TTA surgery recovery tips?

JudyB

JudyB

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Hi All,
We got the bad news yesterday that one of our Aussies needs TTA surgery. I know it's the right thing to do, but hate hate hate that we have to confine him in a cage for 8-10 weeks. It's an Aussie for heavens sake! And he's never been confined, always had 15 acres to run on all day... I guess if you're a human you know it will end, but he can't know that, and doesn't understand why he's in jail, so I'm not happy.

We will do it, but it won't be easy for any of us. I'm looking for tips from those who've been thru the process on what to expect, and how to make it easier if possible. We've already ordered the cage and a lifting harness, am wondering if a neoprene brace is a good or bad idea as well. Even finding the right size cage is difficult for big dogs. And of course we have two Aussies, so not sure if it's best to keep her away, or just let her do her thing.

Would hope that I can get some advice from the dog folks here... How bout it @Dav4 ?
 
Oh poor guy. I don't have dogs so I can't offer any advise but I understand the frustration that you and the little one feel. It hard but you do the right thing. This is not too much different with human babies... they don't know why you give them medications. Wish him/her the best.
 
Thanks for the kind thoughts @namnhi, we will get thru it somehow, but it makes me mad that there isn't an easier way...
 
Yeah, that's too bad for you and your pup. Blowing out ACLs is very common in the dog world, fwiw. I don't do much orthopedics, so would defer to whatever specific post op instructions your dog's surgeon prescribes as far as exercise restriction and PT. The procedure is pretty cool, involving cutting through the top of the tibia and placing a plate to move and fix the attachment of the patellar tendon to a place where knee will be mechanically stabilized despite not having a functional ACL. This is major orthopedic surgery and the dog must be kept quiet until the bone heals, which is typically 2+ months. Your dog will be pretty painful for 3-5 days post op but will surprise you in how soon he'll want to use the leg. Leash walks ONLY!! If the 2 dogs have a tendency to rough house when together, you'll need to chaperone. Tough love takes on a new meaning for the next few months. Once he's all healed up, he'll be good to go.
 
We had ACL surgery done on the hind leg of one of my dogs 2 years ago.

We confined him to one of the bedrooms when we weren't home. He hated it, but it had to be done. His whines were heartbreaking.

We let him out into the rest of the house if we were there to watch him. We have a dog door to a deck and back yard. The deck has gates on the stairs. One side has a ramp left over from when one of our dogs got old and had a hard time with the stairs. We kept those closed.

He got walked on a leash for the first couple of weeks then we would let him out to the yard by himself via the ramp and under our supervision.

It was rough but he pulled through fine and healed pretty fast. Even the vet was surprised.

Absolutely follow the vets instructions to the letter. It's rough but it's for the best.

Good luck
 
JudyB said:
We will do it, but it won't be easy for any of us. I'm looking for tips from those who've been thru the process on what to expect, and how to make it easier if possible. We've already ordered the cage and a lifting harness, am wondering if a neoprene brace is a good or bad idea as well. Even finding the right size cage is difficult for big dogs. And of course we have two Aussies, so not sure if it's best to keep her away, or just let her do her thing.
Click to expand...

My Mom's dog, a mixed herder had that process and she kept it in the office area. The area was carpeted and she added a few pillows and a baby gate. Also had to get runners to go from the doorway to the back entrance.
The Dr. in New York noted to keep the dog on the first floor and no stairs for a week. The carpet area and runners were so the dog would not slip or slid on the flooring.
She only had one dog but I would recommend keeping them separate for at least a week - her dog was 12 years old and recovered FAST - most likely as it was restricted and safe for a few weeks.
The dog was able to go out and although wobbly could maneuver on the carpet and lawn the day after I brought it back to her house.

Grimmy
 
The experiences you guys relate sound pretty reasonable compared to what our vet has told us. They say only three short bathroom trips per day, and confined completely otherwise. I understand making sure there isn't a re injury, but 10 weeks of that seems excessive to me. Apparently they feel so good in a couple weeks, they don't take it easy enough to keep from ruining the surgery. Which I don't want either, but if we can keep him calm when we are home after a few weeks of complete confinement that would be easier to stomach ...it sounds like what you guys did worked out.
Dav4 said:
Blowing out ACLs is very common in the dog world, fwiw.
Click to expand...
Yes, especially dogs like aussies, we had one many years ago that could corner like Barry Saunders. She blew her knee out and that was just before the TTA really was something done much. Did the wire thing, which snapped but was far enough along that it had healed enough to just take the wire out and she was ok. Never could corner like she used to though.
Thanks Dave.
 
JudyB said:
The experiences you guys relate sound pretty reasonable compared to what our vet has told us. They say only three short bathroom trips per day, and confined completely otherwise. I understand making sure there isn't a re injury, but 10 weeks of that seems excessive to me. Apparently they feel so good in a couple weeks, they don't take it easy enough to keep from ruining the surgery. Which I don't want either, but if we can keep him calm when we are home after a few weeks of complete confinement that would be easier to stomach ...it sounds like what you guys did worked out.

Yes, especially dogs like aussies, we had one many years ago that could corner like Barry Saunders. She blew her knee out and that was just before the TTA really was something done much. Did the wire thing, which snapped but was far enough along that it had healed enough to just take the wire out and she was ok. Never could corner like she used to though.
Thanks Dave.
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An injured joint is never the same... I can say that from personal experience with my own knees. The length of recovery is based on the time the cut bone needs to callus and heal, and the older the dog, the longer the healing time. The last thing you want is for the plate to fatigue and break or the screws holding it in place to start backing out, and that will happen if the dog is too active too soon. When these surgical procedures are given the appropriate time to heal properly, the results are almost always remarkable... tough love for the next 2-3 months... It'll fly by;).
 
No advice here Judy. Just wanted to say that I'm sorry to hear about your Aussie :( I know that's gonna be almost tougher on you guys than the dog itself. I have two small dogs and love these guys like they are my children. Good luck and all my best to your pup! At least there is an end in sight for your ordeal. :oops:
 
Sent you a PM...but will leave this hear for ones who may needed a harness...this is the best on the market. Hands down...we used one of those belt kinds in the past years ago and they are awkward to say the least. When we were facing the last days with our senior Tank. My niece a vet I asked for a referral for a harness. She suggested this brand. Which is what their office refers patients to get who need help.

We used it on Tank for two days...but it was the best money spent. It allowed those two days...to be easier on the both of us. And I am grateful for the product for offering that to us.
http://helpemup.com
 
I'm at. Work so I. Aint read....

But I. Would get him in the. Cage soon...
So he gets used to it...ish.

Should make it easier or. Him. To. Accept later.

Good Love!

Be well!

Sorce
 
Thanks Darlene. I have ordered a different lifting device, and it attaches to the chest harness so it's one hand for both leash and lifting. I think it'll work but good to know if I don't like it when I see it.
 
sorce said:
I'm at. Work so I. Aint read....

But I. Would get him in the. Cage soon...
So he gets used to it...ish.

Should make it easier or. Him. To. Accept later.

Good Love!

Be well!

Sorce
Click to expand...
thanks Sorce.
 
It's hard to curb an active dog from doing things.
When Rupert severed his Achilles tendon he was supposed to only go out for bathroom breaks and to remain inactive the rest of the time. It was supposed to take at least 4 months to heal and he might not be able to use it as well.
Right!
In 2 less than 2 months the cast was off.
By three months he was back to running.
The vet himself was astounded.
To this day he only drags his toes only slightly after a good run,jump,swim,training session.
Dogs are amazing at healing.
The first few days will be the roughest.
On you and the dog but you will get into a routine and the time will slip by fairly fast.
Next thing you know it will be done and things can get back to normal.
Rupert went from this20150905_232353.jpg to this,in less than 4 months. IMG_20160612_183943.jpg I wish you and your pup a speedy recovery.
 
My dog was 7 when he had the surgery but not normally too rambunctious. Our vet gave us 3 options for procedures. From 1-3 they were more expensive and involved more hardware or different materials. Option 1 was least expensive and involved using essentially a "rubber band" to replace the torn ligament. Option 2 was a stainless steel cap on the bone(s) with the "rubber band". Option 3 involved a titanium cap on the bone(s).

Since the dog is a bit older and not a service dog or very active, she recommended option 1 which we went with.
 
Also there was no way we would have been able to keep him totally isolated.

He was so unhappy all by himself in that room and like I said, his cries were absolutely gut wrenching. We couldnt do it except when we weren't home. So we just kept a very very close eye on him. One of us was with him constantly. If we were watching TV we used a child gate to keep him in the room with us.
 
Cadillactaste said:
Bless his heart...12 years old. It maybe easier to keep him down to a degree during rehabilitation.
Click to expand...
He is like a 6 year old dog though, he's still very much a fast active dog. He's the wiry one of the two though, so at least he has that going for him.
Paradox said:
Also there was no way we would have been able to keep him totally isolated.

He was so unhappy all by himself in that room and like I said, his cries were absolutely gut wrenching. We couldnt do it except when we weren't home. So we just kept a very very close eye on him. One of us was with him constantly. If we were watching TV we used a child gate to keep him in the room with us.
Click to expand...

I feel your pain... I'm getting a body harness with a handle on it, so I can sit him next to me and keep a hand on that handle. But I know we have to do it when we're not here, that's the easy part.
 
Well...can't keep a good dog down. At the beginning...they are tentative. As Mike says you fall into sort of a routine and it gets easier. I kept reminding myself the surgery and the stress of their having it was the worst part. Taking it day by day as they recover. Maybe a good thing the other isn't as busy...it may try less to encourage playtime.
 
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