We did tightrope with Tess (a quad).  I wanted to go with the least invasive option, and knew that if the tightrope failed, there was always TPLO as a fall back.  Tess' worked, no infection (although long recovery period - far longer than Otis' for his amp), but she does limp from time to time if she over-does it.   Tess has a crooked front leg, too, due to breaks that were never set by a vet before we got her, so she does not have a normal gait, but she does have four legs.   Definitely ask about how the tightrope would hold up to a tripawd.  I think both procedures have a similar risk of infection, although the tightrope procedure can fail if it loosens (which can happen if the dog is too active during recovery or puts too much stress on the knee).   The TPLO is less likely to fail, since they are literally cutting out part of the bone to brace the rest of the leg, although if it fails there is no other option.

For the tightrope, we had to keep Tess still for one month (no stairs, no running, short leashed potty breaks - she should have been crated but she and Otis ripped the crate to shreds).   Then you slowly introduce walks and continue to lengthen them for the next six months.   She had a lot of pain and discomfort - the first several nights she couldn't even lay down.  (They send them home day of surgery).

I swear I saw someone posting about a non-surgical brace or something that was supposed to work?  If that does exist (maybe that person will see this and post???), I would look into it.   Maybe Jerry or Admin will happen along and direct us to it?   It wasn't too long ago.   I remember thinking that I would have tried it for Tess had I known about it.   It seems like it would be so hard to put Izzy through a surgery, when she is otherwise doing so well - a delicate balance is in place.  

PM me if you have any questions about Tess' surgery.  Good luck in making your decision.

Sounds like a horrible time emotionally, but you will work your way through this.  And, better to break with the fiancé now than end up in a bad marriage.  It is hard to handle these things alone - my ex helps some, and I have a 17 year old daughter who could sit with a sick dog from time to time.  I was feeling sorry for myself for a while - alone, with two older and not healthy dogs and a child - until I realized that my Mom had three older, not healthy dogs and two kids.  Put things in perspective for me.  

So, one step at a time.   Sounds like first decision is what to do with Izzy, and you just have to keep researching until you can make that decision.  Then, figure out what support you need and reach out to friends and family, especially those who are "dog people."  Even if different people help in small ways it can make a difference.  What is Izzy's demeanor?  You would need to be with her at first, but can she be crated during a recovery?  Confined to a smaller room?  Tess pretty much just stayed on the mattress during the day while I was at work.  Any way you could get a walker/trainer for the new little one - someone who could exercise him, while reinforcing training basics?  Again, even if just for a month or so it might help.

And, I'm going to try to find the thread about the brace.  If it is real, that might be perfect.

We'll be thinking of you!

Thinking about you and Izzy and the pup!  

I'm so sorry you are going thru so much right now. I know it is easier said than done but try to take it one day at a time. I don't have any words of wisdom regarding breakups but I've been thru knee surgery with a big (80 lb) 3 legged dog!

Daisy was about 8 years old when she initially tore her cruciate ligament in her right knee (she was a left front amp). The vet had me do conservative management to see if enough scar tissue would build up in the joint to help stabilize it. Unfortunately it fully ruptured 6 months later and I had no choice but surgery. There was no way she (or me) could live with the bones knocking together in her knee (you can actually hear it)!

I opted for a lateral suture stabilization.  It is the procedure my vet performs and was the least expensive option for me. I simply could not afford TPLO (about $3000 where I live) and the tightrope procedure was not much cheaper.

For me the knee surgery recovery was much harder than Daisy's amp because I had to assist her in walking and pottying, etc. My vet also kept Daisy a few extra days in the hospital since she was a tripawd and I think she sensed I was a little terrified. Daisy was actually able to walk right away with assistance much to my surprise but I guess that is actually normal.

Hopefully conservative management will work for Izzy and you won't have to worry about surgery. But if you do you will get thru it even if you don't think so now. I managed by myself with 2 dogs and 2 cats underfoot!

Best of luck,

Marla, Biscuit and Spirit Daisy

Don't feel like a horrible person because you are "wishing" you hadn't adopted another dog.  When I first adopted Daisy as a puppy she was a holy terror.  It was so bad that I contacted the rescue and asked if they would take her back that I could not handle her.  Thankfully I let them talk me out of it because she ended up being the most sweetest docile dog I ever had.  I can't imagine now never having her in my life.

You are correct that the lateral suture stabilization procedure is not the best option for the bigger dogs (like Izzy and Daisy) but in our case Daisy was older and not all that active so it worked out great for us.  It held up just fine for the remainder of her life. The veterinarian that developed the tightrope procedure is located here in my town at the University of Missouri-Columbia and one of the vets in the practice had her lab's blown knee fixed by him personally and it got an infection.  I was kind of frightened to do the TPLO not just due to cost but if the TPLO fails the only "fix" is amputation and we already lost the "spare".

Hang in there.  The right decision for you will come.

Marla, Biscuit and Spirit Daisy