Chequeredblackdog Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 My 8 year old Border Collie (Sadie) has ruptured her left hind cruciate ligament! She came in hobbling monday night, but due to her having arthritis we thought maybe she'd twisted something/slept funny (as she's done before.) Well, took her to the vet tuesday morning and they said that she has definately ruptured her cruciate ligament poor baby! They are recommending surgery to replace the ligament with a synthetic one, which will be $1500 approx with them. Definately will get it done, but it has been suggested that a second vet might do surgery cheaper? So I'm interested in pricing if anyone else's dog has had it done? On another note, monday afternoon (yes, it's been an eventful couple of days!) I found a kitten at our back fence/paddock No idea where he's come from, maybe dumped in the reserve next door. Poor little bugger is about 4 weeks old and has a nasty case of cat flu. He now has antibiotics and eye ointment, and has been named "Angelo" by my sister. (will post photos when computer stops having tantrums) So at least Sadie has something to occupy her, she has adopted the little fellow and is truly smitten! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Bad luck about Sadie's cruciate. If she were my dog, I'd be having her seen by a vet ortho specialis - there are a few different ways of repairing cruciates, and depending on the dog's size, weight and 'job' one might be better than the other. From what I've read, sometimes, whaat seems like a cheaper option int he first instance can end up dearer, as the other cruciate might be more likely to go. The arthritis might make a difference too. Bless you for rescuing the poor little kitty - Sadie will bless you too - that will help her recovery and rehab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Go see Geoff at canobolas. My aunty is getting her dog done tomorrow. Wouldn't go to any other vet in town! He has done a lot of study on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polgara's Shadow Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 My old staffy boy had both back cruciates done. I think it was about 1.5k for the pair of them (memory might be a bit dodgy tho). As Tassie says there's a few different ways to go depending on the issue and the size of the dog. Our old boy had arthritis as well. At the cruciate op they injected some stuff for the arthritis into his knees (so price above may have included this). Whilst the healing took quite a while (6 weeks, each leg) once done he was 500% improved. I was stunned at how good he was, he could have passed for a 2 year old!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCresties Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Oh your poor girl My Louis had a suspected cruciate injury recently, but luckily it turned out not to be the case, and after a couple of weeks crate rest he is doing good. However I was quoted about $4-5000 for the surgury if it was needed Hope all goes well for Sadie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 My boys repair tplo by an ortho specialist was around 3500. As others say not all ops are equal depends on size of dog. Very happy with our result but you must be strict with post op care Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 I was actually going to do a thread about this as a colleague has a young Golden Retriever and he's ruptured his CL and she was quoted 4-5 thousand dollars. I suggested she get another quote although I do know it will be thousands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keira&Phoenix Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 3500 sounds about right from a good ortho vet surgeon. Please see an Orthopedic vet, especially if your dog has arthritis. You really want it to be a good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazydoglady Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Stella had hers done on August for $1600. She is slow recovering though, our vet said every dog is different. We go to hydrotherapy once a week and we do exercises at home everyday, as well as a short walk a few times a week. She is 36kgs and when I spoke to our vet (after doing plenty of research!), we decided to trust his decision and go with the cheaper option. Money was not an option for us, we just wanted Stella to be ok and not in pain anymore, no matter what the cost. She is doing just fine, and should be 100% by January at her current rate. Every dog is different with cruciate. Good luck with yours! Hope it goes smoothly, and I am sure that your new kitten will hurry things along, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Re the kitty - try to get some powdered L-lysine. Musashi is a good brand. One pinch twice a day. It helps stop the flu virus replicating. Very nasty disease for baby kittens - my foster lost an eye but survived to give the world hell Still a foster kitten after 2 years ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 My dog did her cruciate earlier this year and had a TPLO at a specialist. It normally costs about $4500 but thankfully I got a discount. She has recovered quite well but is still not 100% on that leg. She has now just done the other leg and I will probably go with the cheaper option of a De Angeles Suture this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lab lady Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 my Lab had surgery earlier in the year, the surgery was $3500 but with all the follow up X-rays, injections etc it ended up being about $4500. Worth every cent, she has no limp and apart from the scar you would be hard pressed picking which leg it was, she is just as active as she was pre surgery. She had TTA surgery, it's more expensive but the recovery time was much quicker and easier. She only needed to be restricted for a few days then movement was encouraged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickasyoucan Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 my Lab had surgery earlier in the year, the surgery was $3500 but with all the follow up X-rays, injections etc it ended up being about $4500. Worth every cent, she has no limp and apart from the scar you would be hard pressed picking which leg it was, she is just as active as she was pre surgery. She had TTA surgery, it's more expensive but the recovery time was much quicker and easier. She only needed to be restricted for a few days then movement was encouraged. I have a friend whose rottie had a TTA at 18 months old. She is now nearly 5 and you would never know she had had any issues. The specialist I went to Sydney Uni (who were fab) do both types of op but Jake's leg was not suitable (physiology)for a TTA, so we had a TPLO. I don't think there is that much difference in price. Probably all up by the time you count in follow up xrays etc ours was about $4k. Thank goodness for pet insurance, though I would have found the money some how. I think the de angelis is the one that is considerably cheaper. A colleagues spaniel cross poodle is about to have her second cruciate done this way and it is about $1,300 (per leg) for their local vet to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 (edited) I know of several BCs that have had successful cruciate ligament surgery over the past 10 years and the prices for one leg have ranged from $600 for our vet (who do lots of them) to about $2000 for a specialist. The prices have probably gone up a bit over the years but no one has paid anything like the prices being quoted here. The worst part is not the price but the three months complete crate rest afterwards. Edited December 1, 2011 by dancinbcs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr R & NR Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 I had a TPLO on my Rottweiler a year ago, $3,300 which included 3 weekly follow up appointments and the follow up x-rays at 8 weeks plus pain meds for the first 3 weeks. 2 weeks of confinement with only toilet breaks and then 10 -15 min walks and confinement for the next 10 weeks, then limited movement, no jumping up until 16 weeks. The De Angelis method was not recommended for her as she is a bit full on and because of her size. I was dreading the whole business but it turned out very well in the end. I am lucky I live not far from work and could go home at lunchtime to take her out for a toilet break. Good luck with Sadie, lovely about the kitten.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clover Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 It is such a common injury . My old girl at 10 years old just had the basic non specialist surgery and that cost about $1700 all up and did her well for another 3 years. Defintiely shop around and see what you can come up with. And good luck with it all and with the baby as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 Dancinbcs, the cost depends on the procedure (there are several methods for cruciates) and who does the surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chequeredblackdog Posted December 1, 2011 Author Share Posted December 1, 2011 Thanks for all the replies guys! Its good to know lots of people have had success with it. Am going to see other vet hopefully friday/monday. Doing lots of research too! Thanks Spotted Devil, I will try and get a hold of some L-lysine. Though thankfully the little bugger is improving in leaps and bounds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chequeredblackdog Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 Well. Took Sadie to Geoff Freeth on tuesday, and she is booked in to have a TTO next thursday! Not looking forward to post op crate rest...... will have to come up with lots of entertainment for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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