the healing time is much faster. The hard part now is not knowing until Monday. She is doing okay at the moment... getting around slowly, but it breaks my heart to see her mind working overtime but her poor old legs don't want to co-operate. She sits around alot now. It's so distressing. Sometimes if her legs aren't positioned right she struggles to get up and sometimes it's too much for her and she gives up. It makes me cry. I guess because I don't truly know how much pain she is in. I thought about putting her down, but couldn't bear the thought. I figure as long as there is hope (no matter what cost) I will give it a go. If she then still does not have quality of life, then I will make the tough decision. But it's worth a try to save my little friend. I promised her I would buy her new legs... so I have to keep it!!! Until that can happen I tell her every morning and night that she has to be brave for a bit longer!!! Thanks also Anne for the clarification!!! I was hoping that 7 is still young enough for this type of surgery to be helpful!!! Edited November 30, 2005 by Kelly_Louise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malleerr Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Let us know how you go on Monday Kelly_louise..........give cuddles to your baby from me :rolleyes: She reminds me so much of my family dog that i grew up with!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted November 30, 2005 Author Share Posted November 30, 2005 Oh thank you... I will pass on the cuddles!!! Believe me I fuss over her so much that I think she is getting sick of me!!! I barely leave her side when I am home!!! Thank you for caring and I will definitely let all know how I go... I'm worried but staying positive that there will be good news to come!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fido666 Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Hi KL, I actually have read most of your thread, and I have to admit the many discussions on there have given me so much hope that my baby may one day be pain free - and by the way you have such a beautiful dog! Thanks for the compliment :rolleyes: . I started the thread to share my experience and got some very helpful advice from fellow Dolers (that's how I found Orthodogs). I am glad it has helped you in some way. I learnt so much about the Cranial Closing Wedge Osteotomy from my surgeon I was able to give a talk about it for my Delta course (pity I had only 5 mins as I could speak all day ). TPLOs are normally performed for Cruciate Ligament tears/ruptures but my boy had the CCWO to correct a growth defect (so slightly different scenario). The CCWO did not involve any removal of the Meniscus (the cartilage between the Femur and Tibia, that's why i consider it less invasive and the recovery time is shorter. Good luck with the specialist! Corine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted December 5, 2005 Author Share Posted December 5, 2005 Hello all! Well I have just come back from the Orthopedic surgeon and left my baby in his hands. There is a new surgery out that they have been performing for the last couple of months, but as there are no long term results at hand I was hesitant to try this method. I opted for the more expensive Tibial Wedge Osteotomy. She definitely has blown both Cruciates, so we'll see how she goes after the first op then think about maybe doing the other leg. I cried leaving her at the surgeons. But I know she will be okay. The best words I ever heard was the surgeon telling me that she has bung legs, but not to worry because she is "salvageable". Doesn't paint a pretty picture, but those words make all the money I am about to spend all worth it. Just keep fingers crossed that it all goes to plan - no complications. I have researched alot over the past few weeks so I think we are ready for the post-op care. So Mission: Save Chloe has just begun. I am so thankful that there is a chance for her. There is a long way to go yet, but my little friend is still with me, and that's all that matters... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malleerr Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Hi Kelly Have been thinking about you all of today waiting for you to put a post up.....Hope all goes well with Chloe....What is the recovery time involved in the surgery she is having and what if any exercises will you need to do afterwards, will she need to be caged?. How long will she be in hospital do you know. Hang in there she is in the best possible hands know!! P.S. - sorry for all the questions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted December 5, 2005 Author Share Posted December 5, 2005 Hi Malleerr, thanks so much for your thoughts. Chloe will be operated on tomorrow and will hopefully be home some time on Thursday if all goes well. Interestingly, the surgeon did not go into too much about the after care, which I found a little disturbing. Luckily I have done alot of research and had a lot of good advice so I will follow the usual post op recovery procedures of a TPLO surgery. She probably will not be crated, but we have wired off a little pen for her (about 2m x 2m) with her new kennel inside (lovingly handmade by my dad). We also have a little wire door attached to the kennel to keep her inside if it becomes necessary. At her age though she is not really overly active, so just relieving the boredom for her will be the issue - like yourself!! It's a really large kennel, so she has room to move around in there anyway if she needs to. The surgeon said this is fine, but I'm hoping he will confirm alot of details the day we pick her up. I just wonder what would have happened had someone not done any research... they would be running around in a panic the day the dog came home!!! The recovery time is similar to a TPLO and other orthopedic surgery. He said within the first few days she will be tentatively touching it to the ground. But probably not fully healed for around 8 weeks, so kept quiet until then. If anyone has any other tips for post operative care I'd love to hear them! How is your little pup doing? Hopefully on the road to recovery? Thanks again for your thoughts Malleerr, it really means alot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malleerr Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Thats OK Kelly-Louise I know what you are going through - it has been a great help to me having this forum to go to and speak to like minded people who obviously love their dogs as much as we do, and are so willing to help!! So any help i can give is glady given!! Mallee is doing OK - still no exercise and still in the cage but doing ok, slowly but surely!!! Keep me updated as to Chloe's progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted December 5, 2005 Author Share Posted December 5, 2005 Will do... and let me know how cutie Mallee is doing too. I'm excited but nervous. I hope everything goes okay and we are as prepared as I like to think we are!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fido666 Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Hi Kelly Louise, Good luck with Chloe's surgery tomorrow, I have everything crossed it all goes well. It's interesting your surgeon has said only 8 weeks recovery, Duncan's CCWO was 16 weeks. Admittedly he was a baby so activity levels play a part. That being said, by 8 weeks the surgeon did say it had healed so well we could dispense with the 2nd lot of x-rays if we wished. We did them anyway just to be sure. I think the physio really helped and having an underwater treadmill there was a godsend. Cheers, Corine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted December 5, 2005 Author Share Posted December 5, 2005 Hi Corine... it's funny the surgeon did not specify a time, which I was really disapoointed about.... perhaps he will go into more detail in the coming few days. He did however explain our options very well and drew little pictures for us. Basically 8 weeks is what I have read from various sources. But I guess it differs for all different cases. I read that it takes about 8 weeks for the actual bone to heal, but please believe me when I say that we will be very careful with her until the last xray tells us she is okay. And probably still then, we will be wrapping her in cotton wool. Unfortunately I did alot of research on the TPLO, not the TWO, so I will make sure I find out a bit more about that today. My surgeon does not do TPLO's, but said that TWO's are similar but just done a different way. Here's hoping. I guess everyone that has been through this gets an attack of the guilts? Is that right? I feel bad. Maybe I just miss my little girl. All night I worried about every single thing that could go wrong, second guessed my decision and started to doubt it, and went over the post op procedures a thousand times in my mind. It's driving me insane. But it's better than thinking of my poor little girl all alone and scared witless. She must think we have dumped her and don't love her anymore because she has bung legs. 3 more days to get through..... <sigh>. So does anyone think that having a dog outside (although undercover - 2 walls closed in by the house and the top storey of the house above) is a bad idea for post op? She has a large kennel that can be closed off, and we have wired off a very small portion of the yard for her to go to the toilet. Her pen is abotu 2 x 2 metres. She has a soft bed and the area around her kennel we have put down pieces of carpet so she can't trip over. I have warned the whole family that no one except for those living at home can go out to see her (she gets very excited at seeing guests). We have also discussed not making a big fuss of her when you haven't seen her for a while because she will get revved up. I know I'm probably being overly paranoid, but that's how I am and I just want the best recovery for her. Any other ideas that I can put into practice to make her life easier? Thanks for your thoughts Corine. I only hope that Chloe's surgery will be as successful as Duncan's!!! And then I would gladly post up picks of her running again (or at the very least a fast trot!!!!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula- Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 (edited) My girl Stella had the TWO - rather than cutting the bone and turning it to make a flatter surface they take a wedge out (which has the same result). I would think the recovery would be very similar? as they both result in a 'broken bone' that needs to heal. My girl had 8 weeks until Xrays showed the bone had healed well, however she stayed on strict confinement and gradually increasing walks for much longer (as she's a nutter and likes to spin spin spin!! ) We had Stella in a pen in the lounge room - slightly bigger than a crate. As Stella likes to chase birds we were advised to keep her inside longer than was strictly necessary as we didn't want her to try running or bouncing (even short distances) in the early period after the op. We took Stella to the toilet on a short lead for a number of months - very soon after the op she decided she felt great (she left the surgery after the op on all fours, dragging the nurse! ) and kept wanting to run and jump, so the lead was definitely necessary. So for us, we opted for confinement where she couldn't do anything that would risk recovery. Maybe we were paranoid and went overboard but Stella's leg healed very well Lots of big bones and kongs Edited December 5, 2005 by paula_canberra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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