I was quoted for CCL by both vets - one wasn't sure if the problem was CCl (hence the x-rays) while the other didn't need to do x-rays because he does these surgeries in his sleep and can feel the damage as well as watching the activity of the dog. Both vets were dead on with the CCL damage, one was just trying to blood suck us, while the other truly cares for animals. Sissy was very strong at age 13, even when we lost her she never looked like an old dog, she still had so much to do yet her mnd had aged (happens to the best of us).
Considering the reputation of our vet, he specializes in farm animals, exotic animals as well as domestic animals. he works with movie animals and gives his time to the homeless treating their animals. I would trust his opinion and word long before I would ever any other vet, especially after the drastic price difference for surgery. The vet who said we needed to go to UBC, well he has a large clinic with large overhead - our vet has a small clinic on his property, less overhead and far more heart, soul and pride in his occupation, probably why there are days where he is still in surgery until late at night.
All I was saying is, before shelling out major dollars for surgery, get another opinion. We all love our animals whether working animals or pets but at some point we all have a limit to what we will pay for services. We almost made the decison to have Sissy put down because of the first quote we were given as it was not feesable for us so we are forever greatful for the extra time we were given with her by finding our current vet.