Luxating Patella Surgery - Do Both Knees At The Same Time? Or One?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Gew

The nurse at the hospital did say he was very dramatic. So it's eight days till the cone can come off. That helps. I thought perhaps they would say that more time was needed to heal where the stiches were.

Honestly this week has been a month to me. Imagine how it's been for him!

By the way, yesterday I had Max out and Spenser came out too. Four hawks were soon circling. Spenser is so good. I called him to heal, scooped up Max and hurried inside. Our yard is 1/2 acre and open to the sky in large part. Hawks and an owl are often around because the river flows nearby.

Thanks. I am getting squirrelly.

Gew

You almost have to take it one week at a time. I would celebrate after every week. I don't know if you have one or are interested but a dog stroller so you can keep them around you or even take them outside and push them for a walk really helps! I stole the idea from Linda but it made it not as miserable for Callie and you can push them around the house. They have them on ebay for $50.00. I have upgraded over the last 10 years, I started with the cheaper ebay one. My grandma actually taught my smallest to run to the back door when they are outside and there is a big bird she just says big bird and he runs to the door. I swear the hawks get bigger every year.

[Gew]

Actually, I have a stroller. I tried to put Max in it and he yelped and screamed. Maybe after he heals more.

I am taking him tomorrow night to the hospital where his surgery was done. His bandage has slipped almost an inch down and it looks like it is bindind. It is not red, but looks a little swollen. Touching his thigh makes him yelp. So no food or water after ten, and back we go. The surgical nurse said the bandage will probably have to be changed. The doctor wants the both legs bandaged for two weeks.

Poor little Max looks so sad. Wish we had him longer before all this, but he seemed to be in pain.

Thanks for your suggestion. Maybe when he has healed more.

Gew

[ladyjane]

Sure hope he is ok. Poor little guy.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Gew

Actually, I have a stroller. I tried to put Max in it and he yelped and screamed. Maybe after he heals more.

I am taking him tomorrow night to the hospital where his surgery was done. His bandage has slipped almost an inch down and it looks like it is bindind. It is not red, but looks a little swollen. Touching his thigh makes him yelp. So no food or water after ten, and back we go. The surgical nurse said the bandage will probably have to be changed. The doctor wants the both legs bandaged for two weeks.

Poor little Max looks so sad. Wish we had him longer before all this, but he seemed to be in pain.

Thanks for your suggestion. Maybe when he has healed more.

Gew

Callie never had bandages so I didn't ever have to deal with that. I don't think I did the stroller with Callie until week 3 or so. Do they put him under to change the bandage?

[pstinard]

When Bella had her surgery, she had a wrap-around self-sticking bandage that was easy to replace. When her leg was trussed up, it looked like a chicken leg quarter from the supermarket. She did not have to be put under to change her bandage--the self-stick was easy to put on and take off. They sent us home with an extra roll for just in case. I attached a photo of what Bella looked like after her surgery.

We also wheeled Bella in a stroller around the neighborhood just to get her out of the house. We got a top of the line stroller with inflatable tires for a smoother ride. We still wheel her around sometimes when she is being a diva and doesn't want to walk on her leash.

[Gew]

We just got home from the hospital. They changed his bandages and the surgeon said he was healing well. They sedated him, but did not put him out to change them. The surgical nurse said his pudgy thighs made it hard to keep the bandages on. He does have chubby upper legs, but every rib can be easily felt. He ate a little chicken and drank a little of the broth, but not much, and now he is resting in his "hospital suite," a 30 inch soft play yard that I got him for his recovery period.

Next Thursday, the stitches come out and hopefully he can be free of the cone.

Thanks for your support. The CCL surgery my collie had was nothing like this.

Gew

[Gew]

Hi,
Rough weekend. The bandage applied last Thursday replacing the first one must have been too tight although no one admitted it. Max had been doing well the week before, but now he was eating very little, whining a lot. In short he was miserable. While the hospital is open 24/7, the surgeon and his staff are off weekends. I carried him around all weekend. Checked temp....none. Called first thing Monday and took him over.

The bandage was completely removed as were the stiches ( 13th day after surgery). Since then he is eating normally and he is also sleeping lots now that his cone is gone, too. He seems to be using both legs well. Have a call into the physical therapist to have her check and start therapy.

Honestly, you all were right. This has been very rough.

Hope all is well with you.

Gew

[ladyjane]

I am sorry this has been so difficult.

Thank you for the update.....wishing a speedy recovery....

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Gew

Hi,
Rough weekend. The bandage applied last Thursday replacing the first one must have been too tight although no one admitted it. Max had been doing well the week before, but now he was eating very little, whining a lot. In short he was miserable. While the hospital is open 24/7, the surgeon and his staff are off weekends. I carried him around all weekend. Checked temp....none. Called first thing Monday and took him over.

The bandage was completely removed as were the stiches ( 13th day after surgery). Since then he is eating normally and he is also sleeping lots now that his cone is gone, too. He seems to be using both legs well. Have a call into the physical therapist to have her check and start therapy.

Honestly, you all were right. This has been very rough.

Hope all is well with you.

Gew

Poor guy. It is a very rough thing. Callie even on two pain meds she was on plus the pain patch would whine a bit and was very hard to get to eat for weeks. One reason my vet never used bandages is because they can be to tight and cause issues. It will start getting better.

[Gew]

I appreciate any comforting words. Max has been so good about it all. The second bandahe removal has definitely helped him relax. He has stayed after eating breakfast nestled in his hospital suite sleeping. He went out once to toilet . I think those bandages and the cone really kept him on edge.

Monday we start PT. She helped our collie who tore her CCL three years ago. She says that knee surgery is very delicate and risky. She uses magnetic, laser, water therapies plus massage. She writes out a daily schedule with illustrations for each day. It's expensive but I think necessary because I don't know how to do passive flex ion or extension exercises. Think Max is really Maxillion. The therapy sessions are three times a week.

He is sleeping with no crying next to me. That's worth a lot! We have a great stroller for next week or ...... I hope Max would have chosen this if he could understand and communicate. The surgical consent agreement states that the procedure sometimes has to be repeated. Is that common? I sure hope not!

Gew

[ladyjane]

I have never had a LP and/or CCL surgery fail....and I don't believe it is risky at all if you use a boarded surgeon.
I also have never taken or been advised to take a pup to physical therapy after surgical repair.
No disrespect but do remember the therapist is in the business of making money.
As Taylor said, I also concur...have never had legs wrapped either...except in fractures.
Lastly, I have never had to take a pup back for a second surgery. I have taken countless pups for orthopedic surgeries.
I do hope little Max is ok.

[Gew]

That's hopeful. The doctor is definitely a board certified surgeon. We took Max to Valley Central Hospital in Allentown, NJ. He is one of only a few who are certified to do full knee replacements.

As to the PT. Indeed I think it is expensive. The first session is $130 and then $75 per session, three times a week. I know to some that isn't much, but it is for me. However, I adopted Max and promised to care for him. The therapist is also board certified.

If your dog had this surgery, how long did he/she require anti inflammatory drugs and/ or pain meds? My doctor gave me enough for a month with the IF NEEDED. I don't want to over dose him, but I don't want him to suffer either.

Thanks.

Gew

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Gew

I appreciate any comforting words. Max has been so good about it all. The second bandahe removal has definitely helped him relax. He has stayed after eating breakfast nestled in his hospital suite sleeping. He went out once to toilet . I think those bandages and the cone really kept him on edge.

Monday we start PT. She helped our collie who tore her CCL three years ago. She says that knee surgery is very delicate and risky. She uses magnetic, laser, water therapies plus massage. She writes out a daily schedule with illustrations for each day. It's expensive but I think necessary because I don't know how to do passive flex ion or extension exercises. Think Max is really Maxillion. The therapy sessions are three times a week.

He is sleeping with no crying next to me. That's worth a lot! We have a great stroller for next week or ...... I hope Max would have chosen this if he could understand and communicate. The surgical consent agreement states that the procedure sometimes has to be repeated. Is that common? I sure hope not!

Gew

That is strange that it said that. The only time I have ever heard that they had to redo them was when a non board surtified orthopedic surgeon did them. With Callie we only did physical therapy once a week and had exercises to do at home. I would be very careful doing it three times a week that seems a bit much.

[ladyjane]

PT is expensive and I personally have never done it after knee surgery. There also was no need to do any at home exercises. Every single one I have had knee surgery on did very well without either. I have used it for other conditions...but not after knee surgery. My surgeon has never recommended it. These pups usually manage on their own and do very well after surgery.

[ladyjane]

Anti-inflammatories and pain meds....variable, but the average is about a week. I usually give the pain meds for about 4 days...and then just the anti-inflammatory.