Soooo mad

[CaspersPrincess]

Tuesday Empanda had his ACl/LP surgery. Today I noticed he had a bump on his ankle filled with fluid. I took him to the vet to make sure everything was ok. I didn't know his vet wasn't there until this other lady came in. They said his stitches look great and not a lot of bruising. They said the fluid was because we didn't start the range of motion. His vet said to let his leg heal and not move it for a few days because the surgeon did something I’m not sure but he just don’t move it. I told her what he said and she said ok I’m just going to ice it and then put heat on it. She took him to the back room. He was crying and shaking when he came out. I asked what did she do to him, she said I just worked his leg a little it’s good for him to start range of motion. I yelled at her because I just told her not to touch him. Now I notice his knee is really bruised and around his stitches are red. I’m going to call in tomorrow and see if his vet is in I’ll take him back and make sure they didn't hurt him. I’m so freakin mad at them. I have not really slept in 2 days so I can make sure he does not do anything to hurt himself he was doing really good then they go do this! Just needed to vent they better not have hurt my baby. When did everyone else start the range of motion? .

[Patti]

Poor baby. I would be upset too. When Pixie had her LP surgery we did not do any range of motion. Her orthopedic surgeon never mentioned it, only to gradually let her use the leg for longer periods of time after the first week. Hopefully Empanda's leg will be ok.

[Buster Brown]

I am so sorry to hear that happened to Empanada. I know with Buster's LP we also did not do range of motion exercises but Empanada also had a torn acl right? So the healing process may be different. I definitely would check with your vet and give a call to your surgeon as well to see what they say about range of motion and the fluid build up. That should be part of the aftercare. Hopefully everything is okay I am sorry he was crying and shaking I know that is so hard on the both of you. Sending prayers.

[Jacksmom052709]

Poor little guy - I hope he gets better soon. I would be upset and angry also.

[jeane]

i would be mad too hope everything turns out ok

[Verbena]

Oh my that poor little one. I hope they did nothing harmful and he gets better soon

[ladyjane]

I am so sorry you are going through this. You said this was a specialist...don't they have someone else as a back up? I cannot imagine a tech just taking a pup back and manipulating a leg like that...I would be furious, too; especially since the surgeon told you to leave it be. If you don't have access to a vet in that facility, I would honestly be looking at a second opinion from a board certified surgeon especially since you seem to think there are issues with the incision. This just seems so out of line to me.

As for CCL surgeries and recoveries, I have never been told to do range of motion on them in the weeks immediately following surgery.

I will keep you and Empanda in my thoughts and prayers.

[ldcox29]

Oh, I hope Empanada is doing better and heals quickly. We are sending prayers your way We were never told to do range of motion after Ruby's surgery.

[bobohyde]

As far as the incision being red, Columbo's incision was quite red a couple days after, so that's normal. It's just been through some trauma (the surgery). It might even look a little swollen. They just don't want the incision oozing excessively. Columbo's didn't ooze at all. You did nothing wrong by not doing the range of motion exercises yet, so don't worry about that. It's ok to not do anything for the first couple of days. During those days, he's resting, sleeping and coming off the meds from surgery. Columbo would not let us do the range of motion exercises at all, even when he started perking up after a couple days. The surgeon's office told us not to worry about it and just do what we could. They said that it was ok for him to start his little 5 minute leash walks in the yard earlier to get the leg moving that way. We did those when he went outside to go potty. Basically, it just was him hopping on 3 legs to go to the bathroom, and then back inside. We did get in an exercise occasionally, but rarely. The exercise is similar to the movement the leg makes if riding a bicycle and Columbo would only let us do that a couple turns and that's it. We didn't make him do anything he wasn't ready to do or didn't want to do, and he is now fine, so don't stress out about that. I don't know how big the bump on his ankle is, but it is probably from the surgery somehow and will go away. Maybe they had his leg secured somehow? If you can have the vet look at it for you piece of mind, though, that would be good. Let me know if you have any other questions. It sounds like you are doing everything right.

[katy-yorkie]

Buster had a torn ACL and needed LP surgery but we were told nothing about range of motion. Even with his torn ACL, the surgeon said he could use his leg but no jumping, running or stairs. When we went back for follow up visits his leg was not manipulated nor any range of motion. You have a right to be upset.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by katy-yorkie

Buster had a torn ACL and needed LP surgery but we were told nothing about range of motion. Even with his torn ACL, the surgeon said he could use his leg but no jumping, running or stairs. When we went back for follow up visits his leg was not manipulated nor any range of motion. You have a right to be upset.

Indeed she does. You and I use the same surgeon and he is awesome. I have never heard of anything like this. I hope this pup is ok. Looking for an update...

[CaspersPrincess]

Originally Posted by bobohyde

As far as the incision being red, Columbo's incision was quite red a couple days after, so that's normal. It's just been through some trauma (the surgery). It might even look a little swollen. They just don't want the incision oozing excessively. Columbo's didn't ooze at all. You did nothing wrong by not doing the range of motion exercises yet, so don't worry about that. It's ok to not do anything for the first couple of days. During those days, he's resting, sleeping and coming off the meds from surgery. Columbo would not let us do the range of motion exercises at all, even when he started perking up after a couple days. The surgeon's office told us not to worry about it and just do what we could. They said that it was ok for him to start his little 5 minute leash walks in the yard earlier to get the leg moving that way. We did those when he went outside to go potty. Basically, it just was him hopping on 3 legs to go to the bathroom, and then back inside. We did get in an exercise occasionally, but rarely. The exercise is similar to the movement the leg makes if riding a bicycle and Columbo would only let us do that a couple turns and that's it. We didn't make him do anything he wasn't ready to do or didn't want to do, and he is now fine, so don't stress out about that. I don't know how big the bump on his ankle is, but it is probably from the surgery somehow and will go away. Maybe they had his leg secured somehow? If you can have the vet look at it for you piece of mind, though, that would be good. Let me know if you have any other questions. It sounds like you are doing everything right.

I called the vet today and they said he would not be in until Sunday the other lady is there but I'm never seeing her again. So I called the surgeon and he's out of town. I guess I have to wait until Sunday. I noticed he is laying on his leg he had the surgery on alot more now. He wont even try to lay on the good leg when he does he jumps up like it hurts and turns over. I'm also worried he has not gone potty since Tuesday night when I brought him home. He's been eating alot I gave him chicken, steak, rice pretty much anything he will eat. I take him out he goes pee pee then crys to go back inside its been 4 days is this normal?

[bobohyde]

As far as laying on his leg, that is ok and normal. Columbo frequently laid on his injured leg after surgery, which he wouldn't do if it were uncomfortable for him. Empanda might be feeling a bit of discomfort when he lays on the other side from the weight the leg puts on the knee, which is to be expected. The first 3 to 5 days are the hardest for them. After that, he should slowly start to perk up. Columbo pooped right away, but the surgeon's office told me it could be several days because the medications used during anesthesia can slow the GI tract. They said normal bowel function would return in a few days, so I wouldn't be too alarmed about it. It sounds normal that he hasn't pooed yet. If he's eating, eventually he will poop lol! Let him take it slowly. Columbo mostly laid around for the first couple weeks. When he went out to potty, he just walked on 3 legs, like before the surgery, then went back in to bed to rest. I think it was about 5 - 7 days before he just barely (and not consistently) started testing it out & "toe tapping" when he walked. It increased to gradually putting a bit more weight on it over the next several weeks. It is still very early for him after surgery and I think everything you've said sounds normal and each dog recovers a bit differently. Some slower, some faster. He will let you know, so follow his lead. When does he go back for his next visit with the surgeon? Columbo's was 2 weeks. Does your surgeon include the follow up visits for the next few months? If so, I wouldn't be taking Empanda back to your regular vet with the questions about his leg. The surgeon and his assistants are more experienced and see this everyday, so they are the ones I would listen to. Your surgery price probably includes follow ups and calling or visiting with any concerns.

[ladyjane]

I am sorry, but I have never heard of a reputable surgeon not having another surgeon available for follow ups. The fact that a tech examined him and prescribed range of motion exercises concerns me greatly. As I said above, this pup should probably be seen by a boarded surgeon...I doubt this one was (and his price was high if he was not) and that does not mean he won't do well..but the post about this recent event is very concerning.
I will pray that things go well.

[wisteria]

No advise here, just gentle cyper hugs!