Charlotte had surgery yesterday to remove the ligament that connects the femur and tibia and replace it with a plate and screws. Can’t quite remember what the surgery is called – TPLO or something like that. She looks very strange.
Apparently, the plate that is replacing the ligament will be even better than the original ligament and she’ll be running circles around me in about 2.5 months. Charlotte realizes that this surgery is nothing compared to spending 5 years as a guest of the North Vietnamese, so she is not complaining.
Bootlegger
NPR had a man-on-the-street story this morning with people in Vietnam. Interestingly, about half of the people the reporter talked to support McCain. More interesting was the level of knowledge those being interviewed had about the election. More than probably half of the people in the US.
What does it say that the Vietnamese know more about our elections than our own citizens?
Ripley
Poor baby! I had a dog that underwent knee surgery – it really sucks watching them suffer when you can’t do anything to make them better.
This is not a happy post! I think you need to add a picture where she’s feeling better. For balance.
JenJen
My little mutt underwent the same surgery, and had that awful-looking FrankenLeg, too. He also had a makeshift cast that he destroyed only hours after I got him home.
Best wishes for your buddy and a speedy recovery.
Kali's Little Sister
I am honestly so, so sorry for my immediate first reaction. I thought this was another “animals Sarah Palin has gleefully slaughtered” picture being inflicted upon us.
Best regards to dear Charlotte for a speedy recovery. Please don’t tell her about my first ghastly impression. Clearly, I need to get off the nets, quickly.
Brian Smith
My Great Dane had TPLO surgery at the age of 4. He’s nearly 10 now and that leg is in great shape – it’s a good procedure, just make sure she gets plenty of rest until the vet says she’s good to unleash :)
drunken hausfrau
My dog had the same operation in March — now? it is like he never had a problem at all! He is running circles around us — and better than ever before. The worst part? It takes a long time for the hair to grow back and they look funny for several months. The leg itself heals quickly.
A.Political
Couldnt resist posting this, was cruising around Talkleft and came across our old friend myiq…and as always his insanity doesn’t disappoint!
In response to Palins speech he comments
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If that speech was any more effective (5.00 / 4) (#5)
by myiq2xu on Thu Sep 04, 2008 at 09:24:42 AM EST
Even Obama would be voting for her.
—
But at least they even mock him there now – see link below, lol.
talkleft.com/comments/2008/9/4/10182/87201/5#5
redjellydonut
Our golden retriever had the same surgery three years ago. Unlike the vast majority of these surgeries, his wasn’t entirely successful. It was well over a year before he could run at all and even now it’s causing him chronic pain requiring daily pain meds. I’m pretty sure the failure was the result of a very poor job by the surgeon more than the procedure itself. Like almost all TPL replacements I’m sure Charlotte’s will be a complete success.
Notorious P.A.T.
Poor thing. HOpe she feels better soon.
AkaDad
Charlotte could use some lipstick.
DrDave
Michael:
The surgery is called Tibial Plateau Leveling and it is a new method for repairing cranial cruciate ligament tears. The special plate changes the angle at which the femur meets the tibia so the dog no longer needs the ligament. The rehab is longer than other commonly used methods because the bone has to heal where it has been cut and repositioned but the end result is a joint that is less likely to become arthritic over time. So yes, after 4 – 6 months of rest and then some rehab, Charlotte will indeed be running circles around you. And laughing while she does.
(The hard part for you is that in a week or two, she is going to feel much better and ready to go and you are going to have to keep her on a short leash.)
Give her a belly rub for me.
DrDave
THeDRiFTeR
Wow. How much did that set you back? Betcha it was a bundle! Has no one told you them things are bio degradable?
Darkness
Has no one told you them things are bio degradable?
You mean, the dog?
——————-
Procuring treatment for an injured pet is emotionally fraught. You can’t explain that you are putting them through more pain for long term gain and that’s stressful because they so live in the here and now–that’s one of the reasons I think we find them so appealing as companions.
Andy
I’m sorry your pig is sick.
Michael D.
$3000. But I have her insured, so that will pay 80%. I laugh at all the people wo don’t think they need to insure their pets. :-)
Well, I don’t. I would be ok if I had to pay it myself, I guess; but I am glad I had that insurance. The investment – $250 a year – has been more than worth it.
Chuck T
Did the vet scratch a small cross on the operating table in front of Charlotte, so that for one fleeting second, they weren’t patient and doctor, but two Christians, sharing a moment?
ET
I have a really strong desire to fly out there and hug the dog.
Gus
What company do you use? I just might get some for my mutts.
*****Hey Gus: I use Petshealthplan.com. They take forever to pay, but they ALWAYS pay.
Damned at Random
Poor thing. I’m always suprised how little dog there is when the hair is removed.
Give her a liver snack from Auntie Damned
The Disenfranchised Voter
I wish you and Charlotte all the best with the recovery. Here’s to a speedy recovery as well!
trollhattan
Awww, here’s a doggie treat and best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery!
geemoney
We had this done to our dog, as well, after an operation on the left knee (not TPL, but to correct a torn ligament) caused too much stress to be put on the right knee, which then resulted in a torn ligament.
The TPL seems to have worked great, and we’re considering going to get the original “bad” knee TPL’ed. Our dog is still fairly young (4 years), so I want to make sure that she enjoys her life as much as she can.
Best of luck to her, and you. Dogs are awesome.