Looking for help please-Baby is scheduled for surgery
 

Hi all, I am new here and I was hoping to find some answers. I have a 9 year old Yorkie and she is scheduled for hip surgery on Wednesday. I am terrified and not sure if I am making the right decision for her. Does anyone have any experience with this surgery? She was diagnosed with hip displaysia (sp?) and she has had bad knees since she was young so the surgery isn't going to "fix" everything, bubt she has been moving slower and the x-ray showed basically bone on bone, so I know it has to painfull! She is showing signs of improving and I don't want to be rash and put her at risk under the knife but I also do not want to make anything worse by waiting. I trust my vet for the most part and have been taking all 3 of my babies to him for several years now but I am so torn and stressed out about it. Any insight would be appreciated. :)

I can imagine you are very worried. I don't have any knowledge about this but I know someone will come by and be able to help you out. I would say that if you trust your vet and you have seen x-rays showing bone on bone, your baby is not really going to get better and if I was in your shoes, I would (even though I also would be very worried because any time one of these small pups goes under - there is a risk of something going wrong), go ahead with the surgery if it will ease your baby's pain. Just my thoughts.

I also wanted to welcome to YT and I pray your baby is better very soon!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to say a few kind words. It really does help. I think we are going to move forward with the surgery. We are also getting our 12 year old German Shepard's knee fixed on the same day so I will be nursing 2 fur babies at the same time...Lord give me the strength.

Good luck...I worry so just thinking of spay/neuters/dentals! I will be thinking about you and both babies! Hopefully those with more experience will post here tomorrow if not sooner! Please keep us up to date on how things go!!!

I wish you all the best. I have one almost at the two week mark of a 6 week confinement post leg surgery. Its really hard...If your babies are jumpers or hyper make sure they give you some tranquilizers to get them through the transition of being in a crate 90% of the time.
If your vet is ortho specialized Im sure he is doing the right thing. Feel free to pm me during the crate time, I could use a crate buddy lol
all the best to you and your babies.. :smile:

I am sorry both of your babies are needing surgery. If you haven't I would try and get a second opinion from a board certified orthopedic surgeon. I had 4 opinions before I had Pixie's knee surgery by the Surgeon. I hope all goes well.

I am assuming the first couple days are going to be the hardest. My Yorkie is pretty mellow but my GS loves to play. He can get pretty wound up even at 12 yrs he has the spirit of a puppy. Thank you for the tip on the tranquilizers. They have to stay in the hospital overnight which I am not crazy about, but if it is neccessary, then I have no choice I guess. Is your baby recovering well? How old? What is his/her name?
Thanks for taking the time. I will be your crate buddy. :)

My girl is Jessie and she is a year old. The first couple days are actually easier because they are still in the after effects of surgery so they are pretty quiet. Its when they feel better! ARRGH! She is putting weight on the leg already so thats a good sign! She gets her stitches out wed so bye bye cone! (it doesnt seem to bother her though)
They are going to move around there is no getting around it. I first tried kong treats (but i had to hold them due to the cone) but she was rapidly gaining weight so now she gets an organic lettuce leaf or some carrots to munch during the day.
I still use the tranquilzer when she is really energetic and it takes the edge off. They say about two weeks and then they accept this as the new normal. My surgeon did say take them out twice a day (unless they pee/poo outdoors then more) for about 30 mins each of lap time. Keep it to the same time every day or they will start barking/whining to get out more. ( we arent great with schedule thing but we are trying) Make sure your crate has a top so they cant try and jump. We have a bigger one that has room for bed and pee pad and one smaller just a bed. We put her in the smaller one when shes keyed up and the larger for a lttle exercise/potty breaks...

Prayers that she feels better and all goes well in whatever decision you make

:hands:

Welcome to YT. Good luck to you and keep us posted on both your babies. I pray all goes well for them and a quick recovery.

I'll be thinking about your babies and hoping for a successful procedure and speedy recovery. They have a great momma :)

:thumbup::thumbup:

I agree. I would never allow a general vet to do ortho surgery on one of mine. I do know that sometimes it works out ok, but I have seen many that did not. I always go go board certified surgeons.

OP, if you are interested in a boarded surgeon, you can find one at American College of Veterinary Surgeons

Best wishes to you and your pups.

Thank you
 

Thank you all for your kind words and insight. It really helps having a place to share with other dog owners that love their babies as much as I love mine. Some people just do not get it and they are the WORST to talk to when you are feeling this way. I am very happy to have found this place to share and learn. I think we are going to discuss getting a second opinion before we make a rash decision. I will definitely keep you posted on how things go.
Anyone got any tricks on administering pills to your babies? My little girl licks everything so she always finds the center and spits it out. Today we had a cream cheese fiasco all over her beard. LOL...I finally got her to take them though. We have tried canned food, small pieces of cheese, cream cheese and pop it down her throat, she has gotten pretty good at spitting them out...

Surgery has been postponed
 

Hi everyone! I just wanted to update you all and let you know we have postponed the surgery so we could do our due diligence before jumping in to this. You all have really helped me with this process and once again I thank you. We are scheduled for the 15th of March. Will keep you posted. ;)

Continued prayers for you and your baby.