Week 2 - Sling
Week Two of the TPLO recovery signifies the mastery of routine. BJ, Kaz, and I have all adjusted to our new daily schedule and it has really made our lives a lot easier. We started leaving her alone for a couple hours each day to see how she would do in her pen without supervision. Each day we increased her time left alone and she seems to be doing just fine.
I am shocked at how quickly she is recovering. Her incision is almost completely healed and there is absolutely no sign of swelling or bruising anymore. She continues to use the leg more and more each day and is looking stronger and stronger.
We brought her in for her 2 week check-up and Dr. Lozier said she was healing fantastically. When we told the receptionist that he had used the word “fantastic”, she was in disbelief. She said that Dr. Lozier is a strict Type A personality and, as a perfectionist, he rarely uses words like “fantastic.” So that must mean that Kaz is healing amazingly.
We had one concern about a small cut across her abdomen that seemed to get worse since she had come home from surgery. We asked Dr. Lozier to check on it and when he told us it was a “cautery failure”, both our faces turned white in fear. As it turns out, the scratch was actually a burn from some electrical equipment they use to stop bleeding during surgery. The wound will heal in another week but there might be a small scar from it. Dr. Lozier sincerely apologized for the burn and offered to eliminate the scar with cosmetic surgery, free of charge. BJ and I both agreed that if this was the only problem we have with the TPLO we will be happy and we definitely don’t see any need to put Kaz through any other surgeries purely for cosmetic reasons.
My biggest concern now is keeping her on the activity restrictions. Since she is healing so well, she is feeling better than she should and is wanting to do more activity than her leg can handle. To help with her boredom of being confined to her pen, we picked up a few new toys and bones for her.
This is her new squirrel toy that we fill with small milk bones. She has to roll it around to get the treats to dispense and it seems to keep her occupied for awhile.
She still really loves having visitors and throroughly enjoyed Jess’s company inside her pen. As long as we are in the same room as her, Kaz seems to be content watching us and she likes to use her ridiculously cute face to demand petting.
on Dec 8th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Court, I’m so glad that Kaz is doing so well. I wonder how long it will be before her fur grows back. It’s starting to snow here, but we won’t get as much as your folks or south of them. They’re predicting a foot in the Rochester area. Give Kaz a big hug from her auntie Pat. Love you.
on Apr 11th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Hi there. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to be reading a great recovery story following TPLO surgery. I have read a few difficult, long- winded recovery dramas, and as my little dog had TPLO surgery 3 days ago yours has really helped me. My little border terrier has been my best little mate for 8 years, and a sudden knee injury in the back yard (simply chasing a toy) seems to have changed our lives so dramatically. Apart from the health concerns for her the vet bills have been crippling. It is really causing so much stress as I don’t have pet medical insurance. She is 8 and has always been a perfect picture of health and really active and happy. Anyway I took the specialists advice to do this surgery, but am almost regretting it so far as she is so bruised, sad and has this really long recovery process to go through. I have been assured that this was the best option for her due to the steep tibial plateau that she has. Also compounding my stress is the worry over whether the other knee will have future problems. To end on a high note this whole episode has helped me curb my love of shopping, as if I hadn’t purchased unneccessary guff over the years (and saved more) then the financial aspect of this injury wouldn’t be such an additional stress. It also makes me more appreciative of all we take for granted when well, such as our regular routine walks, going for a drive to visit friends and playing fetch!! So I wish Kaz and you all a continued trouble free recovery, and the same for my little ‘baby’:)Cheers from Auckland, New Zealand. Georga
on Apr 15th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Hi again. An update on Hazels TPLO op.Today signifies the end of week one after surgery, and I am pleased with her progress. The horrible bruising and swelling has virtually gone, and she has left her stitches alone which are healing nicely. mentally I think she has been a bit stir crazy at times being confined to her puppy play pen, but we both have to practice patience. I am taking each day as they come and trying not to think of the long recovery to come. So far so good:). Georga: New Zealand