Luxating patella surgery in 7 yr old Pomeranian....davet....

[Vicki]

or anyone that has knowledge. My little love, Huey, is having patella surgery next Wednesday on one of his legs. I knew since I got him in 2000 that his knee cap was not good and it finally got to the point where it cannot be pushed back into place any more.....I guess the little notch it fits into in the bone has worn down too much. So, next Wednesday on my way into work I'm dropping him off and will get him in the evening. I'm off work then till Jan 4 so I can spend 24 hours a day with him. I know how the surgery works.....I understand all that. I'm just very nervous and worried.....I think you all understand. Does anyone have any experience with this surgery or with the recuperative period that would be helpful? Such as how long before he should start even trying to use the leg, etc? I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts. Thanks much!!

Vicki

[davet]

these proceedures are getting pretty routine so i don't think you willhave to spend 24 hours with him but if you can't, just keep him confined so he can;t jump off couches or stairs or anything like that...i suspect you will be given pain med or a patch, but what ever just follow the instructions...if you think he is having pain and anxiety, sit down, poour youself a drink and hold him and scratch behind his ears....that is alway good med with dogs who have had any surgery--good and relaxing for the owner....but again this is getting to be a routtine bit of surgery....relax

[Traci]

Your vet will give you a detailed care instruction sheet prior to picking up Huey from the clinic. He will advise you on restriction of activity, pain meds (which I strongly advise asking for, for at least the first 3-4 days post-op, this can be compounded into an oral syrup suspension), incision care and followup re-check.

Typically, restricted activity, plenty of rest and incision monitoring is all that is needed during recovery. You might want to have some puppy piddle pads on hand in the event he is too painful to move about and outside to eliminate. If he has accidents on his bed or in his crate, etc, you can clean his fur with hydrogen peroxide diluted with water with a cotton ball or gauze pad, etc....this is helpful to prevent urine scalding in pets who are immobile during recovery. If urine scalds occur, ask your vet for panalog ointment/cream or baby Desitin can be used. (this probably won't be necessary)

Every dog is different in terms of when they are capable and ready for activity, but you'll want to take it slow, your vet will instruct you on when to increase his activity.

[Vicki]

Thank you both....the vet told me about the patch with a narcotic pain killer....said it was stronger than what they could give orally or by injection. Said it costs more but it was up to me....I chose the patch. When I first took him to the vet Tuesday he would barely stand up, he wasn't used to not being able to use his leg and didn't know what to do. Now he's limping around quite quickly.....almost like he doesn't have a problem...but I know he does still need the surgery. But he sure learned to compensate quickly with using three legs. Of course, I know that when I bring him home he'll be like he was Tuesday....not hardly moving at all probably. I want to be with him 24 hours a day during recovery....that's just me. I'd worry too much if I wasn't. That's why when the vet asked me when I wanted to do it I said the sooner the better....since I had almost two weeks off for Christmas I knew I could be with Huey 24 hours a day without worrying about missing work. I'm sure he'll come through fine...but like most doting pet owners I'll worry myself sick till the vet calls me and tells me the surgery is over and Huey did fine. Then I can relax. I'll be sure and post updates on him. Thanks again!!

[Traci]

If your vet uses fentanyl patches, this would be the optimal pain management....it is usually applied 24 hours pre-surgery...but do find out after the surgery when it will wear off....if it is too soon, you may opt for oral butorphenol to take home (this is a low dose suspension that can be given up to 3-4 times a day, it won't act like morphine, but it will take the edge off the pain).

[JMM]

Mikey had his right patella done last March. We did the duragesic (fentanyl) patch. He had an epidural during surgery and marcaine injected into the joint. He didn't feel a thing! We left the patch for 4 days and he did not need any additional pain relief after that.

Mikey was on rest for 10 weeks and then had 3 weeks to slowly increase his activity. He did come home with instructions and started physical therapy immediately. I really think that made his recover much faster.

Mikey is a sickly little dog, but he handled the knee surgery so well. He was walking on the leg within days of surgery and was putting pretty normal weight on it in about a week.

[Tyler's Mom]

I know the people on here are very knowledgable, but I had both my chihuahuas knees done about 6ish months ago, and I was told under no circumstances to let him walk for the first 3 weeks. Absolute crate rest with as little movement as possible. I dont know if he was an exception, but make sure to know exactly what you should be doing.
Tyler became very allergic to the pain patch. Watch the skin around the patch when you get him home. Tyler might just have sensitive skin, but he got really badly burned by the patch. He still has a scar on his neck.
Also, you should keep a really close eye on the bandages. Tyler peed on himself during the night, and we went almost into half of the next day before we realized that his bandages had urine on them. For some reason, we didnt see it or smell it, and like you, we were with him all day long. Also keep a watch on his toes. If they start to look 'puffy', or not really pointing in the right direction, it might be that the bandage is too tight and cutting off the circulation.
This is a really awful this to go though, as a pet owner anways. It was so hard on me that I really didnt know if I could get through it. It took a total of 6 weeks of crate confinement, and a poor dog that just didnt understand why we were doing this to him. I bugged the vet SOOO many times I'm sure she must have thought I was crazy. In the end though, Tyler's knees healed perfectly and he is running and jumping off all the furniture, sometimes 3-4 times his height (a behaviour we try to curb as best as possible). I hope the surgery goes well for both you and your dog!

[davet]

i thinkthis applies to one of the first axioms you learn in vet school....EVERY patient is different they all heal at different rates and become active a different rate so the response from one dog or ten dogs may not apply in another case...you just plan for the routine and accept the non-routines....

[Vicki]

Well...Huey had his surgery yesterday morning and I picked him up after work last night. The surgery went fine. I'm not sure what I should be expecting right now....he's not even trying to walk or sit up or anything. He just lays around. I'm keeping his little diapers on him and checking them frequently. He slept well and has been taking little sips of water. Today I gave him just a few bites of food. I'm giving him an anti inflammatory liquid med once a day. When do you think I should expect to see some kind of effort to sit up or stand, etc? I know it's only been a day so I'm not too concerned he's just lying around so far...he must be quite uncomfortable. The incision is stapled with no bandage on it....doesn't show signs of swelling or deep redness or oozing...looks quite clean. So that's good. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks much!!

[davet]

it takes time for pups to get over the surgery, some pets take longer that others..just give lots of TLC and attention and recovery will be sooon....Nothing like TLC to help get over surgery...keep posting