Knee Reconstruction on my Dog Today

mandapanda18

 

I don't post here, but I lurk a lot and I was looking for some encouragement. My beautiful pit Pismo (me and her hugging above) who just turned a year old on Valentines day had to go in for knee surgery today. The vet just called and said she is out and doing as well as we could hope for, but that keeping her down for the next 8 weeks will most likely be a challenge since she is already trying to get up. He said we may have to result to anti-anxiety meds and tranquilizers until she is healed up a bit more. Any advice on how avoid that?

SparrowGreen

I would have lots of stuffed kongs and other mentally stimulating toys that she can work on while crated.  Hopefully that will help her burn off some of her energy - I'd even feed all her meals in a kong, tug-a-jug, etc...

T&P to your girl and hope she heals up quickly! 

MMP

Both times my dog had knee surgeries she was pretty zonked out for days from the anesthesia, pain meds, and anti inflammatories.  After that she knew she was down for the count and self limited herself.  Same when my other dog had a hip replacement.

Bestbullysticks.com is having a 12% off sale today.  Best to invest in a bunch of those to keep your dog busy when she starts feeling better.

Good luck in recovery!

mandapanda18

Thanks ladies! I have her kong lined up and ready to go, she gets to go on a 2 mile long walk (at least) everyday after work though, so she is gonna get restless! I will check out that site!

boylema

Oh GL!!

& don't worry about the recovery. I ditto the pp's comment about the 1st couple days post-op. Cooper has had 3 knee surgeries, the 1st 2 were pretty major, & he was down for the count for atleast a week after the 1st one. After the 2nd, he was like "oh mom, I got this" & took less than a day to get out of the anesthesia fog..but he was still pretty low key/relaxed for a couple days to a week. This last surgery was less invasive (hardware removal) so Coop was ready to go after day 1. Lol.

They adjust. I always tell people its harder on you then it is on them. The most difficult thing is just being around them, b/c then they throw their stir-craziness in your face Lol. If you aren't home, they're just fine laying on their bed or whatever being lazy. But as soon as you get home its like "but Mooooomm, Im boorred!!" Haha. That being said, if you aren't crate confining during this period of restricted activity, that statement above can be null & void if your dog decides to destroy your house out of bordem

HTH! & GL!

mandapanda18

She had to stay overnight at the vet, but I stopped bye on my way home from work last night and they let me sneak in to see her if I promised not to stir her up! She look pretty good considering, I expected a cast and/or brace, but she was shaved and stapled shut, no bandage or anything I gave her a toy from home to keep her company for the night, and some kisses and had to be on my way. The vet called at 9ish to check in and let us know she was able to get up and go outside to potty, so everything is looking good. We will bring her home today, I stopped by the pet store and bought the biggest rawhind I could find (lol, someone asked me what kind of dog I have since it is literally 3 feet long) and some bully sticks to keep her busy! They say the type of surgery they did (I opted for the full remodel, not just a temp repair) will last for her entire life! Here's hoping it makes her feel better

HB's Girl

Teach him mind tricks, like speak loudly or quietly, you an hide a kibble in one hand and make him search for it, etc. I liked doing these kinds of interactions because my dog and I did it together. 

And it is worth investing in toys that hide food. I tried to wear her out mentally, which only kind of worked, but better than nothing!