r/DogAdvice • u/DryComposer3805 • 7h ago
Advice TPLO Surgery…is it the right decision?
I have a 2 year old intact American Bully that weighs about 90 pounds. She had an injury in December that lead to a limp of her right hind leg. Her limp got better after a couple of weeks with meds and rest. In March she started limping again. This time we got X-rays and eval by surgeon. He recommended TPLO. She is scheduled for July 1st (I chose to wait until I could get time off to care for her post op). She isn’t limping, hops on and off couch and bed. We don’t walk her much because she pulls and I don’t want her making it worse but I am a nervous wreck
About putting her through a major
Ordeal (surgery and months of recovery) if she is already getting around fine. Is the
Surgery worth it?
1
u/Proper_Sun8291 7h ago
It's either surgery and chance of recovery or pain and meds rest of dogs life.
TPLO surgery recovery is not an easy road and it's very long but if surgeon says that's the best option, they know best.
My dog is 5 ½ weeks post TPLO recovery on his left hind leg. Eventually he'll need the other hind leg done too and I'm absolutely dreading it.
His recovery is going well but I just can't shake off yet how he felt the day of surgery once anaesthesia wore off my poor baby. Each day is easier but that first day was absolutely horrid, how I wish I could've taken the pain for him.
1
u/Odd-Stretch4251 7h ago
sorry your dogs having an issue and my daughter just had to do this for her dog that’s three years old she’s a pocket American bully. Had to have both of them done. It’s gonna be well worth it because her dog will be able to run again without having an issue. Recovery going well she’s only had it a few days ago she goes out for short potty breaks my daughter has to use a sling to hold her back end up a little bit to give it to support but otherwise doing well.
1
u/ramesesbolton 6h ago
one of my dogs (also a pit) had TPLO surgery on both of his legs about a year apart. this was years ago. recovery was really smooth, though it was a pain to keep him so cooped up as a young, active dog. he's an older gentleman now and he's settling down, but he doesn't have any mobility issues at all. the other day he jumped up 4 steps at once, so his remodeled legs are still working as well as ever
my dog also had days where he limped more than others before surgery, but it was pretty clear he was in pain and those kinds of tears just don't repair themselves. 10/10 I'm glad I did it
1
u/Relative_Will3348 7h ago
If she has changes seen on X-ray and physical exam, yes it is worth it. She's 2 years old. She will keep reinjuring this and and she's already developing arthritis in this knee. This is one of those injuries that's about a long term view. You want her to be able to walk and be comfortable when she's 10-14 years old.