Luxating Patella surgery has been booked...

[danniko]

....for Monday and I am a nervous wreck. She goes in at 8am and then her surgery is set for 10:30-11 (the ortho surgeon is coming to our regular clinic to do it).

Sophie is our 4 year old 4.5lb yorkie that has been needing this surgery done since she was a puppy (I don't understand vet speak that well, but from what I have gathered, it sounds like the groove where her knee cap would be in is completely flat and non-existent) so we opted to go with the surgery to fix both at the same time.

I have been shaking like a leaf ever since we left the vet's office today as I knew we were booking it, but I didn't realize there would be an opening so soon. I am so nervous about her going under or something drastic happening to her that I feel sick and am so afraid that this weekend could be my last weekend. Our vet knows my fears, but she could only say so much and nothing she says, unless it is "I guarantee she will be fine" is good enough at this point. I know there are risks but she said that for healthy dogs (she just had bloodwork in July) that they are typically okay and the chance of developing an allergy later on in life is a 1 in 25000 chance. Still not good enough, I am still petrified.

I just keep looking at her and bawling at the thought of losing her and my husband isn't really being that much of a help right now because he keeps saying that she will be fine. I won't believe it until she is home with me and the surgery is over.

I am going through phases of wondering if we are doing this for no reason and if karma will bite us in the butt because maybe we shouldn't be choosing this surgery yet...she limps and hops, but doesn't always seem in pain. But right now we have the money and I am not working so I will be home with her the whole time. What if we are making a mistake? Is feeling this panicked normal? I just can't imagine her little body under anesthetic for up to 90 mins and then I won't be able to see her again until she gets to come home and that apparently is dependent on when she decides to pee and eat while she is still there.

I really need some support from people who have gone through this right now. My husband and I were told we likely won't be able to have human children so Sophie is one of the most important parts of my life right now. I got her just after my grandma passed away and then last year she was my mom's therapy dog while she was in a hospice...and when my mom passed away Sophie became my little therapy dog.

Ugh, I feel ridiculous right now, but hopefully I can find support that I desperately need right now.

[Wylie's Mom]

Aw hon, I hear you and understand all your feelings - and they're all normal, I can assure you! It's SO scary to put these little kiddos through anything, and to put them under...it just causes such worry and fear of the unknown.

But, you ARE doing the right thing here, you truly are. Your kiddo needs the surgery, and it's better to just get it done now before the knees get even worse. You will be so happy you got the surgery, believe me! It's just the waiting and wondering that's the hardest part. Well, and bringing them home is tough too - to see them like that after surgery, I will admit it's tough.

My Wylie had LP surgery about exactly 1 year ago when he was 8 - and we too did both knees at the same time - and we're so glad we did! It was tough those first several days bc he was in the bandages and it was scary and you have to help them pee/poo and everything. But then he just started snapping right back, it was amazing. Just healing and getting more and more mobile every day, until at one point we had to start making sure he wasn't TOO active bc you really have to be careful about that. Today, a year later - you wouldn't know he ever had knee surgery - not a limp or hitch or hop to be seen on him.

Sophie sounds like such a special little girl - helping your Mom through hospice, and now being your little lovebug too, and helping you through some tough times. What a little angel. We don't have kids either - so our 3 furbutts are definitely the loves and lights of our lives! We love them to no end.

Hang in there, and just know your feelings are normal and they're all okay to have. We're here for you, and many of us understand *exactly* what you're feeling. Lot of hugs to you!!!!

[OwnedByJezebel]

I'm another one that knows exactly how you feel. I don't have skin kids, either. Jezebel had an LP repair and CCL repair in April of this year, and she just turned 4 years old last week.

My logical side knew that it had to be done, but I had this heavy, heavy, sense of dread and high level of anxiety. Also profound guilt, because I felt like it was my decision to put her through this. Then there is the uncertainty of not knowing what to expect after the surgery and how to manage the recovery, and would I do something to mess it up, like her having some sort of accident if I only turned my back for an instant. I don't think the anxiety went away until her first appointment 10 days after the surgery to take the stitches out.

Like you, I was blessed to be home with her all day. I insisted that she never be left alone during the 8 week recovery, and my husband (who is retired) and I just arranged our schedules so that someone was always with her.

As far as the recovery goes, initially you won't have a problem confining her, because she won't feel good enough to want to run or jump. I kept Jez in an ex pen that was a little larger than her bed and a pee pad. She was only allowed to walk around to go to the bathroom (and that first poop is monumental, be prepared it could take 2 or 3 days).

Preventing running and jumping: Any time she was out of the ex pen, it didn't matter where, she was tethered. I used a short grooming loop. If she was in my lap or next to me on the sofa, she was tethered to my arm. If she was in her bed next to me on the floor, she was tethered to my ankle or a piece of furniture. There was no opportunity for her to jump down or bolt away and run. She gets excited and jumps up and down when food is going in her bowl, so one of us would pick her up before we even got her food out of the pantry. Every time she went out, she was on a leash. She also gets excited and runs when someone is at the front door, so I put a sign on the front door saying that there was a recovering surgical patient so no knocking or ringing the door bell. (That worked surprisingly well -- UPS even left a wine delivery without knocking or asking for an adult signature).

From week 2 to week 8, she was allowed to go on therapy walks 2 to 3 times a day. Week one the walks were 5 minutes each, and they increased by 5 minutes each week until she reached 20 - 30 minutes per walk. That really helped her with her stir-craziness.

Bottom line, it is very difficult but you CAN do this. You emotions are very normal, because this IS a big deal, but this is best for her in the long run. If you don't do this, you are setting her up for lameness. I have seen a dog that needed knee repairs and didn't get them, and the quality of their life was sad.

When I see Jez outside now -- running like the wind, as fast as ever -- I am so glad we did this. Your pup and Jez are relatively young, and they have a long life ahead of them. You are doing a good thing that will give her a much better quality of life in the years ahead.

[jeane]

I have not been through it yet but morgan at some point will probably have to have it so its nice to know what to do

[danniko]

Thanks, it is nice to hear that I am not being over dramatic like my husband says. I know this makes him sound bad, but he really isn't, he just doesn't see why I am so worried.

My logical side keeps telling me that it is better to have it done now before it causes a bigger problem, that even though she doesn't seem like she is hurting from it. the x-rays show that there is definitely a problem and it will never fix itself or get any better.

Then there is my "dog mommy" side that just keeps thinking "what if I have chosen to do this surgery and she doesn't make it out of anesthetic and passes away from this?" Or what if she gets an infection or gets hurt, I don't know how I would handle losing her let alone feeling like it was a choice I made.

I am trying to stay calm and keep busy. We have to go out today and buy her a carrier and some emergency supplies for when she comes home. When she was spayed she refused to eat or drink so our vet recommended having karo syrup, pedialyte, baby food,and some sort of wet dog food on hand just in case.

We don't have a pen for her, so we are just using my dad's old crate he used for his lab so we can give her a pee pad and something comfy to lay on. For the most part though, she will be in her carrier beside me, I will not be letting her out of my sight. I am so scared about helping her pee, but the vet said she will show us how and won't let her leave until she pees. That honestly may change though. I am okay with her staying the night after surgery there so she can wake up and they can make sure she is okay but they don't have over night supervision. They close at 9pm and open at 8am, so someone is there from 7am-10pm and they have someone come in and check on them.

Sophie is a princess and I have a very strong feeling that she will not eat or pee for them. She wouldn't after she was spayed until she was home for a little while...she barely eats for us when she is sick or scared, so I would rather they keep her the first night but then let us have her the next day. She is definitely a mommy's girl...okay that is a lie, she is a huge daddy's girl...but my husband will never admit it. I kind of think he is just as scared as I am but he thinks he needs to stay calm for me...he has been very irritable since we left the vet on Thursday, so I am trying to cut him some slack.

On Monday I think I am going to start a post in a different section documenting her recovery. I know that kind of post really helped me read and I think it will be therapeutic to be able to keep a record of it.

I really just want to hear the call, "Sophie is out of surgery and waking up right now, everything is fine"...I am so scared of her not making it.

[Lil Sis]

oh I understand. I am so calm until its one of MY babies!!!

Remy is very close -- I know at the next check up it will be discussed. ugh .. I know it is best but I just worry like you do

[107barney]

The chances of her not coming out of anesthesia are very slim (something like less than 1/2 of 1%). I hope all goes well with her surgery and recovery.

[107barney]

No way would I leave my dog overnight unattended. I would insist to take her home with pain management.

[danniko]

That is how I feel too...unfortunately my husband thinks that she should be staying and I am having trouble getting him to realize that she would be better off at home. They want to keep her to make sure she can pee with the sling, but I don't understand how her not being observed is going to be any help to her. I am going to talk to the vet again when we take her in (4 hours from now...ugh, I still haven't been able to push the worry aside to sleep).

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by danniko

That is how I feel too...unfortunately my husband thinks that she should be staying and I am having trouble getting him to realize that she would be better off at home. They want to keep her to make sure she can pee with the sling, but I don't understand how her not being observed is going to be any help to her. I am going to talk to the vet again when we take her in (4 hours from now...ugh, I still haven't been able to push the worry aside to sleep).

I too would bring her home, especially if there no attendant at the vet hospital overnight anyway. We brought Wylie home and I know it was the best thing for him. Btw, it took him a loooong time to have to pee. Of course, it's not unexpected since they're dehydrated already, don't drink much after, and body is stressed.

[danniko]

Her surgery finished today around 1pm and from the sounds of things she is doing fine. The surgery was more than expected. At first they thought theyjust had to make grooves for her, but then one knee cap still wasn't sitting in there properly so they shaved the bone and used pins in it (I will have better detail when we go to the office). She was awake and looking around and trying to sit up, but now (7pm) she is curled up and asleep, sniffed her food but wouldn't eat it and is being a rockstar with the icing and movements they are doing with her (not even making a peep).

We have decided to keep her there tonight and then push for her coming home tomorrow evening when the vet calls us in the morning. Someone will be with her until 10pm and then they will be back in around 7am...I asked our vet about it and she said that she is on strong painkillers and still will be sleeping off the anesthetic that they will put a cone on her and let her sleep. I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion, but I am not in a position mentally tonight and believe it or not being alone at the vet's office is safer than being here with me. I know I will not be awake for much longer and my husband leaves for work at 10pm and works all night...I am also more than half deaf, so being alone with her when I am exhausted (11 hours of sleep since Thursday and I haven't been asleep since 11am yesterday) and won't hear her if she needs anything is just as scary to us. I really know she should be home, but I will not be safe for her to be with alone tonight and that kills me.

But on the plus side, she made it through the firs hurdle and survived anesthetic!

[OwnedByJezebel]

I'm glad to hear it went well. Now you take care of yourself so that you can be there 100% for her when she comes home tomorrow.