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Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: Ali77 on July 15, 2008, 01:26:32 PM

Title: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Ali77 on July 15, 2008, 01:26:32 PM
I'm sorry i've not been on for ages, i've been busy with end of year stuff at school but thought I would come on quickly and let you know that Lottie is being operated on tomorrow, she has grade 2 luxating patella's in both back legs but due to her age they believe if left they will become grade 4 and then an operation would be harder.

So, leg one tomorrow and then leg two in 6 weeks time ish !!

I feel sick so god knows how she is feeling, poor baby, I just hope she isn't too upset being in kennels tonight

Ali x
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Helen on July 15, 2008, 01:29:06 PM
Oh poor Lottie  :'( :'( :'(

she really won't notice tonight where she is after her op, so don't worry too much.

Everything crossed that it's a success and the next 12 weeks of crate rest fly by quickly.

lots of healing thoughts being sent  :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: EmmaA on July 15, 2008, 02:07:59 PM
Lots of healing thoughts from here too.
I hope the operation is a success and that Lottie isn't feeling too poorly after her op.
Good Luck for the long healing process too  :-*
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Jazzies mum on July 18, 2008, 04:26:56 PM
Don't worry.  Jaz had terrible complete luxation of both patellae and had to have FOUR operations.  Waiting to hear from the vet each time that she was okay and had come round was the worst.  She was completely lame.  It was hell at the time but she is fine now and runs around like a whippet.  It was difficult helping her have a wee though, we had to lift her leg a bit so the plaster didn't get soaked!!

Thoughts and best wishes are with you.  Let us know how it goes.  Luv and hugs Jaz and mum :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Annette on July 18, 2008, 05:18:50 PM
It's the after-care which would frighten me the most. I was filled with admiration for Nicola.

I hope it goes well for Lottie, both the op tomorrow and the recovery period. I guess the worst thing will be knowing that you have it all to do again.

Thinking of you.
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Deb H on July 18, 2008, 07:39:55 PM
All fingers and paws crossed here.
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Mudmagnets on July 18, 2008, 10:40:30 PM
best wishes for a successful op and recovery
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Penelope on July 19, 2008, 06:41:54 PM
Best wishes and hope it all goes well.    :luv: :luv:
Will watch with interest as Buffy also has this condition in both back legs.  At the moment hydrotherapy is helping and we are hoping to avoid surgery - but may have to eventually.
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Tori on July 19, 2008, 08:42:10 PM
Was just thinking about you guys the other day.....do you go to Forest?

Hope Lottie is recovering ok.....thinking of you both and sending lots of healling thoughts :luv: :-*

Tori xx
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: KellyS on July 19, 2008, 09:07:16 PM
Hope all goes well :blink:
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: loumeg on July 19, 2008, 10:32:36 PM
Hi just been reading about Lottie being ill and just wanted to send lots of love and healing cuddles from us all

Marie
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Ali77 on July 21, 2008, 09:12:06 PM
Hi guys, thank you all so much for your kind thoughts...

Well, operation seems to have been a major success with her walking amazingly well on the operated on leg almost immediately after surgery.  The after care is sooo hard.  I am to keep her in her cage/small room apart from 3 10 minute walks a day which you can imagine in a 7mth old puppy is sooo hard.  She cries a lot and then gives up and goes to sleep. 

We had Lottie's surgery done at Cambridge Vet School, they said they felt she had a grade 2 LP and the reason they were so keen to operate was to prevent it hitting a grade 4.  Her problem is genetic and she had a completely flat knee.  They removed a small amount of bone and sited the knee back into joint then sutured the surrounding structures.  Thank fully they didn't need to do anything else as her knee was in perfect alignment.

Jaz, how come your Jaz had to have the operation so many times?

Once again, thank you all for your kind wishes.

I'll keep you all posted

Ali and Lottie x
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: JoanneM on July 21, 2008, 09:21:26 PM
Glad everything went well with the op.  I can only imagine how hard it is for you now, how long is she to be crated for?
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: loumeg on July 21, 2008, 10:09:40 PM
Glad all went well.  :luv:

Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: fionad on July 21, 2008, 11:11:20 PM
Just read your post. My own dear pet had both knees done last year. One at 5 months and the second at 9 months. It was worrying for us but good to know she would not be in pain for much longer. You must follow your vets instructions to the letter. The rest period is vital for the young bones to heal. Exercise and muscle building can only take place when the surgery is healed.  My little darling is now 18 months old and can run, jump and turn on a sixpence. Hope all turns out as well for you.
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Ali77 on July 22, 2008, 10:01:20 AM
Oh Fiona, that is such a positive story it makes all this heartache worth it.

She is not great today, she has refused breakfast and her poo is loose so i'm going to have to keep an eye on it.  I suspect its because she is very stressed being caged up though.

She has progressed to either howling or looking completely depressed... any ideas for some mental stimulation for her, I had planned to fill her kong with yummuy things but she can't seem to get to it with the buster collar on.

Ali xx
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Sian P on July 22, 2008, 11:08:55 AM
Hi, just seen your thread when I got back from vet and needed an info fix!! So sorry to hear poor Lottie is going through the mill. There are loads of positive stories for this kind of op so hopefully our babies will have one too.  :luv:
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Jazzies mum on July 22, 2008, 12:01:02 PM
Hi Ali and Lottie

Unfortunately Jaz had complete patellofemoral luxation with practically no groove for the patella which kept slipping off all the time and we had to put ithen back in for her.  The new grooves they made in the pieces of bone inserted was still not deep enough to keep the patella on track and each operation failed.  So each leg had to be re-done.  This was despite me keeping her very strictly confined as I had been instructed.  I'm sure you are doing really well with Lottie and Jaz's situation was a bit different as she was 17 months old before they did hers with more weight to carry.  Just wanted to say that on the whole the surgery was well worth it as the alternative I couldn't even bear thinking of.

Keep going with the cage rest.  It will all be worth it in the end.  All dogs are different and I know what you are going through.  Soon it will be all over and Lottie will be running around like Jazzie does now.  You would never know she had been so lame.

All best wishes and warm thoughts.

Gina and Jaz
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Ali77 on July 22, 2008, 06:51:24 PM
Oh Jazzies Mum, its a shame it didn't work first time.  I wonder why they didn't make the groove deep enough.  I have to be honest my biggest worry through all of this is it not working.  They x-rayed her after the op and said everything was perfect and they couldn't get the knee out of joint, however nothing is guaranteed.

She is sooo sad today, howling and generally depressed.  I know its for her own good but its so hard to watch.  Roll on Saturday when the stitches are removed and she can have the buster collar off.

A xx
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Karma on July 22, 2008, 08:33:41 PM

Have you tried clicker training some tricks that don't involve the affected leg??
I think Nicola did this with Rodaidh when he was on cage rest - it'll help tire her out mentally, so she may be more settled when confined in the crate...  :-*
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Jazzies mum on July 23, 2008, 11:40:56 AM
Hi Ali and Lottie

Yes, I was annoyed to say the least that my poor girl had to her her ops done twice. 

It sounds like Lottie is going to make a full and speedy recovery.  She is young and healthy and is obviously raring to get up and go!  Roll on Saturday indeed! 

Ali, you do realise that all this attention and care you are giving Lottie will make you both extremely close to each other, more so than if she had not had this unfortunate problem.  The special bond you are forming while she is undergoing her surgery and recovering will be there for life.  Believe me - I know - it is very special. 

Healing thoughts as ever

Gina and Jaz :luv: :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Ali77 on July 23, 2008, 03:03:25 PM
Thank you for your message Gina, today i'm desparing her crying is never ending and she gets so distressed i'm convinced she needs the toilet so I quickly take her out and when we get outside she leaps about on the end of the lead and doesn't need the toilet at all, I guess its good she's feeling so well but this is only the first week and we have 7 more to go yet !!

Ali x
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Jazzies mum on July 24, 2008, 11:15:30 AM
Lottie is a proper little minx!  Cockers are so clever, even when unwell.

I remember having all the stair gates and door gates in all the rooms and obviously had to turn all the furniture upside down.  Jasmine was in quite a bit of pain so she was quietier than Lottie is, and I put her near the patio windows so she could watch the cat and the garden, but once she started to feel better I couldn't keep up with her.  Its a long haul, but she will get better day by day and it will soon be over.   Reading your messages really does remind me of those days just about two years ago now, and I remember how hard it was.  I do feel for you.  Worth it in the end though! 

Chin Up

Gina and Jaz :luv: :luv:
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Ali77 on July 24, 2008, 06:33:53 PM
Amazingly she has been much quieter today..... and i've noticed a massive improvement in her, its showing in her tail, she is wagging it much higher which means she is walking with a straighter back which in turn must mean she is happier on that leg now the operation has been done.

I'm dreading her visit to the vet on Saturday, she is having her stitches out and they need to check the stability of the joint.... keep everything crossed its perfect as I can't imagine going through this again on the same leg.

Ali x
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: louis mum on July 24, 2008, 06:54:59 PM
Amazingly she has been much quieter today..... and i've noticed a massive improvement in her, its showing in her tail, she is wagging it much higher which means she is walking with a straighter back which in turn must mean she is happier on that leg now the operation has been done.

I'm dreading her visit to the vet on Saturday, she is having her stitches out and they need to check the stability of the joint.... keep everything crossed its perfect as I can't imagine going through this again on the same leg.

Ali x

I hope all goes well Saturday  :-* it sounds like little un has gone through the mill bless her.  :luv:
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Sian P on July 24, 2008, 10:29:48 PM
Best of luck for Saturday. Glad to hear Lottie is on the mend now after a slow start.  :luv:
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Jazzies mum on July 25, 2008, 12:55:55 PM
Good luck for tomorrow.  And good luck with keeping Lottie away from her wound!!
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Ali77 on July 25, 2008, 06:22:17 PM
Well bless her she is such a poppet, its been so hot today I have left the buster collar off and she hasn't touched the stitches.. sometimes I'm amazed by her, she is confined to her cage most of the day and only really gets fed up in the afternoon's for an hour or so then goes back to sleep.  I don't honestly know how anyone would be able to go through this kind of surgery with a 'bouncy' cocker.

I'll hopefully be on to update tomorrow but we are supposed to be going on holiday so Lottie is going to my MIL for a couple of weeks....

Ali x
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Annette on July 25, 2008, 07:22:20 PM
It sounds like you are both doing really well. It seems so very difficult to me. I hope we never have to experience it.

Hope tomorrow goes well.
Title: Re: Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella
Post by: Sian P on July 25, 2008, 08:37:41 PM
I don't honestly know how anyone would be able to go through this kind of surgery with a 'bouncy' cocker.

Ali x

Uh oh!! I think you'd describe Murphy as 'bouncy'  ph34r  ::)