Once your dog is diagnosed with trick knee (luxating patella), you have a major decision - surgery or no surgery. See the Resources section of this article for help making your decision.
When you opt for luxating patellar surgery, there are several important things to consider as follows:
1. Trick knee diagnosis as performed by a competent, experienced vet is usually straight-forward. The vet can actually feel the dog's knee cap slipping put of its track. However, you may want to pursue a second opinion regarding the surgical procedures for correction. Risk to the animal, surgical success, and cost are important considerations.
2. Ask and get answers to all your questions about the surgery from the vet and/or the surgeon (they may be different individuals; some vets specialize in doggie orthopedic surgery). Ask questions about the details of the surgery and how long the dog will stay in the hospital (a big factor in cost).
3. Be sure you understand the mechanics of corrective surgery because it helps if and when there is a post operative condition. For example, Simon, a year-old Cockapoo, developed a mysterious lump at the surgical site several days post-surgery. A common occurrence, the lump was caused by internal sutures irritating tissues.
4. Most animal hospitals provide specific instructions about medication and post-operative doggie activity. Take care to follow these instructions. For example, letting a dog run up and down stairs may not be the best of decisions.
5. Be aware that post-op infection is a possibility. One way to detect an infection is to establish the dog's normal temperature before surgery. Then you can take his temp several days post surgery to see if it is rising out of the normal zone. After bandages are removed, the suture site may become red and sensitive to touch. If this is the case, a call to the vet is a good idea.
6. Once the surgeon or vet has finished his job and the dog comes home from the hospital, it's up to the owner to take over the dog's care. For example, at least for the first few days, keep a careful eye on the dog's general condition. Note that medications may cause your pet to appear drowsy and sleep more than usual.
7. Other household pets and small children may pose a hazard to a dog just released from the hospital. Isolate the patient as a protection. Remember that excessive activity can tear surgical repairs.
8. Transporting the patient in a vehicle also requires special care. Use a carrier or crate for transport.
No comments:
Post a Comment