ACL surgery -Vito update

Oh, poor thing but that surgery will be the best thing you can do for him.

I would mention to the vet that you do want him neutered. A lot of vets like to neuter/spay at the same time as other surgeries for the safety of the dog and so that they don't have to put the dog under more times than they need to. If he is not neutered and there is a female in heat in the area it could cause him to be more excited and then cause more problems. If it was a female the vet would not want it to mate during recovery so that would also be best for the dog. Neutering is a fairly simple surgery so he should not have any problems from that.

I'm sure you will have to keep him to strict confinement and only take him out on a leash. No heavy play and keep him crated when you can't watch him. A surgery like this is very hard on the dog so it's best to keep him from getting too excited over thing. If allowed to over exercise he could easily trear the ligament again or make it worse. Get him some interactive toys like kong and treat dispensers, the kind that can keep him entertained for a long time but not make him run around. I've been there with my dog so I know how hard that can be and how long the wait may seem until he can play again. But just remember this is the best you can do for your dog. You may feel sorry for keeping him from doing what he wants to do but don't give in, it is much better for the healing process if you keep this way. I also used chamomile as a calming herb that kept my dog calmer when she was starting to get excited, that worked well, there are also other anxiety meds you could use to help calm your dog during this time, ask your vet about them.

As far as what the surgery will be like it varies from one vet to anouther but basically the whole ligament will be rebuilt. It's a very major surgery so I hope the best, give him a big hug from me.[]

Adding the neuter to either surgery is actually a very good idea. The neuter will only be about an additional 15 minutes, and could actually save you a considerable amount of money by doing them together.

Good luck with your pups surgery. Yes, you'll need to restrict his activity for a while, but I'd also suggest asking your vet about physical therapy techniques such as massage and range of motion excercises.

 I just wanted to wish you and Vito good luck; hope the surgery goes well.

First of all, good luck to Vito. Agree with everyone to neuter at same time, much less stress to him than going in at a separate time.

The restricted exercise is the real key. You'll start with short leash walks only to "get busy" for about 2 weeks. Very very simple physical therapy may begin at this time which your vet or technician should go over with you. Range of motion exercises just to keep the leg a bit of movement and cut down on muscle atrophy.

usually they come in for a recheck and staple/suture removal after 2 weeks and evaluate progress from there. Small increments on leash walks will likely be ok'ed. A little added at a time. Ask your surgeon about the regimen he/she'd like you on with Vito- i'm sure they plan on going over this with you anyway.
Good luck once again, Vito!

christine, lvt

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Thanks to all for your replies - janet_rose those links are great, much appreciated.
I am frantically searching for a soft e collar in time for Wednesday, they are impossible to get here in Ireland. I probably will make one myself, those hard plastic ones look awful.
Must admit I had a bit of a sobbing session this morning -Vito just lies there looking at me, and I adore him so so much, my head is full of awful thoughts that things might go wrong.I'm pretty sure they won't, but of course they might, and I couldn't bear it.Will try and have good thoughts!

I consider Rimadyl a pain reliever of last resort:
www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html

 
I agree with this 250%.  Last resort.
 
Anyway, not quite the same, but my now 7 1/2 year old golden retriever had knee surgery at 16 months for a luxating patella, and then 14 months later her other knee for luxating patella and ACL repair.  Keep them inactive, not overdoing it on that leg is vital.  KayCee has very sensitive skin and got razor burn the first time, and the 2ed surgery repired a splint.  She not only got razor burn, but tape burn when they removed the splint.  I found that smearing her shaved area with aloe vera gel several times a day really helped her skin, and she enjoyed it anyway.  Also, i would masage her back and legs several times a day.  She would just moan in delight as I worked up and down her spine. 
 
It is pitiful seeing them like this isn't/  this is my KayCee after i brought her home from hospital following 2ed surgery.  I had to drag her outside ont he blanket and used the old red & green table clothe as a sling to help her get around the first week.

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Been there, done that - twice!
 
My previous dog, Barkley blew both ACLs although thankfully not at the same time.  Which procedure will be done?  The one where they try to rebuild the ligament or the new one where they change the angle of the knee and bolt it into place? 
 
The reason I ask is that Barkley had both procedures.  The rebuilding one takes a VERY long time for recovery - about 8 months.  The other one is considerably shorter - about 6 weeks.  That will important info for you to know. 
 
As far as pain meds go, my vet told me not to give him any beyond the post-op pain meds.  The theory there is that pain will give the dog an indication of what they feel they can tolerate.  If you give them pain medication, they are likely to rip the ligament again because they can't "feel" how much pressure/pain is too much.
 
I couldn't agree more with the poster who recommended range of motion exercises, it helped Barkley a lot in his recovery.
 
Many hugs!  Having been through it (twice), you will feel much worse about it than your dog will.

g8rfrog -thanks.Well, today I am a WRECK.My head is exploding from reading so much about the surgery, and other stuff. I could almost scrub in and assist
Poor Vito had his breakfast this morning and now can't eat at all as his op is tomorrow- 24 hours fasting seems a lot to me, I thought it was 12, or maybe that's just us.
I have made my own horrific modified version of a soft e collar from 1" thick foam and probably will not be posting a pic of it -may won't need it if I'm lucky. Have spent most of this morning covering it with fabric,stuck pins in my fingers and had a row with  the husband -I feel so stressed.We are going for the traditional repair option rather than the TPLO.Apparently the op takes approx 3 hours :-((
What are the odds of the vet letting me bring Vito home tomorrow night rather than leaving him there? I could give him one-to-one TLC. Thanks to all who gave me advice, I know a lot of you have gone through the same thing.

As far as pain meds go, I can see your vets point of view, but I don't think I could let my dog have a minute of ain if I could help it !

Holly had 2 ACLS about 2 years apart.  The first was hard becasue she was in such pain.  Think she was on Rimidyle on that one.  Had to stay up with her with a frozen bag of peas on her leg.  The 2nd was so much better as she had the painpatch (dermpatch) think its called.  Fantastic invention.  Like nite and day with pain level, no panting and just sleeping.
 
What I did for a 40 pound dog:
 
1.  Get yourself a thick heavy blanket like a moving blanket to lay on the floor whe will be.  She will lose control of her pee and just pee in a dazed state on your carpet.
2. Sleep on the floor with her
3.  Get some plastic to wrap her cast up for the grass and pee on herself
4. I carried her out to the yard and she just stood there  some peeing on her cast
5.  If you can afford it $80 is well worth the cost for the pain patch staple on her back.
6.  Baby gate the stairs if you have any ( she may think she can do it)
7. Get a sling or towel to help the dog up the stairs after a week or so.
8.  Slow tiny walks to start PT.
9.  Get rubber backed runners everywhere on hardwood or linoleum so she won't slip and fall
 
Dont worry, it will be FINE !  We had a car accident while taking Holly home in her cast first day,  SHe slid off the seat and wedged between the front and back seats!!!  You talk about freakin out screaming at my DH!!  Vet said the cast protected her leg over the phone. 

Just had a call from David my vet -Vito is in recovery and the surgery went well.He is alert and fine, thank God! He is allowing me to bring him home tonight, so I am absolutely delighted!Need a  glass of wine.......

So glad to hear the surgery is over and he did fine.  I can imagine how thrilled you are to be able to bring him home tonight.  I hope his recovery goes smoothly too.