My 4 month old lab needed Bilateral (both legs) TPLO surgery. We had to wait until he turn 1 yr old before he could have surgery. It cost us $6000!!! But we loved him and had no choice. He is perfect now!!❤️

I think the one thing people don't realize is the amount of effort it takes from the owners to support the leg before and after surgery. I had bought a harness and supported 80% of my Bichon's weight as we walked around the neighborhood. It was rough... but I didn't want him hurting the left worse or ruining the surgery. After three months (I can't quite remember but might have been a couple weeks later than that) I finally let him support himself 100% but was still cautious when walking him around. 10 months later and he's doing great but the other leg has shown indication of possible problems. For now, fingers crossed we don't have to go through that again. It's not fun, but a few months after, it's all a distant memory!

My beautiful girl did her left cruciate 4 years ago and now has done the other one, we thought we were so clever getting past that two year period. She is in recovery phase now but it is tougher to keep her still this time, she misses her morning walks and afternoon doggie park play. Looking hard for stimulating calm activities for her.

Okay. Just found you. And first of all, you're really funny. Made it all the more enjoyable to learn what we did. And your list of breeds more prone to this injury make perfect sense, as we have a pit bull/rottweiler/german shepherd mix who has recently been diagnosed with this. He's 110 pounds (very trim, though) and almost 7 years old. I hope we can make things better for him. We went to a new vet for a second opinion (which we really fell in love with this new vet). The old vet had heavily inferred that if our dog needed the surgery and we couldn't afford it, then it was time to put him down. When the new vet told us the official news that his ligament was torn, (after our dog had his first xrays for this condition), I was holding back a flood of tears, and she asked why I was so upset. I thought he had to be put down. I didn't know there were ways to make this work while we saved the money for the surgery. SO long post short (too late, sorry), we're very grateful for our new vet and for vets like you who help us learn more.

My gorgeous Patterdale terrier torn his cruciate ligament from chasing balls, I was so uneducated on not over throwing the ball! He loved chasing the ball but no more fun now 😢

We are getting ready to go thru this with our pittie. She is a Staffordshire terrier. She's an amazing pup. She's helped me thru more than anyone knows and now I'm struggling to help her. We originally thought it was an issue with her hip. After x-rays our vet diagnosed her with dysplasia. So we we're treating her for that. One day she just stopped eating, walking, she acted sick. Another trip to the vet. We we're given referral to OSU veterinary clinic. After having her put to sleep to do more x-rays we learned it wasn't the dysplasia after all. She has a cruciate ligament tear. There's alot of fluid on her knee. So now to treat for that. We put her on a pain pill, along with more anti inflammatory and joint supplements. We ordered a knee brace which was a massive fail. She wouldn't even stand up with it on. Beings she is and has been in pain for so long she's become very scared of people, pets, and places. So, osu wanted us to ha e her attend some training courses to help with the kennel stage after surgery and to set a medication regimen for prior to surgery. But here's our biggest hurdle right now. After many trips to the vets, after all the x-rays, blood work and testing so far it has cost us $2700. Not to mention the medication is about $100 a month. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas on how we can get help. We tried getting insurance for her. But it's pre-existing at this point and they won't take her. We have set up a go-fund me but in 2 months it's only earned $200. I have set up donation jars at my work. I have applied for grants but noone seems to have the funds. I have applied for care credit and got denied due to lack of credit. I have been recently reaching out to pit advocates and Facebook pages. Emails, websites. I spend 2 hours a day just researching and searching and can't find anyone to help her. The surgery is estimated at $3600 . I have almost half of it. She needs the surgery done as soon as possible. The only thing holding us back are the funds. Do you or does anyone know of any place that I can turn to for help? I'm not asking for a handout. I'm asking for help. Even if I could borrow and pay back over a couple months. She won't make it much longer thru the pain she is in. And she's hurting because now I can't afford the surgery. If anyone has any ideas on what I could possibly do please feel free to share them. I'm open minded and will accept all the support and suggestions or advice anyone wants to put out there for us. Thank you so much for whoever read this. That alone means something. Most don't take the time to hear our story. I saved this girl when she was a baby. And now I can't. She's the reason I'm alive today, and I can't return that favor. I need to be there for her. She depends on me. 😢 For anyone interested I will post the link to her gofundme me page. There's proof of all we've done there. All of her updates and our sad and painful journey. gofundme.com/helpskybeapuppyagain

My 2 year old German shepherded husky had 2 knee surgeries in 6 months. Left knee shattered after the tare In December 2020. May 2021 she tore the left CCL. She’s now 100% 🤘🏽

My dog tore both of her cruciate ligaments in her knees in hind legs. Within 1 or 2 weeks of each other. She just had her first surgery( left hind leg) Monday... hearing what you said in this video made everything make so much more sense now. Very informative video. Thank you. I subscribed 🩷😊

Yes! I wasn't sure the show would come back. I'm glad it has

My 7 yrear old Kelpi girl Miss Zaide had Cruciate surgery yesterday and I am on a learning curve. With this C-19, Wu19 or what ever you choice, has caused LIMITED contact and conversation with my vet. Honestly I went into this surgery with blinders on. The vet and the office did their BEST to communicate with me/us (my husband too) but it was done over the PHONE and some print out information and instructions. We saw no ex-rays and did not have that personal touch. 100% I trust my vet and the office. This video is helping me understand what I should have know and am now learning.

Without a doubt, this is the most enjoyable information I've received on cruciate tears. You've got another subscriber - and a question: what about braces and which, if any, would you recommend? We have a super fit 8-yr old standard poodle, not overweight, neutered at 12 months, runs, or, ran (sigh), with my husband 5 miles every other day since he was two, with a nice long walk in the woods on alternate days. Thank you, Dr. Andy, de Cone of Shame.

Going through it now. Can't see a vet till the end of the month. So we are (both) treating with Mary Jane😳

I hope you are still replying to comments on this video! What are your thoughts on bracing for cruciate ligaments?

Thank you … very helpful.

Would have been a better video if you included a photo or diagram showing which joint you are talking about.

So there's the mention of regular vet visits to catch this "early" so you can prevent it from completely tearing. But what is it you are supposed to do? If the dog is not overweight, and is not a "weekend warrior", what prevention can be done? I haven't heard of any. My dog is definitely not overweight, and is a working dog guarding livestock so his activity level is constant, and well above the average house pet. But he has injured one of his stifles, and these surgeries are absolutely not an option for this kind of dog. He could no more be kept quiet in a crate for 12 weeks afterward than a Thoroughbred racehorse could be kept in a sling and a crush for 12 weeks to fix a broken hind leg.

Going to the vet tomorrow morning. Thank you for this video. I'm worried and it helped educate me. I'm so nervous fir my dog. I hope he doesn't need surgery. He is 12.5 pounds.

I have just adopted a 38 kg 1 yr Bull Arab x Red Heeler (large Australian breed) & have found out he has mild hip dysplasia & Bilateral Cruciate Disease (He was neutered at nine weeks) His growth plates are still closing. He still loves to run & play but his back legs go everywhere when excited & sometimes resemble a bucking bull. I have been told he needs staged TPLO's costing around $600aus EACH LEG. I am heartbroken & conflicted on what to do.

Hey hope u still see this... gota 2yr old gold lab mix, she's tall lanky can see all her muscle fibers she got neutered about 4months ago, and now She toar or partial tore her rear Cruciate.. it's going on 8-9 weeks since first signs ( why cant they do an mri and tell us the extent of the tear). The Dr just offered meds, no brace use needed, and offered surgery 2 days later. Now she's healing possibly... I'm massaging the area, doing a few shorter walks, and giving vitamins... Used a brace a few weeks, she didn't like it but i kept it on there tight and now were back to regular walks wwithout it, but end of the day she'll sometimes show she has lameness and toe taps that foot..? What's thoughts on time-line for braces and surgeries?? TPLO that's what is being offered here $6-8K, thankyou Doc, thanks guys ❤

Do hock braces work in any way? Thanks for your valuable time Steven Cole

Thank you, great info !

What do you mean dogs don't have careers, what about service dogs? They have a job to do.

Question-my vet said my lab (mixed breed) has a partial tear but said no surgery till there is a full tear. Sounds like I should get a second opinion according to this. Thoughts?

FYI Pet Insrance covers only $2600 for crucial ligament injury in Australia. I was still out of pocket $3,000.00 + physio which isnt covered. Premium is $800 year for comprehensive for a 7 year old schitzu x maltese. I have had insurance for 7 years and never made a claim until now. I figure when she has her other one done i would have paid $6500 in premiums and would have been reimbursed $5200. Not sure if insrance is worth it?????

Do braces help? If so, which do you recommend?

Literally my boy just did this. He's not over weight, not old he's only a year and a half old, and he's an indoor home dog. There's no "early detection" he went outside to go to the bathroom was walking around, screamed and boom 4k surgery!!

Such an important problem and great advice. Single biggest take home - prevent your dog getting fat

If you look up "complications of ACL, or TPLO, (or any specific) surgery" you would be able to read a cascade of complications right out of a nightmare. Look up "conservative management" and stick to it for a year. It works. My dog did it, and while he hasn't been healed for a long time (adopted last year with the injury), I know other dogs who have been healed this way, didn't have the other knee injured (as always happens with surgery), and of course, didn't have any of the complications of the surgery. My dog has insurance that covered the $4,000 USD surgery, I still chose the safest path.

Have a nine month old Saluki-Malinois mix, 35 lbs, was super-loose and lean, super athletic - and sadly cried out in pain 8 days ago during puppy play group - hasn't wanted to put hind right leg down since - still sits square - we iced knee and applied moist heat to groin first few days - knee doesn't look swollen - had x-rays which only ruled out broken bones (feel like we were rolled in that scenario) and were inconclusive for knee ligament damage or tear - we're of course scared and sad over this injury to such a young dog with so much energy. We're seeing another vet for a second opinion and have sedated x-rays scheduled next Wednesday to get angles on the knee which should reveal knee ligament damage/tear if it exists. Technically we can't afford surgery (or even these sedated x-rays) but I guess anyone who has good enough credit to accumulate debt can 'technically' afford anything :/ What questions should we be asking these veterinary professionals? Could this be something other than a knee or severe groin pull? Any thoughts appreciated, Thank you.

I would have liked to have heard something a little more proactive about how to prevent CCL injuries. It's great to say "keep the weight off", but my dog, who just had a tear, is very lean and, before the injury, I would take her out every day to chase a ball and run. So, now that she's had the tear, I'm guessing no more ball chasing. But how much should I walk her? How often?

Hello Dr. Roark, I have a pitbull only a year old, very lean, walks frequently and exercises daily. He's been limping and putting no pressure on his back right leg any suggestions?

Thank you for this info, what pet insurance would you reccommend or suggest, my 12 yr old , overweight, beagle has 1 and possibly both acl toren

My dog had a tplo surgery 2 years ago and over the past few weeks has been hesitant to put her other foot down. I have a horrible feeling she is going to need the other leg doing at some point, she's an 8 year old Staffordshire and was neutered early as she was from a shelter. Poor girl

You're awesome. I have a female Boxer Staffordshire. What should I do at home while waiting for an appointment? Cool bath, natural anti inflammatory or a way to stabilize the leg? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Does legs sweels??

Unfortunately my dog is about 16 pounds . She loves to jump on and off high furniture. And she jumped off the bed which is high . And she tore it. It’s not even common in her breed nor size . She’s a Maltese poodle mix . She just loves to jump

I can't afford the surgery for my big baby Rhodesian ridgeback

My dog tore his ACL and it required surgery. At 5 weeks there I took him in for x-rays and the bone only has a callus on one side. The vet was kinda snarky and had no suggestions. I keep him kenneled at night we don't let him out unsupervised. After 5 weeks the bone is only healing on one side. I wonder if a walking splint might be the answer?

my dog ripped her cct from an accident. what to do in this case?

Is it true that this kind of tear resolves on its own after about three months in a leg brace, lots of rest, and anti-inflamatories in 80% of dogs?

Great info brought to you by the Eli Manning of canine orthopedic care! 😂

My dog torn her right CCL back in Feb. We did RED LIGHT treatments at home.She is doing GREAT! DO NOT be forced into surgery! Most dogs can recover without surgery. Please read more about this at tiggerpoz.com.

Can ccl be detected with X-rays, since they are soft tissue I’ve heard. Is the suture repair for a nine year old, 38lb whippet viable? -Thank You

Double knee surgery victim. Poor dog had surgery today on second knee.

My 6 yr old 10 lb morkie is having this surgery next week. I’m dreading putting her through this. What are your thoughts on one of those wheelchairs to take the weight off her hind leg while she recuperates? I imagine lots of Physio involved at home?

Welcome back, cone of shame!

forgot to say that regardless of treatment arthritis is always in the future.

Yea cone of shame welcome back!

My Rottweiler has just torn her cruciate ligament, we got a different vet (a last minute visit to the vets since she is sick so) who just dismissed it saying she’s a 4 year old rotty of course she will get arthritis so don’t worry, we knew it wasn’t but 2 weeks later she’s torn it and needs surgery

Anyone have to get their dog surgery due to a cruciate ligament injury? My Australian cattle puppy doesn’t have a tear but vet thinks she will need surgery because she’s had 2 injuries in just 5 months of age. She’s doing much better but on pain med so it’s probably just masking her pain

My dog is two days out of surgery she had a ruptured ccl and my regular vets did a check and said they can't feel any issues,just gave me metacam and said keep her activity down, she is a three year old staffy and the medication did nothing. I took her to a different vets who after about 2 minutes gave a prognosis of ruptured ccl ligament two days later she was in surgery, if you are not happy with your vets get a second opinion, I was shown the xrays of both legs and told that during surgery it was found that about a quarter of the ccl was still hanging on for dear life, she had a lateral suture repair and was told that she should recover well as the ccl was still trying to stabilize the joint, pets at home are now only allowed to administer booster shots for my two girls and I have lost all faith with the company who by the way quoted £350-450 for xrays, the xrays cost £86 at the other vets and the surgery meds and aftercare came to under £1500. Would have been closer to £3200 at pets at home, when it comes to vets (if in doubt swap em out).

Hi there, thanks for the helpful video, my dog otis has a torn acl, : ( he is a 6 year old pit lab mix. His vet said he thinks this has happened before as well, and healed up, and now happened again. I remember when it happened a couple years ago, we thought he just pulled a muscle because he healed quickly. Anyway, just had a question, his vet said surgery isn't a huge reccomendation yet, and my dog is so finicky about anything being on his body, im worried if i spend 800 dollars on a brace he will just thrash around until it falls off. I was wondering if it would be okay if I added a little support to his leg with an ace bandage? He wouldn't try taking that off, he likes those for some reason lol. Thanks in advance! - Amanda

"Serious business" as in $$$ Vets don't even need to check. It's so common it is a default diagnosis. Any limp is a ccl. Just slice and dice and get paid! Isn't vet "science (business)" fantastic.

It does not take research to hypothesize/know that de-sexing and messing up bone, joint and ligament growth and health is BAD. Do not spay or neuter your dog. Even waiting for several years, de-sexing is the cause of obesity in pet dogs and that puts great strain on the knees and other joints. Many de-sexed dogs gain wait despite the owner cutting way back on their food. And, understand that cutting the rations by 50% cuts the nutrients by 50% and the deficiencies prevent the body from efficient repair of the tissues that has to happen continuously. Kibble fed dogs are at great risk for many health problems.

I'm just glad Cone Of Shame is back. It's been too long. Can you guys do a video on the stupid claim that vaccinating your pet can make your pet autistic? Yes, the anti-vaxxer wackjobs now want people to not vaccinate dogs and cats for things like rabies. *sighs* Also hope to see another round of "Bad Pet Advice Tweets."

My dog just got this because she jumped off my bunk bed

I was very interested in watching this video but really can’t stand the yelling at the beginning…..I stopped listening ….. your information may be the very best but the loud opening is a big turn off. Humor is good/fine but loud/screaming….just a turnoff. If you could re-record it may reach more listeners that really need JT get your message….I’m not hyper sensitive but a concerned pet owner is probably upset and the beginning of your video made me want to keep moving ti other doctor….I’m sure your an excellent vet

My dog tore her ACL so I put her down. turns out it wasnt even a life threatening injury?

Humor with concerned pet parents is annoying. Bad approach