Romeo's in surgery

First topic message reminder :

so Romeo has two ruptured knee caps... and he's in surgery as i type this.... i have no idea how everything is going to go, i'll keep you posted


update:::
he had an indentation on the joint surface of the inner fide of his left femur where there what was called an OCD lesion. there where signs of inflammation: arthrosis, and effusion (increased amount of joint fluid)
It was roughly the sma eon his right knee too just not as bad as the left.'

They then did Mosaic arthroplasty on both knees. the cleaned off the danaged ares and made 5mm hole on both knees in a cylander like shape... like an apple core'er, and then took bone joint cartilage from another part of his leg to fill it.

Maybe hydrotherapy would be a good idea for Romeo, does the vet offer this service ??

Kathy wrote:Maybe hydrotherapy would be a good idea for Romeo, does the vet offer this service ??

Vets don't usually offer it, but they can refer you to one, well thats how it works here Xx

Looks like Rocky is very lucky should he ever need it, his vet has is.

there is a doggy day spa in the city center that has it we are probally going to go there. it just depends if my insurance covers it or we might have to go to the pshyio at the vets,

he's up and alert, but as you can see...not very happy

Such a forlorn photo

i know, if looks could kill. i'm hand feeding his treats, he wont eat anything from his bowl he's hand fed, he wont even drink, he's given a sippy cup.... he's milking it i'm sure

Awww, that poor face! He looks so.....confused!

Are you finding it hard? I was heart broken when Moo was resting, and Romeo is always with you ><

Poor lad milking or not he's a child and it's up to mummy to wait on him hand and foot , sleep on floor to keep him company and generally whatever is required , Tilly and Tommy send big Staffy Hugs >< ><

Ahhh poor Romeo he looks so sad in that photo, "Look what they did Mummy?"

yeah its only been two days and it stresses me out to know he's at home and i have to go out and do everything with him by himself. i just want to be home, the whole time at work i was freating if he was ok.
when i came home from the vets with out him and had to be in my little apartment alone i was like... in shock... i didnt know what to do with myself, so i went out and got things for romeo so that they would be ready when he came home since i just couldnt sit there
Romeo is used to always being with me and always getting spoilt, so its not a shock that he is rather feeble and demanding. i dont mind doing it, i just dote over him most days anyway, so whats a little more babying
It makes me so depressed to see him struggling to do simple things like change the side he's laying on and to hear him cry if he moves his leg badly.
He's peed ok, but he hasnt passed any poo since yesterday morning, i hope he does something to night, i know its hard since he has to squat on his hinds.
really wish i bathed him before hand though... he's a bit smelly

Poor Romeo, he must be so puzzled as to what has happened to him and why he hurts. All big HUGS to him and you while you nurse him through this.

its so weird to see him so still... normally he's like ADHD with added sugar and red drink... and now.. he's so... still.
i miss his bouncy self, i'll be glad when he's him again

I'm sure he will be feeling a little bit better in a few days time, he still needs to take things easy though.

Does he have a little bell to ring when he wants something

You will be amazed how quickly he will get back to himself, that's when you have to be strong and keep him still. There terrible after being knocked out completely. But they do cope, better than we give credit Xx

yeah i know he just needs time, but he's my baby... and i worry for him always
and no...no little bell... but he signs and moans pretty loud

i'm really worried about him since he hasn't pooed since yesterday morning. i know its very painful for him. i didnt realise that dogs can cry tears of pain until i noticed that when ever he had to stand he would get all teary eyed and stream. he does that when he just has to pee.... i dont know how he will do squatting to poo. i dont even care if he does it inside, just as long as he does something soon.

Oh Taryn my heart does go out to you.

Don't worry about the poo for tonight, don't forget you had to starve him before surgery and probably he didn't eat at lot aftwerwards, so his insides might be quite empty. and then the anaesthetic will have slowed his insides down so he won't be working "normally" for a day or two.

If he shows the usual signs of wanting a poo but cries, you
may have to support him the first time. Did the vet advise you how to feed him after surgery? Perhaps soft food that is easily passed the other end might be an idea.

I'm sorry I can't offer any better advice than this as fortunately I haven't had a dog that has had such major surgery.

he's eating his normal food. he gets softened dry food. i put hot water in it and wait until its all soft. his apitie hasnt gone down. i'm hoping he passes something tomorrow. i think its going to be harsh on his legs

It's good he's still got an appetite. Tomorrow should show an end result and it's good you're not fussed about where he goes while he's still so sore.

He may manage better than you fear - all >< to you both.

yeah, he's a trooper, but he is such an over sized spoilt lap dog. he's such a staffy, all balls when he faces another dog... but anything else and he's a total sop and sook

I would use a towel, take him out, when you feel he needs it lift him and support his entire underbelly, so he feels like he is squatting but isn't putting any weight on his back legs.

yeah i tried that yesterdaqy and he seemed to panic and work himself up. i might give it another go tomorrow if he is still having issues

You just can't afford for him to peg it off, and hopefully he may need to go Xx

yeah i hope at some point i hope he's like... 'ahhh yeah, gotta go no matter what2

I really do wish him a speedy recovery, Moo was rested for abou 6 weeks and after 2 months we are now getting back to normal, it was so hard to do, her little face wanting to go out.

Just give it time, longer the better.

Taryn I nursed one of my girlies through a serious illness and she looked much like Romeo does now.

Me and my husband used to carry her out to the garden still sat in her basket and she would get out very carefully and do a poo stood up. So you might just find that Romeo will do the same if he cannot comfortably squat to go.

Aww poor boy

the problem is its snowing really bad outside so he has to deal with the cold too the poor sod

Oh my! Sorry I missed this one. Glad he is through it all and hoping for a speedy recovery for you both! ><

its ok, pleanty of updates to go, he's only had the surgery yesterday, he has a long road of thearpy for his legs to come

Romeo still hasnt pooed yet, he will go out and pee but then he staggers back to the door and demands to be taken in.... its ben so long now, surely he's getting kinda backed up he has been eating normally... but not deficating... hmmmm
i think if he doesnt do anything tonight i need to make some phone calls.
But tomorrow we take of the bandages and get to see what kind of mess he is

most pittyfull face you'll ever see

Poor boy He is still so handsome even if he isn't happy

Lol. Know that sad look! Poor Romeo.

Taryn i am so sorry to hear about Romeo, lots of hugs >< >< and Cassie sends lots of Cassie kisses x .These picture are so adorable he nearly made me cry , but he does look as if to say "your putting the bulb where?". Hoping he gets well soon x

Taryn wrote:most pittyfull face you'll ever see

i know the poor darling is ever so depressed. although, you'll all be happy to know he has been taking some tender steps around when he wants something thats not in his reach.
still no poo

Taryn it sounds like Romeo is recovering fast from his ordeal.

The bandages come off tomorrow? Does that mean at the vet's? If so, you can ask the vet then if still no poo, maybe a mild laxative would be in order.

He looks so helpless

aww poor mite! get well soon mate!

Hope he's well soon

i take the bandages off at home to air them, he will get the stiches out another week.
he POOED it was desprate and long and painful and we had to go up and down the stairs of the apartment again and again so he could keep going, i was just so glad that he went even.
at the moment he is siging very loudly and laying on his bed, he seems to have a bit of a shake happening on, i'm going to stay up with him and see how he goes
btw he walked around quiet a bit when we went outside so, he's getting more function back

In the nicest possible way, you have to stop him from walking, honestly, its for the best for him lovely. Pleased he has pooped, but you have to keep him restricted. They have no pain threshold and rely on us, as hard as it may seem Xx

Poor Romeo. Big >< to you both. I'm glad his surgery went well. Fingers crossed he recovers quickly. It's horrible when they have that sad look

no its ok janey, the vets recomended that i encourage him to get up and move every now and then, not too much but enough that he stretches, because right now he doesnt move at all unless i pick him up and take him outside. he only walks around for about a minute or two while he pee's and such and then wants to go back in, but the fact that he moves is very reasuring

That sad face ...glad he's more willing to walk around and everything though, recover soon, Romeo

Never thought I'd be glad to hear about a poo!

Romeo must be feeling better for it, although it was obviously painful for him - next time should be easier as his insides are now working again.

Re walking - a little toddling around will keep his joints from stiffening. Just baby steps for now.

I'm so glad to hear that Romeo is continuing to improve ><

yeah, toddle is a pretty good way to describe it actually. he seems to be really perking up. he even stood to great me to day and i just looked over my shoulder to see him splayed out frog style, thats a first since the surgery.

i took of his bandages today. the cuts are a good 6-8 cms long!

Massive hugs from us ><

he has twin cuts, one on each knee.

How's the little fella getting along now Taryn