[dinkster]

Dinky is 5 years old, and we've been "keeping an eye" on the patella as long as we have had him. He did pretty well. He can walk over a mile. Well, he could.
Two weeks ago, he yelped when he lunged on his leash. We kept him off it for a day, then each day he seemed to do better and better. Then yesterday, I told DH that I noticed Dinky was going backward in use of his leg. So we brought him in today and got the verdict-the ligament is torn.
We can get him in on Monday. He will have to stay there for at least two nights.
We are getting his hair cut this week, but we will tell the groomer to leave that entire leg and hip alone. (Vet said okay to do this since he is a stoic and still little guy for her and for groomer).
The vet likes to keep the dogs for "rehab" for 2 weeks. We can visit and even try to take him home at night, and if he comes back without backsliding, we will do that. She also said if we want, we can take him home and do the rehab ourselves. the rehab seems mostly to be to keep him crated and then short times out.
At this point, I think we know he has to be there for two or three nights. After that, we will just judge how he is doing.
Any advice on ideas for pre op and post op?
Thanks