How Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) Surgery Can Help
Dogs are known for being energetic and fun-loving pets. These are the exact qualities that make your pet so endearing. Yet, a severe injury can rob your pet of its energy. If you’re a pet owner dealing with this issue, Desert Forest Animal Hospital in Cave Creek, AZ, can offer some assistance.
The specific injury hampering your pet could be a cranial cruciate ligament tear. Learn more about the causes and symptoms of this injury by continuing with this article. We’ll also explain why TPLO surgery could solve your dog’s needs.
What Is a Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Tear?
A CCL tear is an injury that affects your dog’s ligament. The CCL is essential to your dog’s anatomy, because it helps stabilize the knee. The two leading causes of CCL tears in dogs are gradual degeneration and traumatic injury.
Continuous strain on your dog’s knees can wear down the CCL until it becomes a prime candidate to rupture. Since heavy dogs put more stress on their knees, they are more likely to suffer a CCL tear earlier in life. Any older dog is susceptible to tearing its CCL, but big breeds are more vulnerable.
Your pet is also more likely to suffer a CCL tear if they like to run and jump a lot. Explosive movement can strain the CCL excessively and lead to a tear. Signs your dog suffers from a CCL tear may include decreased activity.
You may notice your dog walking or sitting differently. You may also see your dog favor one side of their body when they’re in motion. If you notice any of those symptoms, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately.
What Kind of Pet Surgery Will Your Dog Need?
After confirming your pet has torn it’s CCL, your vet may recommend TPLO surgery as treatment. During TPLO surgery, our veterinarian will adjust the position of the tibia in your dog’s injured joint, so their knee can move again. To do that, our veterinarian will rotate the top of the tibia until it is properly angled, then use a metal plate and screws to keep the repaired joint together.
You must give your dog plenty of time to recover following, TPLO surgery. Limit their activity for about four months, so their knee can heal correctly. Post-operative dogs will also undergo rehabilitation. You can contact our vet for assistance if you struggle with your dog’s rehab routine.
Book Your Injured Dog’s TPLO Surgery Appointment Today
Visit our clinic immediately if your dog has torn its CCL. Contact us at Desert Forest Animal Hospital, and we’ll perform the TPLO surgery on your dog. We’ll handle your pet’s surgery at our Cave Creek, AZ, location. Call our office at (480) 488-2010 to schedule an appointment.