K9 ACL surgery. Advise needed please

[Bitter Clinger]

My special idiot needs BOTH rear tires fixed. I know they need done, both vets said the same thing. VRCC in Englewood quoted me at just shy of $6500. Now i'm not trying to be cheaping out here, my pup deserves the best. I'm just wondering if any members here have any experience with this. I can afford out of pocket to get one fixed, but financing will be needed for both at the same time, which is what I would prefer, for her recovery time. Have any of you had to do this with your dogs and what vet did the work? And price if you wouldn't mind. And the most important question, did it help your dog? Where you happy with the results? I just want her fixed, having trouble getting financed, I'll sell guns if I need to.

[hollohas]

Had one knee done on my pup at Belleview Animal Hosptial a few months ago. Doc did a good job. There were two surgery types given as an option. I picked the less expensive of the two which ran me around $1200. I'll find the paperwork so I can fill you in on what exactly was done, but it was to repair a torn ACL, she had 0% use of that leg. If I remember correctly it involved minor bone work and the ligament repair.

[Zundfolge]

The TPLO surgery is absolutely worth the money. We had a Corgi that ended up getting both of them done over the course of his life (worked out to be just about $4500 total) . After surgery his knees were better than new (honestly dogs knees are poorly designed if you ask me).

Dr Bauer at Colorado Canine Orthopedics is the one that did our dog (and he's one of the doctors that pioneered the procedure).

[bkincaid]

The TPLO surgery is absolutely worth the money. We had a Corgi that ended up getting both of them done over the course of his life (worked out to be just about $4500 total) . After surgery his knees were better than new (honestly dogs knees are poorly designed if you ask me).

Dr Bauer at Colorado Canine Orthopedics is the one that did our dog (and he's one of the doctors that pioneered the procedure).

I'll also recommend these folks. My lab had the TPLO done on one side and was as good, or maybe even better after healing up. I think doc was Bauer, but not really 100% sure, cost was $2500 ish ( several years ago) best as I can remember (crs). It was absolutely worth every penny it cost me, I was totally pleased with the results.

[rondog]

One of my Beagles needs knee work too, it breaks my heart to watch her limping because we can't afford it. But she gets around OK, she just has a minor limp. It's not like she's in pain or can't use the leg. But I'm definitely interested and will be watching this thread!

[Bitter Clinger]

Ron dog check out care credit...or credit care, whichever it is lol. I have fairly poor credit and I was approved for $2500.

[Bitter Clinger]

Yup Zund.....the TPLO is exactly what she needs. She hates car rides, I would have to sedate her to go to the springs.

I have the finances figured out, just looking for experiences, advice, and recommendations now. She is a absolute wild ass idiot when I get home or any one walks up to the door, or on the sidewalk, even if its across the street, and It's all over when she sees other animals. How can I keep her calm?

[BigBear]

Yup Zund.....the TPLO is exactly what she needs. She hates car rides, I would have to sedate her to go to the springs.

I have the finances figured out, just looking for experiences, advice, and recommendations now. She is a absolute wild ass idiot when I get home or any one walks up to the door, or on the sidewalk, even if its across the street, and It's all over when she sees other animals. How can I keep her calm?

Your cost and surgery questions are being answered, but your last sentence wasn't. Here's what I think: Training... and lots of it. Check out the Ceaser Milan crap, Dog Training for Dummies book, etc. There are tons of resources out there for you. I don't know your situation, but if the dog is trained it could be also be a lack of exercise. Dogs that are not run will act up/out.

[Zundfolge]

You might consider doing them one at a time and spreading them out by several months.

I'd think the after surgery physical therapy is going to be more difficult with both legs at the same time.

This would also spread the expense out over some time.

[muddywings]

You might consider doing them one at a time and spreading them out by several months.

I'd think the after surgery physical therapy is going to be more difficult with both legs at the same time.

This would also spread the expense out over some time.

My golden had both done but was spread out by about 9 months or so. I'd do them separate. Managing them with one bad leg is hard enough. Two would be a total pain.

Here she is hiking a few months after she healed up (shameless I love my dog video):





ETA:







Also we have an "ICEMAN" basically a cooler that cycles ice water through a pad that you can strap to a body part. It helped with recovery time. It's a PT thing for knees and shoulders but we squeezed it around her knee.

yes the wife or I slept on the floor with her for the first few nights. Plus we put plastic down on the carpet in case she couldn't tell us she needed to go outside. Actually helped because she popped a stitch and started to lightly bleed all over the floor. Wrapped a compress around it to get it to stop just fine.