catzatsea Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 (edited) After visiting the specialist today it has been diagnosed that Spud (avatar) has a "grade 3" Patella requiring surgery. Due to the vet going on leave it has been decided that spud will go back to the surgery tonight in preparation for his operation tomorrow! Besides the Vets advice on aftercare does anyone have any tips, or thoughts on making spuds road back to recovery as fluid as possible????? Edited April 9, 2005 by catzatsea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poppy's mum Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 As no-one has replied, I'll add what I can. My old chi, Mimi, had a back leg done. I was horrified when she came home with a hugely swollen leg straining against some fairly heavy duty looking stitches. It went down over a few days. I kept her caged at night and mum supervised her during the day because she did occasionally have a go at the stitches. An elizabethan collar would help if this is a possibility (the vets sell them). After a few days she was walking pretty ok. Stitches came out - I was prepared to cry if she had squeaked because they looked knitted in but the vet was very deft and she hardly noticed at all. Tooks a few seconds. First time she jumped up the back of the car (something I never encouraged but assume a previous owner did) I almost died of shock. When I asked the vet when she'd start jumping again, he said she'd know when she was able and evidently she did. She was well with no after effects and a nice strong leg for the rest of her life (another 6 years or so). After the op, just rest and quiet to the extent possible. My vet always gives us painkillers and antibiotics after an op - depending, they may just need the painkilling shot before they leave the surgery. We have had other dogs with patellas but unless they cause pain or a real problem, my vet's policy is not to interfere. I am told some vets operate regardless but this is probably malicious. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 My oldest boy had a grade 3 patella done. You might see him run on Sunday if he's in the mood. My vet advised no bandages and no restrictions on movement provided he was kept less active. I didn't crate him at all (he was my only dog at that time) and seem to recall (it was 6 years ago) that he was restricted to no walking and then on lead exercise only for a while. This is a pretty common procedure - provided you have an experienced vet perform the op, everything should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 I'd check out vets and find one that was experienced in doing patellas. It's a good idea to confine the dog while it is recovering - you'd be surprised at the number of dogs I have seen in that have broken the plates in their (broken) legs because the owner lets them run around on it! Crates are a godsend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
British_Bulldog Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 (edited) Hi Catzatsea BBD are at times reknown for slipping patella's We had a boy with a Grade 3 and our vet who is quite experienced with this having British and Frenchies herself. Sargie's patella's both of them did this, would slip out and you could visibly see it out of place. He wasn't very old. We were advised of two options. Tighten ligaments and a small notch/groove to see if the patella would stay in place or try the more serious op which was to have the notch deepened which would act as a secure catch and lock. Frist we opted for the lesser of the two ops. They were done 2 weeks apart and Sargie showed minimal signs of discomfort. One wasn't as successful as we had hoped whilst the other did the trick. We had the 2nd op on the leg, a little more painful then the first however successful. We found that providing food and water close to their respite bed was good to limit the amount of walking immediately after surgery. We would for the first week carry him out side to the grass, didn't want him slipping on tiles as he still needed some exercise. He was a bit stiff for approx 2 weeks but seemed to know how far he could go. We let him tell us. Re: painkillers, just like with people it can give a false sense of ability as the pain which indicates limits and he may try to do too much to quick if on a strong dose. Bottomline: Spud will tell you what he needs and when he is ready. Edit: Oh the discomfort from the surgery would be minimal to the discomfort from the patella's. NB: Sargie did get some arthritis in both legs a little earlier then we would have thought but put that to having surgery. Good luck wishes for Spud. Edited April 7, 2005 by British_Bulldog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catzatsea Posted April 7, 2005 Author Share Posted April 7, 2005 Thanks for all your feedback it definately is helping me come to terms with the surgery!! British_Bulldog it is the second option that spud is needed with the deepening of the notch in one leg. As the guys at bayview seen on Sunday the minute he stretched out to full speed the patella kept popping right out. We have some other issues with some of his other joints and have also opted to get more extensive xrays taken of all leg joints including hips. Hoping that this doesnt unearth anything else (though I feel a little suspicious that they may other issues as well) Cross fingers (and Paws) that spud will have a speedy recovery and get back to what he loves best - fast and furious zoomies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
British_Bulldog Posted April 7, 2005 Share Posted April 7, 2005 The deeper notch op does work well as it quite a deep notch and it makes it near impossible for the patella to slip out. Surprisingly, the op cut was only tiny. Sargie was walking that night, slowly very slowly but he did it. Expect a demand for lots of sympathy for about 2 weeks then all systems go. Keep us up to date ,.......please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catzatsea Posted April 9, 2005 Author Share Posted April 9, 2005 YAY, Off I go to pick up spud...... apprently he has kept all the staff at the vets amused by constantly chewing off his drip!! We definately are all missing him with the house being very quiet without his usual antics going on..... I have set up his crate here in the Office with me so I can keep a constant eye on him and he will be getting to sleep inside for as long as he needs (he usually sleeps outside). Furkids - gotta love em!!! Once we have him home safe and sound I will update on his condition!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catzatsea Posted April 9, 2005 Author Share Posted April 9, 2005 okey dokey... I think I own one spunkey little dog. Here I was expecting a completly helpless dog and instead I have this.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catzatsea Posted April 9, 2005 Author Share Posted April 9, 2005 Is that tape in the middle of his bandage???? Yes it is he has already figured away to chew even with the collar on!!! just to make it worse he has also figured out how to get his teeth into the collar!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catzatsea Posted April 9, 2005 Author Share Posted April 9, 2005 I am not able to have spud and toby together due to spud thinking that he is fit and well..... yes he wants to play!!!! They have been seperated and spud will be confined to a crate but not 24/7. Though when he is out I will not allow the two to mingle!! The vet has said to let him wonder just dont let him over do it!!! Well I think I am in for a tough week until the bandage comes off!!!! o then we have the battle of keeping the stitches in , however in my experience that is easier then bandages!! (heres hoping ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 Awww, poor Spud! At least you now know what was wrong with his leg, that must be comforting after all your worries. I LOVE his pink coban - very cute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
British_Bulldog Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 YAHHH i'm glad Spud is feeling really really well Possibly a little too well by the sounds of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tianakaesha Posted April 9, 2005 Share Posted April 9, 2005 catzatsea... I have just realised we met at O'dea Reserve LOL. I think I might have had two unsociable retrievers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catzatsea Posted April 9, 2005 Author Share Posted April 9, 2005 (edited) O Yes, and the overly friendly Staffy!!! You completely changed my perception on Golden retrievers that day, I never thought thought it was possible for a Goldie to be unsociable. Well some say ignorance is Bliss!!! That was the only reason why I came in 2 Goldies, a Lab (or 2??) and a SWF that was a pretty safe bet for me well I thought anyhow. That guys comment with the Staffy about asking why he had to come and get his dog from under the Goldies due to it being a "leash free park" still rings in my ears... when I heard that I was gobsmacked!!! :D Nice to meet you anyhow, I seen your car on Friday and nearly wondered over to say hi (dogless). Next time I will!!! Now to Spud...... Spud is doing well, he has become a 3 legged Mr hopalong, After a REALLY REALLY unsettled night OH was sent to the lounge and he came to bed with me .... After figuring out that back to back tiolet trips was definately on the cards and that when they bandaged his leg up the nurse took a whole lot of hair from between his back legs and had it caught in the bandage making him very very sore hence all the licking and chewing!! That now has been taken care of and the young lad hasnt chewed since so things a looking up!! Edited April 10, 2005 by catzatsea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tianakaesha Posted April 10, 2005 Share Posted April 10, 2005 I am glad that Spud is doing ok now... yes.. that staffy... grrr. If two dogs are on leash, and I am shooing your dog away saying "please keep your dog back" it might be an idea to listen for the safety of your dog!! I am requesting muzzles for those two know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RnB Posted April 10, 2005 Share Posted April 10, 2005 Only real advice I can offer...is dont leave him alone for a second! Especially if he thinks hes fit and happening and decides to do his own surgery My Ridgey learnt in 2 major ops that he could turn his elizabethan collar inside out when choosing to run into the door frame at a correct angle...and eventually tore it to pieces. Also know of a dobe pup who ate polyester bedding and had it surgically removed....only for the pup to pull stitches apart and found dead due to loss of blood I recommend you have a crate.....and never take your eye off the dog...so he comes with you if feasible? High maintenance BUT best results.... Hard to inhibit the buggers when they think they are as fit as fiddles and want to play with the other dogs.... Such resilience! And if thats a Shiba Anu....determination is the word :D All the best in speedy recovery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catzatsea Posted April 14, 2005 Author Share Posted April 14, 2005 (edited) Thanks RNB.... Determination is the word!! He had to get his bandage off today due to major irritation and rash, I did take him back initially (last Monday) when the rash started but they assured me with administering the cream every 4 hours he would be fine!! ;) Anyhoo as you can see even though it is a horrible icky picture we have another hurdle to cross and 7 more days before the stitches come out. Unfortunately he cant come to work with me but I am running home to check on him every 2 -3 hours and yes we have a crate and he is crate trained!! I am just so grateful that I have boss that LOVES dogs for I could never thank him enough for the understanding!!!! O now we have another E-collar on him, it is huge....... As you can see he is not a comfortable boy!!! Edited to add if anyone can think of ANYTHING that will help soothe his leg (besides the prescription vet cream) please let me know!! :D Edited April 14, 2005 by catzatsea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catzatsea Posted April 14, 2005 Author Share Posted April 14, 2005 And for amusement factor the new e-collar!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
British_Bulldog Posted April 14, 2005 Share Posted April 14, 2005 Obviously Spud didn't grasp the 'thou shall not walk too much with bandages' lecture from the vet huh??? Poor baby Gotta love the collar, was it a speciality for Spud??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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