Update on Lottie and Luxating Patella

[Ali77]

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

[Sian P]

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. 

[Jazzies mum]

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

[Ali77]

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

[Karma]

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... 

[Jazzies mum]

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

[Ali77]

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

[Jazzies mum]

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

[Ali77]

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

[louis mum]

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. 

[Sian P]

Best of luck for Saturday. Glad to hear Lottie is on the mend now after a slow start. 

[Jazzies mum]

Good luck for tomorrow.  And good luck with keeping Lottie away from her wound!!

[Ali77]

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

[Annette]

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.

[Sian P]

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'