Calling all dog lovers -- Big vet bills and an ethically questionable surgery?

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Our three year old dog Rollo has seen two different veterinarians in the last two weeks. He's had a number of x-rays, a chiropractic adjustment, and even canine acupuncture. And, what a good spirited trooper he has been! So far, the bills total about $750.00 and the estimated future surgical costs are estimated at between $4000.00 - $6000.00 The diagnosis is that he has torn crucit ligaments in his knee joints -- both knees injured at different times, though both fairly recently. The first vet discounted Rollo's joint issues. The second vet did a much more thorough exam, and found evidence of the torn ligaments. She has referred us to a Veterinary Orthopaedic surgeon, who is recommending either a TPA or TPLO surgery. "'TPLO' stands for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy. This surgical procedure cuts off one of the bones of the dog's leg with an arc-shaped cut, rotates the bone through part of the arc, and re-attaches it at a different angle with a metal plate and screws. TPLO does not stabilize the stifle(knee). The idea is that changing the geometry of the leg will make stifle stability less important for joint function. " http://home.earthlink.net/~tiggerpoz/id4.html Now here's a respected professional opinion about TPLO and the possible complications. What would you do??? "... [In regard to TPLO there is a] virtual absence of research to show that this highly invasive and expensive method has any benefits whatsoever in post operative clinical function over other less invasive and expensive methods. I have taken a stand early in my career to avoid endorsing procedures that are not evidence-based ...and TPLO is a classic case of surgeons ... jumping on the bandwagon without adequate investigation to demonstrate the purported benefits of the procedure. Sincerely, Gail" [Gail Smith - Professor of Orthopedic Surgery; Chairman, Dept of Clinical Research, University of Pennsylvania Vet School] The problems that can develop during and after a TPLO can be extremely serious. All surgeries have risk, but there are some especially nasty potential complications that are specific to TPLO surgery: -- Cracking and splintering of the bones where the metal plates are attached to bone with screws; -- Persistent infections in the bones; -- Failure of the patellar ligament due to increased stress on that ligament caused by the altered geometry of the joint. -- Failure of the bone to knit back together. -- Further damage to the joint menisci following the 'meniscal-release' often done in association with TPLOs. -- Loosening of the metal plates caused by backing-out of the screws after surgery or failure of the screws' attachment from crumbling bone or other causes . ---Tibial tuberosity fracturing; -- Spinal problems resulting from the altered bone structure; -- Increased cancer rates associated with the metal implants. -- And more.