Sammie will be having ACL surgery this month

[Bers]

I still have some apprehension, and am still kicking myself for not being successful with the conservative management approach (which I still believe should be the first option for treating torn ligaments), but I am bowing to the pressure from vets and going to have surgery done for her.

On the bright side, we met with the surgeon today and it was a totally opposite experience from what we had with Lucy's surgeon. Dr. Barnhart at MedVet in Columbus, OH will be Sammie's surgeon. He was highly recommended by my vet and other people I spoke with, and after meeting with him today I can certainly see why. Although I do feel that he is typically aggressive in pushing the TTA/TPLO surgeries over the traditional suture surgery that I prefer, he was very patient, very open and friendly, and took a lot of time to discuss all of our options and listen to all of my concerns.

Dr. Barnhart has done a handful of tightrope procedures and agreed when I asked that it is an option instead of the TTA, which is what he normally would have done for Sammie had I not specifically asked for the tightrope. He says with it being a new procedure he has only done it in specific cases for dogs that weren't good candidates for any of the other surgeries (traditional suture, TTA, or TPLO). Sammie will be the first "normal" case that he has done the tightrope on, but he has had great results so far and I feel that it will be an overall safer situation for her. As a bonus for us, it will save us about $800 on the surgery cost, and will only cost about the same amount as Lucy's traditional suture procedure did at the other clinic we went to.

So overall, though I'm still not happy about this outcome and still think conservative management could have worked if only I had done a better job, I am looking forward to having this behind us. And I am absolutely THRILLED to be working with such a great and caring vet, rather than that awful doctor we were subjected to with Lucy's surgery.

I'll let everyone know when I've scheduled the procedure so you can start sending those get well vibes for wittle Samma Lamma! And of course, everyone at Medvet loved her, which is true no matter where she goes!

[BoxerWB]

Sorry to hear she's got to have surgery.  Though it might be cold comfort, I went to an ortho presentation for my club the other day and the vet who presented said that conservative management isn't likely to be successful in dogs like it is in humans - humans stand straight on their knees, whereas dog knees are built at an angle... so the forward movement that causes the problems still occurs in dogs because of the angle.

I believe she also said that lateral suture surgery was her second choice for surgery (which is what tightrope is, she says).  The only reason it isn't her first choice is that she works w/Xena's ortho who does a specialized surgery called the Hohn Technique and they are amongst only a handful that do that type - they see great success but the larger medical community doesn't buy into it. She did NOT like TPLO because nothing is holding the joint in place (they just change the angle of the bone).

Wishing you lots of success with your surgery! I'm so glad that you've found a better surgeon!!

[BoxerPerson]

Sorry Sammie needs this done, but glad you feel comfy with the surgeon and surgery.

[Rubidawg]

Oh Amber! So sorry SammaLamma's gotta go thru the surgery. I know you were hoping to avoid it, but I'll be sending her lots of vibes for a speedy recovery.

[Sophia Sadeyes]

oh crap, I was hope'n she did not have to go under the knife. Good luck to you guys. Hope she bounces back in no time.

[linz and ellie]

Sorry Sammie needs this done, but glad you feel comfy with the surgeon and surgery.

Ditto

[Theresa]

Here's hoping that the surgery goes well and she recovers quickly

[Bugsys Mom]

I was hoping for a different outcome too Amber, but look on the bright side.  You love the surgeon, it will be summer so you will have more time to commit to aftercare, and you are not spending as much money as you might have had to.

I don't think you could have done any better with the preventative care.  You do a great job for all your animals so don't second guess yourself. 

[whitepupzoe]

Ditto what Vicky said. 

[blynn03]

I was hoping for a different outcome too Amber, but look on the bright side.  You love the surgeon, it will be summer so you will have more time to commit to aftercare, and you are not spending as much money as you might have had to.

Ditto!  At least you won't be as busy with school and can spend more time for aftercare, right? 


Hoping everything goes well for her!!   

[Missy/Precious mom]

I was hoping this wouldn't be necessary.    that everything goes just fine for Sammie.

[r.fuentes]

Hope all goes well...hugs to Sammie! 

[boxer pal]

Making this decision was VERY hard for me too.  At least you have a lot of prior experience with the terms, the procedures and the post-op care!  It seems every vet has a different opinion on knee surgeries so it's hard feel comfortable with the procedure you do end up going with.  I got to the point I wanted to have a Gallop poll done to see how the numbers would come in because all three vets I spoke to had various ideas on what would be best and why.     Good luck and keep us posted on the details.  I'll be holding your hand thru cyber space all the way!

[Bers]

Thanks Sue! I did feel very comfortable with Dr. Barnhart, and I just know it will be a better experience all around at this clinic. And I also think Sammie is in a better position than Lucy was, since she has very little arthritis and muscle loss, and all of her other joints are in good shape. We'll do okay, but I am seriously dreading those first two weeks especially, and then the next six weeks after those won't be much fun either! But my goal is to get her back to "normal" by the end of summer, so I can go back to school without worrying about her. We're already on a walking routine with Lucy, so it won't be hard to add Sammie to that and keep them both on it for the long term.

[boxer pal]

You'll do fine.  Those first couple of weeks do stink, but you'll be so busy it will fly by!  Feel free to come whine to me anytime you like!