[Neili]

Yep, I was pushing for an MRI/CT but the waiting list was so long, and they were so convinced it was a CCL injury it was recommended we go for the TPLO, as at the time everything was pointing in that direction.

But yes, very reassuring it's not always about the money. I had make a down payment of £2000 which they're refunding (minus the fee for the ankle x-rays).

 

[Neili]

Still waiting to hear back from the vets, but in the meantime I'm telling Eva that bald is beautiful!

 

[FurdogDad]

She's a sweet and pretty girl if you ask me.....that fur will grow back.

 

[Goldenretrievermama0217]

Still waiting to hear back from the vets, but in the meantime I'm telling Eva that bald is beautiful!

Hopefully you will have an answer soon! It’s great that the vet was honest and didn’t go through a surgery that wasn’t needed.

 

[Neili]

Thank you!

The vet suggested retrying Onsior (an non steroidal anti-inflammatory) which seemed to give her diarrhea before and so we stopped. This time she's been okay on it (we now suspect the diarrhea might have been a reaction to the anaesthetic and general stress). Even better is that the limp after rest is definitely improving, sometimes not there at all. We're only doing 2 X 20 min lead walks a day and always on lead in the garden (until she's inspected it and knows there are no squirrels anywhere!) and we daren't do anything more than that until we go to the physio specialist on 6th June.

We've also had to deal with a hot spot where the catheter was, so she's also been in a "cone of shame" for 5 days. Poor thing!

But she's still happy, calm and the most sweet loving dog you could possibly imagine. We've definitely bonded even more over this...so there's one good thing! (My wife might think otherwise!)

 

[sevans]

Thank you!

The vet suggested retrying Onsior (an non steroidal anti-inflammatory) which seemed to give her diarrhea before and so we stopped. This time she's been okay on it (we now suspect the diarrhea might have been a reaction to the anaesthetic and general stress). Even better is that the limp after rest is definitely improving, sometimes not there at all. We're only doing 2 X 20 min lead walks a day and always on lead in the garden (until she's inspected it and knows there are no squirrels anywhere!) and we daren't do anything more than that until we go to the physio specialist on 6th June.

We've also had to deal with a hot spot where the catheter was, so she's also been in a "cone of shame" for 5 days. Poor thing!

But she's still happy, calm and the most sweet loving dog you could possibly imagine. We've definitely bonded even more over this...so there's one good thing! (My wife might think otherwise!)

Did you get the MRI results?

 

[Neili]

No, we have an appointment with a specialist orthopaedic centre/hospital on 6th June. I think they'll do one if they think necessary.

 

[Neili]

Eva had the TPLO operation yesterday and came home today.

Long story but the animal hospital found some instability, which the vet couldn't confirm. They'd have operated last week but Eva developed diarrhoea, probably from stress of it all.
During the op they confirmed she had a partially torn cruciate ligament. No other knee issues were found, which is great news.

So she's home now, drowsy and looking rather sorry for herself, but able to put some weight on her leg. She slept most of today...just hoping she'll do the same tonight! 😬

 

[sevans]

Eva had the TPLO operation yesterday and came home today.

View attachment 893512 Long story but the animal hospital found some instability, which the vet couldn't confirm. They'd have operated last week but Eva developed diarrhoea, probably from stress of it all.
During the op they confirmed she had a partially torn cruciate ligament. No other knee issues were found, which is great news.

So she's home now, drowsy and looking rather sorry for herself, but able to put some weight on her leg. She slept most of today...just hoping she'll do the same tonight! 😬

The recovery was the most challenging aspect of our James’ TPLO journey. Not that he had any complications- it was him trying to do too much too soon- we were warned by the surgeon NOT to give in but to follow the post op program to the letter- and this included very restricted movement for four weeks. Use of the sling (if he liked it or not). NO STAIRS. Physio every day. We also opted for hydro therapy and laser therapy. You would never know he’s had surgery- and while he does have arthritis- it actually isn’t in his knee- and he’s almost 13- so expected. Very best wishes on your baby’s recovery.

 

[Neili]

Thank you!
The hospital was very good, I have a bunch of instructions on what to do and I'll be ultra cautious, even though the surgeon said 3 X 5min walks a day around the garden, and a few garden steps is fine. She said the exercise will actually help. Eva will be staying in this pen for the next few weeks at least and after that she'll always be supervised.

I'm lucky, she usually very calm and lazy. Sometimes when the doorbell goes we're lucky if we get a raise of an eyebrow!

I don't have anything on doing physio though, so I'll some research there, unless you have anything you can share...?

And so reassuring to hear about James!

Thanks again!

 

[sevans]

Thank you!
The hospital was very good, I have a bunch of instructions on what to do and I'll be ultra cautious, even though the surgeon said 3 X 5min walks a day around the garden, and a few garden steps is fine. She said the exercise will actually help. Eva will be staying in this pen for the next few weeks at least and after that she'll always be supervised.

I'm lucky, she usually very calm and lazy. Sometimes when the doorbell goes we're lucky if we get a raise of an eyebrow!

I don't have anything on doing physio though, so I'll some research there, unless you have anything you can share...?

And so reassuring to hear about James!

Thanks again!

You should probably check with your surgeon- we were under very strict instructions to do a specific flexion exercise every day after the second day post op. I would hesitate to try and explain it as it is something your vet should probably show you- but it was a very specific flexion of the knee held and then repeat. best wishes.

 

[Neili]

Thank you! @sevans I called the hospital, they said they'd email across a lot of instructions and videos all about physio over the next few days. They did...but it all went to Spam! So, I've been cooling her knee with gel packs and doing very gentle passive flexion, just as you describe.

Eva's doing well. Perhaps too well for her own good. When I take her to the garden she's using her leg, pulling on the lead and would rather wonder around a sniff everything than do any boring toilet stuff. I know she's only meant to be in the garden for 5 mins 3 or 4 times a day. But she'll just stand there and take in the sight and smells....that's 5 mins right there! If I pull on the lead to go back to house, she plants herself on the ground or lies down in protest. I've had to pick her up and carry her to get her back in the house!

I'm think I should video all this, we may be a YouTube hit!

She wanted to go to the garden twice in the night. We're on tenterhooks because of her diarrhoea issues, so we gave in and took her out. No diarrhoea yet, in fact no nothing, but I don't want to tempt fate.

I'm sleeping on a camp bed next to the pen too. If I move a way she starts to whine and bark. She doesn't usually have separation issues, but she's not usually in a pen!

These are hard times, no kidding! It reminds me of having a baby. She's sleeping now, so time for a cold beer and catch-up on email and this forum! (I'm hoping this might be useful to someone someday, and it's good to offload!)

 

[sevans]

Thank you! @sevans I called the hospital, they said they'd email across a lot of instructions and videos all about physio over the next few days. They did...but it all went to Spam! So, I've been cooling her knee with gel packs and doing very gentle passive flexion, just as you describe.

Eva's doing well. Perhaps too well for her own good. When I take her to the garden she's using her leg, pulling on the lead and would rather wonder around a sniff everything than do any boring toilet stuff. I know she's only meant to be in the garden for 5 mins 3 or 4 times a day. But she'll just stand there and take in the sight and smells....that's 5 mins right there! If I pull on the lead to go back to house, she plants herself on the ground or lies down in protest. I've had to pick her up and carry her to get her back in the house!

I'm think I should video all this, we may be a YouTube hit!

She wanted to go to the garden twice in the night. We're on tenterhooks because of her diarrhoea issues, so we gave in and took her out. No diarrhoea yet, in fact no nothing, but I don't want to tempt fate.

I'm sleeping on a camp bed next to the pen too. If I move a way she starts to whine and bark. She doesn't usually have separation issues, but she's not usually in a pen!

These are hard times, no kidding! It reminds me of having a baby. She's sleeping now, so time for a cold beer and catch-up on email and this forum! (I'm hoping this might be useful to someone someday, and it's good to offload!)

I slept beside James on the couch for several weeks as well- shows you’re a great puppy parent. It is normal for them not to have a bowel movement for a couple of days post general anesthetic but if it goes more than two days- she may need a laxative or an enema. Again, ask your vet. What you describe is exactly what we went through with James- too active for his own good and it’s totally on you to stick to your guns because they can easily undo all that work in no time. I would definitley get your vert to re-send the physio info as what and how you do it, how long you hold it, how many reps is quite specific. A year from now- this will all be a foggy memory.

 

[Neili]

Thanks, I don't feel so crazy now. My wife and kids think I'm too "attached"! After a week of diarrhoea, I'm not going to rush for the laxatives...but yes, I won't let it go too long!
Sorry I didn't make it clear, I found the instructions and great videos they produced and have now started following their recommendations, which sound very similar to what you did. Can't wait until those foggy memories!

 

[sevans]

Thanks, I don't feel so crazy now. My wife and kids think I'm too "attached"! After a week of diarrhoea, I'm not going to rush for the laxatives...but yes, I won't let it go too long!
Sorry I didn't make it clear, I found the instructions and great videos they produced and have now started following their recommendations, which sound very similar to what you did. Can't wait until those foggy memories!

You can never love your pets too much- they love you back unconditionally.

 

[Neili]

Totally agree, ice pack time now!

 

[Neili]

Day 3 and Eva's ankle seems to have a bag of water inside it! I know it's normal but it's still quite weird...it just hangs around in there!

We got up twice in the night, I think just because she's sleeping in a different place. Pleased to report bowels are absolutely perfect. Even though it was 5am I did a little happy dance on the lawn..pretty sure no one could see me!

Perhaps this is a GR thing but Eva, once she got through the nightmare puppy stage, has always been quite calm and laid back. So, TPLO recovery so far hasn't been the total nightmare I was expecting. I'm lucky to work from home, and so I can sit in her pen, soothe her and talk to her, while I'm on my laptop doing what needs to be done work wise. Zoom calls are a little harder, but if I'm in the same room then Eva's happy to listen in or sleep. I know what my choice would be!

I didn't really notice any improvement in her walking today, I should start videoing our garden walks so I can track it better.

 

[sevans]

Day 3 and Eva's ankle seems to have a bag of water inside it! I know it's normal but it's still quite weird...it just hangs around in there!

We got up twice in the night, I think just because she's sleeping in a different place. Pleased to report bowels are absolutely perfect. Even though it was 5am I did a little happy dance on the lawn..pretty sure no one could see me!

Perhaps this is a GR thing but Eva, once she got through the nightmare puppy stage, has always been quite calm and laid back. So, TPLO recovery so far hasn't been the total nightmare I was expecting. I'm lucky to work from home, and so I can sit in her pen, soothe her and talk to her, while I'm on my laptop doing what needs to be done work wise. Zoom calls are a little harder, but if I'm in the same room then Eva's happy to listen in or sleep. I know what my choice would be!

I didn't really notice any improvement in her walking today, I should start videoing our garden walks so I can track it better.

I am not sure what your surgon suggested- but other than the physio and out for bathroom breaks- we were told no walking for the first week without the sling and very limited. The fluid sounds like oedema- but “a bag of water” not sure that is normal. Should not be a problem to snap some picts and send them off to your vet if for no otehr reason than peace of mind.

 

[Goldenretrievermama0217]

How is Eva doing? I’m sorry I haven’t been on here in awhile! I’ve thought of her from time to time! My golden one year post op since his TTA and I’m 90 % sure he tore the other leg today . They say 40 - 60 % tear the second within a year so here we are…

 

[Neili]

How is Eva doing? I’m sorry I haven’t been on here in awhile! I’ve thought of her from time to time! My golden one year post op since his TTA and I’m 90 % sure he tore the other leg today . They say 40 - 60 % tear the second within a year so here we are…

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that. I've read the same statistics (or even higher) and expecting the same for Eva next year...ideally in a new insurance year and we're reaching the limit in this one. I hope Gower's just got a stain... I suspect we're both qualified enough to figure that out quite quickly now. Keeping fingers crossed for you two.

Eva's doing well, thank you. Walking around the garden (5 min on lead) is almost like normal, not limping much. We were doing the same before the operation, so very used to it. She does hop and struggle a bit getting off her mat and negotiating her way around the pen. Maybe it's because her leg has gone to sleep a little, maybe it's because she's got a cone on and can't really see her way around. I'm a little worried because her leg was stiff getting up from rest before, so I was expecting that to be immediately fixed! I may be expecting too much, this is day 8!

We're seeing the vet tomorrow to check the stitches. Everything looks fine there. I'm doing (well, Eva's doing!) passive "stretches" 4 times a day followed by hot and cold packs. Alternating every 2 mins for 10 mins or so.

She's adjusted to her boring pen days so well, as long as we're in the same room. But she doesn't like being left alone. Before TPLO she'd sleep at the bottom of the stairs and she was always one to follow me around the house. So now she barks when she's alone. I've managed to get as far as leaving the next room door open and if she can hear me then she's generally ok, but I can't get any further. She's always been fine when we're out of the house for hours, as long as she can be by the front door she'll sleep until we get back. I think the pen, at the back of the house in the kitchen, isn't ideal. So, I'm looking forward to having her back in the hallway. We can't do that now because if someone comes to the door, rings the bell or drops letters through the letterbox, then it can startle her. We've put signs up outside and taped up the bell, but it's still a risk! So we haven't left her alone in the house yet. Not sure when we'll dare do that! I'm sleeping on a camp bed in the kitchen, unless I've got to be in the office the next morning, in which case my wife will. It's daylight at 4am now and the curtains are thin. It doesn't seem to bother Eva luckily. She'll still sleep until we make a move.

I've started looking at physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. I've have a chat with the vet too, see which places she recommends.

This is such an undertaking, but at least we knew what to expect and were fully prepared...thanks to you and others here!

Sending best wishes to you and Gower...keep us posted