Post-TPLO Issues

takemebacktotulsa

takemebacktotulsa

New member
I feel like we've used up our allotment of prayers this week. Between two near death experiences in our family, the good news is we don't have a lot of worry left in us. If we can just bring an end to his pain, everything will be worth it. I am going to work on focusing on the positive and visualizing Willis running and being his normal athletic and super happy little self.

Thank goodness for this place and the support of people who have gone through this and far worse. It's much appreciated.
 
ElvisTheNewf

ElvisTheNewf

Active member
Oh my. I am so bummed to see this but I know it will get better. It has too. Willis is in amazing hands and he knows you are doing everything you can for him. Please don't get hung up on what the therapist said, but worrying is just too easy, huh?
 
victoria1140

victoria1140

Active member
Huge huge hugs as know how worrying it all is

give your boy a huge hug and fuss him as he doesnt know there is a problem.

Its us humans who have to deal with all the stress.
 
R Taft

R Taft

Active member
I have not read all the posts.seroma's are very common post surgery and as long as the fluid is clear and not smelly, not really a problem. I see many of them in the people world too. obviously all vets are different.we were walking our post TPLO Katy every hour for ten minutes, she walked out of the surgery by herself, as that is what the vet wanted..he was/is a strict believer in movement...She was penned when not on leash. But after a week was off leash in the house, we never used a lifting harness either..i hope all goes well and that you get some good coming your way




:hugs:
 
takemebacktotulsa

takemebacktotulsa

New member
Update from our visit with the surgeon yesterday: X-rays show healing. I could still see the cut, but he pointed out where bone is growing. Didn't see any indication of bone infection on the x-rays and the hardware is all in place, but he agrees he is not doing as well as he would expect at this point in the recovery. So he took joint taps just to rule infection out and we're waiting on those results.

We're no strangers to the "you're dog isn't normal but we've done all these tests and still can't tell you why" game. But we'll just press on and hope nothing serious is wrong, that Willis is just a slow healer and will be showing more improvement in a few weeks.
 
anya

anya

New member
Just catching up on this. Prayers going out from here hoping Willis will have a full recovery and all is well, in the meantime.
 
dreamchaser456

dreamchaser456

New member
Prayers for you both. It's hard to be positive in the midst of everything, but I've found it makes a huge difference. It changes your energy and that helps our animals feel safe and can help with healing. And tension you feel, will transmit so try to stay on the positive side of things. Willis is getting the best care possible, time and good energy will help that greatly. I'll say a special prayer for peace and calm for YOU!
 
takemebacktotulsa

takemebacktotulsa

New member
After 7 plus weeks I'm thrilled to report we are finally seeing some improvement! Joint taps showed no infection, but apparently there is evidence of DJD in both knees. We have our 8 week visit on Thursday and I've scheduled a visit with another surgeon for a second opinion Friday, even though I'm finally starting to believe Willis is just taking longer than usual to fully recover. Willis is putting more weight on his leg at this point and he's getting some friskiness back, thank goodness. I missed my crazy boy! Hopefully we get good opinions from both surgeons, come away with a plan to cope with any pain and see continued improvement :)
 
NewfieMama

NewfieMama

New member
Yay! Glad to hear it! This time Zuzu made a marked improvement at around 8-10 weeks post surgery, here's hoping you see the same in Willis. :)
 
takemebacktotulsa

takemebacktotulsa

New member
NewfieMama said:
Zuzu made a marked improvement at around 8-10 weeks post surgery, here's hoping you see the same in Willis. :)
Click to expand...
This is so helpful to know, Mary. One of the reasons for my concern was at more than six weeks out he was limping so much worse than he ever was BEFORE surgery. And he didn't even have a full tear. It really had me questioning our progress and what might be wrong, even though I know all dogs recover on their own schedule. I hope in the end this experience is just another way I'm being taught to become more patient :)
 
takemebacktotulsa

takemebacktotulsa

New member
Update

We started with the water treadmill last week. He loves it! But he's picking his left leg up when using it. My guess is there's less resistance and it's easier for him that way. His gait has improved when walking on dry land, almost to the point of not seeing any limping. We're walking a mile or a little more, twice a day, plus a mini walk at lunchtime. However, he's still toe touching, not wanting to put a lot of weight on the left leg when standing still. At our session today, the therapist talked about putting him on gapapentin or doing adequan injections to help him along. Has anyone else had experience with these options post-TPLO?

Here's a short video clip from last week's session. He was trying to swim about the :04 mark :)
 
victoria1140

victoria1140

Active member
We did incline walking with Max as it makes them use the muscles that side a little more
Also make a ladder or small agility course as it makes them aware of foot placement.

It took Max a while before he strengthened up,also to centralise in the hydro l use treats me n front of Max as it really makes him stick to the centre more.even now l do massage on Max's legs and we supplement with devils claw,microlactin,omega oils
Sometimes they are scared to put too much weight down and its about distraction rather than painkillers which will mask the pain
 
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