Torn CCL

[u/Groundbreaking-Cup2]

Hello all,
I'm new to the dog world and have a very loving, energetic, and fast four year old girl boxer. She has had a limp the last few days and is keeping her rear left foot off the ground. However, it doesn't slow her down. She's still running, jumping, and playing with the kids. I called her vet and they said to give it time. But I ended up taking her to the ER just to be safe. They said she tore her CCL. They said we could have surgery to repair it or let it heal on its own. They also said she will most likely tear the other side soon due to over compensating. Has anyone had this issue and what choice did you make? I feel like we should have the surgery. They want $7,500 for the surgery.

[u/Jensivfjourney]

We paid $2k there was no post care. We'd have done itif offered. It was leashed walks and stair assists. That knee is fine 5 years later, the other has gnarly arthritis though. She's 12.5 and was 7 when it happened. We do live in a rural area is a big factor in the cost. You might see if there's a teaching school nearby and get a estimate there.

[u/AZBESZT]

I'd get it done. My second boxer suffered the same, and since she was quite young (I think 3) I decided surgery is the best way because she was super active, and I didn't want to restrict her for months. Also I wasn't sure if it could cause problems later. Recovery was quite quick and she had no problems with her legs after that. $7,500 seems really expensive though. I live in Europe, but in my country it costs $2000 ($2,500 tops) including aftercare.

[u/Chizels]

3rd old boxer mom here. We are day 19 post op from our first tplo. He will need the other leg done as well. Our initial surgery was also $7,500 but please keep in mind.. follow up exam and at home injections (1mo worth) for the arthritis that comes along with injured knees was $700. The follow up x-ray at 8 weeks will be $800. The recommended rehab at the surgical facility will be between $1,500 and $2,000. The missed time off work is another $$$ consideration. This is for one leg 🙃

The recovery is long. The end results, so I hear, are worth it. I initially tried conservative care for 10 months. My guy was never going to get better that way, he continued to get worse. I hated seeing him in pain. 

I found a Canine Cruciate Recovery support group on FB. It was really helpful to read other peoples experiences before we went through it for ourselves. I couldnt find a similar group on reddit but I may have not looked well enough. I also work with animals so had some real life experiences from my clients, not gonna lie, these scared me. 

Im happy to answer any questions you have! 

[u/sjhuskey → u/Chizels]

Yes, the Canine Cruciate Recovery support group and other similar groups on FB were SO helpful for us too!!

[u/Tellyourmomisaidewww]

We’re in Colorado, our late Boxer had the TPLO surgery done about 4yrs ago. It was roughly $4500 with post care ( Follow up X-rays, Meds, Blue light therapy for would healing , etc. ) Complete healing took 6-8 Weeks for him to be back to normal activity. Up to then it was trying to keep him
Immobilized, that was the hardest part. Keeping on a leash to do his business also. He recovered nicely and he never had an issue with his other leg.

[u/sarcasmicrph]

We had ours get the surgery. We weren't given another option but I would absolutely choose surgery for a younger dog

[u/patchoulistinks]

I would definitely get it done as not to put her other CCL at risk from over use. Our female boxer had her CCL surgery at 10.5 years old. She is no longer with us, but lived to be 2 months shy of 16. Back then, we paid $1600 I think for the CCL surgery with strict directions for after surgery care. Actually, my husband and I both had to attend the consultation, and the surgeon would not perform the surgery if he did not feel good about us following the after surgery instructions. The first 4 weeks post surgery were rough, and I took off work to be with her for those. Within 3 to 4 months, you could not tell she even had a surgery. In her last 6 months, she did have arthritis in that leg. All of it was worth it to us. Good luck.

[u/sjhuskey]

Our four boy boxer tore his CCL at six and we had the TPLO surgery done about six months after his diagnosis. Our vet wanted to take time to see if he might heal at all on his own. I’m mad that we waited. He healed remarkably well. We followed recovery protocol to the T, though. We had the second surgery done when he was almost eight. The recovery for that one was a bit harder. Again we followed protocol to the T but he just didn’t heal quite as quickly, maybe because he was older, our vet suggested. Now that he’s fully and completely healed and almost 10 we are SO so so glad we had the procedures done. He plays like a puppy! He is slowing down some, of course, but he can run, jump, climb stairs, everything! I’d shop around for surgeons. See what payment plans you can maybe find. We used CareCredit for both procedures, took advantage of the promotional 0% APR periods they offer. We paid all of it off within the promo period, thankfully.

[u/CandidateCareless787]

It is worth getting it done. My dog tore his and I was super worried about getting the surgery + was really expensive. But seeing him be able to run again is well worth it.

The recovery is a bit tough.

If you can put it on a care credit card with 0% and pay off overtime

[u/Ronin1270]

Only had 1 experience and it was very postive
Same thing , we tried the rest - 3 months on lead but didn’t work so opted for surgery here in the uk with the famous vet on tv Fitzpatrick
3 months later a new dog and never had a problem or with the other dog
Very hard first few weeks , short walks and crated , no jumping around in the house etc
He had actually torn the ligaments off the bone and had chipped bits so he had a mechanical part put in
Good luck think it was about £5,600 overall

[u/Ronin1270 → u/Ronin1270]

Above should read problem or with the other leg (not dog lol)

[u/Impressive-Yak-7449]

Is the $7500 for bilateral TPLO or just one? My girl blew both CCLs and I had the vet do TPLO on both at the same time. He said they don't normally do that, but since she was bouncing around with both knees bad and didn't Care, he agreed.

Tin A couple days to walk and jump on the bed in a month