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Originally Posted by kalina82  i have a question about the fentanyl patch they put on ranger. Do you know the mg of the patch they used? And how did they cut it? did they cut the whole patch or did they just cut the plastic film covering the sticky part?
Where i worked PT was a valuable part of EVERY orthopedic case. ALL knee surgeries required PT afterwards. our instructions said to gently flex and extend all the joints in the effected leg(s) 3-4 times a day, 10 reps each joint. So the easiest way to do it would be to have the dog laying down on his side with the surgical leg on top. Then gently extend the leg straight out and, at the hip joint, bring it towards the belly just to the point they are uncomfortable, hold it for 5-10 seconds and release it. Then bring the leg straight back behind them, just to the point they are uncomfortable, hold, and release it back to starting position. repeat 10 times. Next, with the leg in extension, place one hand over the knee and use the other hand to slowly bend the knee up into the belly, hold, and extend it back out. repeat 10 times. Lastly flex and extend the hock joint the same way as the other joints.
By doing this you are keeping all the joints moving so they don't get stiff from lack of use. With many dogs that have knee issues the legs become atrophied because they don't use them as much as the front legs. with some dogs you can see a difference in the muscle mass as well. So the passive range of motion exercises help build the muscle mass back up. |
It was a 2.5mg patch. It was cut, and a clear plastic film was used as well. It was probably one mm in width, and most likely the whole length. DH said in vet school this is the procedure they followed as well. I am sure you have read the updates in this thread, but 30 mins after removing the patch, he was visibly calmer. Three hours after and he was alert and bright, and no shaking. I have taken him out once an hour since noon, and he has been walking normally!!!! No limping, equal weight bearing on both legs, and no shaking!! He is calm and comfortable, he focuses on what he's looking at, and has eaten, drank and pottied.
I understand about the use of PT and it's benefits, but I am not comfortable doing something the surgeon clearly told me not to. He did instruct me to take him out, every hour or so, and walk just a bit (I'm talking ten or so steps, if he's comfortable). He said this will keep his joints moving and will introduce Ranger to his new knees. It will gradually be worked up throughout the period of eight weeks.