Frequently asked
questions.
Surgery
What is a CCL tear in dogs?
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the canine equivalent of the human ACL. It stabilizes the knee joint. When it tears — fully or partially — the knee becomes unstable, causing pain and progressive arthritis.
What's the difference between TPLO and TTA?
Both surgeries address CCL tears by changing knee geometry rather than replacing the ligament. TPLO rotates the tibial plateau; TTA advances the tibial tuberosity. TPLO has more long-term outcome data and is our preferred technique for most patients.
Do you perform surgery the same day as the consult?
A consult and surgery can be scheduled for the same day or as separate visits. Consults booked straight into surgery are typically scheduled further out, so same-day surgery is not always available. Call us and we'll find the first option that works for your dog.
What anesthesia risks should I know about?
All surgeries carry anesthetic risk, but we perform pre-anesthetic bloodwork and monitor vitals throughout the procedure. Serious anesthetic complications are rare in healthy patients.
What are the most common post-op complications?
The most common post-op complications after TPLO are infection, implant failure, and meniscal injury. All occur in less than 1% of cases in our hands.
Will you also check the other knee?
Yes, always. Dogs with one CCL tear have a 32–48% chance of tearing the other within the year. We radiograph both knees at every visit and will tell you exactly what we see.
Recovery
How long is TPLO recovery?
8 weeks of restricted activity — leash walks only, no running, jumping, or rough play. After the 8-week recheck and radiograph, 95% of dogs are cleared for normal activity.
What restrictions does my dog need post-op?
Leash walks only for 8 weeks. Stairs are fine as long as your dog takes them normally. No jumping onto furniture or into vehicles, and no off-leash time. The plate holding the bone is secured with screws — hard impacts early in recovery risk screw fracture.
Will my dog need pain medication?
Yes. We send home anti-inflammatories, gabapentin for additional pain control, trazodone as a sedative to help keep active dogs calm, and an antibiotic.
When can my dog go up and down stairs?
Stairs are usually fine right away as long as your dog takes them at a normal pace. The bigger concern is jumping on and off tall surfaces like beds or vehicles; lift or support your dog for the first 4–6 weeks.
Does my dog need physical therapy?
Formal rehab therapy is rarely needed. We'll guide you on home exercise progression, and most dogs regain full activity with controlled leash walks alone.
Cost & Payment
How much does TPLO cost in Michigan?
TPLO at WMVO is $3,950 per leg — flat fee. That includes the surgery, anesthesia, post-op X-rays before discharge, and your first recheck appointment. No hidden costs. See our full breakdown at /tplo-cost-michigan.
Does pet insurance cover TPLO?
Most pet insurance policies with surgical coverage include TPLO. Check your policy — typically requires the injury to occur after the policy start date and waiting period.
Do you offer payment plans?
We do not offer payment plans. We accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, and CareCredit. Payment is due at time of service.
Referring Vets
How do I refer my patient to WMVO?
Submit a referral through our secure portal at wmvetortho.com/portal, or call (616) 364-3333. Have the client call us to schedule their consult.
Can you review X-rays before I refer the patient?
Yes — this is one of our most-used services. Submit X-rays and a brief history through the portal. Dr. Smith will send a detailed radiographic report back, typically within 1–2 business days. Free for referring clinics.
Do you see emergency orthopedic cases?
We see urgent orthopedic cases during our regular business hours, but we are not a 24/7 emergency facility. For after-hours emergencies, please send your client to the nearest emergency hospital. During business hours, call the office directly rather than submitting through the portal.
What imaging should I send with a referral?
Right and left lateral and VD/DP views of the affected area are ideal. Please include a brief history with your images — it helps Dr. Smith focus the report. JPEG, PNG, PDF, or DICOM formats are all accepted. Your specific question for Dr. Smith also helps him focus the report.
How quickly will Dr. Smith respond to a consult?
Typically within 1–2 business days for routine cases. Urgent cases are flagged and addressed same day when possible.
Still have questions?
We pick up the phone. Call us — we'll give you a straight answer.