Dexter's Surgery

[Cosmolo]

My 5 yr old bull arab type has just come home from having surgery after he ruptured a cruciate. He has cruciate disease so there is a 50% chance the other one will go as well. He has hip dysplasia in both hips and elbow dysplasis in both elbows. I have no idea whether we've done the right thing in doing the cruciate surgery but the specialist said it was the only option. The longer he stays not weight bearing on the bad leg the more pressure will be on the other 3- meaning we could create more problems in his hips and elbows and increase the chances of the second cruciate rupture.

He is currently not eating unless i am there- wouldn't eat anything at the vet as he stayed there over night after surgery yesterday. Problem is i go to Perth next week for work so it is going to be very stressful if he is still not eating properly by then.

I feel like we've made him so unhappy. He has gone from limping a bit but still his normal self to no weight bearing and looking positively miserable which in turn makes me miserable.

[ness]

Hugs Cosmolo. Hopefully he will pick up soon enough. The first 24-48 hours are the supposedly the roughest things do improve.

[OSoSwift]

YEp the first few days are awful and the do really look bad. I had the same feelings after having Rommi's done and all her otehr joints legs were fine. She looked so very sore. Gave her a few days thougha dn she came ahead in leaps and bounds, within a few weeks she was vastly improved, now I am VERY glad we did it.

[Lollipup]

I'm sorry Dexter is going through this. I can only imagine how hard it must be. I'm sure he will improve by the time you go away. Do you have someone he knows looking after him while you're gone?

Edited May 7, 2013 by Lollipup

[Cosmolo]

Now there is blood dripping from under the bandage. Might be going to the emergency vet.

My husband will look after him when i'm gone- and Dexter loves him too, but clearly not as much as me.

[*kirty*]

Hugs Tamara! Maisie was pretty out of it after her surgery too. Has he got a pain patch on? I found it made her really groggy but she still needed Ace tablets to keep her calm! I'm assuming you will still be taking him everywhere with you, which I found helped Maisie settle and made it easier to keep her quiet. Maisie's recovery was quite slow but she is great now. Got everything crossed for Dexter. :)

ETA Just saw your post. Maisie's wound didn't bleed at all so I'd definitely call the vet and ask their advice.

Edited May 7, 2013 by *kirty*

[Cosmolo]

I have spoken to someone about the bleeding (which seems to have stopped now) and they have said to monitor for now but leave him be.

We went to try and cut the bandage off to check the wound(which the discharge nurse said we could do) and he screamed like i have never heard. I promptly had a self induced asthma attack/ panic attack and sobbed on the floor. Very helpful.

Kirty there is no way he will be able to come anywhere with us- he will just get too excited.

[Guest Clover]

for you Cosmolo. It is so hard watching them when post op wondering if you have done the right thing. Get well soon Dexter.

[bianca.a]

I am sending you both a gentle hug, it is awful to see them like that. When my boy had his THR, I was in tears just listening to his whimpering. I hope he is feeling a little brighter in the morning.

[Tassie]

Hope Dexter is feeling better this morning (and you).

[Leema]

So sorry to hear that Dexter and you are having such a hard time. I hope he is back to himself soon.

[OSoSwift]

HOw is he going today?

It is ehart breaking. Rommi had a little bleeding but didn't have a bandage as she had a TTO. I just left it as if I even looked like touching it she would move it and cry.

[Cosmolo]

I have just come back from the vet. Took him back as there was an incredible amount of swelling around his hock and it started to bleed again. I really don't like the vets and vet nurses there.. Vet nurse had a look first and said the swelling was normal the day after surgery (even though the surgery was Monday)- why wasn't i told this yesterday on discharge??? She then asked if he had been licking at it, i said no (the bandage was clearly untouched) and she replied with "do you leave him alone" and when i said yes she scoffed a bit and said he needs an e collar. They said yesterday that he didn't need one so i find that frustrating.

Then a different specialist had a look out the back- i couldn't go out with him for some reason. Came out and said 'she' was okay and that he'd expect it to settle down in a few days. Calling him a she made me wonder whether he had even had a proper look. Have been told to ice it three times a day- no idea how as i doubt he is going to let me- and see how he goes.

I am seriously thinking about going to see my own vet if i am still not happy with it tomorrow.

[OSoSwift]

If you are not happy go to your own vet. They do not sound particularly understanding.

My girl didn't need an e-collar as it was far too sore. The very did say at the first sign of her even thinking abuot licking it to put and e-collar on as her skin is so thin, but it wasn't necessary.

Fingers crossed he feels better very soon. Rommi had quite a bit of swelling that slipped downa round her hock and lower leg, it was quite odematous, but did resolve over time.

[ness]

Cosmolo have a look at the Top Dog Home rehab guides - http://topdoghealth.com/home-rehab-guides/

Even if you are following a rehab plan from the vet it provides some useful pointers on when to worry and what to expect at varying stages.

[Cosmolo]

That's a good link thanks Ness.

OsoSwift- how long did it take your dog to get back to full function? Were there particular rehab exercises that you did?

[megan_]

Has the specialist recommended physio once things settle down? DisGusting sees Michelle monk who is a proper animal physio who is doing her masters. Her center has underwater treadmills etc. She is fantastic.

ETA; she sees a lot of post-op dogs for rehab

Edited May 8, 2013 by megan_

[OSoSwift]

That's a good link thanks Ness.

OsoSwift- how long did it take your dog to get back to full function? Were there particular rehab exercises that you did?

We don't have a physio or anything so I was told that for two weeks she had to be crated and only out to toilet three times a day, then she could have very short walks when toileting, then she was allowed free but only in the dog run - 2 metres wide and 4.5 metres long(including the house bit)and on lead for toilets, then allowed in the small yard - 17 metres X 10 metres.

It was 10 weeks and a check up before she was given the all clear to run free without other dogs, and around 3 weeks after that running with other dogs but with supervision etc.

The links Ness has given you are great, she also gave them to me and they were very helpful.

If I had of had access to a pool I would have taken her swimming, but it was too cold in the ocean and she cramps in cold water. I think swimming is one of the best rehab exercises you can do for pretty much any ortho or cruciate surgery.

Having said that she has come out quite well, it has taken her time to build her muscle up and it isn't exactly the same but that close you would be hard picked to find the difference.

[ness]

I will just make a comment about the pool and swimming. Free swimming is great for cardio/fitness type rehab but certainly not of to much value in post-op recovery. Apparently it doesn't do a brilliant job of rebuilding sufficient muscle in the hind end and its not controlled enough for rehab. Underwater treadmill if you can afford it and can get access to one locally is a much better alternative. Well thats what the rehab guy in the US has been telling me.

Other excises to help improve hind end muscle mass are reversing back onto an object i.e. the reverse of the end stage of a 2o2o/having the dog perform a "squat" using a variety of props including off-balance props like balance discs/peanuts/donuts.

Plenty of time for that later the most important part is letting them rest and recover.

[OSoSwift]

Interesting, I mainly wanted to do it for freedom of motion to help loosen up ligaments etc that get stiff and tight when legs are not being walked on properly.

Please excuse any typo's got a Sphynx helping by sleeping on my other arm!!!!