Update:
She had surgery yesterday and is doing well. She had a ruptured Anterior Cruciate. The vet said it was like a frayed cable down to its last wire. He removed it and flushed the joint and replaced it with an fake one. She has a compression bandage on for 5 days and stitches for 10 days. Again I want to thank everyone for their info and I will let everyone know how she's doing.

My EP was just diagnosed with a torn ACL. I'm taking her next week for a second oppinion. I just wanted to see if anyone on here has had to go through this and if you had any suggestions. Also if you know what the average cost of the procedure is that would be great. Thanks in advance for any input.

I have heard 5K to do the surgery

TPLO which is the most invasive but with best chance of productive hunting in the future cost $1900 to $2500. Had it done and can give you the rundown on recovery period and drawbacks.

I've never had one of my personal dogs tear an ACL until recently. She's almost 4 months post op. A local surgeon did the the TPLO. That is the best surgery for an athlete. I paid $2500. That's just the surgery and I did the rehab myself. Though you can go to a rehab facility to get a program for your dog.

The longer you put off the surgery the more likely arthritis will be setting in.

Good luck

Angie

One more thing. Make sure you use a board certified surgeon trained in doing the procedure. I think the patten has run out on the procedure so you maybe seeing more local vets doing it. I don't care how cheap they are it isn't worth using a vet that isn't board certified.

Chet,,,, Where did you find the surgery so cheap. I called around and I thought I found the cheapest surgeon. Trinity Mills referral center is pretty pricey

FWIW

Angie

Is TPLO the proceedure where they shave the bone?

They don't shave it they cut it..

http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/tplo.htm

Angie

I paid $2300 thru the Aledo Vet Clinic, but brought an A&M surgeon in (the lower priced may not be board certified). Having the surgery quickly is important but the outcoome will almost always involve some level of arthritis. That and the fact that the problem is almost always due to bad angulation in the joint which means a better than 50-50 chance of the other knee going within the next 18-24 months (as mine and several others did).

Yup the other one usually needs to be done. Hopefully my gal won't, though I won't be holding my breath. Her injury was due to an accident at a trial. Her angles are pretty good....

Angie

Hope ones all she has, mine came back and ran well in the field but was laid up for several days after hunting with arthritis pain. If your lucky on the arthritis your girl could be as athletic as she was before. Your dogs carry more wieght but don't run as long or hard, so your outcome will hopfully be a really good one.

Maverick tore his back right one at 1 1/2 years. Sixth months of rehab and then I notice him limping on the other. Has that repaired at 2 1/2. Set me back 3 grand total. Would have been 5K but I had a family friend that did the surgeries and he waived his fee, only had to pay the vet costs.

The surgery Maverick had was the one where they replace the tendon with a nylon cord. Scar tissue forms around the nylon and replaces the original tendon. He is now 7 and has had no problems to speak of since the operations.

They will recover, do the rehab yourself. Just expensive either way you go. I recommend Dr. Bruce Turner in Dallas. He travels from vet to vet and only does this specific operation (over 2,000 per year). His work is flawless.

How long ago was the surgery on Maverick??

Glad it turned out so well....

Angie

I want to thanks everyone for there comments. I will let you know how she does after surgery.

For those that have gone through this what type of rehab did you do for your little buddy?

Send me your e-mail address and I can forward what a friend sent me. She's rehabbed 10 retrievers and they've all turned out well.

Angie

First six weeks she stayed in a large crate in the house, out only on leash to do her business. Everynight 10-15minutes of manipulating the knee to keep it mobile. The surgeon had printed instructions on how to move the joint. I think it was the 8th week I started short walks on a leash 10 min.and slowly graduated to 20min walks twice a day. At twelve weeks we let her roam the fenced in yard by herself so no rough housing with the other dogs. Shortly after that(16 weeks I think) the doctor said to let her be a dog. And other than the arthritis she was running and hunting as before.