My Dog, Jack, had TPLO surgery 12/22/2023. During the procedure, the Surgeon fractured his tibia. I was never advised.

Question

I only found out from the referring Vet 2/12/2024.  After we had complications about the wire which was inserted during the procedure.  TPLO do not require a wire, but tibia fractures do.  When I asked the Surgeon about the wire, he said it is used to stabilize the leg.  Again, he never mentioned that he fractured Jack's, tibia! 
 
The wire was poking through Jack's leg two weeks after surgery.  I took him to the Surgeon, and he said it was fine, "normal" for this to occur.  And it would not "poke" through the leg.  Well, four days later it poked through and started to bleed.  Back to the Surgeon we went, and he scheduled a surgery two days later to file the wire down.   
 
On or about 2/2 the wire was again presenting a problem, the area started to have discharge.  Surgeon was advised and said hold off until 2/16, as that was Jack's eight week follow up X-Ray appointment.  Only if sufficient healing occurred, he would extract the wire.

Pamela Marie Mori Holcombe · Answer

The first and only priority at this point should be getting a second opinion from an independent veterinarian surgeon as to your dog's condition and whether or not this is a viable treatment plan and whether any corrective action be taken.  This is not only required for your dog's health and welfare, but would be potential evidence down the line if and when any potential legal action might be considered.

Q: My Dog, Jack, had TPLO surgery 12/22/2023. During the procedure, the Surgeon fractured his tibia. I was never advised.