TPLO surgery - I knew I shouldnt have done it

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violetashlee

Super Boxer
I know my temperament. I kknow Violet's temperament. Neither one of us are cut out for a 12 week recovery for a surgery I felt was way too invasive. But I was told there was not alternative, so I did it.

Violet is 3 weeks post TPLO surgery and I just don't think recovery is going well. I have seen a steady decline in how much she is using her leg... and now she has pretty much quit using it altogether. I would expect to see improvement over the last few weeks, not the opposite.

Ive been to the vet to discuss my concerns and they feel she is doing too much too soon. When they see her, her adrenalin is running high bc she is at the vet, and she is using her leg and circling like and idiot which causes them concern. But at home, she is crated 100% of time except potty breaks. She is not excited and circling at home, yet her use of the leg is still declining.

Ive done a lot of reading and dogs are usually allowed 5 minute walks after 2 weeks of recovery. Ive been told by 2 vets that Violet need strict crating for 12 weeks... no walks at all. The specialist surgeon told us that, and our regular vet. Twelve week of strict crating seems excessive. So, they have me worried something is wrong that they are not telling me. But my logical brain knows that not true (or is it?)

Also, bc she was acting like a bafoon at the vet, they want her sedated these next 9 weeks.... with Ace. :( We already tried alternative sedatives (benedryl, valium, and Xanax) and none of them work. Violet is a boxer mix, so in desperation, I did give her an Ace and it did sedate her well, but I dont want to keep her coma toast for 9 weeks. I feel like I have to pick between 2 really shitty evils - dope my dog for 9 more weeks, or risk something happening and an unsuccessful recovery. I feel like something is already going wrong with the recovery bc i have never heard of 12 weeks strict crating with no walks at all post TPLO surgery.

Oh, and why does she need to be sedated? Just being herself is being too rough on the leg. They need her to calm down. For example, I took her on a potty break. She threw herslf on the ground and started scooting herself around with her surgery leg. A big no no. But I cant control every crazy thing she will do - even on potty breaks only. So, I have been sedating her for about 2 days now... she is so out of it, it looks like she might fall over when trying to walk on potty breaks. It seems like falling could be just as bad, if not worse as the other stuff.

I feel like nothig is working.... I am stressed beyond my own comprehension that she will not heal. My other dog, Ivy, is feeling the vibe. She is so stressed she wont eat.

I have never been more stressed in my life than these past 3 weeks. I know that sounds dramatic, but I am not being dramatic. I really feel that way. Or, Ijust developed serious anxiety disorder 3 weeks ago.

She better hope she doesnt blow the other knee bc I am not putting myself or her through this again.
 

whiskers

Boxer Insane
Sorry you guys are having a rough time. I don't have personal TPLO experience, but have seen numerous clients at work have the surgery performed with great results.

If it helps, this is the handout our orthopedic surgeon has us give our clients after surgery:
http://www.twincitiesveterinarysurgery.com/docs/TPLO.pdf

According to that, at this stage she could be having short walks + physical therapy exercises (are you at least being told to do those??).

You don't want her doing too much on that leg, but she's not going to regain normal function of it if she does NOTHING on it. :-/
 

Gunther

Super Boxer
Boxers are very difficult to keep still, I couldn't imagine trying to do that for two weeks! I don't know if this is done...I think I heard about it but maybe you could rent a wheel chair for her? Maybe some of the Vets in your area do that. Worth a shot.
 

violetashlee

Super Boxer
Thanks for the replies

I had no idea about doggie wheelchairs. I am going to look in to that.

No, we are not being to do short walks or PT which is why I am concerned. :( I questioned the 12 weeks of crating to which the ortho surgeon responded "I quite literally mean 12 weeks crated with 3 bath room breaks" And on Thursday, they gave me enough Ace and Xanax to keep her sedated for the the next 9 weeks.

The post TPLO instructions you attached (Thank you, BTW) are similar to everything I have read. she should be getting 2 5 minute walks a day at least. She is so doped up she cant walk right now - she literal sways until she falls. But the sedation stops today - I made that executive decision.

Its like do I recover her the way I have read, or do I follow my vet's advice? And if I do decide to start giving her short walks, etc, what do I tell the vet if something does wrong?
"Yeah, I didnt listen to what you told me."

I hate seeing her doped. I hate seeing her not doped and depressed bc she has been forced to be crated for 5 weeks (we are 3 weeks post op and she had to be crated the 2 weeks prior bc she completely blew the knee and I crated her to try to preserve, or not over stress the good knee). Either way, her spirit is gone. And whem you look into her eyes, they are completely dead. My happy, smiley, bone headed dog is gone and if I let this go on I worry I wont get her back.
 

violetashlee

Super Boxer
You don't want her doing too much on that leg, but she's not going to regain normal function of it if she does NOTHING on it. :-/

I think the problem is: just being her normal self is way too rough. She is leashed, but even leashed, I only have so much control over a dog who needs 4 hours of strenuous exercise a day and has none in 5 weeks. She pulls and jumps and kicks and does a bunch of stuff that is giving me heart attaacks. So, I guess the doctors feel sedation is the better alternative.

I bough her puzzles, give her 3 frozen kongs a day, and play crate games with her, but is not enough. This dog needs a good burn around the yard.... in 9 more weeks.

I think I made another executive decision.... Im going to take her on a 5 minute walk once her drug wear off and she can walk.
:)
 

whiskers

Boxer Insane
Could you get a second opinion from another vet? I know it's hard to go against them. It just seems totally weird to me that they want her drugged the whole time and doing absolutely nothing.
 

Kisaq

Super Boxer
I would also be looking for a second opinion.

Have they even xrayed her again to see if anything is going wrong?

I know someone who's dog wouldn't heal after some major ortho surgery (I don't think it was TPLO surgery but still) and apparently one of the pins in his leg slipped out of place and was working it's way back out through the muscle ... :(

If she had not made the vet re-check, the pin would have pushed it's way literally through his skin and popped out. There was all kinds of infection in there....
 

violetashlee

Super Boxer
I could get a second opinion from a regular vet, but the ortho surgeon is the only gig in town. No matter which regular vet I take her to, they will call the surgeon for direction, so I dont think seeing a new regular vet will help.

Oh, and to the point about a pin coming out. That scares me. No, Xrays were not done. While I was at the family vet, she called the surgeon to see what he wanted her to do. She specifically asked if Xrays were needed, and he said no. Its like no matter what vet i go to, the ortho surgeon will be consulted.

That said though, this ortho surgeon is leaving the clinic, and another one is taking over in a couple of weeks, so, I will wait until the new guy starts. In the meantime, I am stopping sedation and going to try to walk her a little -just a few minutes.
 

MichBoxerMom

Boxer Buddy
I would be asking for another xray just for my own piece of mind!! My biggest concern is the ACE though!! I have read so many articles that Boxers are not supposed to have ACE.. Please look into/Google this before you give more! Just my opinion but i would never ever ever give it to my boy!
 
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