TPLO Post Surgery Day 4

Well the big news of yesterday was that Maddie finally pooped after 38 hours and two doses of canned pumpkin. So now I know for sure that her crying at night is because she does not like being left alone. I do find this interesting since before the surgery she was quite happy to be left alone. I guess she likes it better when it is HER idea!

She has started to get spunky and sassy, so now we need to be on guard to keep her from using the leg more than she should - no jumping, stairs, walks other for potty breaks and to change sleeping spots. When we are home she is gated in the family room with us and has two beds to sleep in (one is in the crate which she basically ignores). She is being quite good and not messing with the stitches much. We have caught her liking at them, but not vigorously and she mostly leaves them alone. I suspect this could change as they heel and maybe get itchy. She has about 24 staples down her knee and two inside her ankle. One of the two ankle stitches is coming out, but the skin around it is still sealed and looks clean and good. Vet said we could just watch it or bring her in for repair. So far we are just watching it since getting her in and out is tricky.

She is starting to put weight on the leg, especially when on soft surfaces like the carpet or lawn. Still some three legged dog, but not so much. Her personality is returning too, she has to have a stuffed toy (duck) to go out and the trotted (three legged) to get it. So I took all but two toys out and leave them close to the door to avoid too much trotting. She also is getting nosey about the baby gated areas and I think she is getting tired of the family room and would like to check out those areas she is banned from.

Can't think of more to say, so here is a photo of what she is doing best right now!

You can see her shaved leg and staples here a bit, also her new red collar. We got tired of taking her old green collar in and out of the e-collar loops and bought her a new one. Makes changes much easier!