cranial cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery

[furbaby4ever]

Hi, my little 7 year old Yorkie is going in for CCL surgery next week and I'm worried sick. There was a long waiting list to get her in so it will be about 6 weeks post injury by the time she gets it done. We have tried to limit her exercise as much as we can so she has been on no walks or had any playtime. She looks so pitiful as she loves her walks and sees our other dog go out for a walk. She also loves to pull on toys and drops them in front of us in the hopes we will hold onto the other end but we can't do that either as we feel that is probably how she hurt her leg.
Apart from the actual surgery on my little 6.5 pound girl, I'm also worried about the after care. Can anyone give me some hints on how to get through this and what we can allow her to do. Is she likely to lick at her wound and if so how can we prevent that? Mika also has a very delicate tummy and I'm worrying all the drugs will cause her to suffer vomiting or diarrhea. Any information to help put me at ease would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. This is the first time I've posted so I hope I've done it correctly.

[lalaland]

Hi, I will pray for you both that all goes well. My boys weren’t big on walking but that didn’t mean they didn’t love to be outside a lot. I invested in a Pet stroller. It kept them safe and we enjoyed dinning together in the cafes and shopping as well

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by furbaby4ever

Hi, my little 7 year old Yorkie is going in for CCL surgery next week and I'm worried sick. There was a long waiting list to get her in so it will be about 6 weeks post injury by the time she gets it done. We have tried to limit her exercise as much as we can so she has been on no walks or had any playtime. She looks so pitiful as she loves her walks and sees our other dog go out for a walk. She also loves to pull on toys and drops them in front of us in the hopes we will hold onto the other end but we can't do that either as we feel that is probably how she hurt her leg.
Apart from the actual surgery on my little 6.5 pound girl, I'm also worried about the after care. Can anyone give me some hints on how to get through this and what we can allow her to do. Is she likely to lick at her wound and if so how can we prevent that? Mika also has a very delicate tummy and I'm worrying all the drugs will cause her to suffer vomiting or diarrhea. Any information to help put me at ease would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. This is the first time I've posted so I hope I've done it correctly.

They usually do very well after the surgery! Are they doing laporoscopy TPLO? It is a bit less invasive and is the repair all of my fosters and personal pups have had with torn CCLs.

I have done different things with their recovery. One great tool for me is using a stroller so they can go around the house easily. It beats having to keep a crate in every room....OR leaving a pup alone if you are moving around. When I am sitting somewhere, watching tv or sewing or whatever, i will put them on a leash so they can stay close by me. Most love the stroller....but if you have a jumper, you do need to close it.

I would keep an E-collar on her at first....but just when you are not able to watch her. Sometimes they do lick their incisions. Usually after the staples are out they stop that. There are SO many types of collars. You might want to look at them now just in case you don't like the one the surgeon uses.

Usually they are not on a bunch of meds. Usually they give Gabapentin for pain. I have not had any get sick from it. Never had any have tummy upsets after that surgery.

Hope some of this helps. Perhaps someone else will come along with some ideas of their own!

Hoping all goes well!

[lalaland]

Oh forgot to mention this I bought a used Graco PAC N Play (playpen) which was enormous help. Pooch had plenty of room to stretch out and space for food water and a pee wee pad. I made a top for it using window screening so when we were outside on the patio there was protection from any kind of flying predators-bugs like ants bees a& mosquitoes not to mention birds or squirrels. It was on wheels which allowed easy access to different rooms while doing my house cleaning chores or when I took a bath

[furbaby4ever]

Thank you for the great information. It has put my mind at ease somewhat to know that others have had no major problems after the surgery. I don't know which procedure they are doing to fix the ligament, but I was told for the small dogs they usually do the less invasive fix. She comes home the same day so I hope she will be ok.
I do have a doggy playpen I bought when she was a puppy and I plan on using that to keep her in because otherwise I have no doubt she'd not take it easy. She seems to be able to sense movement outside and bolts to the front door to look out the small side window. She also is prone to leap off my lap for the same reason even when I have heard nothing. Did you find that your dogs were content to sleep a lot and stay in a stroller or playpen? I don't understand how you used the leash, do you mean you leashed her in the different rooms you were in so that you could keep an eye on her? Also, how long was it before you were able to do small walks outside?
Thank you.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by furbaby4ever

Thank you for the great information. It has put my mind at ease somewhat to know that others have had no major problems after the surgery. I don't know which procedure they are doing to fix the ligament, but I was told for the small dogs they usually do the less invasive fix. She comes home the same day so I hope she will be ok.
I do have a doggy playpen I bought when she was a puppy and I plan on using that to keep her in because otherwise I have no doubt she'd not take it easy. She seems to be able to sense movement outside and bolts to the front door to look out the small side window. She also is prone to leap off my lap for the same reason even when I have heard nothing. Did you find that your dogs were content to sleep a lot and stay in a stroller or playpen? I don't understand how you used the leash, do you mean you leashed her in the different rooms you were in so that you could keep an eye on her? Also, how long was it before you were able to do small walks outside?
Thank you.

Some surgeons don't do TPLO on small dogs. The surgeon I use prefers it as do I. Of course using the scope to do it, also makes it less invasive. I personally think it offers more stability as my pups are usually pretty active. Here is a link that explains all of the treatments available for cruciate tears.

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/cr...gament-disease

I would tie the leash to my desk chair and keep a bed there for them to lie on. It is hard when they are prone to jumping so unless my hands are free, my lap is not an option. If she likes the playpen, that's great. You just have to do what is best for her and for you. Some of them were better than others....most do adjust to less activity.

They can go outside almost right away on a leash. Walks are up to the surgeon and will be based upon how he/she thinks she is doing.

[furbaby4ever]

Thank you for that link, I never realized there were that many options for surgery. The surgeon that I have is a board certified surgeon and he delays deciding which procedure to go with until the day of the surgery. So, I suppose I have to put my faith in him and hope he chooses the right one for my pup. They all sound horrible to me when I look at my little girl and know what she is going to have to go through. At least she doesn't know.
I think I may try your leash idea as well, the playpen will work when in the kitchen but she does like to go where I go so the leash may be a good option when we're elsewhere because otherwise she may just shoot off somewhere.
I'll be so happy when this is over and I can feel she is starting on the road to recovery. Thanks for your advice.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by furbaby4ever

Thank you for that link, I never realized there were that many options for surgery. The surgeon that I have is a board certified surgeon and he delays deciding which procedure to go with until the day of the surgery. So, I suppose I have to put my faith in him and hope he chooses the right one for my pup. They all sound horrible to me when I look at my little girl and know what she is going to have to go through. At least she doesn't know.
I think I may try your leash idea as well, the playpen will work when in the kitchen but she does like to go where I go so the leash may be a good option when we're elsewhere because otherwise she may just shoot off somewhere.
I'll be so happy when this is over and I can feel she is starting on the road to recovery. Thanks for your advice.

Yes, if he is board certified, that is great!

I am sure she will do well no matter which procedure. A friend of mine just had a pup who had a lateral suture repair done and she is doing very well! She hated it because of the restrictions but her baby did manage probably better than she did.

It is a bit inconvenient more for us than for them. They seem to adjust.

Please keep us posted on her! I am so sure she will do fine!

[furbaby4ever]

Thank you so much, I do feel much more at ease about it now although I'll be a basket case on the day. I will certainly let you know how she does, I really need to know how to use this forum better. I'm a real newbie when it comes to actually conversing on it.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by furbaby4ever

Thank you so much, I do feel much more at ease about it now although I'll be a basket case on the day. I will certainly let you know how she does, I really need to know how to use this forum better. I'm a real newbie when it comes to actually conversing on it.

So glad we could help ease your mind. Yes, I am sure you will be....I always worry when my pups are at the vet for dentals or surgery. Hate the anesthesia but it really is a necessary evil and risk is so low.

You are doing well here on YT..it gets easier with time.

[furbaby4ever]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

So glad we could help ease your mind. Yes, I am sure you will be....I always worry when my pups are at the vet for dentals or surgery. Hate the anesthesia but it really is a necessary evil and risk is so low.

You are doing well here on YT..it gets easier with time.

Well, Mika had her surgery today and we picked her up a few hours ago after her afternoon surgery. The surgeon said all went well and she is lying in her playpen looking completely out for the count although I can see her eyes are open. It is so unlike her as she is usually such an active little dog but it's really only a few hours since her surgery so I suppose she will sleep for quite awhile. When should I expect her to perk up or will she be lethargic for quite awhile? I'm also a bit worried about how she'll cope with the Elizabethan collar, I bought a soft one hoping it will be more comfortable.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by furbaby4ever

Well, Mika had her surgery today and we picked her up a few hours ago after her afternoon surgery. The surgeon said all went well and she is lying in her playpen looking completely out for the count although I can see her eyes are open. It is so unlike her as she is usually such an active little dog but it's really only a few hours since her surgery so I suppose she will sleep for quite awhile. When should I expect her to perk up or will she be lethargic for quite awhile? I'm also a bit worried about how she'll cope with the Elizabethan collar, I bought a soft one hoping it will be more comfortable.

They are definitely loopy the first day. I see that most are being sent home day of surgery these days. It is intimidating the first time you have one go through it but she should be much better tomorrow morning! She may whine a bit...that is totally normal.

I think she will adjust to the collar. I really have not had issues with them.

Hope you both get some rest tonight! Good luck and keep us posted. Oh, I am sending you a message....

[lalaland]

I am so happy things went well for Mika. Please keep us posted on her recovery

[ladyjane]

Hoping little Mika is feeling a bit more alert today!

[furbaby4ever]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Hoping little Mika is feeling a bit more alert today!

Thank you for your input. She is definitely more alert today. Last night I was so worried as she hadn't peed. The surgeon told me her leg would look rather paralysed for the first 24 hours and he was right, she couldn't do a thing with it and I tried to help her pee by holding her but she didn't. I laid her on a pee pad for the night fully expecting her to go through the night but she didn't. She did eat a little bit of cooked ground beef later in the evening so that made me feel better. I had her cone on her but got worried about it on while I slept so took it off and put a sock on her incision. I slept with her and she was really out of it but this morning she was licking it so the cone is going to have to stay on when I can't watch her. It's soft so hopefully she'll get used to it. She's laying with it on right now as she wouldn't leave her incision alone.
The good news is I was able to take her outside this morning and while I supported her she hopped about on 3 legs, the operated leg just hanging useless, and she did pee. She also was quite hungry and ate a good breakfast. She is on Gabapentin, Metacam and Famotidine in case she has a tummy upset. I think this is going to be a long recovery from everything I've read but hopefully it will be better in 2 weeks once the stitches are removed.