Cruciate Disease Surgery
Vet in the Valley Animal Hospital offers two types of surgery to treat cranial cruciate disease. One is the de Angelis surgery, which provides external support around the joint and is only feasible in small dogs. Most commonly, though, recommended a surgery call the Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy, or TPLO.
If your animal is booked in for a TPLO surgery the first thing that happens once they are anaesthetised is x-rays if not already done. Our standard practice is to take images of both hind stifles (knees), as well as the back to ensure there are no additional issues, to allow use to refer back to those images post-operatively and take measurements and angles to make the correct selection of plates and screws are done.
What is a TPLO Surgery?
This surgery permanently changes the angle of the stifle joint to treat a partially or full ruptured cranial cruciate ligament. A Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy is where the shin bone is made more flat to improve the overall stability of the stifle (knee joint) when the dog is weight bearing on the leg. A semi circular cut is made at the top of the tibia in its new position and implants are screwed to the bone to hold the top of the tibia in place.
Once the bone is healed (usually 6-8 weeks post-surgery), the procedure is complete.
We provide pain relief before, during and immediately post surgery and as result, many dogs are comfortable and bearing within a couple of days after surgery.
What does TPLO Surgery look like?
Once your animal is admitted to Vet in the Valley Animal Hospital, they undergo a full health check and assessment for the anaesthetic and pain management plan. They receive some calming drugs and pre-operatively pain relief. The surgical team will prepare all the required equipment, then once everyone is ready, your animal is anaesthetised. Once they are asleep they receive their second lot of pain relief medication on the skin, and pre-operative x-rays are taken. The nursing team will give your dog a pretty cool hair cut, with a large portion of the affected limb clipped which allows use to effectively clean the leg. The leg has the best scrub of it’s life, then receives three types of surgical preparation before the animal is moved into theatre. During the procedure your animal will receive constant anaesthetic monitoring, intra-venous fluids, and lovely warming air blankets to minimise the adverse effects of anaesthetic. Our experienced orthopaedic surgeon will perform the procedure using the highest quality implants and the best surgical equipment. Once the surgery is done, post-operative X-rays are complete to make sure everything is correct and then your dog is woken up. Pain relief is administered when they recover (generally on a lovely warm bed, with a nurse snuggling them!).
What is included with a TPLO Surgery?
Vet in the Valley Animal Hospital are committed to operating to extremely high standards, so that we can do the best possible job for your dog.
Pain relief prior and after surgery
Purpose-built, dedicated, enclosed surgical theatre, designed to optimise theatre cleanliness and sterility aiming to reduce the risk of infection.
Attention to detail with preparing your pet for surgery, with an experienced veterinary nursing team and surgeon.
Our orthopaedic surgeon has also undertaken further study in diagnosing and treating meniscal tears. This is an important aspect of TPLO surgery, as it greatly improves patient outcomes when a surgeon has the ability to diagnose and treat torn menisci.
Use of the highest quality, market-leading implants and equipment.
Post operative consultations and check ups as required
Vet in the Valley is fully committed to providing the highest quality service in the northern suburbs of Hobart. We are so excited to offer this procedure and much more to our clients and patients.