We Have Touch Down!

Buster is doing very well today.  He had extra sedative because both parents had to work in the morning.

He has been toe touching but not weight bearing since last night.  Today he typically has the post-operative toes on the floor without weight.  This is especially exciting because it is normal for a dog to begin touching down within 24 to 48 hours after a TPLO.  Buster took much longer after his first surgery so it is really exciting to see him progressing so quickly.

The edema at his hock is nearly gone today, whether because he had a lot of broth to flush his system or maybe from massage.  Also exciting to see so much immediate response.

He did try to head out for a walk today when mom came home from work but she made him turn around and come back to the house.  Surely he was strolling to Tassajara Commons and his many lady friends at the hardware, vet, and pet store.  Oh, and to visit the gorgeous blonde hair dressers too.

The leakage from the incision stopped.  So we didn't have to take Buster back to the vet today.

We don't think his fancy bite-free collar was working for him so he's now sporting an inflatable.  Seriously it looks like a swim ring.  He'll be able to go boating after he recovers.  Maybe that's mom's excuse to get a paddle boat.  Will they let me take out a dog on a paddle boat at Del Valle?

Day 2 Regular Breakfast but Leaking Stitch?

Buster ate his regular breakfast this morning--one cup of food, glucosamine, a teaspoon of yogurt and an eighth teaspoon of ground flax seed. He also had his Rimadyl. He didn't drink yet so later I'll boil some meat without salt or fat to create a broth. I'll offer the broth to him by itself and if he does not drink, I'll put it on his dinner.

We are concerned that Buster is leaking. He's certainly losing blood from one spot. We called the center last night but they told us that it is normal and to wait until Monday. We covered the floor with his blankets to protect the carpet. Jay cleaned Buster this morning with a warm towel and chlorine-free baby wipes but he is bloody again. If this is still happening tomorrow morning, I will call first thing to speak with the surgeon.

One nice difference between the two surgeries is that our new surgeon uses internal sutures by default. Internal sutures do not require removal and their scar is less noticeable. We paid extra for internal sutures for Buster's first TPLO. It just seems to me that when you're paying thousands of dollars that they surgery centers should throw in some extras like internal sutures and follow up visits.

Swelling and fluid around the ankle is normal after a TPLO. Basically gravity draws it down from the knee. We noticed a little last night so we've been sure to massage Buster's ankle a few times daily.

He is still whining a bit when we are not on the floor with him. However, we do not want to encourage that kind of dependency or expectation that whining brings mom or dad running so we're ignoring him.