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

[Gew]

Okay, this is really a dumb question. We Tavel over an hour to the hospital. Next week PT starts. So far, I have placed a small bed in a box 15 inches high to take him in. I sit next to him to control him in the back seat. His regular car seat encourages him to sit....certainly not comfortable now. I have dog carriers, but they are too small for him to put his legs stretched out. Is there something to make him more comfortable and still safe? Also. He used to love to sit on the couch next to me on a comforter. I'm afraid he will move so quickly to jump off that I won't be able to grab him safely. I have used the side of a toddlers bed before his bandages came off, but now he seems jumper, perhaps in more pain. So, since his bandage removal at two weeks last Tuesday, I have just moved him from a soft expen to a wire one. Of course, I carry him outside.

How can I , what can I use, to let him feel loved, less alone and less bored. He basically just sleeps all day with an occasional yelp. He is , however, back to eating, peeing and pooping.

How did you all do it?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Gew

[ladyjane]

He should not be in pain.

I use a stroller. You just have to be careful to make sure they cannot jump out. With my Cookie I put the stroller right next to the bed at night...and zipped up the stroller. She was happy just to be there.

I also put them on a leash if I am sitting at my computer and tie it to the chair....that way they can lie down next to me.

I put a lot of blankets on the passenger seat and put pillows on the floorboard....You could get a seat belt for him. Maybe someone else will have better ideas.

[Gew]

Those are great ideas and I thank you. I bought a Pet Gear dog jogging stroller that snaps down and locks him in. I should use the stroller inside more, so far I've only used it outside.

I just sent my friend to pick up a Mini Classic Co sleeper. I am hoping to put it next to the couch so I can pat him and yet control him safely. I'll see, but I will probably keep a halter and lead on so he can't go over the other side. I can't stand him always in the expens.

Thanks so much. I just want so much for little Max to be okay.

Gew

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Gew

Those are great ideas and I thank you. I bought a Pet Gear dog jogging stroller that snaps down and locks him in. I should use the stroller inside more, so far I've only used it outside.

I just sent my friend to pick up a Mini Classic Co sleeper. I am hoping to put it next to the couch so I can pat him and yet control him safely. I'll see, but I will probably keep a halter and lead on so he can't go over the other side. I can't stand him always in the expens.

Thanks so much. I just want so much for little Max to be okay.

Gew

We have a Pet Gear jogging stroller for our Bella too. Ours has inflatable tires so it's a smooth ride.

[Gew]

Ours has inflateable tires,too, I think. He walks around in the stroller and jumps, a little. He knows the sit command, but he gets jumpy inside. I am so afraid of his knees being hurt. Maybe I will feed him supper in it. That's how we got Jamison to like the car. If Max calmed down in the stroller I could bring him around with me to the kitchen and other first floor rooms. My friend isn't home yet with the co sleeper.

Here's hoping.

Gew

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Gew

Okay, this is really a dumb question. We Tavel over an hour to the hospital. Next week PT starts. So far, I have placed a small bed in a box 15 inches high to take him in. I sit next to him to control him in the back seat. His regular car seat encourages him to sit....certainly not comfortable now. I have dog carriers, but they are too small for him to put his legs stretched out. Is there something to make him more comfortable and still safe? Also. He used to love to sit on the couch next to me on a comforter. I'm afraid he will move so quickly to jump off that I won't be able to grab him safely. I have used the side of a toddlers bed before his bandages came off, but now he seems jumper, perhaps in more pain. So, since his bandage removal at two weeks last Tuesday, I have just moved him from a soft expen to a wire one. Of course, I carry him outside.

How can I , what can I use, to let him feel loved, less alone and less bored. He basically just sleeps all day with an occasional yelp. He is , however, back to eating, peeing and pooping.

How did you all do it?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Gew

We held Callie a lot. I also gave her chews and she spent a lot of time in the stroller. My stroller had a thing I could attach to her so she couldn't jump out. The yelp doesn't sound normal to me.

[Gew]

Max rarely sat on my lap. Of course, we only had him a week and a half before his surgery. He always sat right next to me on the couch, but rarely was he still for very long.

I was very concerned last night when he yelped and then wouldn't stand on his left knee for a while. He slept and when he awoke he was using his left leg again. Today he is walking fine for his five feet when he tends.

Honest, I just don't know how to handle all this. When Icy tore her CCL and we had her surgery, it was nothing like this. She, too, was limited in her movement, but collies are not like little yorkies. She seemed to understand. She was a lot heavier to carry.

He must wonder about all this. I know I do.

Thanks.

Gew

[ladyjane]

I have to be honest....I am concerned. He may be just fine, but I have never had one have pain this far out from surgery; nor did they have any issues walking.

As I said previously, I would still be concerned about the Lymes. I guess they are not...and I probably don't know what I am talking about. I am merely saying that as a pet owner it would concern me.

Have you called them to let them know he is still having issues?

What type of repair did they do?

[pstinard]

Here is the thread where I blogged about Bella during her luxating patella surgery recovery (one knee): http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...a-surgery.html . You might want to check it out, because it also has advice from very experienced Yorkietalkers, as well as others whose Yorkies had LP surgery and were going through recovery at the same time Bella was.

It looks like we used metacam as a pain killer for about two weeks, and then she was fine after that. She recovered very quickly because she was only one year old when we had her surgery done. Our biggest problems were (1) getting her to drink water (we ended up making home-made chicken broth) and (2) keeping her from being *too* active (climbing stairs, jumping, etc.).

I reviewed this thread, and it looks like Max had his surgery on April 11, which is 2 1/2 weeks or so ago. I would definitely tell the vet about the yelps of pain, just to be sure that nothing is going wrong. I'm sure that your physical therapist is also well-trained to detect issues during recovery. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, and keep us posted on Max's progress! The information you are providing will be very helpful for people with Yorkies going through double LP surgery in the future.

[Gew]

Thanks for help. I followed your advice and I made chicken broth. He loved the chicken as well. I also tried cottage cheese. After the first few days, eating has not been a problem. He also drinks a lot, but maybe that's because I followed your advice and avoided kibble, etc. I put a treat... a piece of carrot, chicken, cheese, Charlie Bear, in his stroller so I can get him to like it. I envy your ability to have Bella sit and enjoy. So far, Max jumps and panics. Maybe soon....

There are so many variables! Poor little Max is seven or eight or ? Bella is a lovely pup with known lineage. Max's origin is totally unknown. You are experienced with yorkies; I have had collies and did collie Rescue for my whole life. You have known Bells almost her whole life: I have only known Max six weeks. Bella had single and Max double. I am so happy for Bella who had you and understand that Max got the short stick. First owner didn't care about him and now his second owner doesn't know/ understand enough about the sweet little fellow.

I'm off to read your blog again. I need to feel this may work out okay.

The surgical team is off until Monday. Sure nothing else happens.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Gew

Thanks for help. I followed your advice and I made chicken broth. He loved the chicken as well. I also tried cottage cheese. After the first few days, eating has not been a problem. He also drinks a lot, but maybe that's because I followed your advice and avoided kibble, etc. I put a treat... a piece of carrot, chicken, cheese, Charlie Bear, in his stroller so I can get him to like it. I envy your ability to have Bella sit and enjoy. So far, Max jumps and panics. Maybe soon....

There are so many variables! Poor little Max is seven or eight or ? Bella is a lovely pup with known lineage. Max's origin is totally unknown. You are experienced with yorkies; I have had collies and did collie Rescue for my whole life. You have known Bells almost her whole life: I have only known Max six weeks. Bella had single and Max double. I am so happy for Bella who had you and understand that Max got the short stick. First owner didn't care about him and now his second owner doesn't know/ understand enough about the sweet little fellow.

I'm off to read your blog again. I need to feel this may work out okay.

The surgical team is off until Monday. Sure nothing else happens.

Bella is my first Yorkie--I've learned a lot through Yorkietalk. Bella is the first dog I ever had that had major surgery (besides routine spay and neutering), so everything I wrote about in that blog was completely new to me. Some of the people who gave me advice then are here giving you advice now . Max is older, but he's still young enough that he should be okay. Things will get better.

[Lolasmom1211]

I hate to hear that Max is having such a hard time following surgery. I know exactly how you feel as I'm sitting here holding my little guy about who is about 10 weeks post op for the same surgery. This is my 4th time to go through this surgery, with 2 different dogs, and it's never easy. You feel so bad for these little ones when they hurt. I kept mine on the pain meds for about 3-4 weeks and it's never been suggested that they undergo any type of physical therapy. Granted, I'm certainly not a vet, but I can't imagine having poor little Max go through any sort of physical therapy at this point if he is still tender or painful at all. Both of my little ones have done great without Physical Therapy - I kept them on crate rest for 8 weeks with limited movement; then they were allowed back to normal activity, at their own pace. If I were you, I would seriously weigh the advantages of loading him up in the car and taking him in for physical therapy appointments at this time. I think it may be more exhausting and stressful for him than good. You know him better than anyone - you may want to wait a couple of months and give him a chance to "heal" both physically and mentally before putting him through any more challenges. It's obvious how much you love him, but right now the most important kind of love for Max might be to just lay low at home with you and heal. Just my 2 cents - for what it's worth! Good luck to you and little Max - as everyone has said, he's luck to have found you.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I have to be honest....I am concerned. He may be just fine, but I have never had one have pain this far out from surgery; nor did they have any issues walking.

As I said previously, I would still be concerned about the Lymes. I guess they are not...and I probably don't know what I am talking about. I am merely saying that as a pet owner it would concern me.

Have you called them to let them know he is still having issues?

What type of repair did they do?

Ive had 2 dogs who had surgery on both knees - so I've gone thru 3 knee surgeries total.

I agree with Linda. This is *not* normal. Something is wrong.

You should get it checked out properly ASAP, before any more permanent damage is done and more scar tissue is formed.

[Gew]

I appreciate your input. I can't imagine going through this four times! Honestly, I don't know what to do about anything. Yesterday, I bought still another playpen. I move him from one to another in hopes he will be less bored. I brought him into the library where I can keep him within an eight foot area and sat on the floor with him. He just sat and wouldn't come or move. I got a lead and he immediately got up and walked with me so I removed some of the barricades I had put up to limit his space and we walked into the living room and the center hall. He then sat, so I picked him up. He slept very well in his soft expen after that.

Tomorrow is the evaluation with the PT. I really want her opinion as to how he is doing and hear her plan. I will let you know, but in the past it has been very expensive. Not sure I can manage it all. However I really believe the magnetic, laser and water therapy help my Icy when she tore her CCL.

Thanks again. You seem very kind.

Gew

[Lolasmom1211]

Originally Posted by Gew

I appreciate your input. I can't imagine going through this four times! Honestly, I don't know what to do about anything. Yesterday, I bought still another playpen. I move him from one to another in hopes he will be less bored. I brought him into the library where I can keep him within an eight foot area and sat on the floor with him. He just sat and wouldn't come or move. I got a lead and he immediately got up and walked with me so I removed some of the barricades I had put up to limit his space and we walked into the living room and the center hall. He then sat, so I picked him up. He slept very well in his soft expen after that.

Tomorrow is the evaluation with the PT. I really want her opinion as to how he is doing and hear her plan. I will let you know, but in the past it has been very expensive. Not sure I can manage it all. However I really believe the magnetic, laser and water therapy help my Icy when she tore her CCL.

Thanks again. You seem very kind.

Gew

I feel so bad for you because I know you're doing everything you can for this poor boy. I hesitate to give you my opinion because I'm not a vet, but because I've been through this surgery several times and can speak from experience, I can tell you my guys did not had any pain this far out from their surgery. In fact, by the time we were at your point, we were having a harder time keeping them still. I'm sure the Physical Therapist is wonderful but you have to ask yourself if she's qualified to determine if he's ready for therapy if he's still in pain? I would be afraid they might try to get him to do something that if, in fact there is a problem, could be worsened by a Physical Therapy session? I would for sure have to see the Dr prior to physical therapy and perhaps ask about delaying the sessions for a bit? This might save you some money and give Max a chance to get well before starting PT.