Quote:

Donald,
these days, we suggest using TPLO procedures to repair ACL tears on Rotties and other large dogs. We've found that the other, more conventional repairs, don't work as well or as long nor do they keep the incidence of arthritis down. At his weight, I would have thought that your orthopedic surgeon would have suggested it.

BTW, 173 is a very BIG GSD! Stop with the Miracle Grow! Getting his weight down would help but knee problems are not uncommon in breeds where we've bred in extreme rear angulation, especially GSDs. Rotties too. I speak as a person who has had 5 knee surgeries so I empathize.

Sorry to see him having to go through this. Good luck with the recovery. If you have a hydrotherapy center near you, I suggest you use it to strengthen the leg without putting any stress on the repair.

Jim


Thanks for the info, a little late for Pepper though. The Orthopedic Surgeon did not give me any options! Maybe I should have taken him to Auburn University for the surgeries. Kind of makes me mad that there may have been other options. At $1,500.00 a surgery I had expected to get the best.
He is a huge dog but he is not fat. His thyroid levels don't even register on his lab tests without the Levothyroxine. I feed all my dogs fresh turkey and brown rice mixed in with their dry food.
Again, thanks for the info. I pray he does not have any more problems, but if he does,I'll call Auburn.