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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Penny Update - 7 weeks post TPLO

    While each day feels long, we're 7 weeks post op!

    Still battling infection however. Penny was back at the clinic yesterday to get yet another culture done and was seen by the surgeon. He said she is otherwise looking good. I agree, if not for the infection I belive we'd be at the front of the curve for progress. She has good energy and using the leg. We have a set-back in that she started limping more in the last week or two at the end of a walk (not a major limp but you can see a limp) and the surgeon believes it's the infection not the actual knee/repair. So we're not increasing walks (well I had cut them back to under 10 minutes and now am back to 10-13 minutes, slow - we cover at MOST 0.6km but usually 0.5 km) but I increased the number of times we go out (some may be shorter walks).

    Now we wait for results of culture so surgeon can pick the right antibiotics to give her.

    I am fairly certain the plate will be coming out so the plan is to X-ray at 15 weeks (he said between 3-4 months) to confirm bone is healed and most likely get the plate out. This adds in cost but the recovery from this is pretty straight forward and it really increased the odds that the infection isn't sitting under there and returns. Which happens, apparently once it's under the plate it's VERY hard (or impossible) to completely get rid of. So even if (fingers crossed) we "nip this infection" I may lean towards taking it out.

    I'd sorta like to do an x-ray earlier just to see progress in case anything is going on but the costs are already escalated beyond the initial surgery cost and x-rays are $360 so a hard decision. The cultures alone are $160 and the antibiotics are not cheap either. Plate removal I an sure will run me around $2000 (plus the xray). Hard call.

    I will say that Penny has been a superstar. She loves her x-pen and is always going right for it when we get to the basement/inside. She is handling the boringness of recovery wonderfully and just sorta...fell into this new routine. she is even ok about the cone (yes still coned I am presently really looking at other options but I am not quite that handy haha).

    ETA: what do I mean by plate? so for TPLO they break/reset the bone to change the angle then put in a plate and screws to hold it in place will the bone heals. once the bone is fully healed the plate is not needed at all. but generally left in because why go back in and remove it just because. However any dog with issues such as infection will go in and remove it. This can actually happen at any time, my friend had infection pop up a year down the road and then removed the plate at that time. The most difficult part is when you have issues BEFORE the bone is fully healed. Generally you are "good to go" around 3-4 months (meaning the bone has fully healed/rebuilt). so yeah it's a nasty surgery.

  2. #2
    Real Retriever
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    Oh, Pretty Penny. The things you've had to deal with. Can't wait 'til you're back to your old self (and coneless)

  3. #3
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    Darn, still dealing with that infection So, now you have to wait for 7 more weeks until x-ray to determine whether the plate comes out, right? Poor Penny I guess you'll be dealing with some amount of muscle atrophy too?

    Sending good thoughts and I know it's difficult. Be patient.
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  4. #4
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Berna View Post
    Darn, still dealing with that infection So, now you have to wait for 7 more weeks until x-ray to determine whether the plate comes out, right? Poor Penny I guess you'll be dealing with some amount of muscle atrophy too?

    Sending good thoughts and I know it's difficult. Be patient.
    someone mentioned the limp may also be due to atrophy? but i don't get it would suddenly START the limp. she is USING the leg it can't be that bad? we may be able to do some rehab in the meantime but haven't been cleared yet. we walk 4-5x daily for 10ish minutes.

    9 weeks not 7 :P HOPEFULLY we nip the infection in the bud and can continue on with rehab more longer walks before that though. That's just when plate removal would be. I could x-ray earlier but the risk is it shows the bone isn't fully healed and I have to x-ray again. He recommended pushing it back to increase odds that when we x-ray she is good to go and they can remove the plate right away (same day while she is already sedated) if needed. plate removal may not be decided until that time really.

  5. #5
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    Limps do happen due to atrophy. Is the vet concerned about that? He can easily determine if there is atrophy and if the amount of atrophy can cause the limp. You can observe the healthy leg and if there is significant atrophy you will easily tell the deference. 50 minutes/day sounds okay but it depends on how she is using that leg.

    Fingers crossed that the results of the culture come back soon and that with the right antibiotics you can kick that infection.
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  6. #6
    Senior Dog Blackboy98's Avatar
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    What a complex process Penny has to go thru. Hope the cultures find the right medication for the infection.

    Sending major MOJO for Penny and you to get thru this problem.
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  7. #7
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    I hope all improves. I highly recommend water physical therapy if its ok'd by Dr and available to you. when chili had his elbows operated, I was really sold on the physical therapy he received with the water tank and training exercises I learned and also did at home.
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  8. #8
    Senior Dog SamsonsMom's Avatar
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    Glad to hear Penny is keeping her head up! Sorry to hear about the continued infection. Keep on pushing! Samson and I are sending happy and positive thoughts!

  9. #9
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Oh gosh, 9 weeks and still fighting infection. I'm sorry to see that and glad to hear Penny is being so adaptable. It may not be what you wanted her to have to learn, but it sounds like she's a quick learner. I'd say you both are superstars.

 



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