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Surgery Recovery-Luxating Patella
Surgery Recovery-Luxating Patella
Found [19] Posts :: Page 1 of 1
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tlowife
Posted: 10:02:46 AM 4/3/2008
My baby girl, Bonnie, luxated her patella and wound up requiring surgery. This was 4 weeks ago (today). Since day one we were amazed at her recovery. She was walking amazingly fine, and seemed to have no issues. We have been keeping her to minimal exercise (very hard to do when she is to be 11 months on Saturday, and her brother (from same litter) only wants to play). Only yesterday has she been showing signs of pain, and is using the leg minimally. I called the surgeon, and he says a little pain is good, and it will discourage playing (yea, right.. she's fine on 3 legs too).

I'm worried. She never had any issues since the surgery, now all of the sudden it seems we've taken a step back.

Has anyone else's baby had this surgey? what was the recovery time and outcome? am I being psycho-mommy (as my husband calls it)? Should I freak out and demand the surgeon see her before her 5 week check up appointment next Friday??

Any advise or words of wisom would help.

BTW Bonnie is the White dog in the pic, and Clyde is the brown one. Bonnie is 43 pouns, and Clyde is 65 (he's like a wrecking ball and it's been my biggest challenge to keep him from re-injuring her trying to play)
pen
Posted: 10:35:07 AM 4/3/2008
My advice would be to keep the' wrecking ball' away from your dog with the surgery. Any rough playing, or sideways hip check from him could tear the repair, and you'll end up doing it again. What breeds are your dogs? Usually dogs with patella surgery act like nothing happened, that's why it's so hard to keep them inactive.
What grade of luxation did your dog have?
tlowife
Posted: 11:36:38 AM 4/3/2008
They are Mutts. Some kind of mix with a bully breed. We think The father was an american bulldog. The mother was a boxer mix. They're rescue dogs.

It's so hard keeping Clyde from Bonnie. They're been together since birth (that's how I wound up with two.. because when I tried to take Bonnie, Clyde cried so hard, I couldn't bear to separate them, and wound up adopting two).

I do keep them as separate as possible. I bring Bonnie to work with me everyday to prevent "daytime playtime" while I am away at work, but I won't be able to continue that much longer. I'm just worried about her and her recovery.
tlowife
Posted: 11:39:24 AM 4/3/2008
Oh yea, luxation grade was a high two, almost a three. The progression was quick. I noticed her limping on and off on a tuesday. Took her to the vet wednesday. By monday (when she had the surgical vet appt) it had gotten so bad that the patella seemed out more than in. We scheduled surgery for Thursday (1 week and two days after 1st noticing a problem), and by then she was even worse and it was getting difficult to "pop" it back in.
pen
Posted: 12:36:18 PM 4/3/2008
That leads me to believe that the luxation was probably injury related, not genetic.
I hate to say this, but you will have to keep Clyde away from her.
Perhaps you could take them for a short walk together, and then crate them alternately.Clyde looks like a big boy, and if the patella comes out again, the vet might not be able to repair it.
I know this is not great for you, but for the sake of your dog, I would really concentrate on keeping them seperated for the next month. Do you have a relative close by that would take that big oaf Clyde?
lpn169
Posted: 1:07:42 PM 4/3/2008
Was this one leg only>
If you dont mind me asking, what did you pay for a single leg repair?
People are like slinky's, not really good for much. But its still fun to push them down the stairs.
Posted: 3:03:12 PM 4/3/2008
After my little one had his patella surgery, I kept him
confined for eight weeks. No play at all.

I've known a few dogs, who've had the surgery twice.

One gal had her regular vet do it the first time.
She ended up taking her dog to an orthopedic specialist
and having it done again.

I have another dog who will be having the surgery in a
couple of weeks.
goldenpaws
Posted: 9:57:06 PM 4/3/2008
Restricting activity is soo important with this surgery. More so for the good leg than the one that had the surgery. I work at a vet clinic, and so often we see dogs come back 6 months to a year after the first surgery and have the other leg done because they were too active and put to much of a strain on the good leg. Be careful with your baby, you don't want to go through this twice.
Basset_Lover
Posted: 11:07:11 AM 4/5/2008
Any updates on the recovery of your dog from her surgery. Please do your best to keep her quiet and inactive while she is recovering. You don't want to put her through surgery again, at your own negligance.

Pictures please.

Basset_Lover
You can't stay young forever. You can, however, remain immature, always.
Posted: 2:10:15 PM 5/6/2008
My yorkie Coco Chanel (3y/o) had luxating Patella surgery on 4/23/08. She was a grade 2 on left leg and 3 on the right. We had both knees done at the same time! At frist I thought it was mean to do both but after thinking about all of the pro's and con's I decided it was best for Coco to have both done at the same time. She is a yorkie and anyone that owns a yorkie will know what I am talking about but they are crazy they dont get the terrier name for nothing. By day 3 she was slowly walking around the kitchen only a few steps but was using both legs. Exercise has to be restricted for 6 weeks I son't know how Coco is going to stay calm. She has both legs bandged up and she gets her bandges off tomorrow . I really have not noticed any signs of pain (thank goodness ) She is on Medacam once a day she is only 7 lbs so she gets 1 drop per lb. By day 8 I had her down to 4 drops per day. Very slowly we will reduce the meds to see how is is handeling! Find a surgen that you like and trust and one who dose this alot.
Posted: 3:04:34 PM 5/21/2008
I'm glad to read the above post. My Pom is scheduled for surgery tomorrow on both of his hind legs. I'm just terrified. My vet recommends doing both at once, but I know this is disputed. I'm starting to think I should get a second opinion and have one scheduled with the premier ortho vet in the city, but at the same time I don't want to wait as I'd like to get him out of discomfort as soon as possible.

I'll update after I make my choice.
Posted: 10:47:00 PM 6/28/2008
How are your dogs doing after the surgery? My 9 month old Papillon has congenital luxating Patellas that have in the last 2 weeks gotten very bad. I took her to the vets last week and she was suppose to have the surgery on the worse one which is a grade 3/4 friday but due to numerous emergencies at the vets it was postponed until this coming weds. Her other leg is getting much worse. I guess with the pressure it is taking. It is at a 2 and I think rapidly heading towards a grade 3. She is on a lot of crate rest to keep it from getting worse. She will have surgery done on the second leg approx. 6 weeks after the first one depending on healing. She is very uncomfortable now and I can't wait for Weds because her quality of life at this time is not good but of course I am very nervous. I don't want her to reinjure the fixed leg and at the same time not make the other leg worse.
What is the main recommendations after surgery the people have found beneficial. I was told you want her to use the leg that had surgery on it to get it to heal quicker and keep muscles strong around the leg. Not running jumpin or anything but slow leash walks. I think not the first week or so either but will find out a bit more from the vets. She will also go to a doggie physiotherapists who is supposedly amazing.
I really hope all goes well and she can get back to her happy loving old self.
Carla
Posted: 10:00:07 AM 7/3/2008
I had surgery on my 3 year old pug two days ago for luxated patella in her left leg. The cast goes from her hip down and it's been extremely difficult to keep her resting, as it's obviously uncomfortable. She'll find a comfortable spot to lay down and fall asleep and within 15 minutes she's back up again. I'm hoping that she's more comfortable when the cast comes off in 4 days. I just feel horrible for her. Anyone anticipating this surgery - should realize it's a big deal and that a large time committment will be needed following surgery. I was under the impression I'd bring her home and she could sleep, which would make recovery easy. As she usually sleeps all day when I'm at work. But with the discomfort, that's not the case. I pray she improves each day and hope these six weeks go by fast and that it was worth it! Good luck and god bless to anyone else who's taking their babies in for the same surgery. It's tough on the dog parents too.
cdog
Posted: 12:03:17 PM 7/13/2008
My dog Heidi(she is a terrier/maltese mix only 12lbs approx 1 year old) had surgery for a luxating patella on June 10th on one leg it was a grade 3. We are just starting our 5th week of post surgery recovery. She was confined to her crate for the first 4 1/2 weeks and now is confined to a small run area with baby gates. She still favors the leg and pulls it up when trotting in the backyard. We do our leg stretched twice a day and she still favors the leg. I has been rough on Heidi since she likes to run and jump and being confined is depressing for her. We bring the gates outside so she can feel like she is still apart of the family and summer fun. We can't wait until we are back to normal. Our vet has been amazing we go for check ups every 2 weeks for the 6 weeks of confinment. We are allowed to do small walks around the backyard and hope to build back up to our 2 miles per day again! I have just been looking for other who have experienced the same type of surgery.It was hard in the beginning but the more freedom we allow her the better it has gotten for everyone.
Posted: 10:28:39 PM 7/22/2008
Dumpling is doing well 3 weeks after her surgery. The first 5 days were hell and we're glad that's behind us. Now that she's feeling good the hard part is keeping her from playing or running about. We have her blocked off in our family room and have been watching TV and sleeping alongside her on the floor. Can't wait to get back on my couch again! We go back to the surgeon on Monday for a check up. The next 3-5 weeks can't go by fast enough! I have abolished all visitors from our house because her nature is to jump up and greet them. She can't wait to see her friends and neither can I! lol
Posted: 12:10:53 AM 7/29/2008
Thank you to all for such encouraging reports of recovery.
My Cavalier Fergie has her surgery on Saturday. We have had the surgery scheduled for about 2 weeks, but she seems to have gotten worse very fast. She's having both knees done at once. I'm dreading the crating, no movement, etc. How does the outside potty break work if her legs are bandaged? I guess she'll adapt?
Again, thanks and good luck to all who are recovering, or contemplating. I'm hoping it will be harder on me than on her!
cdog
Posted: 9:36:24 PM 7/30/2008
Our dog Heidi got the green light last Wednesday from our vet that we are cleared to go back to normal activity. Yes is is very hard to confine them to the crate for 6 weeks but we are very pleased with her recovery. We did nightly stretching of her leg and the Vet said that it really helped in her recovery.It has been 7 weeks today since her surgery and we are back to our daily walks and she runs around the yard again. We only notice a little stiffness in the morning. You are right the crate confinmentis harder on the parents then the puppy! Good luck...


Heidi
Posted: 8:58:20 PM 8/3/2008
Hello to all
i'm new to this but i have to share my 3 yr old maltese who had luxating patella surgery 10 days ago. If your baby is like ours that its like a member of the family this by far has been the haradest thing i have had to do.
He has really been good doing this but it hard on us having him being in acrate 24/7. Since he sleeps with us we have even put the crate in the middle of our bed at night when it was time to sleep. He has eated well, but he hold his pee for well over 16 hours because he holds his leg and limps really bad.
To be honsest he is worst now then before and i pray that in the end that after paying so much $$ that he can return to his normal life style. We still have to do his right leg but we can wait since its a stage 2. From what the vet said his patella was genitc from his parents. Good luck to anyone who has to go threw this, i'm super exhausted and i dont work. My attention is 24/7 to him and i barely sleep...
Laura
Posted: 12:24:29 AM 8/5/2008
Hi all,
We brought our Fergie home today after both knees were fixed on Saturday. She seems to be doing very well. She's alert and can walk a few steps when we have her out to potty in her sling. I think we had an excellent surgeon and had no complications. We have a soft sided kennel that we can get her in and out through the top. She can also lie on the couch next to us and not have to be crated. tonight will be interesting since she also sleeps with us. But will be in her kennel tonight, probably with her inflatable e-collar as well. Good thoughts to all others who are recovering or still waiting.
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