cartilage operation for my dog - anyone offer advice?

alyth

oh god Julie, just after I made that post she was getting worse, so I had to drag her across the office here to the hall on the rug, all the time telling her we were going to go outside for a wee, I was getting really distressed, and then she just kind of stood up and managed to get outside. Once outside she had a sit down for a minute, then wandered over to the grass and had quite frankly the longer wee I've ever seen a dog do! She then managed to walk back into the house okay. I was crying and praising her at the same time! She then lay down and chomped her bonio!

I've gotten her into the living room and she's absolutely sound asleep thankfully, but she's going to the vets at 7 tonight to get the bandage and splint off.

God I so wish they could speak -I can't stand hearing her whimpering in pain, it's the worst sound I've ever heard in my life, and I do understand that she had to have the operation to make her better, all I can do is really sit and stroke and cuddle her.

I saw that you'd gone back to the vets and had an apology, thank goodness for that, and I really hope Monty's better. Doglet I think is just exhausted and disorientated and hopefully will feel better by the weekend.

It was an impressive wee though, we've worked out she probably hasn't been since Tuesday morning!

orlao

I'm so sorry for all your poor dogs, it's very hard cos we can't explain to them that it'll get better soon and you're soooooo worried about them!

But.....they recover their bounce really quickly and I know they wouldn't give my boy painkillers once he came home in case he got "over confidant" and damaged himself;)

The one thing I've remembered about the recovery time is to watch like a hawk for infection, my boy ended up on MASSIVE doses of antibiotic for 6 weeks because of a bone infection (he didn't seem to feel it tho) and it was only because it was spotted early that it didn't cause the repair to fail....I'd forgotten about that.....and his last op was only 6 months ago!

But he's now back to his original bouncy self big time which if he hadn't had the surgery he wouldn't be. That's why we put them through it IMHO, short term pain so they have a better quality of life in the long term:D


It's still hard though so (((((((Hugs)))))))))) all round

O xxx

alyth

ah well orlao, you are so so right! It took the vet about half an hour to get all the bandages and padding off, and there was a tense moment when a bit was realy stuck to her shaved fur and she got a bit tetchy and tried to pull away, but otherwise she's absolutely fine - we came home, she had a wee, she went straight to her foodbowl and started scoffing! She can walk fine, although you can see it's a bit sore and stiff when she tries to sit down, but it's absolutely amazing the difference now she's has the split and bandages taken off.

Thanks for the warning about the infection, she's got one of those collar things but to be honest so far she doesn't seem bothered by the stitches,she hasn't chewed her leg, I think she's just knackered and needs some tlc and some rest - same goes for me, I am absolutely shattered now! She goes to get the stitches out in 10 days time and I'm guessing that by that stage she'll be like your dog, bouncing around, not realising she's still supposed to be recuperating!

It's been a long week of worry, so I'm off for some hot chocolate, a cuddle with my dog and bed!

I really do appreciate all your postings, cocoluvsmummy good luck with Jess tomorrow, let me know how you get on with her, I can totally empathise with how you're feeling tonight.

mum2one

alyth wrote: »

ah well orlao, you are so so right! It took the vet about half an hour to get all the bandages and padding off, and there was a tense moment when a bit was realy stuck to her shaved fur and she got a bit tetchy and tried to pull away, but otherwise she's absolutely fine - we came home, she had a wee, she went straight to her foodbowl and started scoffing! She can walk fine, although you can see it's a bit sore and stiff when she tries to sit down, but it's absolutely amazing the difference now she's has the split and bandages taken off.

Thanks for the warning about the infection, she's got one of those collar things but to be honest so far she doesn't seem bothered by the stitches,she hasn't chewed her leg, I think she's just knackered and needs some tlc and some rest - same goes for me, I am absolutely shattered now! She goes to get the stitches out in 10 days time and I'm guessing that by that stage she'll be like your dog, bouncing around, not realising she's still supposed to be recuperating!

It's been a long week of worry, so I'm off for some hot chocolate, a cuddle with my dog and bed!

I really do appreciate all your postings, cocoluvsmummy good luck with Jess tomorrow, let me know how you get on with her, I can totally empathise with how you're feeling tonight.

Hi
Im glad shes getting better, does make a massive difference when they lose the bandaging etc, you need to rest away, its been a long few days, big hugs for you both. xx

mum2one

cocoluvsmummy wrote: »

I dont think Jess is going to look at me ever agin, vets just rung, op went well and the joint was remodled to stop the use of the crucient ligamant. now shes on painkillers and they are keeping her in until tomorrow... shes NEVER been away from me for this long before, think im sooo going to get the cold shoulder tomorrow

#

Hows Jess, hope shes going on ok, once shes got back home the cold shoulder treatment b forgotten, she will be more interested in getting back to the house.
You both take care xx

cocoluvsmummy

Now im pacing the floor waiting for the vet to ring me about how shes been and when i should go and get her. I gave in and rang before i went to bed last night and she was settled and still had her drip in so that they can keep giving her pain killers without sticking a needle in her.


alyth so glad your pooch sounds better and is able to move a little more without the splint, keep me updated

JCR

Glad to hear that your dog is feeling better alyth and hope your dog is ok cocoluvsmummy. I went to the vets last night and she said Monty's stitches/wound were doing well, but emphasised the need to keep it dry and prevent infection, so last night he had his collar on and was not happy about it. There was some barking and whining, but he he settle down eventually. I too am shattered and am glad that it is nearly the weekend. As you say alyth it has been a hard week - stresses and strains all the way. This damn weather doesn't help either - it's hard to get them out without getting the stitches wet when it's raining all the time - I had a towel on Monty's back when we went for our short walk, needless to say it kept falling off!!!

Anyway I hope all on here have a good weekend and their dogs are all feeling better.

cocoluvsmummy

Well we've been back for an hour. She was so pleased to be home and rushed sraight off for a massive drink of water, tried to have a sleep and then started to whine again, have ventured into my extreamly wet and muddy garden with her and she eventually managed to wee after squatting several times, crying and getting up again. phew.. shes now asleep on OHs feet.
the list of restrictions is mind boggling, no shiney floors, no stairs for 6 weeks, keep in 1 room if possible, walks after 2 weeks just 5 mins a day building up. Shes got no collar thingie on though and a dressing over her leg though no external stitches to try to pull off if she does get the dressing off. though i may have to remover it later myself and find a fresh one as its full of blood from all the moving around.

thanks all for your hugs

more hugs back to you and your dogs
Cath

alyth

God, it really has been a week for the three of us with our dogs - I'm glad to hear both of you have got throught the worst of it, and have your dogs at home where you can both give them some tlc - I've just sat on the floor and hand-fed doglet her tea, I wonder who's being taken for a mug here!

Cocoluvsmummy you're right about the list of restrictions, however, in typical doglet style I got up this morning, she was fine, on the floor, went back upstairs to have my shower, came out of the bathroom - she's lying at the top of the stairs - of course, not supposed to do that. However, what she then did was walk downstairs and sit at the back door, obviously wantiing to go out. I opened the door, reached to get her lead, turned round and she's wandered off! She was out for about 5 mins, as OH said she probably had a wee, a sniff, then lay outside as she normally does.

However, OH was working from home this morning, and he rang me to say she was lying on the sofa! Thankfully we'd taken the cushion off, but OH had put his laptop on the seat to stop her going on it, and she's pushed it off! Sodding dog!! She must had lain there all day though, and all she's done tonight is get off the sofa and lie in the hall. We tried to put the collar thing on her last night but she wasn't having any of it, and I've checked her stitches tonight and she doesn't seem to touch them or be bothered by them. Cocoluvsmummy I've got exactly the same restrictions for doglet as you have, how on earth can we tell them they have to play by the rules for a little while! And I agree JCR, it's chucking it down here tonight and blowing a gale, I've opened the door to let her out but she doesn't seem to want to go at all, so I'm just leaving her in the hall, she seems fine, just a bit tired, but then aren't we all!

I'm glad that everything worked out for us all in the end, I'm having a large vodka then planning a night on the sofa!

cocoluvsmummy

Shattered having slept on the sofa with Jess on the floor whimpering on and off all night. Shes not eaten anything other than some ham so far (with various medication mixed in), but that wont do the big lump any harm.

alyth and JCR thanks for the support

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