My man had luxating patella repair yesterday

[Cereal Killer]

Hi Everyone
My little guy had surgery to repair a grade 4 luxating patella yesterday. He wasn't provided with an e-collar or any type of bandage over his stitches. I was just wondering if
a) is this normal? ( i did google search and most dogs seemed to have both. I just found it odd).
b) would it be ok if I covered him with a clean blanket to keep him warm (he just seems cold to me with his little shaved leg). I don't want to invite infection!

It's so hard not to wonder if I made a mistake having this done even though I know it was the right thing to do. He's just having such a hard time getting comfortable!

Here is a pic of him (100X more alert than he was yesterday!)

[diannenet]

I am by no means a professional but in the estimate I received in case Toby had to have LP surgery, she included the price for an e-collar and pain medication if I remember correctly. That is so they don't lick the leg that was operated on. Personally, I would buy an e-collar. Did they give you any pain medication?

He is adorable! I wish him a speedy recovery. Please keep us posted.

[Roccosmommy]

I'm sorry I have no advice on the LP surgery, but just wanted to welcome you to YT and tell you how sweet your little boy looks! (What's his name by the way?).

There are so many knowledgable people here on YT. You've come to the right place and I'm sure lots of help will be chiming in soon. Sending well wishes to your little guy for a speedy recovery!!

(Also, LOVE your screen name - too funny. )

[Lizzie07]

Oh, your poor baby! You did the right thing, I've seen dogs whose legs have atrophied because of LP and the dog can't use it. However, it isn't easy to see the recover from the surgery at first. I would have thought you would get an e-collar mand maybe something to give for pain. Those stitches will start itching him and I would worry about his messing with them.

I hope your boy has a quick recovery and is feeling as good as new soon. He's adorable, btw.

[Patti]

Sorry to hear about your little guy. My Pixie had LP surgery in June and they were going to send her home with a cone but I had purchased a soft e collar from Mom to Hot Rod on here and used that at first. She really didn't bother with her stitches though so I left it off.
She didn't have a bandage either. The first few days she was really quiet and sad looking but perked up after that. I had several areas set up for her to be confined in so she wouldn't get too bored. Like you I second guessed my decision to have the surgery, but she really was having a hard time with her leg. I am glad now that I did it. I hope your little man has a good recovery.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Originally Posted by Cereal Killer

Hi Everyone
My little guy had surgery to repair a grade 4 luxating patella yesterday. He wasn't provided with an e-collar or any type of bandage over his stitches. I was just wondering if
a) is this normal? ( i did google search and most dogs seemed to have both. I just found it odd).
b) would it be ok if I covered him with a clean blanket to keep him warm (he just seems cold to me with his little shaved leg). I don't want to invite infection!

It's so hard not to wonder if I made a mistake having this done even though I know it was the right thing to do. He's just having such a hard time getting comfortable!

Here is a pic of him (100X more alert than he was yesterday!)

My little guy had lp surgery last year and I too was 2nd guessing myself. His leg was bowed out though and he was not wanting to walk. It was a very long 6 weeks of recuperation. Our surgeon told us to limit his walking and to keep him quiet. It was easy for the first couple of weeks but then he started to feel better and wanted to do more.

I would be careful of putting blankets on him as he could get wrapped up in them and hurt himself. (as was suggested to me by another member) I have soft collars as Patti suggested. I designed on for my little one as he started to lick his incision and the surgeon said that he needed something so he would not get the site infected. You can click on the 2nd half my signature to get to the thread about my collars. They are so much more comfortable. They can sleep very easily in them and you fold it down for them to drink and eat.

Good luck to you and your little one. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Feel to pm with with any questions you may have to to just talk about the recovery.

Bo

[ladyjane]

I would definitely watch him closely ... you don't want him to lick that incision! Might be a good idea to call the vet tomorrow for an E Collar...or buy one at Petsmart.

If you think he is chilly, just put a light t shirt on him. I would not cover him up with a blanket.

He will feel better each day. The first couple of days are the most difficult. I do hope they gave him something for pain.

He is precious!

[alaskayorkie]

Vet was adamant about an e-collar when Eddie had his cranial cruciate surgery. He said I could take it off if I was actively supervising him but didn't want him left alone without it.

I never had a problem with them getting cold, but we keep our house at 68 all the time.

[Cereal Killer]

Thank you to everyone for your advice! Sometimes I think the people on here know more than the vets!

A neighbor lent me a collar last night (much to my little dude's dismay). I freaked out after I saw him quickly snap at his suture area and asked if she had one that I could borrow (i dont live anywhere near a petsmart or any pet store really anymore).

He does have pain medication and honestly he doesnt seem to be in too much pain, he just seems anxious and maybe a little confused. He keeps trying to hop after me everywhere I go and I keep sticking him in his crate. I moved my study area to the floor next to his crate so we can still be together. I also sleep on the floor next to the crate so I can keep an eye on him (and so he doesnt go nuts - normally he doesnt mind his crate and he sleeps in there every night but he was been very clingy since Monday)

I didn't even think of him getting wrapped up and injured in a blanket - thanks for bringing it to my attention!

One more question to those of you who had this done - does the hopping and leg carrying go away completly? Did your little ones stand with their rear ends hunched down before the repair? He stands almost like his knees are bent all the time with his back all hunched up, I was just wondering if his posture will be improved? The first vet we went to said he stood like that from nutritional defiency (his previous owners fed him cat food!) but now Im thinking its because he wasn't able to extend his knees.

Sorry for all the questions, but I have been lurking here for a while and you all just seem so knowledable and helpful.

[chattiesmom]

Welcome to you and your little fella

Sending prayers and positive thoughts for a speedy and full recovery.

I wouldn't worry too much about the wound not being covered as long as you keep him in a clean environment and from chewing the stitches. I have never faced an LP surgery, but my vets both dog and horse rarely cover surgical stitches - they heal faster when kept clean and dry and exposed to air.

Please never heistate to ask questions - learning and sharing is what YT is all about!

[Patti]

Pixie's came on so quickly that she only started holding her leg strangely. It looked likeit was just hanging there. Pixie hopped at first after surgery but by then 4th week she seemed to be walking ok. Just every once in awhile she looked like she was skipping a little. Now you could never tell she had the surgery. Now my Cali who has grade 4 in both knees stands with her back legs tucked under her but does not limp, skip or show any other signs of it bothering her. Trust me they do heal quickly and the more confined you can keep him for the next few weeks the better it is.

[ladyjane]

They do get better! Some take a bit longer than others depending on how long they were limping and/or favoring that leg prior to surgery. That goes along with muscle wasting....the longer they don't use the leg, the more the muscle wastes.

One of my fosters is in surgery today. She had a badly damaged knee that was an old injury and basically had it reconstructed almost two months ago. She has been having some issues with using it and we had wanted to start her with PT but in the meantime, the pins started moving, causing her some discomfort. So, she is having the pins removed today. Then, in two weeks when her sutures are removed, she will be evaluated by the physical therapist. She has quite a bit of muscle wasting. Even a pup like that will improve. Sometimes it just takes them a bit longer. It can take up to a year sometimes!