Will Cruciate Ligament Surgery for My Dog Cost a Fortune?
Best Pet Daily - Cranial Cruciate Ligament surgery is painful for your dog (and for your hip pocket)
As a dog owner, one of the most challenging things to deal with is a sick pet. It can be especially challenging if your furry friend needs surgery. The last thing you’d ever want is for them to suffer or be in pain. You’d want to get it see to pronto, right? But how much might it cost? Are common injuries really that expensive to treat?
Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) injuries in dogs are a common orthopedic problem. A CCL tear is a tear or rupture of the ligament that stabilizes the knee joint in dogs – only in the hind legs.
The injury is very similar to a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in humans – especially basketballers, football players and the like, who are prone to putting sudden strain on the ligaments in their knees.
In dogs, CCL it can be the result of age, obesity, genetics and breed. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons calls out Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Staffordshire Terriers, Mastiffs, Akita and Saint Bernard as some of the breeds more prone to CCL disease and CCL tears requiring surgery. But, in reality, CCL issues can impact most dog breeds.
In the event of CCL issues, surgery is often required to repair the damage. In this blog post, we'll discuss how much CCL surgery can cost and all the other key things you need to know about this procedure.
Factors That Affect the Cost of CCL Surgery
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The cost of CCL surgery for dogs can vary widely depending on various factors, including the size of the dog, the extent of the injury, the location of the veterinary hospital, and the type of surgery performed. In the United States, a vet bill of US$2,000-$6,000 per knee, is to be expected, according to major US Pet Insurers like Trupanion.
That said, the size of the dog is an important factor that determines the cost of CCL surgery. Larger dogs typically require more anaesthesia, medication, and surgical equipment. Therefore, CCL surgery for a large dog will be more expensive than for a smaller dog.
The extent of the injury is another factor that affects the cost of CCL surgery for dogs. If the injury is minor, the surgery may only require a few sutures to repair the ligament. However, if the ligament is completely torn, more extensive surgery may be necessary, which can increase the cost.
The location of the veterinary hospital is also a factor that affects the cost of CCL surgery. The cost of living in the area where the hospital is located can impact the price of the procedure. For example, veterinary hospitals located in large cities, in higher socio-economic suburbs where real estate (and therefore veterinary hospital real estate) prices are higher, may charge considerably more than those in rural areas.
Finally, the type of surgery performed is another factor that affects the cost of CCL surgery for dogs. There are two main types of CCL surgery: TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) and TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement). TPLO is more invasive and often more expensive, while TTA is less invasive and less expensive.
What’s Included in the Cost of CCL Surgery for Dogs?
The cost of CCL surgery for dogs typically includes several components. It’s worth asking for a breakdown of costs before agreeing to the procedure. While the costs are likely to be bundled into one lump cost for the surgery, the individual components are likely to include:
Pre-surgical examination: Before surgery, the veterinarian will examine your dog to determine the extent of the injury and assess your pet's overall health.
Anaesthesia: Dogs undergoing CCL surgery require general anaesthesia to ensure they don't move during the procedure.
Surgery: The actual surgery to repair the torn CCL is the most significant component of the cost.
Post-surgical care: After surgery, your dog will require pain medication, antibiotics, and follow-up visits to the veterinarian to ensure proper healing.
What’s Not Included in the Cost of CCL Surgery for Dogs?
While the cost of CCL surgery for dogs includes many components, some things are usually not included. These may include:
Diagnostic tests: If your dog needs diagnostic tests, such as an x-ray or MRI, these will be an additional cost (for work done prior to the need for surgery is established)
Medications: While the cost of pain medication and antibiotics immediately after surgery is usually included, expect any medication needed after that to be an additional expense.
Follow-up care: While some follow-up visits immediately after surgery are typically included in the surgery cost, if your dog requires additional visits for complications, they will be an additional cost.
Is CCL Surgery Always Required for Dogs with Bad Knees?
If your dog has a torn CCL, surgery is typically necessary to repair the damage. Left untreated, a CCL tear can lead to other issues, such as arthritis, and your dog may be in significant, chronic pain and/or with decreased mobility. With one affected leg, the dog may develop compensatory issues with the other leg, or hip, leading to more pain and decreased mobility. A dog with CCL issues in one leg, has a ~50% chance of having a similar issue in the other leg, during its lifetime.
Some minor CCL injuries can heal on their own. Restricting activity and administering anti-inflammatory prescription drugs might be one approach. Rehabilitation, with a trained veterinary physical therapist can work for a partial tear. And there are even customer knee braces available for dogs with CCL tears.
However, let’s be very clear, most CCL issues and tears require surgery for proper healing.
What Is Recovery Like for Dogs After ACL Surgery?
After CCL surgery, your dog will require a period of rest and recovery. Depending on the extent of the surgery, recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. During this time, your dog may require assistance with basic tasks, such as getting up and walking. Your veterinarian will likely provide you with specific instructions for your dog's recovery, which may include medication, physical therapy, and a restricted activity level.
In the first few days after surgery, your dog will likely experience some pain and discomfort. Your veterinarian will prescribe pain medication to manage your dog's pain during this time. You may also need to restrict your dog's activity level and limit their access to stairs, furniture, and other high surfaces.
Over time, as your dog heals, you will gradually be able to increase their activity level. Your veterinarian will likely recommend physical therapy exercises to help your dog regain strength and mobility in the affected leg. It's important to follow your veterinarian's instructions carefully to ensure your dog makes a full recovery.
Does Pet Insurance Cover CCL Surgery for my Dog?
Pet insurance can be a helpful way to manage the cost of CCL surgery for your dog - if you already have a policy in place when CCL issues have been diagnosed. However, not all pet insurance policies cover the full cost of the procedure. Plus, many policies may have a special waiting period before CCL coverage kicks in (often 6 months) simply because it is so common in dogs. Is that unfair? Probably not. Insurers don’t want to get caught out by dog owners who only take out a policy when they learn their pet has a problem (it’s bad business for the insurer, and in turn drives up the premiums for existing policyholders).
When shopping for pet insurance, be sure to read the policy carefully and understand what is covered and what is not. Look for policies that offer comprehensive coverage for orthopaedic procedures, including CCL surgery. Keep in mind that pre-existing conditions are often excluded from coverage on a new policy. So, if your dog already has a history of CCL injuries or disease prior to you taking out a new pet insurance policy, you are unlikely to get coverage for future CCL surgeries.
Pet Insurance is one way dog owners deal with such unexpected veterinary expenses. But don’t forget you might be able to land a flexible payment plan with your vet. Some people have even started turning to GoFundMe and Waggle Crowdfunding with some success, to raise the necessary funds to provide their furry friend with the care they need.
The Wrap
CCL surgery for dogs can be a significant expense for pet owners. And it comes at a stressful time if you’re seeing your beloved dog in pain, as well. The surgery cost can vary depending on several factors, including your veterinary hospital location, the size of the dog, the extent of the injury, and the type of surgery performed – but expect anywhere between $3,000-$8,000. While the cost may be high, surgery is usually necessary to ensure your dog can live a pain-free life. With proper care and attention during the recovery period, most dogs can make a full recovery and return to their normal activities. Some people already have Pet Insurance that covers CCL when CCL issues present. But if you don’t, and the financial burden is too much, you can always talk to your vet about payment plan options, or consider crowdfunding options to get your pooch the veterinary attention they need.
