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Originally Posted by amandawash  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. |
I'm glad to hear that Ranger is doing so much better after taking the patch off. We typically do not put patches on dogs under 7 pounds. the smallest we would cut a 25 mcg patch is in half, but then we got 12 mcg patches and didn't need to do that anymore. cutting patches doesn't give you the right amount of medication (can give more or less) so that's why we didn't put them on little guys. i'm not knocking your vet, just letting you know why ranger might have felt crappy (he might have been getting too much medication). But he's feeling better now and that's all that matters.
As for the PT, i definitely agree that you should follow your vets instructions.