I haven't been too great about updating this blog, but here's a short update on how Pocky has progressed over the past year.
Currently, Pocky is a senior dog that stills gets lots of exercise. He doesn't run after other dogs, can't play at the dog park, and doesn't like doing the stairs more than once a day but he can walk the distance to the mailbox, which honestly last year I was afraid he'd never do again. A couple weeks ago we took him on a trip to California where we did 9 holes of a disc golf course, and he's done 18 holes at Peccole Ranch in cooler weather. Typically, he lies down in the grass when he feels like it during his walks, but I don't know if this is because he is in pain, or just doesn't want to go in the apartment.
That is the hardest part-- not knowing if Pocky is in pain. He still seems very enthusiastic to do things, and jumps up for walks and when we offer treats or go somewhere new. His spirit is good, that much is true. But, he likes his schedule and takes his meds.
Meds:
Glucosamine (Trader Joe's for Dogs)
Fish Oil
Rimadal
MSM
(twice daily)
Food: Solid Gold Hunden Flocken
Yogurt and wet food
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Friday, April 13, 2007
Worst case scenario
One week after the surgery, Pocky went in to have his sutures removed. The vet looked at him and said he was doing remarkably well. Everything seemed to be going good, and the physical therapist met with us to show us some exercises to do. My husband left the vet happy and ready to get started on slowing working Pocky back up to using his leg.
As they left the vet to got to the car, my husband unlocked the vehicle and turned to put the much-hated collar into the truck. Just as he did this, a very happy to be out of the vet's office Pocky did what he has done for most of his life. He went to jump in the truck. Apparently, as he jumped he realized he didn't have the strength and winced, landing back on the ground.
Aaron felt really bad, and went home hoping that it was just a minor incident. Unfortunately, Pocky started limping on the OTHER (uninjured leg).
24 hours later, the vet was called again and Pocky had a follow-up consultation with the surgeon. In about three minutes they were able to tell us that he had the same injury on the opposite leg.
This basically means that the whole process needs to be done AGAIN. Another costly surgery, another three months of severely restricted activity AFTER he recovers enough to be able to depend on the leg we just fixed.
This is terrible news, even though we had done the research and knew there was a good chance that at some point the other leg would go. Little did we know it would be so soon. Suddenly, out positive outlook was drastically changed. We are seriously bummed out.
As they left the vet to got to the car, my husband unlocked the vehicle and turned to put the much-hated collar into the truck. Just as he did this, a very happy to be out of the vet's office Pocky did what he has done for most of his life. He went to jump in the truck. Apparently, as he jumped he realized he didn't have the strength and winced, landing back on the ground.
Aaron felt really bad, and went home hoping that it was just a minor incident. Unfortunately, Pocky started limping on the OTHER (uninjured leg).
24 hours later, the vet was called again and Pocky had a follow-up consultation with the surgeon. In about three minutes they were able to tell us that he had the same injury on the opposite leg.
This basically means that the whole process needs to be done AGAIN. Another costly surgery, another three months of severely restricted activity AFTER he recovers enough to be able to depend on the leg we just fixed.
This is terrible news, even though we had done the research and knew there was a good chance that at some point the other leg would go. Little did we know it would be so soon. Suddenly, out positive outlook was drastically changed. We are seriously bummed out.
Surgery complete
Pocky had his TPLO surgey on March 22. It went pretty well, and even though I was out of town, I was able to hear reassuring daily reports. He came home the day after the surgery and was pretty tired out. By the time I got home, three days later, he seemed to be in very good spirits. What was amazing about Pocky after the surgery was how good he seemed. There was absolutely no bleeding, he didn't seem in pain, he was moving around as well as before the surgery. He continued to eat fine, and go to the bathroom with no problems.
The worst part for him was wearing the Elizabethan collar that resulted in him bashing into the walls and furniture in frustration as he moved around to his favorite sleeping places. We set him up with a Thermarest covered in an old blanket to serve as a orthobed, but he also slept fine on the floor.
We were very optimistic after the surgery, and both felt we had made the right decision. He goes back for a follow-up in a week, when they will remove the sutures and he will be free of the irritating collar.
Oh, on another note, the surgery came in under the estimated price by about 300 dollars.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Consultation with the specialist
Having just moved to the godawful city of Las Vegas, we were pretty worried that we would not be able to find a specialist or that the vet would somehow be as untrustworthy as the rest of the Las Vegans. [For instance a normal-enough person I know from work drives to Utah just "to get a decent oil change"] This is obviously a bit of an exaggeration, but you can understand our feeling of vulnerability during the process.
I looked online and searched for vets that are certified to do the TPLO procedure, since it does require some specialized training. Apparently the surgery was developed when a researcher noticed that the old type of surgery where a "synthetic" ligament recreates the cruiciate was failing highly active dogs. He then developed the TPLO surgery which requires cutting the bone and creating a "plateau" where the joint is absorbing the downward pressure of the tibia. (Ask your vet for a model, it is rather complicated and requires understanding a variety of the angles involved in canine anatomy.)
We found our vet online and felt very good after seeing what type of facilities were available (hydrotheraphy) and the level of training the staff had. Our consultation was rather expensive, considering it involved looking at the X-rays and my husband and I asking questions based on information we already looked up. The doctor did comment to us that TPLO is the surgery that he would do on his own 9 year-old Lab if he were in the same position. He also said that he approaches the surgery with every expectation that "Pocky will once again climb Turtlehead Peak and hike with us again". (I'm not sure if he's ever been up Turtlehead, but if that is the outcome I will be overjoyed.
We had some choices in addition to the type of surgery (the "old" procedure vs. TPLO). We had to choose to do arthroscopy or non-arthroscopy. (We chose the first because it may help in the recovery process and is slightly better for the vet as they view the joint.) It cost about $400 more. In the end, we ended up with a long itemized bill with a high estimate and a low estimate. It is going to be around the expected $3000. This includes the follow-up visit to remove the stitches, but does not include the final set of X-rays or the hydrotherapy.
We scheduled the surgery for March 28. He will be dropped off in the morning, stay overnight and be picked up at noon the following day. I am writing this on the eve of the surgery and I can honestly say that I am terrified.
I looked online and searched for vets that are certified to do the TPLO procedure, since it does require some specialized training. Apparently the surgery was developed when a researcher noticed that the old type of surgery where a "synthetic" ligament recreates the cruiciate was failing highly active dogs. He then developed the TPLO surgery which requires cutting the bone and creating a "plateau" where the joint is absorbing the downward pressure of the tibia. (Ask your vet for a model, it is rather complicated and requires understanding a variety of the angles involved in canine anatomy.)
We found our vet online and felt very good after seeing what type of facilities were available (hydrotheraphy) and the level of training the staff had. Our consultation was rather expensive, considering it involved looking at the X-rays and my husband and I asking questions based on information we already looked up. The doctor did comment to us that TPLO is the surgery that he would do on his own 9 year-old Lab if he were in the same position. He also said that he approaches the surgery with every expectation that "Pocky will once again climb Turtlehead Peak and hike with us again". (I'm not sure if he's ever been up Turtlehead, but if that is the outcome I will be overjoyed.
We had some choices in addition to the type of surgery (the "old" procedure vs. TPLO). We had to choose to do arthroscopy or non-arthroscopy. (We chose the first because it may help in the recovery process and is slightly better for the vet as they view the joint.) It cost about $400 more. In the end, we ended up with a long itemized bill with a high estimate and a low estimate. It is going to be around the expected $3000. This includes the follow-up visit to remove the stitches, but does not include the final set of X-rays or the hydrotherapy.
We scheduled the surgery for March 28. He will be dropped off in the morning, stay overnight and be picked up at noon the following day. I am writing this on the eve of the surgery and I can honestly say that I am terrified.
Monday, March 26, 2007
A Normal Day at the Park
A week ago, Monday the 19th of March, Pocky was out for a routine walk in the planned community (Peccole Ranch) near our house. Because the area has walking trails and is off-limts to cars with lots of grassy areas, there are always many dogs out for a walk and some playing. My husband, Aaron let Pocky play with some other dogs, much as we do everyday either at our daily dog park visit or on a walk in Peccole. While playing, Pocky cut a corner and tripped (almost looking like he fell in a hole). Aaron noticed him start limping and they made their way home.
After I got home, I checked the leg and thought it could be his hips or arthritis, but not really knowing, we decided to call the vet in the morning if the doggie asprin and rest did not improve Pocky. In the morning he was no better, and we took him in to the vet at six am.
The vet told is that he needed to put Pocky under sedative, so that he could do a full range of motion test. Dogs tend to hold the leg stiff when they are in pain and the vet can't get a good look at the leg function. So, we agreed and had him admitted for the tests and X-rays. The vet mentioned that he suspected that it could be an ACL injury, but we were hoping for other news since that was the most serious and the most costly procedure.
Later in the day, our fears were confirmed and the vet knew for sure that it was a cruciate ligament injury. This injury requires a referral to an orthopedic specialist and another consulation. We went home with a sore and scared dog and soon we were as worried and upset as he was.
There is a ton of information on the Internet on the TPLO surgery, the various older stifle surgeries and the recuperation process. There is also an active listserv orthodogs that has many members. We started wading through all the information which started to make us even more terrified. As if the price alone wasn't enough. A traumatic surgery that cost $3000? yes, we had some hard conversations ahead of us.
After I got home, I checked the leg and thought it could be his hips or arthritis, but not really knowing, we decided to call the vet in the morning if the doggie asprin and rest did not improve Pocky. In the morning he was no better, and we took him in to the vet at six am.
The vet told is that he needed to put Pocky under sedative, so that he could do a full range of motion test. Dogs tend to hold the leg stiff when they are in pain and the vet can't get a good look at the leg function. So, we agreed and had him admitted for the tests and X-rays. The vet mentioned that he suspected that it could be an ACL injury, but we were hoping for other news since that was the most serious and the most costly procedure.
Later in the day, our fears were confirmed and the vet knew for sure that it was a cruciate ligament injury. This injury requires a referral to an orthopedic specialist and another consulation. We went home with a sore and scared dog and soon we were as worried and upset as he was.
There is a ton of information on the Internet on the TPLO surgery, the various older stifle surgeries and the recuperation process. There is also an active listserv orthodogs that has many members. We started wading through all the information which started to make us even more terrified. As if the price alone wasn't enough. A traumatic surgery that cost $3000? yes, we had some hard conversations ahead of us.
Introducing Pocky
Pocky "Pocket Rocket"
Pocky is a ten year-old mixed breed dog (Husky, Shepherd, Beagle) who is really been quite an extraordinary friend to Aaron and I. He was adopted from the North Shore Animal League when I lived in Manhattan and since then he has lived in Denver, Milwaukee, and now Las Vegas. In 2002, Pocky hiked the 2,500-mile Pacific Crest Trail with Aaron and I on our honeymoon and even has a certificate as a "thru-hiker" for the class of '02. Pocky was running up cliffs at Red Rock National Recreation area on the trail of some mountain sheep just two weeks ago, and now he is reduced to hobbling on three legs.
This is the story of Pocky's ACL (cruciate ligament) injury and his TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery to fix it. We have been reviewing lots of information online, including other dog's experiences. We hope we can share information here for others considering this very common, and yet very intrusive and scary surgery.
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