Just sharing my opinion. I would be more interested in # of cases performed for MPL repair than overall years of surgery experience. Not sure why that opinion bugs you. I think that asking how many surgeries a person has done is relevant for people looking for a surgeon.

How's Bella doing? Is she (and are you)hanging in there until surgery? Don't forget, lots of prayers and well wishes are coming her way - and yours too.

Thanks!!! Bella is doing fine--she is curled up in a little ball under a blanket next to me as I write this. She was walking a little better today. Three weeks to her surgery, and my greatest concern is that she feels well enough to exercise her affected leg so it maintains muscle tone. She was using her leg most of the time today, so that's good. Speaking with the surgeon today was reassuring, and he is willing to speak with me any time I have more questions, so that's reassuring too. Thanks for the prayers!

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Yeah Bella! Very happy little Bella is getting better. Continued prayers for healing.

Thanks! Bella got up and walked around normally for a while, and now she's back under my left arm. We really appreciate the prayers :)

Prayers for your sweet Bella and you! So glad to see she walked normally today!

Maybe sounds encouraging for a lesser degree of additional pathology or lack of possible CCL or other injury also being involved, doesn't it? I know how stoic dogs are but still........that sounds encouraging.

Phil, I am really late to this thread. First I am wishing you and Bella a very successful surgery!

Just a suggestion, if Bella is not crate trained, then start now to crate her, so that after surgery her crate will be a welcome place to rest and recouperate.

On swimming, if you don't usually swim with her and or she has not experienced the bath tub swimming. Here is what I suggest, buy a non slip mat that will run the whole length of your bathtub, and then try her in the bath tub with you and she in it together.
I would look to see if you have a full dog rehab clinic, that might have the underwater treadmill - I have had good very good results with underwater treadmill work. As has Mike Alaska Yorkie.

Also investigate to see if Class IV or V laser treatments are indicated for her rehab. Again they can do wonders with soft tissue healing.

Also there is a special site (the name escapes me right now) that you can order a specially made ice pack. I have had two made for Magic, one for his lowback sacrum, and one for his elbow. They are worth the $$ as they fit via Velcro to their respective places. Very sturdy construction.. And I keep mine permanently in the freezer.

Also I don't know if you have stairs but stair climbing needs to be strictly curtailed as well.

Best of luck to you and your gal.

Thanks for the tips! Thank goodness Bella is crate trained! She sleeps in her crate at night, and we also keep her in the crate when we are out of the house and she's usually asleep in the crate when we get home, so at least she's comfortable in her crate. That said, she's a very frisky puppy, so I'm not sure how happy she will be in there all the time during her recovery, but we'll try to make it as happy and comfortable an experience as possible.

Bella has not gone swimming before. I was always concerned about her getting too cold or dirty. What temperature do you recommend for bathtub water? The same temperature that I like, warm, but not scalding? My vet clinic is a full-fledged animal hospital, so I think they have physical therapy equipment, but if they don't, then surely the U of I vet clinic does, so I will get a referral if necessary.

Is this the website for the hot and cold packs? If so, it is appropriately named :)

Bella's Hot/Cold Pain Relief Pack- relief for canine arthritis & hip dysplasia!

We do have stairs in the house, and they are carpeted, but of course Bella loves running up and down them. I may have to install a baby gate...

I have had many pups go through knee surgery and to be perfectly honest none of them needed physical therapy afterwards. They usually crate rest for 8 weeks but leash walk during that time with increasing periods of walking. Then, when they get the all clear, they do just fine. At least that has been my experience. I realize that many do it, but I am not so sure it makes a huge difference.

I have used PT for some, but they were extreme cases.

I agree with Gail. Her crate will be her friend during the time her activity is restricted. Toss treats and toys in there and encourage her to go in and toss more treats in as she remains inside. Put an old unwashed t-shirt of yours in there for her to lie on. Close the door and immediately open it back up and let her out but keep her calm so she won't get used to coming out of her crate and frolicking around, which will be contraindicated after surgery. Give her a treat/food-filled kong to play with in the crate with the door closed another time. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat until she's staying in there for a hour, sleeping or accepting that she needs to stay in it and just watching as life goes on around her. Always ask her to remain calm when she emerges to avoid injury after surgery and quietly give her a couple of treats when she comes out calmly.

Dogs have to be crated when they are boarded or at the vet after treatments so a dog who has been crate-trained is a happier and calmer dog when placed in a crate during those times one is necessary.

A lot can happen in three weeks. I would be less worried about muscle tone and more concerned about preventing further injury that would complicate the surgery and make for a more difficult recovery ... but that's just me, the worrywart. Swimming sounds like a great idea.

Recall that my pup not only had LP but a torn CCL, so a more complicated injury than Bella. From the time to injury to the time of the surgeon's consult was 3 days. From the time of the consult to the time of surgery was another 6 days. Within that time there were actually complete days (at one point 2 days in a row even) that she used her leg fully, then the next day she would go back to carrying the leg for a few steps whenever she got up from resting. She even escaped from the exam room during the consult and it was not easy for the surgeon to finally corner her and catch her.

So the point I am trying to make is that with three weeks, expect some very good days and then some days where the symptoms are back, and be grateful for the good days but don't slack on her restrictions just because she seems to be having a good day. They can hide a lot.

I'm praying that the next three weeks for Bella are very calm.

Just want to wish you and your little Bella good luck and a speedy recovery when she gets her surgery!

My husband and I just went through the surgery with our yorkie, Sophie, at the end of September and we are starting to see a difference in her now! She had both knees done and her recovery had some set backs - including her ripping the stitches out of one knee 5 days after surgery, despite wearing her cone! She has so much energy now and she seems so much happier.

I also want to say that we were in the same position with choosing a surgeon and we chose the one that wasn't board certified. Our options were a surgeon that had been certified for a year or a surgeon with 35+ years in the vet field with an interest in orthopedics, just never got certified. He had preformed more of these surgeries than the certified surgeon and we felt a lot more comfortable with him. Everything has turned out fine with Sophie and we don't regret choosing the non-certified surgeon!

(Just want to say, I don't have anything against board certified vets, but I think every situation is different and sometimes the non-certified may be just as good)

Kind of shocking to me that the only board certified vet in Ontario was one with one year of certification.

But, to be clear about board certification.....these vets already have years of experience prior to completion of their board certification requirements. It is always a good idea to inquire about their experience specific to the procedure you are having done.

As you said, each person has to make a choice as to what is best for their pup.

Hi there and Hi to Bella - she is adorable!

I wanted to read this because my oldest, Chanel who is now 12 now may be facing this in her future and it scares me - the last visit she was fine and it was the best visit I've had with her over this -

I worry about her age and recovery so I will be praying for your Bella that everything goes as planned and she is back home quickly on her way back to all FOUR legs hitting the ground :)

All the best to you. It sounds like you know what your doing and I just hope MY vet has many of these surgeries behind him - I have to ask next time or just call him, so this thread really helped me....Thanks!

sending prayers

Edited to add...Chanel is not limping but her walk has changed. She is on medication for inflamation at this time and doing well but she may be a stage 3 and I really am considering talking to her vet now about surgery.....