tplo surgery

[traceyreilly7]

I have a 7 year old stressy lab who scrabbles around and panics like mad even going to vets for check up! She is insured for what we thought was £2000 but on reading small print only £500 per condition. Was told she needed surgery at a cost of £2500 the insurance only covered xrays and consult fee to diagnose! We booked her in for surgery having decided to put on credit card which I have 2000 limit on.the ortho vet doing op said her other knee was bad and wwanted to do that first! He also said her hip wasn't good and would need surgery on that in not too distant future as well as osteoarthritis in all her joints. As only partial tear he felt it might benefit her to rest and see. We now knew we were facing putting her through 3 invasive surgeries. Am I the only person in the world who thinks its cruel to put a dog through what looks and sounds like a horrendous surgery with crate confinement for weeks. My dog will think I am torturing her. Once is bad enough but to put her through it all again once she's recovered. I am not entirely sure I can do that! Vet also said there's no guarantees with op. Aside from that I don't think I can  get all that money I will still be paying long after dog has died of old age! I don't earn much and have two teenagers at home money is tight. I love my dog to bits but not sure I would go into financial ruin for three torturous ops. I just keep worrying about it can't sleep crying all the time don't know what to do. Do I leave it til cruciate completely teats and she is in pain then get vet yp euthanase she could go on another couple of years like this or it could tear tomorrow. Vet has already said she  would not respond to physio as she gets too stressed so recovery is gonna be hard as is crate confinement. I will never ever get another pet this is so awful.

[traceyreilly7]

thanks for your response right now i feel like there is a black cloud hanging over us! my husband wasn't happy about doing one surgery and is adamant that we can't put her through two lots! he said she would not recover from the first she would go mad from being confined as well as the pain she would go through in recovery! he feels we should leave her as she is and if the leg or both legs go completely we should then euthanase!! i know he is probably right it just seems so wrong she is only seven and we love her so much! i can't bear to think of he being put down but then neither can i think of her going through all this surgery! i think maybe i should stop looking on the inernet and getting myself upset all the time as i have kids to think about and it is impacting on all of us! i cant bear it all and i dont know what the right decision is but thank you for listening!

[Margot49]

Oh my, you certainly have a dilemma on your hands!
I can understand your concerns for your dog, your finances and your emotions in turmoil.  We all wish we had unlimited resources to treat our animals but that is seldom the case.  Add to that the expense of raising and providing for children.  I understand.
First, you need to step out of the emotional box and approach this objectively.
The dog is 7 and what is her general health like?
You know the issues that need to be addressed.  I would sit down with your Vet, or get a second opinion, with a list of questions.  What is the worst issue?  That hip goes and she will be in more pain and not able to walk.  The osteoarthritis is painful.  You have no guarantees the surgeries will help and the recovery periods would be lengthy and she would need extra care.  
I am sure some here may or may not disagree with me but it often comes down to a quality of life issue and nobody wants to see their animals suffer.  
Not knowing all the facts, personally, I would have a serious discussion with the Vet.  Bring along a list of questions.  Ask, if the surgeries were not done, what supplements, pain meds, therapy, etc could you do now as supportive care.  There are things the Vet can prescribe. If your dog  would be more stressed having to be confined, that will not be conducive to a good healing process either, causing more stress for her and you.  
All of us would love to see our pets live healthy lives to a ripe old age.  Just like us, that is often not the case and we have to realize that most of us will outlive them and may have to address these issues.  Read through the Forum subjects as other's experiences can often be the best teachers.  
If it were me, I might opt to do the most needed surgery.  For now, I would definitely limit her activity to see if the one leg will improve.  You don't have to confine her but no jumping, running, long walks, etc.
Try to take the time to research on the Net the conditions your dog is dealing with, possible treatments, prognosis, etc.  
whatever your decision, it will be the right one for your dog and for you.
Wish I could be of more help.  Give yourself a couple of days to step away from this as you are overwhelmed right now.
Good luck.  Please update.  None of us that have been there/done that are going to judge you