Paula-

Run free, little Tinker

Olly, thank you so much. When Hapi and Asha desperately needed somewhere to go, you opened up your home to them and showed them how good life could be. I received all your updates and new photos of the twins with a smile and a laugh, as I could see how happy and relaxed they were, and living life to the full. I can guarantee that Hapi's last months were by far the best he ever experienced. Please give Asha a special cuddle. Thank you so much. Run free, gorgeous boy :D :p ;)

Run free, miss Molly, beautiful girl :p So sorry Roz

Fingers and paws crossed that the little munchkin is OK

Yay!!! Great news so far, best wishes for the rest I know what you mean about the floors, Stella was sliding around at the surgery just after the op, and then whenever there was a check up there were always other dogs there with the same problems - and all keen to play .. lots of dogs trying to bounce around and lots of owners saying "Noooo!!!!!!!! Settle!!!!!!" :cool:

maybe call to check on the necks before you go, I bought 3 boxes (48kgs), not sure how many were left! also a good idea to check if you go there for carcasses, as they get them in a few times a week and aren't always in stock (they'll hold some for you if they know you're coming).

Whole lamb necks for $2.20/kg at Cardawan's at the moment, apparently a lot cheaper than they can normally get them :rolleyes:

I use cardowan and petbarn, have been meaning to try Greenbank too, I also get huge turkey necks from the Jerra woolies for about $2.50/kg,

Stella was crated constantly for 8 weeks. Then, when X rays showed that her leg had knitted, we started with a couple of five minute wanders a day (basically we extended her on-lead toilet breaks in the back yard)... very gradually working up to longer walks, all on flat ground. Apart from those times she was crated. We eventually got to the stage where Stella could be out of the crate when we were home, but she went back in at night and during the day (didn't want to risk her running in the yard). Slowly started on hills etc, and then finally, back to free access - probably about 4 months all up? At five months we went on holiday, which included bushwalking and running at the beach, and Stella came too I'm sure each orthopaedic specialist has their own recovery instructions, but I would think they's be fairly similar?

It's certainly not cruel - she'll cope, and it's much better than risking her recovery with the puppy pen for Stella - we set it up in such a way that it was slightly larger than a crate - she could lay down and not bump her leg, but that was all. She did not get out at all except for short toilet breaks on lead. Stella had a huge bandage on her leg until the stitches came out - basically the same as a cast. I've heard of it being done both ways (wrapped/unwrapped). With regards to saying she should be put down ... I had numerous people advising me I should do the same, rather than 'waste' the money Stella runs around like a looney now, and she's had both knees done - the first one at 18 months (four years ago), the other one a year later. We've only just had the last operation to remove the remaining suture material from the first op. Seeing her loving life so much it's obvious that a few weeks of sitting on her butt while her leg healed were nothing in comparison.

I make my own - the best is beef or chicken mince, pulped apple, cheese and garlic mixed together, flattened and dried. It comes out in paper thin sheets and you can break off the tiniest pieces and they taste great (to the dogs )

I cut the sides of out a cheap calico bag - perfect sling I tried to use the sling when Stella went to the toilet but I think I just got in the way ;) so I relaxed and left her to it. It was difficult to start with but she managed I freaked about getting Stella into the van, it was fine - I did sit in the back with her though, yelling out 'slow down' to the OH about a thousand times

I found the sling was more useful for holding Stella in check when she wanted to jump off the ramps!!

Great to hear she came through OK We laid carpet over our hard floors, and had carpet lined ramps over the steps front and back, and to walk into the van... we spent the weeks before the surgery practicing ;) Stella had the 'string' operation on her first knee, and the TWO on her second. They've both done well, however we've had two additional operations on her 'string' knee to remove the material as it caused a reaction and Stella kept getting infections. Now all the suture material is outta there, and the tissue etc has stabilised the knee - so hopefully no more operations!! Hope all your pups have a smooth recovery

I'm so sorry

Good luck Stella came home on the same day and went into her pen. Not overly happy, but I think the whining was because she just wanted out. If you find she's moving around a bit in her pen, perhaps you could look at restricting her movement more? I was really nervous for the first few days, then we settled into a routine and I calmed down Just remember, strict confinement and not too much moving around and it will help with recovery. It's all too easy to wreck a good surgical result by a misplaced bounce! :D I felt sorry for Stella being in her pen for so long, but I stayed tough and she got used to it quickly enough. I tried all sorts of things to keep her occupied - even wrapping chicken mince in a small towel and freezing it... but she left it there and looked at me as if to say "YOU unwrap it, I couldn't be bothered.." having her inside, I left the TV on for her too. And lots of toys (which she never bothered with before, however since her surgery she loves them )

My girl Stella had the TWO - rather than cutting the bone and turning it to make a flatter surface they take a wedge out (which has the same result). I would think the recovery would be very similar? as they both result in a 'broken bone' that needs to heal. My girl had 8 weeks until Xrays showed the bone had healed well, however she stayed on strict confinement and gradually increasing walks for much longer (as she's a nutter and likes to spin spin spin!! ) We had Stella in a pen in the lounge room - slightly bigger than a crate. As Stella likes to chase birds we were advised to keep her inside longer than was strictly necessary as we didn't want her to try running or bouncing (even short distances) in the early period after the op. We took Stella to the toilet on a short lead for a number of months - very soon after the op she decided she felt great (she left the surgery after the op on all fours, dragging the nurse! ) and kept wanting to run and jump, so the lead was definitely necessary. So for us, we opted for confinement where she couldn't do anything that would risk recovery. Maybe we were paranoid and went overboard but Stella's leg healed very well Lots of big bones and kongs

Ah no, I'm sorry Jodie There are some fairly recent posts here on the subject, we thought Radar might have one on his bum at one stage... Fingers and paws crossed for Ollie, I hope it's been caught early ;)

Stormy, I'm so sorry Run free at the bridge, gorgeous girl :pant:

Fingers crossed for Ollie that it's nothing serious

What a lovely old lady - I'm so sorry Rozzie Run free Lucy

Fifi, I'm so sorry I'm sure that Molly is running at the bridge with Liam, digging holes and lazing in the sun. Run free, gorgeous girl

My parents' ball mad terrier has his tennis balls replaced with lemons. Fetch boy! After a long game he finally punctures it, sucks all the juice out, then tears it in half and he and his doggy mate have half each Their breath smells lemony fresh!

Woooooo hoooooooooooo!!!! Way to go guys!!! ;)

So sorry Mel Run free, Summer