My Bruce just had LPM surgery to correct LP on August 18, and is recovering quite well...This from experience is what I can tell you...
Bruce was and is quite active and never showed signs of pain or cried out when running, jumping or playing with other dogs. The only noticeable sign to me was that he would occassionally stop and lift up his leg suddenly in the middle of a good run or while we were playing, later I The surgery on the other hand pretty much brings this risk down to normal, and the discomfort is not nearly as great as it sounds...
Bruce's experience was not pleasent, but the worst part has been the necessary confinement to heal and rest...I took Bruce in for the surgery in the morning, he had the surgery midday and it took the vet approximately 2 hours. They kept him medicated and under observation for another day and 1 1/2 at the vetrinary hospital. When I picked Bruce up he was obviously very medicated and he barely wanted to walk, and would hardly try to use his leg. For the next three days he slept all day for the most part, and hardly ate or drank, which worried me. Then almost miraculously he was up and trying to use the leg and it became difficult to keep him slowed down.
The surgeon for the first 2 weeks had me keep him crated a lot when I was not directly supervising. He was allowed outside on leash only for bathroom purposes. No jumping of any kind was allowed, and no walks over about 5 minutes. Slowly I increased his walking time by 2 minutes per walk. Then stitches came out and he had the leg checked. He had some restrictions lifted and can now take as long of walks as he wants so long as he is not limping or not using the repaired leg. He can jump down off furniture just not up, and can walk freely throughout the house or yard with supervision to make sure he does not jump up or run...Additionally once a week he has hydro therapy where he walks on an underwater treadmill, and we have proscribed exercises we do in the morning and at night. In 3 weeks assuming he passes his check up he will be allowed to be full speed.
For us the surgery was worth it, for everything including therapy I have paid just over $2250. I advise seeing a specialist and making sure that they are one that takes a wholistic approach to the surgery, meaning they offer therapy services and are willing to spend a lot of time counseling you about what to expect. |