Dog Cruciate Surgery - Day 3

We are now 3 days after Finney's cruciate surgery.  All good so far.  I dropped him off at Rutlamd Referrals in St Helens on Wednesday morning and he was operated on the same day.  Once again, with the TTA procedure which proved so good on his other leg last year.  Leaving him was, as with last year, all a bit of a blur, but he was happy to go off with the veterinary nurse, and we were equally happy to get the call late afternoon that he had been stable throughout, was waking up and would soon be back on the ward.

The next day I arranged to collect him late afternoon.  He hadn't been quite as good early morning in their view, very quiet, but that isn't unusual for him. It was obviously great to see him, although I think he was so high on Methadone he probably didn't really know what was going on, and we drove carefully back to Preston with him crying (as with last year) all the way.

What was so different to last year was the first night at home.  If you read the blog you'll know neither he or I got any real sleep that first night or the second.  He slept through until about 5am this time which was fantastic.  I think the difference was the Comfy Cone we bought last year.  It has made a massive difference.  He wears it happily night and day, unlike the standard plastic lampshades which must be so uncomfortable to wear.  I would recommend that any dog owner gets a Comfy Cone, before you need it!

He was pretty much bearing weight on his leg the day after surgery, although clearly uncomfortable.  Yesterday was a little better, and we managed 3 very short walks (about 5 minutes). Today, 3 days after surgery, he is better still and we did 10 minutes, which is what we will do 3 times a day for the next 4 weeks.

So, a much better experience for all of us so far, although it's early days yet!