Update on Shadow's Surgery

[Roy]

The Vet's called about 2:00 pm and Shadow is doing good. A little wobbly from the
anesthetic and it's going to take some time before she can actually use the leg but she made it through the surgery just fine. I asked them if it's possible for me to get a small sample of what they use to replace the ligament. I just wanted to see what it is.

I've decided it's probably best not to go see her today because I know she will get too excited and might do something to injure herself or the area of the surgery. I'll just wait until tomorrow to actually pick her up and bring her home. They said anytime after 9:00 am tomorrow will work. They prefer to keep them for observation overnight plus they are restricted I guess in a crate.

She's going to have a big bandage on a shaved leg and hopefully a nicer smile and breath. I'll get details when I pick her up but they already told me no running or jumping for two weeks.

This has been a long morning. I got up at 4:00 am, had her at the vet's office at 7:30 am. I think they got a late start. I know she wasn't in surgery more than 2 1/2 - 3 hours total.

Thanks for listening to an old man ramble on about his dog.

Roy

[PeteQ]

Roy, I must have missed something... What happened?

[Roy]

Sorry Pete. She had a torn ACL on the left rear leg. Here's the thread.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=19517

I just called again to check on her before they close and she's was letting out a little bark.
Had some dinner which I had brought down earlier from home. She still is favoring the sore leg but I expected that for a while at least. I'll pick her up tomorrow, bring her home so she can rest in her own space. Going to be hard to keep her under control for two weeks.

[PeteQ]

Glad to hear she's doing well!

[suzyjazz]

I am glad to hear she made it through just fine! It's always a relief to me just to hear they woke up. Here's to hoping the healing process goes well! Keep us posted.

[bburton]

It's tougher on you than her. She'll be just fine. Try to get some rest tonight. We're standing with you and Shadow.

[Davidtxs]

thats great news Roy im glad to hear it

[snidow]

Good news Roy, thanks for sharing I am so happy Shadow is doing well.

[Sideline]

Originally Posted by bburton

It's tougher on you than her. She'll be just fine. Try to get some rest tonight. We're standing with you and Shadow.

I agree with Bruce. I bet once you get her home and settled, you will start healing too :)

[Roy]

Thanks everyone. Y'all are right. I was give out from yesterday. Finally fell asleep on the couch way earlier than normal for me. I don't know how the night was for Shadow but when we would travel before to dog shows and hunt tests she never had problems sleeping in strange places. I hope and expect she rested well. Thanks again for the kind words and well wishes.

[PhotoByMark]

Glad all is well with your pup!

Our pets are family members and we will go to all lengths to make sure they live happy healthy lifes.

My In-Laws had to have 2 ACL surgerys on their dog. Both rear legs.

[suzyjazz]

Originally Posted by Sideline

I agree with Bruce. I bet once you get her home and settled, you will start healing too :)

It is much better once they get back home. You can see them and tell that they will be OK! She may be exhausted tonight. Sleep at the vet is not restful. Jazz was practically a zombie when we brought her home. She laid down and didn't move for hours on end. You said Shadow sleeps well away from home, so maybe she won't be so tired.

[byarger]

Roy -

I'm glad Shadow is doing well after the surgery. Our previous Black Lab had that surgery on two of his knees, but he seemed to recover quickly. Good idea to wait and not see her the first day. We did that too on our vet's recommendation. It was very hard not to go. The biggest part now will be to temper her movement with the right amount of rest. We kept our Lab isolated in a smaller room for certain periods of the day so he wouldn't be tempted to run to the door when he heard a noise outside. When he was up and with us in the house, we kept him on a lead. But we found out that he recovered at his own pace and was smarter about it than we gave him credit for. I'm sure Shadow will be the same. Good luck.

[Roy]

We're home and she was "WIRED" when she got here. Just as I thought. She's in her kennel now. Not crazy about it but she knows she's home and she's in there for her own protection during this healing time. Your right Bob. She loves it when the door bell rings. She just knows it's someone here to see her so when she's out of the kennel she will be on a leash. She still knows the leg is not right though so she is not putting pressure on it. I think she will recover on her time table and not mine. I'm concerned about the other knee as I have read the chances increase for injury once one has torn. I think I read were there is a 40% chance for it to go out but that leaves a 60% chance it wont. All I can do there is hope for the best.

I hope we all can rest good tonight. Thanks all!

[byarger]

You're right about the other "shoe" falling with the second knee, but for our Darius it took about 3-4 years. After the first surgery, I tried to minimize one major stress point for him by helping him out of our cars using a stool of sorts. That kept him from dropping onto his legs from any height with full weight. Glad she's home again.