TPLO Surgery

Helping Your Dog Get Back to the Life They Love

A cruciate ligament injury can be painful for your dog and overwhelming for you. At Pacific Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Angela Vinton and Dr. Christine Brennan offer tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery with a clear plan for surgical care, recovery, and follow-up.

Our goal is to help you understand your options, feel confident in the next steps, and know that you and your dog have support throughout the process.

Thoughtful surgical care. Clear communication. A plan for recovery.

What Is TPLO Surgery?

TPLO is a surgical procedure used to treat cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs. By changing the angle of the tibial plateau, the procedure alters the mechanics of the knee to help stabilize it without relying on the injured ligament in the same way.

Not every dog needs the same treatment. The first step is a consultation to evaluate your dog's knee, discuss treatment options, and determine whether TPLO is appropriate.

Want to learn more about how TPLO works? Visit tploinfo.com for an educational animation and additional information.

Your First Step: A TPLO Planning Visit

Your dog's care begins with a dedicated planning visit with the surgeon. This appointment gives us time to assess your dog, answer your questions, and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

The visit includes:

• An orthopedic examination and consultation with the surgeon

• Sedation and specialized X-rays for TPLO planning measurements

• Preoperative laboratory testing when needed

• A discussion of surgical options, risks, and recovery

• Surgical scheduling if TPLO is appropriate and you choose to proceed

Already have X-rays?

Those images are helpful, but TPLO planning typically requires additional, specially positioned views for accurate measurements.

You don't have to commit to surgery before your planning visit. It's an opportunity to understand your dog's needs and make an informed decision.

Clear, Upfront Pricing

We offer a straightforward plan for the initial consultation, surgery, and scheduled recovery care.

TPLO Planning Visit — $500

Includes the surgical consultation, orthopedic examination, sedation, TPLO planning X-rays, and preoperative laboratory testing when needed.

TPLO Surgery & Recovery Package — $5,000

Includes TPLO surgery and implants, postoperative X-rays, take-home medications, incision protection, planned recovery check-ins, a two-week surgical recheck, and sedated healing X-rays with surgeon review at approximately 8–10 weeks.

Total planned TPLO care: $5,500

Additional charges may apply for complications, unrelated medical conditions, or care outside the planned package. We'll discuss additional recommendations with you as needed.

What to Expect: From Surgery Through Recovery

We believe recovery is easier when you know what's coming. Our team will guide you through each stage and help you understand what your dog needs along the way.

1. Surgery Day

Follow the fasting and medication instructions provided by our team. On the day of surgery, we'll review your dog's medications and confirm your contact information.

After surgery, we'll take X-rays to check the repair. Your surgical technician will provide an update, and your surgeon will call to discuss the procedure and answer your questions.

Most dogs go home that evening. Before discharge, we'll review medications, incision care, activity restrictions, and what to expect during the first night.

Pacific does not provide overnight hospitalization. If your dog needs continued monitoring, your surgeon will discuss transfer to an appropriate 24-hour facility.

2. The First Two Weeks

The priority is protecting the surgical repair while your dog begins a comfortable, controlled recovery.

Your dog will need:

• Short, controlled leash walks for bathroom breaks and prescribed activity

• Rest and restricted movement, with no running, jumping, rough play, or off-leash activity

• Incision protection to prevent licking or chewing

• A safe environment with nonslip flooring and limited stair use

Some sleepiness, reduced appetite the first evening, and mild swelling or bruising may occur. Contact us if your dog seems very uncomfortable, repeatedly vomits, develops concerning incision changes, suddenly uses the leg less, or if something doesn't seem right.

We'll check in after surgery and around the first week, with a surgical recheck at approximately two weeks.

3. Weeks 2–8: Gradually Increasing Activity

As healing progresses, we'll guide you in gradually increasing controlled leash walks. Activity must remain restricted even if your dog seems to feel much better; the bone needs time to heal.

Your surgeon will provide guidance tailored to your dog's progress. No off-leash activity is permitted through the first eight weeks unless your surgeon specifically advises otherwise.

4. Around 8–10 Weeks: Healing X-Rays

Your dog will return for sedated X-rays so the surgeon can assess bone healing and determine whether it's safe to advance activity. We'll provide appointment-specific fasting and medication instructions beforehand.

If healing is progressing as expected, we'll outline the next steps for rebuilding strength and returning to normal activities. If the bone needs more time, we'll adjust the plan accordingly.

5. Rebuilding Strength and Returning to Normal Life

A healed bone is an important milestone, but strength and conditioning take time to return. Activity should increase gradually under your surgeon's guidance.

For many dogs, a gradual return to unrestricted running, playing, and other favorite activities may be possible around six months after surgery. Every dog is different, and the timeline depends on healing and progress.

Our goal isn't simply a healed X-ray. It's helping your dog safely return to the life you enjoy together.

You're Not on Your Own During Recovery

Questions are a normal part of recovery, and you never have to decide on your own whether a concern is serious enough to contact us. Our team welcomes your questions, and photos can often help us assess what you're seeing.

If your dog is difficult to keep quiet, you're concerned about the incision, or you aren't sure what to do next, reach out. We'll help you determine the appropriate next step.

Pacific Veterinary Hospital

9715 SW Barbur Blvd

Portland, OR 97219

Call: 503-246-3373

Text: 503-479-4384

If your dog needs urgent care while we're closed, contact an appropriate emergency veterinary hospital.

Working Together With Your Primary Veterinarian

Your regular veterinarian remains your dog's primary veterinary care provider. Pacific manages the TPLO surgical episode and planned recovery through the healing X-rays, keeping your veterinary team informed at key milestones.

After healing is assessed, routine care continues with your primary veterinarian. We remain available for questions or concerns related to the TPLO procedure and recovery.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

You don't need to have every answer before reaching out. A TPLO Planning Visit is an opportunity to learn about your dog's options, ask questions, and decide what feels right for your family.

Contact Pacific Veterinary Hospital to schedule a TPLO Planning Visit.

Call 503-246-3373 or text 503-479-4384.

We're here to help you and your dog navigate the next steps with clarity, care, and confidence.