I do have to say, however, I won’t be having Sarah’s screws and plates removed. Just don’t want to go through another traumatic moment (days, weeks) with this thing. Also, it is a curiosity the surgeon who did Sarah’s TPLO (36 years wielding a scalpel, thousands of TPLO surgeries) didn’t even mention the removal of the screws and plates. Of course, I didn’t ask the question.

Anyway, thanks again.

George

After my dog was seen by two vets, a surgeon and talking to many people who had the same experience I made the decision to have TPLO surgery done.

Your dog will build up scar tissue around the knee if you let it heal conservatively. This will keep everything “in place”; if your dog will lay around your house or lawn all day, then this will be an acceptable option. If your dog is active each “normal” doggie activity will break that scar tissue down. Then the scar tissue will need to be built back up. This means keeping your dog inactive for a while. This process will happen over and over and your dog will likely end up with a rather large knee because of the continued building up and tearing down of scar tissue. While the large knee doesn’t hurt the dog it looks terrible and your dog really never gets back to a “normal” activity level. You will need to either keep them inactive, or have rest periods after activity to build that scar tissue back up.

TPLO was the best option for my dog. Our dogs are active and I wanted them to have the best chance at continuing that activity. I knew there were things that could go horribly wrong with any surgery, but the gain outweighed the risk.

Each individual can choose what works best for their dog. I(Isn’t America great) I think it is insensative for anyone to say you must choose a consertative method, or you must choose TPLO. Do your research and feel good about the decision you make. Give your suggesions and experiences to others but don’t make them feel insiginificant for choosing an option different from the one you may have made.

I would disagree with the statement regarding removing the plates and screws – “to remove them would be ludicrous.” We talked to the surgeon and a vet. Both concured and said if you were going to do something else at a later date, such as the other leg needed TPLO or you were going to sedate for teeth cleaning – then if you wanted to take the plates and screws out it would be a reasonable decision. The surgeon, who has done the most TPLO surgries in the Pacific Northest said he would take the plates and screw out of his own dog if there was a sedation needed for something else at a date after healing had completed.

Regardless we are happy with the TPLO results. We are 10 weeks post op – our siberian is so proud to be able to take short leash walks. She really struts, prances and keeps that tail up much more than she ever used to. We tried the let her heal without surgery for 4 weeks. It became clear that while her scar tissue would rebuild every time she did normal doggie things it would break down and need to build up again. That was not going to be a quality of life we wanted for our 4 year old dog – well any age dog for that matter. I am of the opinion that whle there are risks with TPLO surgery it is the way to go.

Be well, George

Or, maybe you’re just asking a question. I suspect not. I suspect your question constitutes your particular frame of mind; something that anything I might say will not penetrate.

Consider this: It is not a greater crime to kill a gay person that a straight person. Period. No equivocation. Period.

It is a “greater crime” to kill a gay person if your motivation is based on the “protected class” status of that gay person. Like it or not, gay folk are, have been, and probably forever will be–in America–discriminated against simply because of who and what they are–different from the greatest majority of folk, like yourself, who cringe at the specter of someone different than themselves.

Well-established in American jurisprudence is the notion that the motivation for committing a crime may become a contributing factor in what that person is charged with. First degree, second degree murder, as well as manslaughter are charges largely based upon motivation. If you don’t understand this, then READ, Google it, educate yourself.

You might also want to READ a bit about the history of the Civil Rights movement in this country. The legacy of that movement is central to this discussion.

By the way, the killers of Matthew Shepard were NOT prosecuted under any “hate crime” legislation. Neither the Federal Government or, surprise, the state of Wyoming had such legislation on the books at the time of trial. Again, EDUCATE yourself, Mister Purecommonsense.

Finally, if you don’t understand my point here, then–as I noted earlier–your moniker does not serve you well. You might want to change it to, oh, let’s say “Mister Confused.”