FHO Surgery

[dkcombs]

Originally Posted by Cherie6446

Zoey had dissolvable stitches, thank goodness. Did you talk with your vet about exercise? The way it worked for me was start at 5 minutes walking very slowly so she would have to use the leg. Everyday add one minute until you get to 30 minutes, twice per day. I know it is not easy but it is was is necessary for recovery. After you reach 30 minutes twice per day then we started a "ladder" exercise. These were pvc pipes put together like a ladder. Lay it flat on the ground and have her step over the ribs starting at 5 minutes adding one minute until you reach 15 minutes. Next, the ladder if flipped over with a higher step and you start off with five minutes again building up to 15 mintes. Whew, I glad to be finished with that. Then you go for your walk. Whew, I glad to be finished with that. I can tell you that I got in shape after 5 months of this schedule. lolol

Thanks so much the the ideas on rehabilitation. They are awesome!! I am going to make one of those ladders for her. ;=}

I did take Annie to the vet this morning they had to remove the one staple that she got loose and then re-staple the area. They also put a big plastic cone on her hoping that she wont be able to get to it again.

Thanks again everyone for the advice!!

[dkcombs]

Here is an updated photo of Annie I just took. She is in pretty good spirits. She absolutely hates the plastic cone and whines the whole time she has to wear it. But bed time it is a must.

As you can see she doesn't want to eat her dog food. I gave her some turkey in her food and she picked out her dog food and threw it on her pillow and only at the turkey. Picky Girl!! I think she is in better spirits now.

[ladyjane]

She is absolutely adorable!!

[Cherie6446]

Did the vet give you anything for her pain? Zoey was on narcotics for 6 days.
The surgeon sent home four more days of pain killers for her but I only gave her one more dose as I felt she was doing ok and the drugs made her really dopy.

[dkcombs]

Yes, She is on Metcam, Pennecillian with a pain killer in it and Tramidol. She is doing pretty good today. I am taking her in to have the staples looked at. I think when she is walking they move and poke her. I might be overprotective but just want to make sure. I will let you know when I get back.

[P-Nut Mom]

She's so cute! Thanks for keeping us updated. Re: the cones, we got P-Nut one of the soft cones, that helped a ton so that he didn't have to use the evil plastic one. He was much more comfortable. We got it at PetCo.

[mzwenc]

I'm glad Annie id foing better. She is so adorable

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by dkcombs

Here is an updated photo of Annie I just took. She is in pretty good spirits. She absolutely hates the plastic cone and whines the whole time she has to wear it. But bed time it is a must.

As you can see she doesn't want to eat her dog food. I gave her some turkey in her food and she picked out her dog food and threw it on her pillow and only at the turkey. Picky Girl!! I think she is in better spirits now.

That is an adorable picture of Annie, she looks so cute.

I am glad she is in good spirits.

[ladyjane]

I have had to put two cones on determined pups. Tommy recently drove me crazy...he ended up removing ALL of his sutures!! He did it at night while I was asleep. Thankfully, he was far enough along that it did not cause any issues..but I had to put cones on him because he could have gotten it infected if he kept it up.

The soft collars are easy for them to get around...I have found that the hard ones often do not extend out enough. That is especially true with the pups with small necks. One of the vet techs taught me a trick some time back...put the soft collar on and then the hard one. The soft one then extends out a bit and the hard one keeps it in place enough that they cannot get around it. Sounds awful, but really they do get used to it...and it is only for about 10 days.

[P-Nut Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I have had to put two cones on determined pups. Tommy recently drove me crazy...he ended up removing ALL of his sutures!! He did it at night while I was asleep. Thankfully, he was far enough along that it did not cause any issues..but I had to put cones on him because he could have gotten it infected if he kept it up.

The soft collars are easy for them to get around...I have found that the hard ones often do not extend out enough. That is especially true with the pups with small necks. One of the vet techs taught me a trick some time back...put the soft collar on and then the hard one. The soft one then extends out a bit and the hard one keeps it in place enough that they cannot get around it. Sounds awful, but really they do get used to it...and it is only for about 10 days.

Great idea! We were lucky, P-Nut didn't try to get around the soft cone and I kept testing it to make sure he absolutely couldn't reach the sutures. Poor guy, the hard cone was too heavy and long for him, he kept ending up with cone and head to ground when he was standing up.

[dkcombs]

Originally Posted by P-Nut Mom

Great idea! We were lucky, P-Nut didn't try to get around the soft cone and I kept testing it to make sure he absolutely couldn't reach the sutures. Poor guy, the hard cone was too heavy and long for him, he kept ending up with cone and head to ground when he was standing up.

OK- This is exactly where we are at. Annie must have quite a long neck. Her Soft collar is big around her neck and I have added extra velcro to size it smaller for her but she is just way to creative is able to get around it. The plastic one that the vet gave us does the trick but she keeps nose plowing, she isn't tall enough or it is too heavy and gets her cone stuck on the floor when she is walking and then freaks out and starts backing up and I am afraid she will injure herself more. Guess it is just 24 hour monitoring her for awhile. She is doing better though and that makes me one happy but tired gal.

I uploaded a video on YouTube of her walking a little today if you would like to see how she is doing.

"Anniemay" our Yorkie 4 days after her FHO...

[kjc]

She looks great! I would check with your vet... I believe they are better kept on leash for 10-14 days after any ortho surgery... don't want them doing too much, too soon.

[dkcombs]

Thanks so much for the advice. I did talk to our vet she is allowed off the leash outside to go potty. She gets 2 minutes to do her business then it is back inside for R&R. Believe me she doesn't abuse it either. She just refuses to potty while on the leash. She only goes 3 times a day and they are pretty scheduled. I just wanted to give everyone a quick peek. Thanks again for the advice.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by dkcombs

Thanks so much for the advice. I did talk to our vet she is allowed off the leash outside to go potty. She gets 2 minutes to do her business then it is back inside for R&R. Believe me she doesn't abuse it either. She just refuses to potty while on the leash. She only goes 3 times a day and they are pretty scheduled. I just wanted to give everyone a quick peek. Thanks again for the advice.

Oh good! Sometimes 'peeks' give me heart failure! Lol! She does look like she's doing wonderfully! My little girl goes for 30 minute walks, and won't potty till she's back in her yard and her leash is off! Go figure! Lol!

[ladyjane]

I have never leash walked a pup after FHO surgery. There really is nothing they can "undo" in there. Call me lax I guess...but I have had quite a few go through it and they did just fine. Certainly you don't want them running amok, but I also have not had issues with that.
And, while I have had to do PT with many pups following ortho surgery, none of them have been my FHO pups. Guess I have been lucky.

I honestly believe it is good for them to use the leg....the whole premise of the surgery is to alleviate pain....and for the muscles in the leg to support it. I have been encouraged to allow them to walk right away.