Assess Your Pet’s Needs

It’s not always easy to tell when your pet might need surgical care. Injuries are noticeable, but natural wear and tear on bones and joints is subtler and more difficult to see. Pay close attention to your pet’s movements. Do they favor one limb over others? Do they appear to be in any pain? Are they lethargic or have they lost their appetite? Be sure to have these details on hand when you speak to your veterinarian.

Expert Surgical Care You Can Trust

Our surgical veterinary care specialists are expertly trained to detect common and complicated issues with your pet and help you decide on the best course of action. Our veterinary surgeons will treat your pet as if they are their own. If your pet’s knee needs stabilization, a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery might be the right procedure.

Why Your Pet Might Need TPLO Surgery

You can be diligent about your pet’s care and take them to every checkup, and still the regular wear and tear on their bones and joints could cause issues that require surgical repair. Some dog breeds are more prone to these issues than others. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you if your dog is one of these breeds and what to watch out for in regard to surgical issues.

Age is another reason why your dog may need surgical repair to its legs. Again, this is more common in some breeds than others, and the age when issues might begin is usually breed specific.

The tibia bones are in your dog’s legs. If the ligaments or joints become torn or ruptured, a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery repair may be required. This is a common surgical procedure and our veterinary surgery experts will be able to walk you through what will happen and how to treat your dog when you go home.

The TPLO Surgery Process

Before the surgery, your veterinary surgeon will ask you some questions to gather information about your pet’s medical history. Once they have that, they’ll determine the best method to sedate your pet for the procedure. You’ll be included in each step of this process.

Next, your veterinary surgeon will bring your pet to the surgery suite to begin the procedure. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the torn ends of the ligament that connects the knee joint. They will then make a cut at the top of the tibia (lower leg bone) that resembles a half circle. The top of the tibia is then rotated in order to reduce the slope of the plateau. A plate is then installed to keep these parts of the joint from moving while they heal.

This adjustment stops many bone ailments in their tracks. The main reason it is done is to help a tear in the cruciate ligament heal faster and with less pain. There are risks to the procedure, but it has a very high success rate and you shouldn’t be worried about your pet’s outcome.

TPLO Surgery in Dogs

After your dog has surgery, you’ll have to see to their care at home. Our veterinary surgery experts will give you discharge instructions and go over home care with you. When you first leave the care facility, you’ll have to restrict movement for your dog on the limb that had surgery. This will be more difficult for active dogs, and they will require much more attention to keep them calm.

The average recovery time for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy is approximately 2-3 months. Some dogs will heal faster than others, so this timeframe may fluctuate depending on the health of your dog before the procedure. Frequent checkups will be required to ensure that the healing process is progressing as it should.

Reserve Your Appointment Today

TPLO surgery can greatly improve the health, wellness, and comfort of your pet. Request an appointment if you believe that your dog needs this procedure, and let us help you figure out the best way to bring your pet to their optimal health.