Leah is home

[Leahjean]

Have my girl home now and her poor little leg is so swollen and bruised :(, she is real mean to Baron tho,he is sniffing to make sure it's her and one sniff isn't enough so she growls,he backs off and looks sad...he smells medicine and never has seen her hurt,let along with a bald leg too, yup,we will have to eat macaroni for a long time,but she is fixed,hopefully ,she goes back in 6 weeks as I will take the sutures out..She is so restless tonight,it's 3:30 AM amd she doesn't want to stay in bed,first time I have had a minute to get on the computer to let you sweethearts know,she sems good ,they sent her home on 2xRrymadyl a day ,I might just give her one,she is supposed to take them for 5 days...They say if she starts licking it to go to my vet and get a collar,can just see her wearing it...she is miserable enough without that stiff thing around her neck,they also say dogs like to mutilate them selves,She doesn't seem to be interested in that,only Moriah the Dobie does that always has,took her spay stitches out the first nightSo I used elastic bandage,it worked,likes to chew her feet,but I spray them with anti itch and she quits as she doesn't like the taste I guess....So anyway Leah is here and in the day she has been home and tonight I am so tired,just the stress of making sure of everything,it does get better doesn't it???iif I hadn't caught her tonight,she would have jumped from my high bed...So I put another bed beside mine a Dog bed that Baron uses,he feels left out,i feel :( I'm probably just rambling,so I will go back to bed,put the A/C on as it seems hot in here ,she is lying by the register in this room,maybe she was too hot and will sleep better now,Any tips will be appreciated,except a crate,I live in a mobile home and no room for a toothpick,let alone a crate....Love ya all,Jean

[Anne]

Jean honey, she should not be jumping either on or off the bed. Best and safest way is to keep her crated for at least 4 weeks. This rehab. period is crucial to her eventual recovery. All movement must be limited, i.e. no walking around, only potty on leash.

My ortho told me all surgery goes about the same but what is critical is the recovery/nursing she receives. This is what makes the difference in a quick and complete success of the TPLO.

If you crate her then the other dogs will not bother her and she won't get upset with their investigations of her. She needs to be kept very quiet and needs to feel very safe in her environment.

She has just been through major surgery and must put no stress on the limb at all.

I'm glad the surgery is over, it's a very stressful time for both you and Leah. Please keep posting updates. I have been thinking about how you are going with her. Oh! yeah. I know all about the $$$$, 2 x TPLO's in 12 months has put me in the poor house too.

[Anne]

Oh I just read your post again. No room for a crate - can you gate off a very small area for her to stay in. She really has to be kept immobile. Give her bones, stuffed kongs, a teddy---things to occupy her so she will not feel bored.

[JD102175]

Poor, poor, Leah. Brodie sends her sloppy Rott'n kisses, as he knows what she's going through. Have you been putting ice on her knee at all? Someone here told me to make up an ice pack and keep it on Brodie's knee for 20 min. at a time when I was home to do so. It really helped with the swelling and bruising. He had very little swelling and almost no bruising. Did they just send you home with the Rimadyl? They didn't give any kind of anti-biotic to you? We were given two pills to give to Brodie. One was a pain med and the other was an anti-biotic to help stave off any bone infections.

Number one thing is to keep Leah quiet and off that leg for as long as possible for the first few weeks. I hope she starts to fell better soon. Brodie was a bear for the first week or so because he felt so crappy.

Jaime

[Judi W]

Give her her own room if you can't crate. A bathroom with a nice doggy bed works just fine.

Don't discount the pain meds. For that period of time, they are not dangerous and pain medication promotes healing. Although this has been known for a long time in humans, it is also now being used for our animals as well. (took them long enough). The meds reduce inflamation as well.

[Bucky's Mom]

I have no advice just wanted to send good wishes and positive thoughts your way - take care - Lisa (Bucky's Mom)

[spoteet]

Best wishes and hoping for a complete recovery:D

[mmgy]

Do you have an ex-pen?? Her discomfort should ease in a day or two, but I know how hard it is to see her in misery. Just keep looking to the future, and how good she's going to feel in a few weeks!

[alex221]

I would have to agree with the advice to keep Leah, at least, gated to a small area. After care is all important now. Alex is approaching 6 weeks post TPLO, (second time) so we know just what you're going through. Take a few deep breaths and stay relaxed, but don't relax your guard. Everything will get better soon.

Best of Luck to you both!


Lisa & Alex

[Rott-Wiley]

It is really important that you don't allow her to jump on or off you bed or do any jumping at all for that matter. You need to confine her and give her the Rymadyl.

[Brooke&Ryan]

I'm wishing your girl a safe & comfy recovery. Please know that I'm thinking about you guys!

:)
Brooke

[Sharon Marples]

I'm hoping her recovery goes well, but I am with the others, get a crate or ex-pen or confine her to a space no larger than 6 x 6 where she cannot jump on anything. You can always lock her in the bathroom if you need to. All she needs at this point is to have enough room to lay down, nothing more.

Jumping is one of the worst things she could do for at least six weeks after surgery.

If you want the surgery to be a success, get her confined.

[K-9Girl]

I wish that I had some really good advice for you, but I don't. Just wanted to say that I hope that Leah has a fast recovery. You both are in my thoughts.:) Take care.

Sara