r/DogAdviceApr 21, 2026
CCL Tear
First — you are not a horrible owner. Not even close. You found the injury, you're doing conservative management, you're already saving for surgery, and you're losing sleep over making the right call. That's not what a bad owner looks like.
I'm in the middle of this with my Sophie right now, so I'll share what I know.
On your first question — yes, plenty of dogs get one TPLO and never tear the other. The 40-60% contralateral rupture risk within 24 months is real and worth knowing, but it also means a meaningful percentage of dogs don't. Strict activity restriction during recovery genuinely matters here — the more you protect the good leg from compensating, the better the odds.
On the second question — conservative management is a real path, not a consolation prize. The research shows it produces better outcomes than most people expect, especially in younger, otherwise healthy dogs who achieve good weight management and follow a structured protocol. It's not as simple as rest and hope — it requires strict restriction, the right medications, and ideally some rehabilitation support — but it works for a lot of dogs. Sophie is on Gabapentin, Carprofen, and Dasuquin, with laser therapy weekly. She's doing better than that first week suggested she would.
On pet insurance — I'd call Pets Best directly and ask specifically about the contralateral limb. Some policies treat it as a separate injury and cover it. Some don't. Get the answer in writing before you need it.
You're asking the right questions. That matters more than you know.