Gracie's surgery is 1/24/08
 

Well, Gracie will have LP surgery on both knees (hopefully) on 1/24/08. I'm taking this time to stock up on supplies we may need. I am going to get her a nice big soft pillow to lay on for when she is not in her crate. I plan on cooking up some boiled chicken and rice and some other goodies to entice her to eat. The vet said she absolutely cannot stand up on her back legs other than to potty, so an ex-pen is out. It will be the crate or my lap. I plan to have her in a harness and leash in bed, and tie the leash to the headboard so she can't get off the bed by herself. Otherwise neither one of us will sleep (we always sleep together). Can you think of any other supplies I might need? I will be working from home and taking some time off during her 4-6 week recovery period so I can help her. The vet assures me that she will be on IV pain meds while in the hospital and on strong pain killers for the first two weeks while she is home. It is going to be a challenge for little Holly who won't possibly understand what has happened to her big sister. I so hate this!:cry:

Good Luck to Gracie! I hope the surgery goes well.

the vet told you he doesn't want her walking at all other then to potty? Did he say for how long that walking restriction period is? Is he sending you home with a sling to help her walk? If not a scarf or a thicker leash is a good tool to use to support her.

I just saw this! Good luck to Gracie and to you! It sounds like you've got a great vet. I hope all goes well!!!! I'll be watching for updates.

I am so sorry to hear that. Hope that it all goes well and she recovers fast when it's all said and done.

Good luck and god bless the cutie.

The ONLY thing that worked for us was a playpen that i kept in whatever room i was in. At night I wheeled it in the bedroom and as long as my Samie was next to me she was ok. She could see my through the play pen and believe it or not- she was so drugged up the first few days all we could do was watch her lay down. The hard part will be keeping her down when she starts to feel better. We left the vet "without" pain meds which caused us big problems that first night home. (she panted so bad her trachea collapsed and she turned blue and we almost lost her) so whatever you do make sure your take home bag has everything in there. The bandaging is so secure that it will be hard for her to walk as the leg is completely straight under the "cast like" bandage. (Samie's was bright pink) I will try to email you some pics of her after. Both legs is going to be tough- we only had to do one and it was really hard. My Samie always has to be in bed with me too and after her surgery believe it or not- she just wanted to be in bed by herself. As far as her sister Sadie... she knew to leave her be, because Samie was not feeling good and was very tired. They are smart little dogs and I guess they realize what is happening. Doggie day care is also an option. Check with your vet and especially if you have to work. It may be only 20.00 a day to or less to drop her off at the vet. I did that for a week after Samie's surgery. Only because we have no relatives close to us that could come by and check on her (we are in Tx and everyone is in Oh)

If you have an email I will send you some pics. Or i will try to figure out how to do it on here.

good info!

Some vet's don't send patients home with bandages tho. We don't. They get one after surgery and it gets taken off the next morning. The bandage is put on to keep the swelling down right after surgery. After that icing 4 times a day for 10 minutes really helps keep the swelling and bruising down. get an ice pack or you can use a frozen bag of veggies, wrap in a towel and place on her knees.

also a "flat" fluffy and cozy blanket worked well. you don't want to have her step around too much. I wanted the same thing but she seemed to like just a neatly folder cozy blanket. I propped it up so she could put her chin on it and she was super cozy that way. I also put her toys in their- the ones she carries around with her everywhere. And a sweatshirt that was my husbands-she is always making a bed on his shirts or coats every chance she gets. she digs and makes a bed out of them. :-)

Yes-the bruising was very very bad. her whole knee cap and leg were very badly bruised.

she also had artificial ligaments put in too so maybe that was why they did the cast like bandage. when she had it taken off... whoaaa..couldn't believe the bruising.

hehe, the artificial ligaments is basically fishing wire. :D

there are a few different types of knee surgeries. fishing wire, pins, tiny screw like implants, one plate and screws, or a plate, screws and a cage. we do all of these and they all get the bandage taken off the next day. Every vet is different tho. Just curious, did samie have an orthopedic surgeon do the surgery or did your regular vet do it?

Oh Melonie, my heart goes out to you . . . .I am sure Gracie has an excellent vet. I will pray for her and for you to be strong for her . . she will be good as new soon.

we were referred to a specialist.

:thumbup:


again, good luck to Gracie. I'm sure she'll pull thru with flying colors.

I hope the best for Gracie! What are some of the symptoms to look for that require LP surgery? I have a male yorkie that as a pup would limp on one of his back legs. During the warm months he put weight on it and now that the weather is cooler he is beginning to not walk on it again. He never has been able to jump up onto our couch. :animal-pa

yep-fishing line

Thank you all for your support and help! The vet said she will be in "heavy duty casts" for at least the first two weeks and essentially on bed rest other than to potty for 4-6 weeks. The vet said the first two weeks she will be doped on drugs and not too interested in anything, but it will be hard to keep her quiet the last two weeks. My vet does offer day care so if I have to be out all day I will for sure take her there so she can be properly cared for. I will add that soft blanket to my list! Thanks!

Poor little Gracie. I'm so sorry to hear about her knees.:( You're such a good mommy tho to be planning her recovery so nicely. I hope you both have a great and quick recovery and that little sister is a good girl.;)

samie's surgery
 

here are some of the after surgery pics

a lady at work gave me a spare playpen she had for me to borrow. It was her suggestion. After i got it home i used it for one day. I had to go out and get my baby a nice and clean one. Her's was so dirty and beat up i could not use it. I never told her - I just kept it for about 4 wks and then gave it back. I got one at walmart for 25.00 -just in case you notice the dirty playpen in the pics. ha ha...

her front paw was shaved for her iv's. so much hair was shaved off :-(

a nice and cozy,fluffy "baby blanket" is what i went and got her.

OMG, poor baby! Thanks for sharing the pics. I'm a nurse and I'm just a wreck over this! Gracie will be going to the groomer for her routine appt. about a week before surgery. Her hair is getting kind of long. I thought about having her clipped shorter so she won't tangle. Now that I see they shave them so much, I'm thinking that might not be such a bad idea? What do you think?

Hi, I wish you much luck with Gracies surgery. I am told my Jazzie needs this surgery as well. I can't bring myself to yet. I had a hard enough time getting the nerve to getting her spayed. I will keep Gracie in my prayers. I know someone whose baby had a similar surgery and she used a puppy stroller, she kept the pup confined but close to her at all times, able to move her from room to room and keeping the pup from using the back legs. Something you may want to consider for your baby Gracie. You're in my prayers for a safe surgery and speedy recovery.

Im so sorry to hear this, Its going to be so hard for her and for you too. please becareful when tieing the leash to the head board, that she dont try and jump off an d hang herself. Most people I have talked to that their dogs had this type of surgery and even broken legs have used a playpen. I will be praying for her.

a shorter hair cut is ideal. The long hair gets in the way honestly. We had a 3 pound yorkie come in with a broken leg who had floor length hair. After surgery she had a cast on for two months. let me tell you, that hair was GROSS after two weeks. she smelled of urine and it was all tangles. You cannot give a bath for at least 2 weeks (i'd wait longer) so be prepared with baby wipes and dry shampoo. Since your pup is getting both legs done, they will both be totally shaved from hock (ankel) to the top of the hip bone.

Poor Gracie, my thoughts and prayers are with her !

My girls both are kept shorter. It was very hard for me to cut them short- a puppy cut is how i keep them. i groom both of my girls and it's a lot of work. I never could find anyone good or that i could trust. I have my license to cut hair and worked in a salon for years -so i figured i could handle them. They sit so nicely (because of being used to going to the groomers I'm sure) I just make sure i am not cutting both dogs at the same time. It is quite a lot of work. And one week we do ears and privates and then another week we do pads of feet and then we do full body with a bath a different day. it's a lot of work but I have no choice. My little samie has trachea problems so she can't go to the groomers. In fact last week she had a bath and it scared me becasue she literally turns blue. She is so excited after a bath when she is all wet that she gets like a maniac and I have to hold her down and immediately start drying her. She gets so excited her little tongue will turn a little greyish at first and then dark blue. (from lack of oxygen) it scares me soooooo bad! So she only gets a bath every other month or so-sometimes longer. And by keeping them trimmed short- she dries faster and they seem just so much happier without the full coat. I have more pics i will have to post when I have more time. My little samie is so cute with shorter hair. I used to do the pony tails and different holiday bows. but not anymore. :-( i miss it too.

I would definitely give gracie a little bit of a shorter cut and yes- that was a good reminder to take her to the groomers right before surgery. Because after surgery you wont want to get her wet for a good month.

oh gosh all these stories are making me even more nervous . . .I will continue to pray for GM. Please give her warm hugs from me and my babies:(

Thank you everyone! I am expending my nervous energy trying to anticipate Gracie's every need. My boss was really nice about letting me work from home during her post-op period. He really likes her. Because of Gracie, he is loosing the battle at his house. His kids want a dog and he now thinks they will have one before summer! I'm sure I will be back on here looking for support in the weeks and months ahead. I just don't know what I would do if something happened to Gracie as a result of the decision I made to give her the surgery. I so much want her life to be long and pain free.

We call Samie's leg her "miracle leg"
She does so well on it now. I am still extra careful. she has steps to get up and down from the couch and bed. No jumping. I am good at keeping the pads of her feet always trimmed and between the pads where the hair gets long. Otherwise my wood floors are like an iceskating rink. We have rugs everywhere in the house. :-) Gracie is going to do great! I know exactly how you are feeling right now. I hated that day once it got here but the vet was great and called me during the surgery. Ask them if they can do that for you. Plus they do pre-surgery blood work and if the slightest thing is off they will not do the surgery. They will monitor her the whole time. BP, vitals... and she will do great I just know it. :-)

Potty trips outside was probably the worst of it because i had to carry her and then set her down. She did not spend much time looking for that perfect place to do her business, so that helped.

I will be following this thread and praying for you and your sweet Gracie.
I will post more pics when i get a chance. I have one of Samie after about 3 wks out of the surgery. Her hair was growing back and she was doing great! In the one pic i posted Samie is very drousy from her pain meds.

Conner is having LP surgery on January 21st. I took a week off work for his recovery. After that, my sister will watch him. Good luck to you. I am really nervous about Conner.