My rottweiler needs another TTA (Knee Surgery), what if we decide not to do it?

Question

My rottweiler had knee surgery a year and a half ago. She did very well from the surgery. (Her condition is degenerative). The vet told me there was an 80% chance her other knee would go within a year and unfortunately it did. My Bernese Mountain Dog 8 months after my Rottweilers surgery decided to jump over a fence chasing a wild turkey and blew out her knee thus needing the same surgery. We had a rough year and a half. Rehab for this surgery is approx. 8 months. We have spent over 8,000.00 so far on both dog in less than two years. I have heard mixed reviews on doing the surgery or not doing the surgery. Financially it is two difficult for us go for another 3,500.00. Is there anyone out there that has a LARGE breed dog that decided not to do the surgery? And if so how is the dog doing?

In response to your answer xthedarkladyx . I appreciate your response but I have extensive knowledge of this type of large breed TTA surgeries. There is no pain for her right now she, she has been kept quiet and will heal. I have always done surgeries on my dogs and this is the first time I have chosen to hold off. The reason a dog limps on the knee that is torn is because there is instability in the knee. She had pain for the first week which she was put on anti inflammatories and a mild pain killer.

There is no reason to put a dog to sleep for this injury. She will heal but not the way she would if she had surgery. I am looking for someone who has experienced having a large breed dog and not doing the TTA surgery.

My dogs have a better life than most humans and it is in my best interest for my family and my DOG to do whats right. She may eventually have the surgery but right now is not an option. So therefore I need answers from people who have been in my situation.

Yes I keep her weight down and she is on joint meds. She also gets massages on the rear end of her body to loosen the tensed areas. She is also starting to distribute weight on the leg and goes on two short leash walks a day. If September comes and she is not where I want her to be recovery wise I will do the surgery. The surgery is TTA and there is now where in the world I know that does it for 400.00. It is a total reconstruction of the angle of the knee and a titamium rod that supports the leg. It is a more effective surgery for large breed dogs. If I take her out to Ohio University I could probably get the surgery done for 2500.00. As for the waddling back and forth just the the dog bowl. I won't accept that with my dog. She already does more activity that that. Her knee gave out on her a month and a half ago. She is almost 8. I know the pain with the recovery of the TTA surgery. It is worse the first two months. My vet supports our decision, one day at a time.

Thank you postalbb. I have pet insurance which for both my dogs surgery covered 1500.00 a piece. They are a wonderful insurance company. My vet has the plan of 12 month pay off so we will most likely do the surgery just not at this moment. You may want to look into "Veterinary Pet Insurance" they are great. My dogs are about 250.00-300.00 depending on age a year for their coverage and it has paid for itself 10 fold.

It is the recovery of this surgery that is the most difficult, for us and my dog. We have given up a vacation last year and about 8 months of our lives. Not be able to leave them because fear of the doggy sitter not taking care of them the way we would after their surgery.

My last rottie had neck surgery done by the same surgeon and she was 100 % perfect after the surgery. She had the fifth vertebrae in her neck removed to give her back her mobility. The canines neck bones fuse themselves in time its amazing. She was like a pup again. We know your heartache

Just an update and wondering if anyone out there has had this problem with their large breed. I really am hoping to speak with someone who has chosen not to do this surgery and what the outcome is or was.

Answer 1

I totally understand you predicament. Our Rottie had to have 2 ACL surgeries within 2 years. I wish I could give you advice, but we went ahead and did both the surgeries. I think all you can do is try to keep them comfortable as possible until you are able to do surgery. No surgery could mean a lot of arthritis in that knee later in life. Rimadyl or deramaxx, glucosamine/chondrotin supplement, try taking the dog to a rehab facility in the meantime. Good Luck!!! This is such a hard thing-she did great after the surgeries, but at 9 years old, she got osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in her shoulder and didn't last very long after that. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 2

My g/f's Dutch Shepherd blew out both her knees a year apart and both required surgery which cost $400. She wouldn't use the bad leg and was in pain. I would ask around for prices, your vet sounds very expensive and her Dutch Shepherd only required 6 weeks of rehab, which I did at my house as her mom was about 75 yrs old and couldn't walk her on leash as she needed. You could try joint meds and keeping her thin if she is not in pain but it will prob get worse with time and need more extensive surgery or her being PTS.

Answer 3

Awwww I'm sorry that your dog needs another operation for his knee. I know you are aware that if he doesnt have another operation then he will suffer because walking on his leg will be very painful. I dont know whether you are on benefit but if you are the RSPCA will help with the cost of the operation. There is also another charity that does this too. If you are not on benefit then perhaps its best to ask the vet's advice. Perhaps you could come to an arrangement where you pay the bill off in instalments. I'm sure they will have no problem doing this as you have spent a lot of money with them already. Try it, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Answer 4

If your dog is not in pain, and you know it will not hurt him as he gets older, I would certainly keep him on at a low weight. Our Rottie ended up with a bad disk in his back and couldn't be operated on, and wasn't in pain, just had weakness in his back legs. He did fine for the last two years of his life. He just needed help getting up and down, and the last month of his life we had to devise a lift to put under his backside to help him up because he didn't have the strength. When he needed out, we walked out carrying his backside. He was about 101 pounds, so it usually took two of us to help him. He never hurt, and we were willing to do that because we loved him so much. The only real danger is that if he slips and falls and breaks his leg due to the weakness, you might end up with a more expensive surgery.

This is such a difficult decision to make. Our vet told us about a plan that will let you finance for 1 year interest free with your doctor and vets take it too. It is also possible to finance at low interest for longer times. We have to take our Maltese for surgery for Liver Shunt surgery this week, if she lives long enough to get through the tests. That will be about $2500. We were up all night with her, and wouldn't even consider any alternative. With her it is life or death. Good luck, I know you love your babies.

Answer 5

If your dog is needing the surgery badly the best choice would be to have the surgery done otherwise the dog will be uncomfortable and in pain which is cruel. If it is so bad that you can't afford it, unfortunately you might have to put it to sleep because it's condition could get worse and worse.

Answer 6

I have had many rotties, some with degenerative problems as well, if you cannot afford the surgeries, be kind and put them down before the pain is unbearable for them

Answer 7

I wish you good luck with this descision, I do hope your beloved dog will be ok.