Looking for a good surgeon in GTA/ON

Hi everyone,

My dog is a 9 year old Maltipoo. He recently ruptured his anterior Cruciate Ligament (his vet is suspecting, no xrays done yet). The vet recommended us to go see a surgeon, I've been researching the web to find a good surgeon but haven't had any luck yet. I read so many mixed reviews on different hospitals (very confusing) but I wasn't able to find a good surgeon with good reviews yet.

Does anybody had this surgery done on their dog? (specially small breeds)

which hospital did you go to?
Who was the surgeon? and were you happy with the surgery results/the surgeon?
How many consultations did you go to?
did they use epidural on your dog? (I'm not too crazy about the epidural use but the vet said most surgeons use epidural to manage pain)
How was the recovery ? How long did it take for your dog to start walking again (bare weight)?
Is there anything you recommend us to do before/after the surgery?
Which technique did the surgeon use?

Any information is much appreciate it. I'm trying to do to my homework before going for a consultation with a surgeon.

Thank you very much!!!

Have your dog checked to see exactly what the problem is before you do anything to try and fix what you don't know what's wrong....

He was limping I took him to the Vet, she said he ruptured the ligament. She did the drawer test.. But we didn't take any xrays. His Vet recommended taking him to a specialist for x-rays since they had to put him under and she said the specialist might want different/specific views than the ones she was going to take. But we know for sure something is either partially or fully torn.

I'm just looking for a good surgeon with experience (not a new grad) to go for consultation and further exams.

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Originally Posted by bdog

Have your dog checked to see exactly what the problem is before you do anything to try and fix what you don't know what's wrong....

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Best advice , get your dog xrayed first to find out what the actual problem is and how serious.

Sorry, but you don't know if anything is wrong

I will be doing x-rays I just want to know which surgeon to take him to for x-rays and consult. Any recommendations which surgeon to book an appointment with ?

His regular vet doesn't want to take x-rays, she wants the specialist to take the x-rays.

Unfortunately I have some experience with this. My Brittany tore both sides. A surgeon will confirm wether it's actually torn, pretty sure the tears don't show up on X-rays but injury to the bones does. Actual cost for the TPLO surgery was @$4500. Add in consultations and drugs and it climbs fast from there. This is a very invasive procedure as they grind and reshape the bones to accept the metal hinge that replaces the ligaments. The vet will also tell you that over 50% of dogs who have this procedure end up tearing the other side due to over using it to compensate for the weakness of the repaired one. In my case it unfortunately is exactly what happened. I decided to to not operate him again as he was 8 years old. He is now retired from hunting and not happy about it but he has a pretty good life as long as he doesn't push too hard.
When he came home from surgery he had to be contained from movement and I actually turned my dining room into sick bay and slept on the floor with him for 4 months. Recovery is @ 6 months. If your dog is active the chance of double injuries is quite high. Sorry, just telling it like it is. We used the 404 referral hospital in Newmarket and were quite pleased with them.
Honestly, if it's torn I would wait a couple months to see how the dog recovers. This is a very invasive procedure and a 9 year old dog statistically has 3-4 years left. You may find with anti inflammatory meds and restricted activity he gets along pretty good. Many dogs live with torn ligaments.

There are a few options you can look at. With him being a pet and not a 'canine athlete', so to speak, you can look into having surgery done the way they were doing it 20 years ago. I was recently told by someone in the field that pet dogs have a good chance of recovery from that method of surgery as they're not working and pushing themselves. TPLO surgery is an option many people with working dogs choose because it is the better option for the job. First and foremost, finding a specialist to verify is your first order of business (and why you started this post). There is an excellent clinic in Guelph if you're willing to make the drive. The GTA has so many options, I'm certain there will be someone closer to you, though. Did your own vet make any suggestions as to who to see?

Above all else, I wish you guys all the best in getting the information you need to make an informed decision.

Good suggestions A
The procedure you suggest was called the 'fish line' which many Vets used prior to TPLO, Tightrope, TTA etc. The cost was far less and was quite successful.
My old guy tore a crucia at 8 and the next one at 10. Rather than put him through surgery again we went to Pawsability in Toronto. Janice specializes in braces and artificial limbs for pets. She previously worked at Sick Kids so her experience is outstanding.
She built a brace for the bad leg, in 5 months that leg was as good as the one which had the surgery.
Much less invasive and the cost 5 yrs ago was about $900
I wouldn't go that route for a young competitive dog but certainly for an older dog.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by terrym

Unfortunately I have some experience with this. My Brittany tore both sides. A surgeon will confirm wether it's actually torn, pretty sure the tears don't show up on X-rays but injury to the bones does. Actual cost for the TPLO surgery was @$4500. Add in consultations and drugs and it climbs fast from there. This is a very invasive procedure as they grind and reshape the bones to accept the metal hinge that replaces the ligaments. The vet will also tell you that over 50% of dogs who have this procedure end up tearing the other side due to over using it to compensate for the weakness of the repaired one. In my case it unfortunately is exactly what happened. I decided to to not operate him again as he was 8 years old. He is now retired from hunting and not happy about it but he has a pretty good life as long as he doesn't push too hard.
When he came home from surgery he had to be contained from movement and I actually turned my dining room into sick bay and slept on the floor with him for 4 months. Recovery is @ 6 months. If your dog is active the chance of double injuries is quite high. Sorry, just telling it like it is. We used the 404 referral hospital in Newmarket and were quite pleased with them.
Honestly, if it's torn I would wait a couple months to see how the dog recovers. This is a very invasive procedure and a 9 year old dog statistically has 3-4 years left. You may find with anti inflammatory meds and restricted activity he gets along pretty good. Many dogs live with torn ligaments.

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Thank you for the information and advise. I appreciate it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BurlyGirl

There are a few options you can look at. With him being a pet and not a 'canine athlete', so to speak, you can look into having surgery done the way they were doing it 20 years ago. I was recently told by someone in the field that pet dogs have a good chance of recovery from that method of surgery as they're not working and pushing themselves. TPLO surgery is an option many people with working dogs choose because it is the better option for the job. First and foremost, finding a specialist to verify is your first order of business (and why you started this post). There is an excellent clinic in Guelph if you're willing to make the drive. The GTA has so many options, I'm certain there will be someone closer to you, though. Did your own vet make any suggestions as to who to see?

Above all else, I wish you guys all the best in getting the information you need to make an informed decision.

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Thank you for the advise. Our vet gave us 4 different hospitals close to where we are but she didn't make any suggestions as to which one to go with. She said they're all board certified surgeons and left it up to us. Would you please let me know the hospital name in Guelph you mentioned? I don't mind the drive at all. I will definitely look into the fish line method which you suggested.

Again, thank you for the information and your well wishes. Much appreciated!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by krakadawn

Good suggestions A
The procedure you suggest was called the 'fish line' which many Vets used prior to TPLO, Tightrope, TTA etc. The cost was far less and was quite successful.
My old guy tore a crucia at 8 and the next one at 10. Rather than put him through surgery again we went to Pawsability in Toronto. Janice specializes in braces and artificial limbs for pets. She previously worked at Sick Kids so her experience is outstanding.
She built a brace for the bad leg, in 5 months that leg was as good as the one which had the surgery.
Much less invasive and the cost 5 yrs ago was about $900
I wouldn't go that route for a young competitive dog but certainly for an older dog.

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Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will check out Pawsability as well, I had never heard of them. Thanks again!!

Had that same surgery done on my dog for both hind legs- common to also need the second leg done at some point.
Very pleased with the surgeon- very experienced. He will of course do a workup and talk to you before deciding what is needed. I was very happy with the service and outcome- no problems for 7 years now.

Dr Gary Bouck DVM DVSc

Regional Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital
London ON
519 432 3300