Just got back from ER vet w/ Brando

Annie, thanks you the WOman, I know I 've been really calm until today, because I expected to see a lot of improvement, not that I am in denial that he will need the surgery, but that he would get some relief. However I did find out something just now, remember when his back went out and I had to move the couch from the window, well he was on my lap and I was lightly massaging him again and when I touch his spine area  it totally tightens up and stays that way.
So that maybe why he can't, well really more like won't walk, more than the patella, because like Angela said w / the patella, they can walk  but skip.
By the way he keeps going to his wagon, he wants to go in so I've been wheeling him around alittle.

Deb and I are communicating, everyone send lots of hugs and kisses through the air to Deb and Brando!!!  It's a rough go for them right now.  

Oh, and here's my response to Deb's pm to me (posted above). 

Deb,

I'm so sorry to hear of what little Brando is experiencing.  I'm not sure what the doctors are expecting to happen during this wait.  His kneecap was out, and now it's back in, and so the pain should be gone.  That is, unless his condition has accelerated to a Grade IV, which can happen when the knee gets "blown out."  A grade IV luxating patella is where it is always out, and that can be a very painful condition.  Misty "blew out" both her knees, and afterwards had pain until she got the patella back in place (She was a Grade III at surgery, bordering on IV).  She would skip steps sometimes but learned how to get the patella back in to a comfortable position. 

If Brando were my dog, I would not wait.  I would find a Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon in your area, and I would call them in the morning with this emergency. From my experience and knowing of others' experiences with this condition, he should not be in this kind of pain.  Also, yesterday you mentioned he flinched when you touched his spinal cord near his back end.  That I don't understand either. 

Fire away with any questions you may have, and let me know how he does this evening.  Do not be afraid to use his pain meds, and use them as often as prescribed so you stay ahead of the pain. 

Awe, poor little babe. I just read this thread. Best of luck with everything!!!

Deb, I hadn't even thought about his back.  That would make a ton of sense.  Poor little guy.  PLEASE let us know what the vet says.  You have my number if you need to talk.  Goodness knows I've bugged you alot with my dad.  Oh!  I had a thought.  Don't be scared, I have them everynow & then. ~L~  I know it's beastly hot & all but have you tried a heating pad on his back?  It might help with tight muscles.

Darn it, I was hoping Brando would be better by now.  He looks pathetic in your pic - how do you stand it! Brando baby - take it easy on mom!
 
Let us know how tthings go at the vets.  Keeping fingers crossed that it is nothing more than what you already know (which is bad enough!). 

You guys are the best.
Brando had a good day and bad, but I think he conned me.
This is what I wrote to angela
 Hi AngelaI am so sorry I didn't get back to you I have a spam blocker and when I emailed you I forgot to check you in so you were in that file. Thank you so much for getting back to me. I had a trying day, I went to work Joe stayed home, and he said Brando was out of his crate waiting by the door, something he hasn't done since Sunday.When I got home he was motivating, but cautious, he went out, did his business, came in and I saw it go. I  had called my vet early this morning to get him in and her partner quit and she is off till Fri. So I called a vet near my house that I really don't like but had to do something. that was at 12pm, they gave me a 3:15, I swear Brando heard my conversation because he's been out of his crate hanging out no pain, no bad patella, so I cancelled and left it open that if he got bad I would call back, if he stays like this I will be able to see my vet on Fri. and by then do all of the research on all of the great advice you gave me. you have been such a great help. Thank youGive Misty kisses. and don't go breathing a sigh of relief I'll be bothering you again.DebPs, I hope you don't mind I am going to post this  on the board, if you do let me know.Thanks for the good thoughts. 

Deb, I was going to call you to see how Brando was doing.  I'm glad he seems to be doing better.  I'm thinking he's either a really good actor or it took him a little longer to recover than you expected.  Give him some lovin' from me.  Aspen send pap healing vibes & I'm sending him a forehead kiss.

Hi Deb,
 I'm sorry I missed this earlier. Hope the lil man Brando is feeling a little better. I have had success with pattella without surgery. It is COMPLETE crate rest that has helped along with a muscle relaxer. I mean complete as in no walking at all, no where in the house. You can go out to potty and that is on lead ONLY. other then that complete crate rest.
 It isn't easy by any means but it is possible for this to heal and feel better but the limiting is the hardest part. I found that a lot of sofa holding time helped as well as plenty of mind stimulating treats/bones that are bigger then normal to really take up the energy.
 
If I can help in any way please let me know
Hugs to all of you

Oh my goodness Deb! I just read this now! Brando---what are you thinking worrying mom like that! Lots of tail wags for a good recovery.

I'm just reading this now. I am sorry to hear about poor Brando! He looks pathetic. You mentioned his back hurting.. I had never given thought to it with Boss concerning his former broken leg and now bad elbow joint, but Callie pointed out to me that his back is probably in pain from limping and compensating for the shorter limb. It actually gave me huge understanding into his aggression issues with people petting him on his back. So, maybe Brando's back is tender from limping around since the injury. I have bad arthritis in my knees and I know if I favor one more than the other then my other leg and my back will hurt from that for a while.
 
Give him smooches from all of us. Stay calm.

Thanks again, I really don't know how I got through this stuff before idog.
Jamie, he actually has been very good he's keeping himself in the crate I think the reason is Trixie, she's a goof ball and runs to everything, so I think it's because of her that he's being extra cautious. I am restricting him, when his back was out the last time my vet said to not pick him up under any circumstances, so I am not. but that leaves very little contact w/ him except for the 20 or so hours that I lay outside his crate talking to him and petting his little pea head lol.
A friend of mine built a ramp for me last night because I have that one killer step going to yard, so we've been carrying him out for the patella but that's
not good for the back.
AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! 

Deb,

Hope today's another good one. 

On the stair thing--what a nightmare we have here with that.  Our house is built above grade, as most of them are here (otherwise you could swim in your basement year round).  So, we're all into "elevated" living.  When you step out the door to our backyard, you are on a deck that is thirteen steps above the yard.  Since Little Misty cannot (and will probably never) negotiate steps, the Princess is carried to the yard, and up and down the millions of steps inside the house.  Good exercise for me, I suppose.  Once I had a carpenter come over to build a ramp, but the deck is so high, the ramp would have ended in my neighbor's yard.  Luckily, Princess Misty's back is fine and she is a very carriable girl. 

His leg is just steady popping, it's pretty terrible.
Thank you so much for all of your help, here's where I am now.My vet and the emergency vet picked the same three hospitals, but no specific surgeon so I went and checked to find the board certified from the list and match w/ the three hospitals.Angela told me to make sure I got an board certified ortho surgeon. I settled on this one, however when I called to make an appointment I of course didn't know which doctor to pick, so I told the receptionist, only board certified and all of the surgeons there are, so she said do you want an appointment on Monday w/ Dr. so and so, (I can't remember his/her name) or on Tuesday w/ Dr. Weinstein, I had already told Laura (the receptionist) that I was in love w/ Brando and that he was my heart so that if I sound a little kooky just bear w/ me. So I said, well Laura now that you know how I feel about Brando, if he were your dog would you take the Monday appt. or the Tuesday appt. and she said, "Oh NOOO.", I said please would you go in on Monday or Tuesday and she said "I would take the Tuesday." Thank you Laura.  hehee cool huh. so if you go to the our staff link on the website and scroll down you will meet Dr. Weinstein, very impressive credentials. What do you think? Anything I need to ask on Tues. You have been a life saver. love deb[link>http://www.vsds.net/staff.php]http://www.vsds.net/staff.php[/link][/size]

Deb, you are so smart. You asked the best possible question of the receptionist. You made a good choice. My vet (who is male and has been a longtime personal friend of ours) told me that women make the best surgeons. He went on to say they are more patient and meticulous than most of the male surgeons he's worked with. I'm keep ing Brando in my thoughts and prayers. I hope the consult goes well and he can get through all this ASAP!