Accidents happen, and this is certainly the case in post operative dogs. Sometimes, despite our best efforts and watchful eye, dogs can remove their surgical staples. Unless your dog has done this within a few days of returning home from surgery, or you notice pus, excessive bleeding, or a large, open wound where the staple is missing, your dog should be just fine. If either case is true in your situation, contact your veterinarian for assistance. Read the rest of this entry »
The first few months following a CCL repair surgery can be trying for both you and your dog. It is important during this time to provide your dog with adequate stimulation to prevent them from falling into some of the naughty behaviors exhibited by bored dogs. So instead of feeling guilty that you have to keep your best buddy crated or in a pen, find games, activities, and toys you can enjoy while your dog is on the road to recovery. You will want to choose items that do not require much movement, but will provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Here are a few of my favorite toys and treats for a dog recovering from surgery: Read the rest of this entry »
Before bringing your dog home from CCL repair surgery, you will want to make sure everything is set before their arrival. If you have already been practicing CM (conservative management) prior to surgery, odds are your home is already adequately prepared for the return of your canine patient, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Below is a list I have compiled of ways to consider dog-proofing your home while your pet is recovering from cranial cruciate ligament repair (CCL) surgery. Read the rest of this entry »
Jun 12, 2008 | 0 | Dog Proofing House, Checklist, Recovery
Many dogs will not have a bowel movement for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery, so if you fall into this category, do not worry. There are a number of reasons why a dog will not have regular bowel movements after surgery including fasting prior to surgery, not eating well during an overnight or extended hospital stay - they frequently do not eat well when they go home because they are fed highly digestible food that produces little stool while hospitalized, and pain medications that contain narcotics (such as tylenol with codeine, tylenol 3, tylenol 4, morphine, fentanyl, tramadol) can have a constipating effect. Read the rest of this entry »
Jun 06, 2008 | 0 | Recovery
Each veterinarian seems to have their own theories regarding how soon physical therapy should be started after ccl surgery and what techniques work best. Other veterinary surgeons will write off physical therapy all together, preferring for the dog to remain quiet for the first 6-8 weeks after the repair, gradually returning to exercise. While it is always best to go along with the instructions of your vet, I do want to point out that studies done by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons have shown that dogs beginning rehabilitative therapy within 48 hours of the procedure tend to heal faster and have greater range of motion than dogs without any physical therapy. Read the rest of this entry »
Whether your dog has undergone a TTA, TPLO, or traditional extracapsular imbrication repair, the steps following surgery are generally the same. Whether your dog stays the night at the vet’s after surgery, or head home with you the day of the procedure, the first few days following the CCL repair should be dedicated to making your dog feel as comfortable as possible. Be aware that your dog may have lost his appetite as a result of the surgery, so have stocks, rice, chicken, pumpkin and other whole foods readily available if he refuses his regular dog food. It is advisable to give oral pain medications to your dog with some food in their stomach, so it is really important that you can get something into their stomach, even if it is only a bit of stock or piece of beef - something is better than nothing. Read the rest of this entry »
If you and your veterinarian have decided to take surgical approach (TTA, TPLO, traditional/extracapsular/lateral suture repair) to correcting your dog’s cranial cruciate ligament rupture, you will want to be prepared for what to do prior to your dog’s knee surgery. The following checklist will provide a general idea of talking points to discuss with your canine’s vet prior to the ccl repair procedure. If you are aware of many of these policies and procedures before the surgery day, it will help to ease your worries about the surgery and ultimately make your dog’s recovery more relaxed. Read the rest of this entry »
One of the benefits of the newest of the cranial cruciate repair surgeries, the TTA, is the length of time required before your dog can return to exercise and a life without restrictions. Because the ostoeotomy (cutting of the bone) in the tibial tuberosity advancement procedure is done in a non weight bearing area of the knee, dogs are able to return to normal activities more quickly than they would be able to after undergoing a TPLO or the traditional (extracapsular imbrication) surgery. Most TTA patients begin weight bearing during walking within the first 24 to 48 hours after completion of the surgical procedure. Read the rest of this entry »
For both humans and animals alike, any surgical procedure carries a risk of complications. You dog should have a full evaluation done, complete with blood work and other baseline testing, prior to surgery to help minimize any risks. Pre-surgical testing can often diminish the risk of death from anesthesia and other preventable complications related to your canine’s health. Overall, complications with cruciate surgery occur in approximately 5 to 10% of patients. Complications can range from mild and easily resolved, to more severe complications requiring additional surgery, expense and disability. While uncommon, complications do arise during and after tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) repair procedures, and you should have a discussion with your veterinarian regarding ways to minimize and avoid these risks. Read the rest of this entry »
Your dog will be in a lot of discomfort upon their arrival home from surgery. This is especially true if their extracapsular repair was an out patient procedure, and they were released back into your care the same day of the surgery. It is important to follow all the instructions your veterinarian has provided for pain management, as well as antibiotic use, to be sure that your pet has the best recovery possible. Within the first 24 hours after traditional repair, it is normal for dogs to not put any weight on their injured leg. Your dog may have a modified Robert Jones bandage on his limb, further restricting movement, and decreasing the possibility your dog will try to do to too much, too soon. Read the rest of this entry »
The first few months following a CCL repair surgery can be trying for both you and your dog. It is important during this time to provide your dog with adequate stimulation to prevent them from falling into some of the naughty behaviors exhibited by bored dogs. So instead of feeling guilty that you have to keep your best buddy crated or in a pen, find games, activities, and toys you can enjoy while your dog is on the road to recovery. You will want to choose items that do not require much movement, but will provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Here are a few of my favorite toys and treats for a dog recovering from surgery: 
Each veterinarian seems to have their own theories regarding how soon physical therapy should be started after ccl surgery and what techniques work best. Other veterinary surgeons will write off physical therapy all together, preferring for the dog to remain quiet for the first 6-8 weeks after the repair, gradually returning to exercise. While it is always best to go along with the instructions of your vet, I do want to point out that studies done by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons have shown that dogs beginning rehabilitative therapy within 48 hours of the procedure tend to heal faster and have greater range of motion than dogs without any physical therapy. 
Whether your dog has undergone a TTA, TPLO, or traditional extracapsular imbrication repair, the steps following surgery are generally the same. Whether your dog stays the night at the vet’s after surgery, or head home with you the day of the procedure, the first few days following the CCL repair should be dedicated to making your dog feel as comfortable as possible. Be aware that your dog may have lost his appetite as a result of the surgery, so have stocks, rice, chicken, pumpkin and other whole foods readily available if he refuses his regular dog food. It is advisable to give oral pain medications to your dog with some food in their stomach, so it is really important that you can get something into their stomach, even if it is only a bit of stock or piece of beef - something is better than nothing. 
One of the benefits of the newest of the cranial cruciate repair surgeries, the TTA, is the length of time required before your dog can return to exercise and a life without restrictions. Because the ostoeotomy (cutting of the bone) in the tibial tuberosity advancement procedure is done in a non weight bearing area of the knee, dogs are able to return to normal activities more quickly than they would be able to after undergoing a TPLO or the traditional (extracapsular imbrication) surgery. Most TTA patients begin weight bearing during walking within the first 24 to 48 hours after completion of the surgical procedure. 
