Oh No!!!!!!!

[jessi76]

oh dear... poor lukka! we're going to have to wrap that big beautiful pooch in bubble wrap!

as hazel said, miracles DO happen, and dogs are incredibly resilient! Sending our good vibes and hugs your way for a speedy recovery!

[breeze]

How is Lukka this morning ??

[Lukka'sma]

Thanks everyone
Well I spent a very restless night, slept on the floor beside Lukka for most of it, I knew she wouldn't find it easy to come get me in the bedroom if she needed me.
I took her out twice during the night but so far she hasn't pee'd. She can't seem to get the squat she's looking for and just lays down. No BM's either. That really concerns me with all the water she has drank yesterday and the food intake from her dinner last night and her soon to be morning meal. I just don't know what to do for her, and to top it off we have a miserable rainy day to cope with too.
The Pred she is on now is higher than the original dose for the MM. That was 30mg. daily now she's on 50mg. daily, reducing after two more day's. The Codeine she is on every twelve hours zonks her out for the first three or four hours after taking it.
She has been on glucosamine for well over a year now. 500mg. morning and 500mg. evening.

[Lukka'sma]

Thank goodness she finally pee'd. Just took her out and walked her around the yard and she did the deed!!!!!!!!
No BM's yet.
She seems to be a lot more comfortable when she's outside so I have her on about a five ft. line and she's just laying in the grass. If I notice her position has changed too much I will bring her back in where I can monitor her better but if she just stay's in one spot which is more likely I'll allow her some outside time.
She wasn't putting any pressure on her bad leg at all, held it up the entire walk around the yard.

[breeze]

Lukka'sma do you think the codine for the pain has binded her??
it does for human is there anything you can give her to help her go poop??


lots of :goodvibe s:

[chico2]

Aww Lukka:sad:at least she peed.
I took Tylenol 3 with codein once,it knock me out for almost 2 days,but resting is the best for her,isn't it.
for improvement

[SnowDancer]

Do you have a mattress that you could put on the floor for Lukka? We did this with out Dachshunds after their back surgeries - actually our neuro surgeon was also sleeping on the floor on a mattress with his 2 pups who had had same back surgery. This really helped a lot. I hope Lukka can tolerate the codeine okay - as Chico posted, it knocked her out - with me it was the opposite - I just don't sedate and either did my hounds - but my Eskie does. I really hope that Lukka doesn't need to have the ACL surgery and worse - on the other leg as well. My dog's Groomer's 2 1/2 year old had one leg done 2 weeks ago (is doing great) and will be having surgery on the other leg in 2 months. Seems to be getting more common - and her dog didn't have an "event". Don't suppose you happen to have the plan offered by VetInsurance? This is exactly why I took out it - just in case. Hasn't happened yet to my Eskimo but I can see it happening in exactly the same way that it happened to Lukka. The Plan doesn't cover hip dysplasia but will cover ACL - I initially didn't sign him up for the Plan because of the dysplasia issue, but changed my mind at 15 months. At my vet's, they used to the the surgery themselves, but now a specialist comes to their clinic to do the ACL procedure as needed - but he isn't a TPLO specialist - but then TPLO isn't always required. For TPLO in Toronto, people go to McMurrich St. - or to Guelph - I love Guelph's small animal clinic (although I absolutely NEVER want to go there again for obvious reasons) - but they sure have great doctors. Another thing you might want to try is a towel around Lukka - like a sling to help her when she has to go out to do her business. Hope the weather doesn't get too bad in London - it is really windy in Toronto and getting very cold - so not the best weather to be going through this.

[CearaQC]

Sorry to hear about Lukka, but feel she will get better fast!

[hazelrunpack]

50 mg Well, at least it will be for just a short time. And it may help with her jaw, as well!

The codeine will slow down her intestinal tract, so I wouldn't expect too much poopin' for the poor girl for a while. I wonder if pumpkin would help? We tried it yesterday with Ridge and this morning we already had success!

If you have a baby mattress, they really do work well! We used to use one for our old lab--he loved it! Makes a nice conversation piece, too... We used to get some weird looks from guests when we told them what it was for--especially since we had some really nice puppy and Disney sheets for it! (I'm glad we're not the only ones, SnowDancer )

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by Lukka'sma

She wasn't putting any pressure on her bad leg at all, held it up the entire walk around the yard.

That's good ! She's resting it.

[14+kitties]

More for Lukka. I guess that's about all we can do for the poor gal.

[Stacer]

Poor Lukka! I know that ligament injuries are extremely painful, especially if there's a tear. Because there is no blood supply to ligaments, torn ligaments don't actually heal, the tear will never close itself back up. The only way to repair a tear is surgery. I tore the ACL in my knee a few years ago, I didn't have surgery because the tear was only a few millimeters, but my orthopedic surgeon said that I'll have to be careful because the tear will always be there and I could tear it more, which would require surgery.

After the swelling goes down, the pain will subside. Hopefully Lukka doesn't have a full tear. Will she let you ice the joint?

It' horrible to say, but even if it's only a small tear, it would almost be worth it to have the surgery to repair it, otherwise you'll always be worried that her activity will tear it further.

[Lukka'sma]

What I find so frustrating is the vet said he couldn't stress enough how important it is to keep her from any and all activity for at least a week. I know he didn't mean going out for a pee but with the increase in Pred. she has to pee continually, how in he!! do I keep her from being active when I constantly have to take her outside. She hobbles about so that it just breaks my heart to see her attempt to move. We have to stop and rest every few feet. The whole pee thing takes us about 15 minutes to complete. Back in the house and she is asking to go out again within an hour.

[rainbow]

I know how you feel. Chase did his first ligament tear (left leg) in Nov./06 We didn't want to get the TPLO surgery done right away because of the risk of slipping in the winter while he was recovering. After the first week or so of rest he did start putting a little weight on it so it made it easier for us since he wasn't tripodding.

Also, you said you are giving Lukka glucosamine. It works better if the chondroitin is added. The ones I give Chase are 500mg glucosamine and 400mg chondroitin. He weighs 90lb. and gets them three times a day. I would ask your vet about increasing Lukka's dosage.

[Lukka'sma]

rainbow the glucosamine I have been giving Lukka has 200mg. chondroitin in it. 500mg. glucosamine, how much do you think I should increase it too?
Also I just took her out again and she is putting the injured leg on the ground but limping very badly on it. Isn't this going to delay the healing time by using it already? It's only been slightly over 24 hrs. since she hurt it?
And SHE POOPED ya-hooooooooooooooNot a huge amount, but enough that it makes me feel relieved.

[rainbow]

I think you can buy chondroitin by itself so you can up her dose of that but I'm not sure of the strength it comes in. The brand I buy is 500mg Glucosamine and 400mg Chondroitin and Chase weighs 90lb. and gets one caplet 3 times a day. I think Lukka should probably get the 500/400 four times a day or else 2 caplets twice a day but check with your vet.

That's good that she is putting her leg down a bit. By restricting her activity she will walk on it within a week or so but once she starts playing, etc. she will re-injure it again. I think you are going to end up getting the surgery eventually.

And WOO HOO for the poop. With restricted activity she will probably only go once every 1 1/2 to 2 days.

[clm]

I can't believe the bad luck you're having. Here's hoping that you are due for some good luck and surgery won't be necessary.

Cindy

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by rainbow

I think Lukka should probably get the 500/400 four times a day or else 2 caplets twice a day but check with your vet.

That's the amount I give Sam. Lukka should be ok with this. Hurray for the poop !

[chico2]

OMG,poop is SOOO exciting isn't it
Good Girl Lukka

[rainbow]

How's Lukka doing today?

[Lukka'sma]

She's getting tired of being confined to a very small space. I have her at the back door in a small alcove. It isn't blocked so she can't get out to the kitchen but I try and discourage her from wandering more than a couple of feet into the kitchen. At night I put my sleeping bag on the kitchen floor at the entrance to the alcove and sleep with her. That way I can make certain she has me right beside her if she needs me Once she is off the Pred. I will take to my bed again because the need to pee constantly will be gone and she can go in her crate.
I called the vet office today and asked them to get the quote for the surgery together for me. I want to get this done next week depending on the clinic's scheduling availability.
Here is a pic of her that I just snapped. Not her happiest moment.

[chico2]

Awww Lukka you poor beautiful girl,just look at that faceI hope she is not in pain
So,you have decided on surgery,there is no chance she'll heal on her own??

[Lukka'sma]

Originally Posted by chico2

Awww Lukka you poor beautiful girl,just look at that faceI hope she is not in pain
So,you have decided on surgery,there is no chance she'll heal on her own??

See here's my dilemma, her back end has always been somewhat less than perfect. She has a bit of a funky gate caused by the leg that didn't get injured but it does have a bit of a splay (foot pointed a bit outward) to it, so the leg that was the better of the two got the ligament tear, now the splayed leg is doing all the work for her rear end and I am afraid if I wait a few weeks and see if it will heal then end up having to do the surgery her splayed leg will be doing all the work far longer than I would want. It might end up being easier on her in the long run if I just go ahead and get the surgery now.

[hazelrunpack]

Poor Lukka really doesn't look too happy. :sad: Will they have to wait till she's off the pred totally before doing the surgery?

It never rains but it pours, eh?

Yay for the poop, though! Nothing makes a dog mama feel prouder than a lovely dog poop after a long time without

[Lukka'sma]

I'm not sure about the Pred. and surgery hazel.
I did read a post quite a while ago though about glucosamine being a blood thinner so I will have to ask the vet how long prior to the appointment I should take her off that.

[clm]

She's looking a little bored isn't she. Do you have a crate that you can put outside for her so she can enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about her chasing squirrels?

Poor thing, whatever way you end up going with this, she's going to be layed up for a while. :sad:

Cindy

[Lukka'sma]

Originally Posted by clm

She's looking a little bored isn't she. Do you have a crate that you can put outside for her so she can enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about her chasing squirrels?

Poor thing, whatever way you end up going with this, she's going to be layed up for a while. :sad:

Cindy

she sure is
The only reason I haven't used her crate as yet is because the tin floor is slippery and even now with the ligament tear if she hears someone at the door or a noise outside she tries to jump to alert and on the slippery tin she'll just wipe out. I take her out for a pee and the first thing she does is survey the yard and see what needs barked at, she's saying, "I may be laid up but don't think you can come in my yard." if I didn't have her leash on she would try and run after a squirrel for sure. She just doesn't remember her injury unless I constantly remind her

[otter]

Originally Posted by Lukka'sma

the tin floor is slippery

Could you put a bath mat with rubber backing onto the tin floor?

Maybe she needs one of those "dog videos" to keep her entertained I saw them advertised but I have no idea what's on them

[clm]

Funny how they forget they're hurt when they see something isn't it.
A high prey drive isn't wonderful when you have to keep a dog quiet.
You are sure going to have your hands full for a while. At least if she was an old dog she wouldn't be terribly active anyway, but as young as she is, she's going to exhaust you trying to keep her quiet.

[Lukka'sma]

Yes otter that is exactly what I will do
thanks