Took my dog to the hospital this morning for his second knee surgery

[efhughes3]

Charlie blew out his other ACL (left knee) Monday. The good news was we were able to schedule surgery for today. It really broke my heart to see him struggling on 3 legs the last few days. It was only November when he had the other knee done, so his "good" back leg is probably only 80%.

Our Dr. told us we had a pretty good chance of seeing this within a year of the first one, so I suppose it's good to not have it hanging over our heads anymore

They will actually cut his tibia, rotate the joint to make it more level instead of the normal bias, and then screw in titanium plates to fuse the bone. It's pretty serious stuff for a big dog (106lbs), so please help us wish him luck!

[Drdogface]

Ed,
He'll do fine. This is such a common injury in old dogs and techniques have been developed over many decades. A friend's Lab in Kerrville had the same procedure done and is fine.

Best wishes for Charlie

[Dutchie]

Best wishes for Charlie from me too Ed. My dog was ill for two years and i know how it feels when they are in pain. Give him a big bone and a hug from me will you

Cheers,

[efhughes3]

Thanks guys, he'll get plenty of hugs and bones when he gets home tomorrow. It is a common injury. With the first surgery and now this one, we'll have chalked up about $7000 total. If I could rewind, I'd have gotten pet insurance when he was a pup.

[Dottore]

Can you get pet insurance for this sort of thing where you live?? If so I would be interested in what the cost of this is.

In the policies I have looked at here this kind of surgery for an older dog would be considered "elective" rather than essential - and not be covered.

[Don Plumley]

Woof! (That's from Chip, he says "Get well soon and you'll be chasing stuff in no time.")

[NICKG]

i have insurance on my cats...it pays. Frack blew out her anal gland and she had to have an emergency operation...they paid all but my co pay(50) I pay 50 a month for her and her sister Frick to have health insurance.

[masraum]

where do you get pet ins?

Go Charlie - he's a great dog! That $7K for dog repairs is cheap compared to the love they give back.

[efhughes3]

Amen

[NICKG]

Originally posted by masraum
where do you get pet ins?

pretty sure it is VIP I have it thru my job

[goat]

He'll pull though just fine.
Its really though tho I know I have had to take my dogs in a few times.
Is 106 pounds the right weight for him? Extra weight is not good on the joints. and if you do thin him down make sure you follow a nutrition plan.

[stomachmonkey]

I remember last year when you agonized over the 1st knee. Like I said then my girl had both knees done and you'd never know it. Same deal, 1st one knee then almost a year to the day she blew the second one.

It has to do with the geometry of their legs, if the joint meets at more than "x" degrees they are prone to tearing the ACL.

Dakota's knees outlasted her, she was diagnosed with bone cancer earlier this year.

Good luck.

It'll turn out ok again.

How's your wife taking it this time around? Last year she was a wreck .

Scott

oh yeah, pet insurance, you can get it thru your vet. They ususally have the information in their office.

Or go to http://my.petinsurance.com/, we had a decent experience with them.

[efhughes3]

Thanks again everyone.

Yep, my wife broke down when we dropped him off, I'm sure she'll be pretty bad when I get him home tomorrow afternoon.

It's really lonely around the house tonight, I sure miss him.

Ed - Here's Bandy and Clementine to keep you company.....Woof!

[targa911S]

My Airedale blew out BOTH his ACL's when he was about 2. We had the surgery you mentioned (TPLO) Tibial plateau leveling. Bring your check book. Cost me around $4,000.00. There are only a few vet surgeons trained to do it. The GOOD side is my dog can actually RUN after about 2 years. Be warned he will be a bit bow legged after he's done. Also by nature they will shift their weight toward their front legs. Henry also runs with both back legs pushing at the same time. But he CAN walk and run. Good luck and Henry sez get better fast. Rymidil will be his friend for a while.

[john70t]

The difference between cars and tractors is bigger parts.

Same with dogs and human.

[Dottore]

Originally posted by john70t
The difference between cars and tractors is bigger parts.

Same with dogs and human.

Time to change the meds.