My lil Sam just had ACL surgery and i need help

[samsmom20]

Hi everyone...
My dog Sam, 4 yr old Shih Tzu, had surgery on his ACL yesterday.
He came home today at noon and it's been interesting.
I put him on the couch when i got home, sat beside him..got up to get something about 5 feet away...and he jumps off the couch.
I put him back up on the couch under his blankie and finally he stays there.
He drank a whole bowl of water when he got home...
Couple hours later, i thought..maybe he needs to pee.
So i leash him, carry him to the backyard and put him down.
He took one step and fell....then i thought about rolling a pillowcase up and trying to splint him leg, but he doesn't understand how to walk with something wrapped along his leg.

Anybody have any ideas on making pee time easier????
Please help.

[t.pettet]

I too have a little rescue dog (10 lbs.) who had surgery for luxating patella yesterday a.m. She is caged, wearing a cone and is utterly miserable. I am using one of those thick elastic bandages as a sling around her middle to help her utilize the leg and with bathroom trips. Its wide enough to support about 5 inches of her lower chest and abdomen while giving her enough support and feeling secure she's not going to fall. I also put a flat 3 ft board with rubber mat nailed to it as a ramp over the 4 outside steps. She's on pain meds but is already putting a wee bit of weight on her leg.

[samsmom20]

thanks for your help.
Sam's been very unhappy since he got home.
He'll be laying quiety falling asleep...then he'll lift his head and start whining.
I know he's in pain...
The vet sent him home with the Morphene pack still on his side,
so that should help with his pain.
It's only day 1...maybe tomorrow will be easier.

[badger]

Since you are able to carry him outside, I would put the towel around his belly once you have put him down and stand next to him at all times (I don't imagine he's straying far). You just don't want to jar that leg in any way. Make sure he gets the pain dope he needs. Atlho' maybe the whining is partly frustration, being immobilized is such a drag.
My sister went through this with her lab, I sympathize. It's early days, once the pain has subsided and all the anesthetic is out of his system, he'll perk up.

[samsmom20]

I hope things get better.
Sam was laying on the other side of the couch crying...
I picked him up and put him beside me under his blanket..and the crying stopped.
I took him in backyard earlier and i got the towel under his belly...he walked with his front paws.
But still no pee, the vet said no to be surprised if he has accidents in the house. I wasn't surprised when he said that.
He said the Morphene may be whats making him cry, because his disoriented and scared. The vet said he shouldnt be feeling any pain while the morphene patch is on.
When he breathes..i hear wheezing..i htink its wheezing, but i suspect it might be cause they put a tube down his throat for him to breathe while he was under the anesthetic.

I'm worried about him, and im feeling incredibly overwhelmed.

[Chilver]

My Bichon also had ACL surgery this spring. Just to let you know his leg is as good as it was before. I don't remember that he had a problem going to the bathroom but I do remember that when I picked him up to take him outside his chest was wet and so was his bed. He was so dopey he didn't realize he was going. They spring back very quickly after the first few days and then you have to keep them quiet - which is difficult. Once they are feeling better they just don't want to go out to do their business on the leash and back in but that's how it is. I would say in 3 months he was back to his old self as far as walking. He is now on glucosamine/condroitin/msm for l yr. Your little Sam will be fine - it just takes time.

[bendyfoot]

Wheezing or coughing is not unusual for a few days after a sugery...it IS from the tube they insert down the throat.

A lot of the time dogs will be quite vocal (whiny, panty, moany) for a day or two after a big surgery like what your puppers have gone through (my girl had a leg amputated this year, and this seems to be the general experience for big leg surgeries)...it's most likely a "hangover" from the combination of the anaesthetic and the pain meds...they're feeling a tad weird and loopy still, and it's most likely more about that than about pain. The morphine patches are very effective for managing the pain, so as long as he as that on he should be ok.

Jaida had trouble going to the bathroom too. We supported her with a brace like others have suggested, but she was very hesitant...I think they feel kind of "off" and fearful for a little while. She eventually started to do her business properly. We carried her right outside to her potty place so there was no strain on her ouchies before the act of going potty.

I understand the overwhelming feeling...we were exhausted, distraught and totally emotionally drained after Jaida's surgeries this summer. It WILL pass. The first week is the hardest, especially the first few days. Hang in there!

[mummummum]

Just an fyi....Morphine is a VERY good medication for pain control but, if your dog has any respiratory illness at all ~ it represses breathing. Some wheezing and belaboured breathing will be normal post-surgery but...when di your dog have the surgery? He sounds like he is pain ~ and he should not be if he is 3-4 days post surgery with a sufficient dosage pain medication.

[samsmom20]

Hi everyone...
Sam did have his surgery on Halloween..October 31st.
The first couple days have been difficult tryin to read him.
The crying and whining did stop after i took the morphine patch off...the vet said to remove it Saturday.
Ever since it's been off, it's been difficult keeping him calm...
His rambunctious self is back, which is a good sign.
I think his stitches are healing (theyre dissolving ones), cause he'll be laying asleep and instantly wake up and reposition to try and lick his leg.
Sam has always been a lil guy who loves to lay on the carpet and lick himself..i have no idea why.
He's been hopping around on 3 legs in the backyard while going to the bathroom...and it seems to be working. Other than the fact that he goes pee every 4 hours.
I ran out of wet food yesterday, he was eating Prescription Diet I/D...it's not supposed to give him diarhea..which it hasnt.
I tried him with dry food, and he wants nothing to do with it...picky little man.
Any ideas on gettin him to eat?..i cant give him meds until he eats.

[mummummum]

Just so we're clear...

It's REALLY important that your dog get NO exercise other doing his biz. One of the advantages of using an underbelly lift is that you can control him by your side and make certain he's not trying to walk too quickly. He should be either crated or with someone who will be vigilant about keeping him quiet (no standing, walking, jumping etc.)

The other thing is ~ he is still wearing an e-collar I hope and can't get to his stitches yes?

[samsmom20]

He doesn't walk around other than his buisness....other than that, i carry him everywhere.
He doesn't have an e-collar right now, he hasn't been to horrible with his leg....but if he licks it more tonight, he will have a cone by tomorrow.

I had to rush Sam to the vet this morning.,..he was peeing blood.
Turns out he has a UTI. Vet said it isn't horrible now, but if it weren't treated, it would get worse.
I found him peeing blood last night...so first thing this morning, he went to the vet.
The vet also loves how Sam is healing...he says his stitches should be disolved soon and rehab should begin next week.
Sam has been toe touching a few times, and the vet says thats ok...but only in very little amounts.
But Sam gets carried everywhere...and he's catered too