Update on little Leahs TPLO...

[Leahjean]

Hi Friends,still don't feel up to posting on this little girl,but know I will feel better hearing from you'all....She had her surgery,this Leg injury was even worse than the first in Nov..It was repaired,I waited in the lobby anf saw so many beautiful dogs Most with Cancer ,Dobes and Goldens,but also saw a little girl,not sure if pure bred,but small dog,had a pacemaker put in,really great huh?? that they can do this..another ????su ,was having cataracts taken off and back surgery,was 11+ yr. we really love our pets, anyway,after Leah was awake for awhile I went to see her,it was evening,as we were walking to the "intensive care" I heard howling I said to the tech "is that Leah" she said yes" that is all she has been doing,when I knelt in front of her floor crate,she stopped,and the others stopped barking...all had peace,but all I cared about at that point was my girl,selfish huh??? anyway her eyes were droopy and all red,shw was shivering,they had an IV Bag filled with hot water,it was too hot in my opinion,buy they know I guess,she had blankets also,of course I asked why all that,they told me she was sub normal on temp and heartbeat or pulse....anyway I was quite scared,I lay in front of her and held her front legs and neck the best I could hold her..she calmed down alot, her leg was so swollen and is still hasn't gone down much..I left so they could do her temp and pulse again,they wouldn't do it with me there....I told her to call up front and give me results please,which she did..better,but not as well as they wanted, she did better by morning...Her hock is swollen too,was horrible but a little better now, The worst problem beside the leg swelling and mobility as the other leg was hurting again before this tear happened..so she really doesn't have command of either leg and can'ty walk hardly at all,I made a helper for helping her motivate...She will not eat!!!!!!! maybe one bite of raw from my hand,I gave her some earlier with Baron having his,she usually won't take a chance of him getting hers,but today and all week hasn't cared and won't even entertain the idea of eating,I have called Medvet but they don't have any idea,altho they told me to call if she wouldn't eat.....So it is day 8 post surgery now, and probably friday I will have stitches out and have my vet check her...I am thawing ground meat now,wonder if I cooked it????I am beside myself.....I cry watching her just lay,I have to get Matt to help me when he gets home from work when we can work together,If I pick up her back end she lays her front down ,Madonna was laughing earlier today,(BRAT) Matt(my Son) gets the back and I get the front and we can get her up,they wanted me to walk her 5 to 10 min 3times daily plus my doing range of motion knee flexes and ankle bends also X3,she can't even think of walking that long with Matt and I helping her,she has 2 sore legs for pity sakes,I see the Idea,but gosh I couldn't do it either if I had that surgery...I just make her do what she can.... :o, Well I am getting quite long on this,if anyone has any Ideas on feeding,Oh yeah he wants her on a 1100 calorie diet...He said call a dog food place whatever I use 800 number,but he says they always make it more as they are in the dog food selling business..So do any of you know how to figure a 1100 calorie in dog food....Gotta go..Leah woke up howling,now Baron is doing it too.....

[frontierrots]

California Natural Chicken & Rice is 511 calories per cup and Healthwise is 408 calories per cup. Figure out calories per cup and then how many cups she can eat :)

[Leahjean]

Frontierrotts,Bless your heart sweetie,I've been calling and no one knows from the numbers I have jotted down from Bags,just hope I can find the food in my area...Gosh that would be a lifesaver if it's that easy and she likes it too......Big Hugs...

[frontierrots]

If the only requirement he put on the diet was total calories per day then yup it's that easy.

Pick a food she likes, find the calories per cup and feed her the amount per day that totals the vet's calorie limit. The two choices I gave are equal in most dog's taste :) so I personally would feed the Healthwise because it is less calories , so I could feed more volume per day.

It gets more complex if you want tofeed treats, BUT if you only feed a couple special ones a day just feed a bit less kibble. AND save aside a quarter cup of kibble from her daily ration and hand those out 1 piece at a time for treats

[Judi W]

I am so sorry the poor girl is going through this. We do these things with expectations of success and it is frightening to think it might not have that result. Hang in there. I have no advice but best wishes for recovery.

[flyballmom]

Hang in there and come join us at Orthodogs (a Yahoo group) if you'd like. Lots of good support and folks going thru difficult surgeries. Keep us posted, hopefully once the newest surgery leg is feeling better she'll start mobilizing a bit better. The first week is tough...

[LORHEL]

I am so sorry your girl has to go through this. You are such a good momma to her, and I know she feels that love despite all her pain. You are both in my prayers. I hope she can find some comfort soon. Give her lots of scratches from me.

[Brooke&Ryan]

My thoughts & prayers are with your girl. I'm praying that she heals.

(((HUGS)))

[flyballmom]

Wondering how Leah is doing? Hopefully much better. Let us know...

[Leahjean]

Thanks for being so kind helpful and caring,feels good when people care ...She got her stiches out today,She has the hardest time getting up as neither leg is strong,she depended so on the good leg,she didn't use the other enough So it never became what you'd call strong,altho I did walk her daily and tried to get her to use it,then the next one goes and now we have no strong one,They told me not to force her right away,if I take her out to pee and such,she pees and lays down,forget trying to get her up for awhile....But they want her on NO pain pills for this time,until healing is nearer or she( of course)will forget she is not able to use this leg,heck with that prednisone,she felt no pain and he gave it to her,I took it away with one's help here for surgery.they were pleased by that by that..I got the Dog food ,but won't really eat yet,they don't seem to worry,but I asked how can she heal and be strong without eating,they say she will eat when hungry....I had to run out this eve for a few minutes,she didn't want to go in the car at all,and that is her fav thing ,but if it just goes to the Doctors,SHE ISN"T GOING,I guess!! when I got back she was laying in the same place,I felt so bad,I got my Son to help her walk some with helping up her hips,I can't get both,I get the front and he the back,that is how much is hurts to get up,now that is so hurtful to me.But it won't be twoweeks until Monday,but she was alot better the first time because of her Strong leg...yeah we think we are getting them well,but then it seems like they aren't,I guess we just hold on tight to our faith and he in his wisdom and time will let Leah be well again and maybe like new,one thing for sure she won't tear her knees again.....Thanks again for all your prayers and good wishes,big hugs,

[flyballmom]

Don't worry about her not wanting to walk at this point...less than 2 weeks is still WAY early with TPLO. A little weight bearing does aid bone healing, but it's best not to force it. I really think that to some extent these guys know what's best. I'm not sure I agree with the vet not wanting her on pain meds. Is she not even on Rimadyl or another NSAID? Not even Ascriptin? If she was a little less uncomfortable it might be easier for you to talk her on potty walks. Anyway, hang in there. She'll get stronger as time goes on. Healing thoughts coming Leah's way.

Originally Posted by Leahjean

Thanks for being so kind helpful and caring,feels good when people care ...She got her stiches out today,She has the hardest time getting up as neither leg is strong,she depended so on the good leg,she didn't use the other enough So it never became what you'd call strong,altho I did walk her daily and tried to get her to use it,then the next one goes and now we have no strong one,They told me not to force her right away,if I take her out to pee and such,she pees and lays down,forget trying to get her up for awhile....But they want her on NO pain pills for this time,until healing is nearer or she( of course)will forget she is not able to use this leg,heck with that prednisone,she felt no pain and he gave it to her,I took it away with one's help here for surgery.they were pleased by that by that..I got the Dog food ,but won't really eat yet,they don't seem to worry,but I asked how can she heal and be strong without eating,they say she will eat when hungry....I had to run out this eve for a few minutes,she didn't want to go in the car at all,and that is her fav thing ,but if it just goes to the Doctors,SHE ISN"T GOING,I guess!! when I got back she was laying in the same place,I felt so bad,I got my Son to help her walk some with helping up her hips,I can't get both,I get the front and he the back,that is how much is hurts to get up,now that is so hurtful to me.But it won't be twoweeks until Monday,but she was alot better the first time because of her Strong leg...yeah we think we are getting them well,but then it seems like they aren't,I guess we just hold on tight to our faith and he in his wisdom and time will let Leah be well again and maybe like new,one thing for sure she won't tear her knees again.....Thanks again for all your prayers and good wishes,big hugs,

[Leahjean]

Nope,not even Rimadyl, when she was discharged they gave me 1 weeks worth or 2Xdaily for 1st. 7 days...but she was so swollen and sore she couldn't even try to stand,in fact she layed on the floor at the clinic and refused to go home with me!!!!!everyone was laughing but me,as I knew her pain,I sat down with her and held her for awhile then told her I had to go and she and I got her up,they asked if I needed help,which was kinda appearant,(sp) I said yes,just to the car,but when Leah got up we just left couldn't tell them anything fearing she would lay back down.....The rimadyl didn't budge that pain that first few days..Maybe I will call Columbus and see if they want her on something,I bought buffered aspirin last evening,when she wouldn't come with me,my other bottle was empty...Haven't given them as I was trying to decide on whether to give her the few prednisone I have left from the previous visit when we didn't know the source of her pain... Now that we know or think we know it was this left knee,maybe the right will still hurt when we get her well...That is not good thinkin' is it....???anyway do you think I should chance the pred or the bufferin???or call up there,those girls don't seem too sharp,guess I need to talk to the vet,but fat chance for that...Thanks again and I am going to check out Orthodogs,good of you to tell me, as I am only thinking wildly these days..no focus...it's 4:30 and she hasn't pee'd yet,can't get her off of my porch has 6 steps ,Matt will be home soon and we will have to make her go,the vet said the steps are no problem,but for her I think they are too much right now.....Monday will be 2 weeks....

[Bucky's Mom]

Poor girl - I hope she feels better soon

[Omega]

She is in our prayers

[Brooke&Ryan]

Still sending healing vibes your sweet girls way!