Having just moved to the godawful city of Las Vegas, we were pretty worried that we would not be able to find a specialist or that the vet would somehow be as untrustworthy as the rest of the Las Vegans. [For instance a normal-enough person I know from work drives to Utah just "to get a decent oil change"] This is obviously a bit of an exaggeration, but you can understand our feeling of vulnerability during the process.
I looked online and searched for vets that are certified to do the TPLO procedure, since it does require some specialized training. Apparently the surgery was developed when a researcher noticed that the old type of surgery where a "synthetic" ligament recreates the cruiciate was failing highly active dogs. He then developed the TPLO surgery which requires cutting the bone and creating a "plateau" where the joint is absorbing the downward pressure of the tibia. (Ask your vet for a model, it is rather complicated and requires understanding a variety of the angles involved in canine anatomy.)
We found our vet online and felt very good after seeing what type of facilities were available (hydrotheraphy) and the level of training the staff had. Our consultation was rather expensive, considering it involved looking at the X-rays and my husband and I asking questions based on information we already looked up. The doctor did comment to us that TPLO is the surgery that he would do on his own 9 year-old Lab if he were in the same position. He also said that he approaches the surgery with every expectation that "Pocky will once again climb Turtlehead Peak and hike with us again". (I'm not sure if he's ever been up Turtlehead, but if that is the outcome I will be overjoyed.
We had some choices in addition to the type of surgery (the "old" procedure vs. TPLO). We had to choose to do arthroscopy or non-arthroscopy. (We chose the first because it may help in the recovery process and is slightly better for the vet as they view the joint.) It cost about $400 more. In the end, we ended up with a long itemized bill with a high estimate and a low estimate. It is going to be around the expected $3000. This includes the follow-up visit to remove the stitches, but does not include the final set of X-rays or the hydrotherapy.
We scheduled the surgery for March 28. He will be dropped off in the morning, stay overnight and be picked up at noon the following day. I am writing this on the eve of the surgery and I can honestly say that I am terrified.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
A Normal Day at the Park
A week ago, Monday the 19th of March, Pocky was out for a routine walk in the planned community (Peccole Ranch) near our house. Because the area has walking trails and is off-limts to cars with lots of grassy areas, there are always many dogs out for a walk and some playing. My husband, Aaron let Pocky play with some other dogs, much as we do everyday either at our daily dog park visit or on a walk in Peccole. While playing, Pocky cut a corner and tripped (almost looking like he fell in a hole). Aaron noticed him start limping and they made their way home.
After I got home, I checked the leg and thought it could be his hips or arthritis, but not really knowing, we decided to call the vet in the morning if the doggie asprin and rest did not improve Pocky. In the morning he was no better, and we took him in to the vet at six am.
The vet told is that he needed to put Pocky under sedative, so that he could do a full range of motion test. Dogs tend to hold the leg stiff when they are in pain and the vet can't get a good look at the leg function. So, we agreed and had him admitted for the tests and X-rays. The vet mentioned that he suspected that it could be an ACL injury, but we were hoping for other news since that was the most serious and the most costly procedure.
Later in the day, our fears were confirmed and the vet knew for sure that it was a cruciate ligament injury. This injury requires a referral to an orthopedic specialist and another consulation. We went home with a sore and scared dog and soon we were as worried and upset as he was.
There is a ton of information on the Internet on the TPLO surgery, the various older stifle surgeries and the recuperation process. There is also an active listserv orthodogs that has many members. We started wading through all the information which started to make us even more terrified. As if the price alone wasn't enough. A traumatic surgery that cost $3000? yes, we had some hard conversations ahead of us.
After I got home, I checked the leg and thought it could be his hips or arthritis, but not really knowing, we decided to call the vet in the morning if the doggie asprin and rest did not improve Pocky. In the morning he was no better, and we took him in to the vet at six am.
The vet told is that he needed to put Pocky under sedative, so that he could do a full range of motion test. Dogs tend to hold the leg stiff when they are in pain and the vet can't get a good look at the leg function. So, we agreed and had him admitted for the tests and X-rays. The vet mentioned that he suspected that it could be an ACL injury, but we were hoping for other news since that was the most serious and the most costly procedure.
Later in the day, our fears were confirmed and the vet knew for sure that it was a cruciate ligament injury. This injury requires a referral to an orthopedic specialist and another consulation. We went home with a sore and scared dog and soon we were as worried and upset as he was.
There is a ton of information on the Internet on the TPLO surgery, the various older stifle surgeries and the recuperation process. There is also an active listserv orthodogs that has many members. We started wading through all the information which started to make us even more terrified. As if the price alone wasn't enough. A traumatic surgery that cost $3000? yes, we had some hard conversations ahead of us.
Introducing Pocky
Pocky "Pocket Rocket"
Pocky is a ten year-old mixed breed dog (Husky, Shepherd, Beagle) who is really been quite an extraordinary friend to Aaron and I. He was adopted from the North Shore Animal League when I lived in Manhattan and since then he has lived in Denver, Milwaukee, and now Las Vegas. In 2002, Pocky hiked the 2,500-mile Pacific Crest Trail with Aaron and I on our honeymoon and even has a certificate as a "thru-hiker" for the class of '02. Pocky was running up cliffs at Red Rock National Recreation area on the trail of some mountain sheep just two weeks ago, and now he is reduced to hobbling on three legs.
This is the story of Pocky's ACL (cruciate ligament) injury and his TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery to fix it. We have been reviewing lots of information online, including other dog's experiences. We hope we can share information here for others considering this very common, and yet very intrusive and scary surgery.
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