This Dog Was Playing at the Beach—Then One Wrong Step Changed Everything
What began as a carefree beach day turned into a nightmare for one Bichon Frise and his family. The little dog had been joyfully running along the shore on a sunny afternoon when he suddenly hit a rock and started to limp. (Watch Video Below)
@yz22682 So, he torn his cruciage ligament… #dog #bichon #injury #tplo #tplosurgery ♬ Pretty Little Baby – Connie Francis
Alarmed by the sudden change in his movement, his parent rushed him to the vet, only to receive heartbreaking news: he had torn his cruciate ligament, a key ligament that keeps a dog’s knee joint stable.
The Surgery That Helped Him Walk Again
Because of the severity of the injury, surgery was the only option for the little Bichon Frise—specifically, a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). His parent shared on TikTok that in preparation for the procedure, his beautiful white curls had to be trimmed close to the skin.
Three days after the day of the injury, on June 6, he underwent a successful surgery. The veterinarian used 6 screws and 1 bone plate to stabilize the bone after cutting and repositioning it—standard in TPLO procedures to support proper healing.
The surgery came at a steep cost, totaling around $6,000. Just a week later, his surgical patch was removed. While his knee wasn’t fully healed yet, he was cleared to begin walking gently on the operated leg, an encouraging step in his recovery journey.
One Step Closer to a Normal Life
Two weeks after the TPLO surgery, the dog’s parent shared an update on TikTok: the stitches had been removed, and their pup was now allowed to go on longer walks. While he’s still a little hesitant to fully use his operated leg when walking quickly, his progress is promising.
Things are steadily improving, and with time, this brave little pup is well on his way to getting back to a happy, active life.
Seeing this little dog’s resilience, pet rescue advocate Rocky Kanaka comments, “It’s incredible how much heart and determination dogs have. Even after major surgery, they face the world with courage and wagging tails. This little guy may be small, but his spirit is unstoppable.”
What is TPLO surgery in Dogs?
Since the Bichon Frise underwent TPLO surgery, dog parents everywhere must be wanting to know more about this surgical procedure, what is TPLO surgery for dogs, why it’s needed, and how it’s performed. Let’s get the answers to all these questions.
“One of the most common injuries to the knee in dogs is tearing of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL),” notes veterinarians at VCA animal hospitals. This ligament plays a crucial role in the knee’s stability, similar to the ACL in humans.
Inside the knee joint, there are actually two cruciate ligaments: the cranial and caudal, which crisscross each other. When these ligaments get damaged, it can cause significant discomfort and mobility issues for the dog.
When a dog tears its cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), surgery is often the best way to stabilize the knee and get them back on their feet. This is especially true for bigger dogs or those that are super active. Vets usually recommend operating ASAP to prevent long-term damage and ease the pain — the sooner, the better. This surgery is known as tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery for dogs.
What Does TPLO Dog Surgery Involve?
Imagine your dog’s knee is like a hinge connecting the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). When the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears, this hinge gets unstable, causing pain and discomfort. That’s where TPLO surgery comes in – a game-changer for treating CCL ruptures.
The goal of TPLO is to change the angle between the femur and tibia, so the knee joint becomes more stable. Surgeons do this by cutting the top of the tibia in a curved shape, rotating it, and then securing it with a metal plate. This realignment reduces the stress on the joint, preventing further damage and inflammation.
During the surgery, the surgeon makes a curved cut in the tibia, rotates the top part backward to achieve the ideal angle (usually around 5 degrees), and secures it with a metal plate. This allows the tibia to heal in its new position, reducing mechanical stress and promoting stability in the knee joint.
TPLO Surgery Dogs Aftercare
Now that your furry friend is home after surgery, it’s time to focus on their recovery. You’ve done your part by getting them the surgery, and now it’s your turn to help them heal smoothly.
Here’s what you need to do, according to Animal Surgical Center of Michigan:
- Give your dog their prescribed meds on time: painkillers, antibiotics, and sedatives (if needed) to keep them comfortable and prevent infection.
- Keep them calm and restrict exercise. No jumping or running around! Short walks are okay, but avoid anything too strenuous.
- Help with rehab exercises at home (you can even get a therapist to guide you). Check out the video below for some simple range of motion exercises to get you started.
- Make sure your pet doesn’t lick their incision site. An Elizabethan collar (E-collar) will help with that for the first two weeks.
A Reddit user, u/MHBowser, shares their experience of caring for their dog following the TPLO surgery. They wrote, “My pup had surgery 2 years ago she was 4-5 at the time … She was honestly up and moving by the second day. Iced her knee 2-3 times a day and followed the home physio as instructed by the vet. We had a cone on her the first day but she was really good and did not the lick. She’s recovered fully.”
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Is TPLO surgery worth it for dogs?
TPLO surgery can be a significant investment, but it’s often the best way to help your dog recover from a torn CCL and get back to living their best life. For many pet owners, the benefits of improved mobility and reduced pain make it well worth the cost.
What is the TPLO surgery cost?
The cost of TPLO surgery for dogs can vary, but here’s what you can expect to pay: $2,500 to $6,000 just for the surgery itself, according to Vety.com. When you factor in diagnosis, pre-surgery testing, post-op care, and potential physical therapy, the total bill can range from $2,900 to $8,100. If your dog needs surgery on both knees, the cost will be even higher.
How long does it take to recover from TPLO surgery?
Dogs typically recover quickly from TPLO surgery. Within 24 hours, many start walking on the injured leg. By 2 weeks, they bear weight, and by 10 weeks, limping fades. Most dogs return to normal activity in 4-6 months.
