Hey everyone!! So sorry I couldn't post sooner but I've been very busy. Friday night after the surgery was pretty rough. Codie cried all night.
He was in a lot of pain. The vet told me to bring him back in on Saturday for another big dose of pain meds. It's very strong and it made Codie a little dizzy but at least it kept the pain at bay for a while. The worst part is over.
The vet told me that Codie's knee was really in bad shape. The groove was totally flat, in fact there was NO GROOVE at all for the knee cap to glide on. So he had to carve one in. The vet said Codie's LP was without a doubt genetic (just like it was in his other leg that he had operated on before). In addition, the ligaments around the knee cap were very loose and wobbly; so he tightened them up. Our vet said once Codie heals, he'll have 2 very solid knees.
I can't wait for the healing and recovery stage to be over! Jim and I hardly slept all weekend. I'm like a zombie back at work today with bags under my eyes. Codie had a hard time getting comfortable and sleeping for the first few nights. In fact, last night he was up a lot too. The vet told me that the stitches are really tight (they have to be) and they may pinch a little. So that's no doubt adding to him discomfort.
Plus, stitches always itch.
Codie didn't want to walk AT ALL for the first few days but yesterday he started hopping around the house. Jim and I had to carry him to the wee wee pad and literally hold him up so he could do his business. He hasn't put any pressure on that leg yet but that's to be expected. I think in another week or so he'll start to gently walk on it. The vet said it will take time for him to FULLY walk on the leg and run again but I remember how slow it is because this isn't our first time dealing with LP.
Jim went home during lunch to check on Codie and give him his afternoon medicine. He also took the e-collar off for 25 minutes to give Codie a small break from wearing it. I don't make Codie wear it while I'm home because I can monitor him and make sure he doesn't lick the wound/stitched but during the day (now that we're both back at work) he has to wear it.
I'm going to post some pictures tonight or tomorrow. It's pretty raw and swollen looking. Poor baby.
He's been so brave this entire time.
I'm going to reward him when this is all over. I want to get him something special or take him somewhere special. I think I'll have a special mommy and Codie day and take him to all his favorite places but just me and him. We'll leave the girls home with daddy.
PS - On top of ALL this, Codie has a bladder infection.
Monday afternoon Codie went potty and there was some blood in his urine. So I called the vet and he said it was most likely a bladder infection but to bring him a fresh urine sample, which we did a few hours later. He said the strong anti-biotics that Codie's on will clear up the bladder infection in no time.
By the way, it's very hard to get a urine sample from a dog LOLOL I gave Jim that fun task.