Day 2 after T.P.L.O. surgery on German Shepherd

Dexter's recovery from a torn Cruciate Ligament took about 3 months before he could walk at a fast pace. Total recovery to full run was about 6 months for his first knee. This is his second T.P.L.O. The first injury was when he turned 6 chasing after a deer, and the second was late in his 6th year chasing after a Kong. He is a fairly lean dog that weighs about 100 lbs. If your dog rips a Cruciate ligament, chances are the other is going to go too. The only thing you can do to try to prevent this is to keep your dog on a leash at all times, and keep them calm. I really don't think that is a option. Or at least a practical one. A dog wants to run and needs play time. I don't think it is fair to the animal to deny them of these simple pleasures.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• German
• Shepherd
• 2nd
• day
• home
• after
• T.P.L.O.
• Surgery

[richaroodledoodle]

Your Vet will put you on a rehabilatation program for your dog.. What I did because Dexter was 110 lbs, was to use a old towel to sling under his belly so I could carry his back end in and out of the house for the first little while till he could manage the trip on his own. I could not leave him unattended if he was outside because we have Coyotes and he wouldn't stand a chance on his own against a pack of hungry critters.

[bunnytails34]

@richaroodledoodle Our german shepherd has the same thing now! thanks for sharing your video.. he hasn't had the surgery and we are a bit worried. buddy is 9 yrs old and loves to run and play. This looks llike its going to be hard. HOw long did it take before your dog could just walk normal again?

[richaroodledoodle]

@bunnytails34 Depending on the condition of the dogs health I would say somewhere in the range of 2-3 months before your patient is able to walk at some what of a normal pace. The T.P.L.O procedure is really the only way to help your dog if it is a large breed. There is a cheeper operation that is less invasive but chances are it won't hold up to the wieght of a G.S.D. You could also put your dog on Medicam, or Deramax and elect not to do the surgery. Hard on the liver though. Good Luck !!

[TLJkisses]

My 2 1/2 year old boxer is on her day 3 & has a lot of swelling in her ankle like your sweetey does. It's so heart breaking. Thanks for posting. It does help to see other loving parents posting with similarities. Take care.

[richaroodledoodle]

Hello jkisses  It can happen to the best of them. Poor Girl! They told me that there is a pretty good chance that the other one could go too. Unfortunately they were right. It has been 14 months since his second tplo. and at 8 he seems to be a pretty happy Doggies. There are other youtube clips of Dexter on youtube@ richaroodledoodle. I hope she heals up to be as good as new. Good luck to you and your puppies :)

[Snickerdoody2009]

My heeler Snickers had DOUBLE TPLO surgery on June 13, 2011. SHe is doing awesome but not ready for agility again yet. Was going to start her a week ago but the muscles just arent there. Waiting until next year to start up. Surgery cost was atrocious but worth it for my girl.

[maloy4life]

my dog just tore his Cruciate Ligament, im just curious why some dogs after surgery have a cast on the leg and some dogs dont have a cast??.. any suggestions on how to deal with walking the dog the first week after surgery?? i have about 5 steps of stairs to walk before the dog gets outside....really worried what i can expect the first few days after surgery, and at wat point does the pain begin to go away??

[TLJkisses]

Hi Ryanprr. Sorry to respond so late. The swelling I believe is just swelling. If it was infected I think there would be other symptoms. (smell, discharge at incision, fever, coloring, etc.) icing works wonders!! Plus it helps with the pain. Hope that helps. :-)

[TLJkisses]

Hi richaroodledoodle! Well it's been 13 months & my sweaty just had her other leg done. I wonder why it's so common for both legs to tear? Anyways hope your pup is doing wonderfully!! I have noticed the recovery this time seems to be a little faster & less crying after surgery. ;-)

[MrDianaxxx]

I just found out that my 9 month old labrador retriver has a tort Cruciate Ligament and i am so worried and can't sleep, she is still at the vets after her x rays tomorrow we will arrange the surgery date, so thank you for sharing after affect as i so upset ;(

[ryanprr]

@TLJkisses does that swelling in the ankle mean its infected? Or is it just swelling?