TTA Cruciate Ligament Surgery

Hello everyone!

I used to come here a little bit a year or so ago under the username {{Peta}} (I think), but I forgot my password.
Anyhow.
I have just been informed by my vet that my beautiful little girl requires TTA surgery for a torn cruciate ligament. I guess I am hoping to hear outcomes, positive stories like she will be good as new, reassurance that the price quoted is not as exorbitant as is sounds ($3400).
I'm really scared for her having such a large operation. I'm also worried about her mental health when she is confined for soooo long and I really don't know why she doesn't appear to be in $3400 worth of pain. She holds the leg up slightly when she runs, is a bit stiff when she first wakes up, she walks on it BUT she never cries or yelps.
I'm also really worried about paying all that money and it not being successful, possibly costing more money that I don't really have. God I know how terrible that sounds, because I love her to bits but as a working family with three children under 12 it is a real concern, as much as I wish it wasn't.
Also google has told me that with a knee brace and rest she could heal herself. I am highly doubtful of this although would love to hear about that too if anyone has any experience with it.

Kind Regards


Peta.

Hi Peta and Ruby, My staffy had a cruciate ligament operation when she was about two. It was very successful and the recovery isn't as bad as you think.

My dog had a nylon suture put in place to connect the ligament and it lasts a lifetime. The only thing with this operation is that they get arthritis in later life, but saying that so could any dog anyway.

The vet will advise you of how long you need to keep the dog rested, no running, lead walks only until healed. If I was you I would start with the glucosamine now to prevent pain in years to come this will keep everything well lubricated.

Unfortunately with staffies, you really don't know how much pain they are in as they are very good at hiding it. A crate is a good idea or a confined area for recovery.

Good luck with the operation. Clare x

Hi Peta, welcome back

My Flo has had a TTA. I'm not entirely sure that she needed it and had my doubts the same as you. It cost me £3000 and we didn't have insurance but I guess we go with what our vets tell us.

My Flo wasn't limping that badly either it was more that she was chewing her paw and the vet suggested it was pain transference as she couldn't get to the bit that actually hurt the upshot is that the operation isn't too traumatic and quiet standard these days but the recovery does take some time. We crated Flo whilst recovering so that she wouldn't clear my stairs etc. All walking was on leash and no running. It felt like a lifetime but passed soon enough.

I have noticed that as she gotten older she is definitely stronger on that leg than the other one and the vet said at the time she would need the other one doing at some stage but at 10 years I won't put her through it and she isn't limping or showing signs of pain.

I can't really advise what you should do as each case is different but I can say that my Flo's outcome was positive. Let us know how Ruby gets on.

cant offer any advice good luck with the surgery im sure it will be sucessful and past before you know it