Hi everyone, I’m facing a bit of a dilemma. My German Shepherd-type girl, who is about 14 years old and weighs 34kg (around 5st 5lbs), has a cranial cruciate ligament injury. The orthopaedic specialist is suggesting **TPLO surgery, but I’m terrified she might not wake up from the general anaesthetic (when she was spayed, she had breathing difficulties and had to be intubated).** Two other vets have already told me it's a huge dilemma; while the surgery would mean she’s no longer in pain, she is an older dog now. Even the specialist said he can't guarantee she’ll walk normally again after the procedure. At the moment, she’s on Librela injections (she's just had her second dose) and I’m also supporting her with Scanodyl tablets. She can still walk—she’s less active than she was two months ago, but she’s still keen to get about. I just don't know what to do. I’m so scared of the surgery and I'm frightened she won't come round from the anaesthetic.
TPLO surgery - what are your thoughts?
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Hello
The dilemma is resolved if:
it isn’t life-threatening
you’ve accepted the balance between their age and the daily care involved
you also accept the risks of not going ahead with it
you don’t trust your vet (which is perfectly understandable)
According to AniCura, it’s a degenerative condition. I think it’s up to you to make the final call on whether it’s worth it.
Best of luck
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