Recovery begins

Well, we are home and Sadie is asleep!! The vet actually had us pick her up early today because she was so scared about all the strange people and strange place :( So far getting around is very difficult and unsteady. We are having to use the towel around the tummy method to help her around. And I am surprised to say that she is already putting some pressure on her leg! It makes me a little nervous but the vet said that she will do what she is comfortable with and all I have to do is keep her on a short leash and from jumping. The leg also looks pretty bad with the bruising and swelling , which the vet says are very normal. I have iced the leg once today to help with the swelling.

The vet also sent us home with an e collar which I really don't want to use, and so far there has been no need, she has been leaving her leg pretty much alone! Her appetite is normal and so far she hasn't been whining too much although we shall see how the night goes.

Wish her luck.......

Well, she is at the surgeon's. I dropped her off at 8:30 this morning and I stayed with her until just after nine. I was very happy that the doctor had me stay with her while they gave her her first tranquilizer. It was really weird watching her get a little loopy, but it made it much easier to watch her go, this way she wasn't looking like I was abandoning her and clawing at the floor crying. I was the only one crying and she had no idea what was going on.

So after I cried my way out of the vet's office I was off to school, although I don't know how much good I will be in class but at least it will keep me occupied. I was very surprised at how I was reacting to leaving her there, I was almost numb (after the crying was over) :( Everyone keeps telling me that the hardest part will be when she comes home, but so far this is definitely the hardest part.

I just can't wait for her to be home and safe, actually I will feel better when the vet calls this afternoon after the surgery and tells me that everything went fine. I'll write more when she gets home and settled, and I will post some pictures!

Surgery Consultation

Sadie had her consultation with Dr. Patterson yesterday, and it was decided that she needed to have knee surgery, or TPLO surgery. This really looked liked the only option because without the surgery she would be forever lame, and not able to play catch which she loves!! I haven't been able to play with her in a really long time so hearing that having the surgery would make it possible again was amazing. Dr. Patterson described the surgery itself and it sounds unbelievable, I can't believe they can actually saw a small part of the bone in her knee, move it slightly, bolt it, and then let it heal to be as good as new (thats the best I can do at explaining it, to learn more you should look it up online).

So even though it's definitely the best choice, it is still going to be really hard. For the first few weeks after surgery she will have to be confined to her crate full time :( and she will need to be tranquilized in order to keep her from going spastic. The recovery time should be about six weeks but all dogs are different, so who really knows.

She goes in next Wednesday morning, and comes home next Thursday evening so she has to spend the night :( I'm sure I will write more while she is away.