My poor old girl had a plate and two screws in her leg when she was 2 years old,at the time our vet told me plates only last 10 years or so on average,over the last couple of days she is very wobberly on that leg I suspect that screws have come loose if I am correct would it be fair for her to have surgery to correct this {if poss}as it is 9 months recovery, i am taking her to the vets this afternoon,I am heartbroken.as she is so perky in herself I feel its the begining of the end
Sheila

I wasn't aware that they only lasted 10 years.
I have a Rottie x GSD that had cruciate surgery in June, does this mean in 10 years time her plate and screws will become loose and her leg will be no good?  They never mentioned this to me.

Ive got a friend whose cross rottie had a plate and pins put in his front leg when he was run over accidently but after about 2 years, he was limping so they re-opened the wound and the plate had come away itself but it was because there was an infection under it.  So once the wound was all cleaned out and sewed up and a course of ab's, the dog was absolutely fine and is still using his leg properly without the plate supporting it.

I hope you get on ok with your dog too.

My dog had his TPLO plate removed a few months after his original surgery as he kept getting an infection under it.  So far he has had no problems and his limp that appeared when the plate was in situ has gone.

How did it go ?

Hi vet said that there is not much movment in the joint thats why she is holding her leg out,we knew a few years ago that artritis would be a problem , also a operation may not be a option as muscle ect would have grown onto the plate also because of her age,vet is sorting hydrotherepy tratment for her also water treadmill treatment,she is on metacam for pain relief,also 3 short walks a day ,fingers crossed this tretment helps her.

Sheila x

Hi Bevb like humans having hip replacments they only last approx 10 years thats why surgeons dont like this type of surgery when young as wewould need surgery too often,also Sadie had a particular bad fracture in her hip joint and it split so screws were put in,not pins,some dogs do get infections in the joint and have to have it done again.

Sheila

my crested had a plate in when she broke her leg aged just 3 months:( after 4 months one of the screws came out and the vet removed the plate as the bones had fused together. she is 3 years old now and she has not had any further problems x

Sadie is going for hydrotherepy tomorrow,fingers crossed it helps her if no improvment vet said she will do xrays to see whats going on,sadie will be thirteen soon so not really sure about ops ect.

Sheila.

I hope the hydrotherapy helps your dog, rather than ops. 13 is a good age, to go having ops.

Hi yes far to old I agree,all I can do is my very best for her trouble is she is not keen on clean water,only likes the dirtiest water on the planet so hope she is not anxious and stressed with it all,

Sheila

> so hope she is not anxious and stressed with it all,
>

I agree you don't want her stressed, but at least you can give it a shot, we have to try these things. Are young going in the water too? it may help.

My lurcher has just started with hydrotherapy after having TPLO surgery. He didn't particularly like it, but as lots of treats were used, he wasn't as stressed as I thought he would be. I think he will tolerate it well once he is used to it. I am sure your dog will be fine too.

Vera

It took a few sessions but my girl now rushes up the ramp and down the next one into the pool.  She loves her hydrotherapy now and has another session tomorrow.