Not all owners can afford the generally expensive surgery needed for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) repair. Depending on the procedure your veterinarian advises for your dog’s knee repair and where you live, costs can vary quite a bit. For instance, a traditional repair could cost up to $2,000, whereas a TPLO procedure typically starts at around $2,000.
Several organizations, including the ones listed below, offer financial assistance to dogs in need of cruciate ligament repair. Additionally, there are numerous other, more inventive ways to pay for CCL ligament repair surgery, such as organizing your own fundraisers, haggling with your veterinarian, or selecting the (typically) less expensive services of a veterinary university hospital.
Be aware that there are conservative management techniques that can help your dog recover from cranial cruciate ligament damage if proceeding with surgical correction is not an option.
Unfortunately, it seems like there aren’t many veterinary clinics that offer payment plans. However, lots of veterinary clinics will let you apply for Care Credit. For medical treatments and procedures for your entire family, including your pets, CareCredit is a personal line of credit. If your veterinarian’s office is unwilling to work with you on payments and you are eligible, this is likely your best choice for paying for your dog’s care. It functions like a credit card but has two advantages: it can only be used for healthcare services, and you can receive no interest financing each time you use it (be sure to read the fine print on this). If you settle the balance in full by the end of your promotional period while making your minimum monthly payment, you will not be charged interest. They offer extended payment plans with fixed interest rates if you need more time to pay for your procedure.
Typically, veterinary clinics do not promote the availability of payment plans. This is typically accurate because they are willing to consider each client’s unique situation, clinic history, financial situation, and other factors. Your veterinarian may be willing to work out a payment plan that will allow you to pay on a weekly or monthly schedule if you have a history of timely payments at your veterinary clinic. This will eliminate the need for you to pay the full cost of surgical care up front. As a new client at a new veterinary facility, don’t anticipate getting the same treatment because few clinics are willing to take the risk of an unpaid bill in this economy, especially for an expensive procedure like a cruciate ligament repair.
If a payment plan isn’t an option, consider bartering. Does your veterinarian need help walking pets, filling out charts, or catching up on other tasks? If you offer your assistance, you never know what might happen.
Getting a second opinion is never a bad idea, especially when considering an expensive or time-consuming procedure. Get a second opinion. Yes, there will be a fee for the initial consultation with another veterinarian, but considering their surgical costs, you might ultimately save money.
The cost of TPLO, TTA, TightRope, and traditional extracapsular surgeries varies by state as well as by region, depending on whether you live in a city center or a more rural area. Smaller towns’ veterinarians typically charge less because they have lower overhead costs. e office space, advertising, etc.
Many veterinary schools provide affordable clinics, giving pet owners with tight budgets and other financial difficulties options. A list of veterinary schools by state can be found on the website of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
This website has a lot of information about using conservative management. Using CM, I was able to heal my dog Tucker’s torn cruciate ligament. Additionally, there are accounts from numerous other owners who achieved comparable success without surgery.
Your dog’s level of comfort may be significantly and favorably affected by weight loss, arthritis medications, and nutraceutical supplements (glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate). After reading some of the accounts on this site, you will have a better idea of the supplies you might need and will be able to adequately prepare. Knee braces and harness devices can also prove helpful as you undergo CM.
Although this “conservative” method is typically thought to be significantly less effective than surgical intervention, it does give owners who cannot afford this surgery the chance to act responsibly. In fact, it appears that weight loss plays a significant role in the healing process for the majority of larger patients, both for dogs undergoing CM (conservative management) and for those who had conventional, extracapsular imbrication repairs.
Keep in mind that many dogs recover successfully with conservative management (CM) rather than surgery, and the smaller your dog, the more likely it is that they will. There are many owners who are unwilling or unable to put their dog through surgery, and they have recovered quite nicely with the use of CM alone. CM is not just a last resort for people who cannot afford surgery. Since no surgical procedure can ever restore your dog’s leg function to 100%, or pre-injury levels, you are doing the right thing as an owner as long as your dog is comfortable, healthy, and happy.
Dogs With an Increased Risk of Having CCL Tears
It is believed that genetics is the main contributor to CCL tears. However, some recent studies claim that premature spaying and neutering may be a factor. Canines who have experienced previous trauma or other knee issues, such as medical patellar luxation, are more likely to develop CCL rupture.
Additionally, some breeds are more vulnerable to CCL tears than others. Below are the breeds with a predisposition to CCL tears:
Additionally, older pets are more apt to tear their CCL. However, younger pets are not exempt.
Surgery is frequently used to treat a dog’s torn cruciate ligament, which is then followed by medication, therapy, and weight control. Dogs’ cruciate ligaments can be repaired using a few common surgical methods.
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) & Tibial Osteotomy (TTO)
For dogs over 25 pounds, TPLO and TTO are thought to be the most dependable surgical methods for treating cruciate ligament injuries. The knee is stabilized by TPLO and TTO, allowing for normal weight bearing on the joint. In order to aid with balance, a metal plate is inserted, and after about six weeks, dogs are usually back to normal.
The most frequent procedure is an extra-capsular repair, but its efficacy for dogs over 25 pounds is in doubt. This repair stabilizes the knee with artificial bands or sutures. Because the knee joint is less stable, it is less reliable even though it is just as invasive at TPLO and TTO.
This repair is an improvement over extra-capsular repairs. However, when compared to TPLO and TTO, particularly for larger breed dogs, board-certified surgeons and researchers are not persuaded of its success rate.
Your location, your veterinarian, your dog’s breed, the severity of the tear, and other factors may affect the price of a torn CCL. Below is an estimate of what some pet insurance companies estimate the cost of canine CCL surgery to be. Note that you typically wouldn’t get the full amount back. The pet insurance provider would pay claims in accordance with the terms of the contract and according to your particular circumstances.
In addition to the actual surgery, the cost of CCL surgery is something else to take into account. Additionally, dogs may need to take painkillers for the rest of their lives because they are expensive. For dogs with joint disease, glucosamine and fatty acid supplements are advised in addition to painkillers. Additionally, anti-inflammatory meds (e. g. , carprofen, meloxicam, etc. ) and human opiates (e. g. , tramadol) may be prescribed as well.
Your dog will probably require some kind of rehabilitation in addition to medications and dietary supplements to aid in their recovery. For the CCL surgery and recovery to be successful, weight loss and muscle gain are required.
Fortunately, pet insurance companies typically cover these costs as long as your dog is enrolled before detection. The costs of CCL surgery for dogs add up over time. Please be aware that there are waiting periods for CCL (or ACL) surgery in dogs with many pet insurance companies. To learn more about the waiting periods, click the aforementioned link.
What If I Can’t Afford ACL Surgery for My Dog?
The majority of veterinarians will expect payment at the time of surgery, so prepare financially before setting a date for surgery. Always discuss any financial assistance or programs offered by your veterinarian with them.
Determine your out-of-pocket expenses and the amount of the surgery that your pet insurance will cover by speaking with your provider if you have one. Some insurance providers may even make direct payments to the hospital, further simplifying the process. Some veterinarians will accept CareCredit, a form of financing available in both human and veterinary medicine, if you can’t afford the surgery. According to the BluePearl Pet Hospital in Des Moines, they accept aid from Frankies Friends, and pet owners can also look into aid from other charitable organizations.
FAQ
What if you can’t afford ACL surgery for your dog?
Without surgery, it is entirely possible for a dog to recover from an ACL tear. A lot of dogs recover without surgery thanks to orthopedic braces and supplements. To find out whether your dog needs surgery or if there are any possible surgery alternatives, you must speak with a licensed veterinarian.
Can a dog live comfortably with a torn ACL?
When surgery is recommended, it is almost always preferable to waiting for the patient’s leg to heal naturally. Even after an ACL tear, your dog can live a happy, healthy life with the right care and treatment.
How much does cruciate surgery cost for dogs UK?
Is ACL surgery worth it for dogs?
Due to reported better outcomes with TPLO over other common procedures, it is now becoming the preferred surgical approach even in small breed dogs. Additionally, the veterinary sector reports a 90–95 percent good-to-excellent outcome for canine ACL surgery using TPLO.