Hi bonnie,
Let me check a few things. TPLO is considered the best approach, especially with big dogs, but a pit may be on the cuff.
Before the TPLO, there were several procedures that worked. Maybe not as well, or long, but they did the job. I'm disappointed someone to do one of these wasn't suggested.
Dr Chas. Pullen at Cactus AH, (actually, it's Surgical Center, or some such name) on Cactus, just east of 32nd St, on the north side, has been doing a surgery specialty for a long time. He can do it, probably the TPLO too, but whether he will or not I can't say.
As for prices, there is a lot that goes into pricing, ego being not the least factor, hence the wide range of fees.
Euthanasia is a sort of last resort. She can get along a l-o-n-g time on 3 legs, and there is no good reason a surgery can't be done later, maybe when things get better.
One reason dogs carry the leg is because it doesn't work quite as they expect, it feels 'funny'. It also hurts, but that dissipates and just leaves the 'it doesn't work right' problem.
May not be the right solution for now, but it sure beats the alternative, doesn't it. People tend to insert themselves into their pet's situations, but seem to forget they have neither the thoughts or resilience that most pet's do. There is also a shortage of long term emotion in a dog, unlike many owners.
I hope this helps you. I'm sure your dog will go for it.
Edited by DrPete on June 1 2006 at 5:35 PM
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