Canine CCL Tear Site

Day of Surgery

nrc77 — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 01:00:19 +0000

Patton was doing well today. We both got up early in the morning and went out for a brief walk and to use the potty before the car ride to the vet. Once at the vet I was able to meet everyone and follow Patton to the back where I was able to look at his X-Rays and hangout with him until we had to leave.

I must admit I have a soft spot for my dog and it was tough leaving him there, but I knew he was in good hands. The surgery took a couple hours and he stayed the day. I was able to pick him up that evening. He was back in his kennel and still pretty out of it. When he saw me round the corner he started wagging his tail and attempted to get up. His tail kept hitting the side of the kennel and it sounded like a drum echoing through the back room. He was wrapped in blankets and had a heating pad over his knee. He wouldn’t stop trying to get up to see me so I opened the kennel and crawled in. After another hour or so we loaded him into the backseat of the car and headed home. He stayed awake the entire trip, but his body was completely limp.

We had arranged to borrow an SUV, but due to the circumstances it fell through. I HIGHLY recommend using one if you have a car and a dog near Patton’s size or larger. Loading him in and out of the backseat was not easy. I am a little behind updating the site, but I will continue this post in another blog detailing the long night that followed and add new ones detailing the last two days.

Below are the individual X-Rays of his knees and hips. You can see in the X-Ray of his right leg the huge gap and rotation. After the operation the surgeon also said it was the most rotated knee he had seen. I couldn’t help but to think how he was still running around on it the day before.

Patton in his kennel at the vet.

1 Day Pre OP

nrc77 — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:22:34 +0000

Patton has been doing pretty well overall. He is more mobile on his right leg and is actually starting to put it down and use it now. This is most likely due to his leg trying to heal itself. It does make me feel more confident that his left leg will make it through the next month. As another precaution I am getting a sling to wrap around his hind quarters to help him walk for potty breaks.

I also found some information that states stairs are actually okay as long as the dog does not slip sideways or hit his knee. I still plan on picking him up and carrying him for at least the first week maybe two. My back could use the break! I’ll get his surgeon’s opinion before I let him attempt it.

Tomorrow my WONDERFUL neighbor is borrowing her friend’s SUV to help me take Patton to and from the vet. Being new to Los Angeles I have been very lucky to meet a great group of people through her and SpotLosAngeles.com and Save Spot. Patton and I couldn’t do this without them and I am forever grateful!

And so it begins….

Welcome!

nrc77 — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:32:40 +0000

This site is dedicated to providing factual and real world information concerning CCL tears in Dogs. I am also using it to document the process of my own Dog’s recovery from bilateral TPLO surgeries. All comments, information and suggestions are welcome. I am hoping people facing this type of injury will find this site and be able to use it as a resource to make the best non bias, informed decision.

I am also in the process of setting up a non profit to help individuals cover the cost of surgeries in the event they cannot financially afford it or acquire Care Credit.