Kelly_Louise

And another one cause it's just too cute...

Hey all, Happy New Year! Koza that's great news... fingers crossed that it will all be okay from here on in. Lucky she seems to like the cage... Chloe hated it and just went mental. I guess you can only do your best, and luck plays its part too. Fingers crossed. Would you consider having another osteotomy if this ligament replacement one didn't work, or are you confident she will heal fine? Chloe is doing okay. I think her other leg is giving her problems. Sometimes it's so hard to know if she is improving or not. But she is using it okay, so I don't know what the best guage is really. Maybe I will take her back for a check up this week sometime. That may be the best way to tell and ease our minds. She bends and flexes the leg when she has to, but otherwise still sits with both back legs straight out under her. I worry about this but maybe it's just not strong enough yet or maybe just habit because of the other bad leg? Too confusing... Well after yesterdays scorcher we had to make plans to move Chloe up the stairs and inside... she loved it, but was quite happy to go back outside when it cooled down. She's never really been comfortable being inside too much. Here is a pic... 4 weeks post op tomorrow...

Hi Aidan, Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of your Bluey's passing. I have a Red ACD girl at the moment "Chloe" who I adore, and before her had a Blue ACD girl "Pepper" who was pts at the grand age of 14. I love my Cattle dogs, they are just so special. And aren't they just the toughest buggers you've ever seen? Apart from being loyal friends as well... Hope all goes well in your search for a new companion. Would love to see pics when you adopt a new puppy. RIP Bluey old boy. I'm sure my Pepper girl will welcome him and show him around up there!

Well, that's some good news hey? Hopefully Stella will mend up again. Gee she is lucky. Wow Koza, I'm really pleased that it is nothing too serious. After all the effort we put into their recovery, it would be such a huge blow for something to go terribly wrong. Some good news for today... Wishing Stella all the best in her recovery... and best wishes to poor you who will slave over her, especially for the next few weeks!

Oh no, that's really terrible news for Stella ... and I can't imagine how distressing for you as well. I'm really sorry to hear that Koza. Is this the knee that originally had the 'string' method? If so, how is the other knee that had TWO? Is it holding up so far? It's just the worst possible scenario isn't it? It's something that I fear very much also. It's just so hard to tell whether you are doing the right thing and they are on the right track, or they are in pain??? Oh it's so much worry. I can understand that many people would struggle with the osteotomy surgeries. I mean, especially around this time of year. I am just so luck that I had been previously saving for a deposit on a house. It's the only way we could afford it to eat into the savings. There was no way my parents could afford it. Does your surgeon have some type of payment plan to take off the load? I know that some do and you can pay it off over time but I'm not sure if it's a usual thing or not. We could just not crate Chloe. She went berserk and even the vet said she would do less damage having a little more room to move than trying desperately to get out. It was really disturbing for me because I know that it is better off to crate them. I feel that if something were to happen that it would be my fault for not forcing her to stay in the crate... Koza, I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for Stella. I'm hoping it's nothing as serious, but it doesn't sound good does it? Please keep me informed and let me know what is going to happen with Stella? I just hate to hear of these operations failing, especially cause it makes me uneasy about Chloe. And if I can be of any help at all, please let me know... Good luck. PS. I hope you also have a great Christmas, but with Stella in such a bad way... well I just don't know what to say. I'm really upset for you both and will send lots of positive thoughts...

Wow she has been through alot in such a short life span... but just think of the long and healthy life she will have in her future!!! I suspected it was something like that, but wasn't too sure. They suspect that Chloe may have had elbow dysplasia when she was younger which is why she has DJD in her front legs now, but she never, ever showed any signs at all... sooooooo? Who knows? I hope you guys have a great Chrissy too... when you do come back on I hope to hear that Mallee has improved alot!!!

Hmmm high 5ing.... I don't think Chloe would go for that one. She can be somewhat selective in what she will or won't do - being the defiant redhead she is - not that I can talk!!!! Shaking hands and the touch game are done under extreme sufferance (basically she does it a few times to shut me up hoping I'll go away)!!!! My sisters little staffy does the high 5 and also 10. She can actually distinguish between hearing 5 and 10 and will give either one or two paws. It's amazing what they know!!! But with our girls bung legs I'm not sure if "giving 10" would ever be quite possible It's great that Mallee is not becoming moody from being in the cage. I also worried about that, but with Mallee being younger it would be more of a concern. But you guys seem to spend so much time with her that it shouldn't be a problem anyway. It's uncanny how adaptable they can be. And just think of all the animals that are locked up and ill treated from cruelty... and if they are rescued most of them have the sweetest natures... I meant to ask you Antoinette, I seem to remember you mentioning that Mallee also had operations on her front legs as well (I may be wrong?? not sure). I was thinking about it the other day, so I just wanted to ask you exactly what the problem with her legs was originally - I don't think I've ever asked you the nitty gritty of it? All I can think is gee, how lucky she was to have ended up with a mum and dad like you guys. Otherwise her fate could have been much different. My girl is going great guns today. She seems to have lifted from the little cloud she was under the last couple of days. She seemed a bit stiff, but is much better now. I think she's also more perky because my mum is home from work. She absolutely adores my mum (probably because dad and I are left to do all the hard work and vet visits etc - mum gets to feed and cuddle only!). Hope everyone is well... only a few days until Chrissy now!!!

Hahahaha, well I have asked Santa for an X-box, so maybe if Chloe is lucky I can let her have a turn!!! Oh if only it was that easy to keep them entertained for hours!!! I have to constantly think of new games to play with Chloe that won't involve her getting up or moving!!! Hey Antoinette, I think it was your thread that someone suggested teaching a dog the "touch" game where you say "touch" followed by an item etc etc etc. Well I started with Chloe just for a bit of fun... and it works!!! She hasn't quite got the names of all the things down yet (and has problems distinguising between bunny and bear!!), but she will touch them if you point out which one it is!!! It's really very funny and gives us all a laugh!!! Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks!!! Thanks for reminding us that there is that light at the end of the tunnel Corine... sometimes I think it's just my imagination!!!

Hi Sonic, thanks for that. It's good to get an opinion from someone who has tried different meds. I also like Previcox because it doesn't seem to affect Chloe as much, and we only give them to her when we think she needs them. You're right, it is quite a bit more expensive... but hey, we go to all the trouble for our little ones so I guess it's worth it hey? Well I certainly feel a bit better about giving her these meds now. I truly didn't know much about them, but I feel more comfortable with them now! Thank you!

Oh Antoinette, she is just too cute!!! But don't you just hate those sad "let me out to play" eyes? It gets me every single time... but I keep reminding myself why we are doing it. It's funny you mention Mallee's progress being up and down. I feel exactly the same. Some days Chloe is really good, others she seems a bit slow and wobbly. I start to worry, then think no I shouldn't, but can't help it. I just keep thinking about how the vet said she is doing really well, and the fact that we shouldn't worry too much unless she stops using it or limps badly etc. Still, you just can't help it can you? Just remember that it's been a long road for little Mallee. And although you probably think you could have done a thousand things better in hindsight (shouldn't have let her roll, scratch, jerk, move too much, should not have turned my back for 2 seconds etc etc etc), think of all the hard yards you and your OH have put in and know that you have done the absolute best you could. It's hard to keep a dog, especially a younger one, down for long... so you've done a great job getting her to this stage already. Not so far to go now. So in saying that, you should absolutely be proud of her smallest achievements. Because most won't recognise it, but they are huge leaps towards her recovery. It really does show that she is getting better and more comfortable. I am the same. It's all I talk about and people must think I'm insane, but when you are put in the situation and it's all you think, dream, worry about... it's only natural!!! I can't wait for the day where I can watch her moving around freely without any worries and smile and be glad that I did the right thing for her. After all the worries, I think when that day comes I will cry like a baby. Definitely keep me posted. Any small improvement is exciting for me too!!! Go the little girls!!! :cool:

Hey Paula, thanks for your support also! It's only a baby step really, but we're on the road to recovery and it feels great!!! It will all be worth it to see my little girl be like a normal doggie again (that's if she ever was to begin with... she sure does get fed better than me!!!). Yes, everytime I go to the vet I worry so much I want to , especially as Chloe really hates it there and is constantly straining for the front door . Luckily there are never many other dogs waiting there as it's a referral only surgery. Although the other day there was the biggest, fattest, monstrous Alaskan Malamute I have ever seen. It was absolutely huge... like a bear really. I can tell you that Chloe (who is usually very interested in other dogs), turned her head and crawled under my legs just a bit further, pretended the other monster wasn't there, but kept it in her peripheral vision... just in case... well he was about 5 times the size of her after all!!!!

Hi Antoinette! No, no exercise as yet - I will wait until I see the surgeon at about 6 - 7 weeks time before she can go out for a short walk in the park. She has her quiet little walks around the yard, and she's content with that at the moment. Her other leg is giving her problems at the moment, so she's a bit down. It didn't help that she ran to try to get to the neighbour the other day. I was horrified. She was on leash but moved so quickly no one had a chance to stop her. Her operated leg is okay, but the other seems to be a bit painful. She's been so good too. But now I make sure that whoever is out with her has the lead firmly wrapped around their wrist... so if she goes, she has to take an arm with her!!! Just goes to show you can never let that guard down. But yes she has settled down, especially at nights so we are all getting more sleep. She is happy with the little bit more space we have given her and is not so anxious or tries to escape now. She doesn't generally move very far anyway, but just likes the option of being able to if she wants to as opposed to not having a choice in her smaller pen. Maybe she is claustrophobic (along with her many other strange habits)? So how is Mallee travelling? It was such good news the other day from the vet. Has she progressed any further? It's like watching a baby take first steps huh? The pride you feel when you see them getting that little bit further everyday. At one stage I wondered if it was cruel to put a dog through these types of operations... but now, I realise that all the money, time, worry etc will be worth it. I'm starting to feel good about it and not so guilty anymore when she looks at me with sad, "confined dog" eyes!!! I just tell her... a few more weeks Honey!!! Thanks for stopping by Antoinette! I also hope you, your OH and little Mallee have a great Christmas and New Year. Hope Doggie Santa leaves lots of little pressies under the tree for Mallee and that the New Year sees her up and about again after all her operations!!!

Hi Nooksmum... glad to hear Nook is feeling a bit better today. I hope that you have some luck with the second opinions from other vets. I too, at first, wondered if putting my 7.5 yo girl through the operation was too much for her, and if perhaps I was just better off letting her have her good and bad days. But the good days certainly were not making up for the bad days. She started to not want to walk at all, and if she did would lag behind and just want to come home. She couldn't run or play ball anymore. She would get into trouble for running or doing anything that would hurt her leg. And if she did manage to run to the fence and give the neighbour a 'woof', she would severely pay for it for the next few days. She was on pain killers every day, and was still struggling. So in seeing all of that, it made the risk of putting her through the surgery so much easier. Okay, she has to be confined for a few months which she hates... but after her recovery she will be able to be a normal, or even semi- normal dog that can run to the fence if she wants and not have to limp back. And best of all, be able to enjoy walks and be able to get up and down with ease again and slow down the deterioration of her joints. At 7.5 yo and so many more years to live, the decision to have the osteotomy was the best decision I have ever made. Even with only one leg done, I can already see the results paying off. I can't wait to have the other one done now. And as Anne explained, with a successful recovery from the osteotomy surgery the ligament no longer poses a problem as the plates stabilise the joints. Not sure of what other treatments Nook is having, but Cartrophen injections and Sasha's Blend have also helped my girl before she had her operation... although she still got progressively worse. Hope everything turns out well and Nook is back to her lively self in no time. She really is a very beautiful girl.

Hi nooksmum! My girl (Red Cattle Dog) has just had a Tibial Wedge Osteotomy on her first leg for her cruciate rupture. She was originally booked in to have similar surgery as what you have been recommended, but it was cancelled as the surgeon thought that for a bigger dog this was not the best way to go. If your budget allows, please consider being referred to a surgeon who will perform an Osteotomy (either tibial wedge osteotomy or tibial plateau levelling osteotomy - there is also a new osteotomy procedure out but not sure of name). I can't tell you how pleased I am with the results so far (12 days post op). My girl Chloe is a different dog. You wouldn't even know she has had surgery. She walks on the leg fine and does not seem to have any pain. And I can say that after seeing the results of the first surgery, I will definitely have her other leg done. I guess it's just a matter of finding the right surgeon, and also being prepared for the post operative care. But any surgery of this nature has similar after care. These osteotomy methods also allow faster healing and weight bearing. I also Googled these procedures beforehand and found a wealth of information on the actual procedures compared with each other, helpful pictures and valuable after care advice. Please, if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me. I am by no means an expert, but am currently going through it and know where you are coming from. Thankfully we were referred to a great specialty surgeon who appears to have done a great job on Chloe's leg. Good luck!

Hi Sonic! How do you find Previcox works for Zach compared to Metacam or Rimadyl? Do you have a preference?

Hey OrangeSammy! Have you decided which way you are going to go with the painkillers. Who would ever have thought that simple painkillers could give us so much to worry about? Thank you for the compliment about Chloe... yes she is the devil disguised as an angel. Poor old legs can't keep her down, but I also think the medications she has been given have helped tremendously (either that or she has one of the most incredible pain thresholds I've ever seen!!!). Yes the stitches came out and all is well so far... I've updated my thread. My bf's old dog had diabetes. She was only diagnosed very late in life (last couple of years of her life). Poor thing suffered so much, but still had a love of life. Does Kimba's feet swell up etc? I just remember seeing so many changes in Sandy. Especially also because she had to be desexed - so of course her whole body shape changed, so not sure if it had anything to do with the diabetes. I really didn't know much about it because it was the first time I'd seen, or known of a dog with diabetes. I cried when they decided to pts, but I have to admit it was the right decision because she had lost the spark in her eye. I don't think she was on any sort of pain meds or anything... but still the poor old girl hung in there for quite some time. Good luck in your search of meds and the right combo for Kimba. She sounds very well loved and I'm sure she is a happy old girl.

Hi all! Well Chloe had her stitches out yesterday!!! Hooray, the first milestone achieved!!! When I mentioned that we were going for a ride in the car (after a few weeks of not really leaving the back yard) - she was ecstatic... little did she know where she was going. But I don't think she cared. To see something different was all she cared about. Poor thing still hasn't figured it out that nearly every time she goes for a ride in the car, she ends up somewhere not fun like the vets, or the surgery... We had a bit of an ominous start to the ordeal though... She was really quite calm in the waiting room of the surgery. Until they called her name. We went one way and she headed straight for the front door. We managed to convince her that she should probably come the same way as the rest of us, but she was very wary, and then SPLAT... fell A over T and ended up with her back legs performing the splits like a well trained gymnast. :p As you can imagine I was horrified and helped her back up, but the surgeon did not seem fussed about it at all (he saw the whole thing). She did not yelp or anything and was still putting full weight on it. Still it was a scare... damn slippery floors in a surgery where most dogs come in have leg problems... ;) So anyway, her stitches came out no problems, she didn't even bat an eyelid. Then he checked her leg and the range of motion etc etc etc. Again, she didn't even lift her head. He said the movement was very smooth, the bones were not grating on each other and was happy with the way she was using it for so soon after the surgery. Then he checked her other (unoperated leg). Well the reaction wasn't quite as calm and relaxed then.... I thought she was going to take his hand off!!! Obviously it's giving her quite a bit of pain, so I think as soon as the other leg is given the all clear it will be back to go through it all over again. Now that I've seen how good she is on her new leg, and how it does not seem to be giving her any pain at all, it's a good omen to bite the bullet and give her the other new leg too. So it was more painkillers for the old unoperated leg, and off we went home. But she has been good otherwise... no more attempts at escaping now that she has the bigger pen. We let her out into the yard (on leash) and sit with her for long periods of time during the day so she doesn't mind her little pen so much now. I guess she just isn't a dog that can tolerate confinement. Either that or perhaps she's just spoilt? Oh who would have thought??? :p Well that's the latest from Chloe. Some good news, which is a relief. Take care all!!!

Where is the best place to buy Rescue Remedy? I've looked online but can't seem to find it...

My girl has a bit of arthritis and has blown her cruciates, and we were given Previcox as a pain relief for when her legs were particularly bad. Actually they seem to work okay. She is also taking them now after her surgery. To tell the truth I haven't done much research on Previcox, but it does not seem to knock her about like Rimadyl (which was prescribed post surgery). Now she is back on Previcox she seems to be pain free but still alert and active. My girl also has regular Cartrophen injections and is given Sasha's Blend mixed in her food. The combination of all these has been really good for her. If I had a choice, I probably wouldn't go with Rimadyl. Not because I've done any research on it, but because they seem to be alot stronger than other pain relief. Good luck and hope Kimba is well.

Hi Antoinette! I'm so glad to hear of Mallee's progress. That is absolutely great!!! It's so reassuring to have a surgeon tell you that it all seems to be going well. After all the hard work and sacrifices you and your OH have made to get Mallee this far, it sort of makes it all worth it doesn't it? Let's hope those 5 steps soon turn into 10, then 15 and so on!!! Her recovery is so close now we can almost smell it!!! It's been a long road for that little girl, so I'm sure you will all be glad when she is well again. So when does the time come to let Mallee walk on her own all the time without any assistance? Or do you gradually have to build it up? Well Chloe goes back to have the stitches out tomorrow. Not by the original surgeon, but by another. It's difficult because our surgeon only works a few days a week.. and it's already been 10 days ( ;) ) tomorrow so they have got to come out. I really don't mind who I hear it from... as long as someone tells me that Chloe is doing okay, I'm happy! I'm not sure why they couldn't give sedatives. The nurse said something about them being way too strong and not suitable, especially now that she is feeling better and moving about more. It's so confusing. I did weeks of research and still feel like I don't really know much! Ya, the sedatives wouldn't hurt me!!! I had to laugh last night I thought I heard a noise so I stood at the window to listen and make sure. I thought I heard Chloe trying to escape again so I ran like a lightning bolt down to her and was gearing up to yell and tell her she was such a naughty girl... and she was curled up asleep. Geez I'm starting to imagine things now!!! Off to take girl for toilet break!!!

Hey thanks Corine... I will surely look into Rescue Remedy! :rolleyes: Well we had a peaceful night last night. We thought up as many measures as possible to eliminate a reoccurence. Firstly, we did not let her sleep as much during the day yesterday (it really is her favourite thing to do). Secondly, we put her to bed much much later than usual. We also escape proofed every possible part of the pen. Now she knows that she could escape, she is very cunning and kept trying out the give and take in the chicken wire. We put large pot plants all around the outside of the wire. We pegged down the wire into the ground at all areas so she couldn't get her nose under (it's all she needs - then she's off). I put a wooden board on the outside of the gate to get in so that she can see it's a solid object and not worth testing the wire there. We kept the radio on for her all night (she really loves hearing the radio). She is a very jumpy (read: weird!!!) dog and doesn't like any strange noises etc etc so to help distract her from any other sounds the radio was left on all night. And lastly, we did not confine her to the very small pen. We left it open so she had access to the pen that is about 3m x 5m. She was more calm with this and didn't move a muscle all night (although I was up at every sound and checking still!!). So we will see how this goes. She doesn't really like to go very far or be overly active in the early hours, so maybe she just wanted some room to stretch her legs and go to the toilet of her own accord? Not sure, but the strict confinement was too much for her. Maybe she is too old for her whole life to change so much... who knows? Anyway, thanks for the concern guys. I can't wait for her to have stitches out so I can also have some reassurance from the vet that she is okay. But honestly, if you didn't see the stitches or the chicken leg there is no way you would ever guess this dog has had surgery. It's remarkable, but we are still being vigilant cause there is a long way to go still... and then there is the other leg... ;) Hope every one and there puppies are well!! :D

Yes you are certainly right there Antoinette... but let me tell you I'm not far off it. Well after days of being really good Chloe has just had enough of being confined. Last night, she pushed her way under 2 very stable wire fences and made her way up the stairs and into the house. I still don't know how she did it. When I checked her the stitches were all intact, and she was walking fine. The leg was not giving her any problems at all. In a panic I rang the vet who said there was nothing that could really be done or worried about unless she was limping or there was a decline in use of her leg (eg not putting weight on it anymore). But everytime I have taken her to the toilet she seems to be walking fine and has no complaints or hesitation getting up or down. I just don't know what to do with her. She is checked nearly every hour during the night. I asked for sedatives or something similar that would see her sleep through the night but they told me there was nothing they could give to her. Tried crating her and she is worse. She becomes like a maniac - and no I'm not exaggerating. I'm really at my wits end and worried sick. I can't remember what sleep is anymore... The vet told me that if she has so much anxiety being so strictly confined that maybe we need to give her a bit more room to move in. The chances of her hurting herself will probably be less that way than the damage she can do trying to escape. I just don't know what to do. :rolleyes:

Thank you very much ... I certainly will have a look. Anything to help her get well again! What would I have done had I not have ended up on these forums??!!!

Haha Corine... I can imagine with his long hair how strange he would look. Sometimes I forget that there is some skin under there somewhere!!! She thinks she is being sexy!... Little does she know... ugh..... Thanks for that Antoinette. That's about what Chloe has as well. Sometimes after she goes to the toilet she lies down in the shade of a tree, so I also sit with her on the grass for a bit - cause it's really hot at the moment. Once she even went to sleep in a couple of minutes. So I sat with her (on the lead of course) until she woke up then slowly made our way back to jail. I agree with your OH... 4 weeks already must seem like a long time. I feel the same about Chloe. I almost forget what it was like to see her running and not having to watch her struggle to get up and down. Even if she never runs around like a loony again, just a jog, a painfree walkie and getting up and down with ease is the most I am hoping for... anything else will be a bonus. Here's hoping all our pups get better soon and we don't have to worry like maniacs about them....

Hi Antoinette! Glad to also hear that Mallee is doing well. Still it's a long way to go isn't it? Seems like forever. Yes Chloe also watches anything that moves (eg flies, bugs, aeroplanes) with intent interest. When I see that she is paying too much attention and her eyes are getting bigger and bigger, I have to tell her "No", but thankfully she doesn't seem interested in chasing them. Sometimes I wonder how others have gone through it. You can just never let your guard down for a second, or else all the hard work can come undone... Anyways, yes she loves being home... especially now that she knows she is staying here and we are not going anywhere or leaving her. Secretly, I also think she's pretty pleased at having an excuse not to get up or do anything. She's always been a bit on the lazy side! May I ask how many times a day Mallee, or indeed any other dog going through the same kind of thing, gets up a day to be taken to the toilet or for any other reason? And do they get up and down in their crates very much? Anyways, it's dinner time for Chloe, so off to fix it up! Take care all!