Sadie's story

Owner: Marg E-mail: mgibson@goin.missouri.org Date posted: October 12, 2000 Well, our 7 year old GP has just had TPLO surgery on her right rear leg, done on Oct. 3, 2000 at U of Mo. in Columbia. She came through the surgery just fine -- in fact, she is doing too fine. She is a working dog who does not understand the reason for all this enforced rest. She's in the same shape limp-wise as before surgery. It has turned into a nightmare trying to keep her quiet. We had to give up supporting her with the sling as she is usally half way down the ramp by the time I close the house door. She hates having to be on a leash. I've been having to walk her at least 12 times a day to get her to go to the bathroom. She had never been crate trained, so when we try to use it she howls and tries to dig out. And forget using babygates -- she tries to jump over them or go through them. She's on Etodolac 600mg once a day for her pain. Sadie acts like she is in no pain and seems to be eating less than before but still eating. We are so worried that with all this activity that the leg won't heal well, but when I called and asked the vet school about a sedative, they don't think she needs it. We're at our wits end on how to keep her quiet, and she's just miserable having to stay confined like this.