In problem-solving/information-seeking mode, I dove online on Sunday night and Monday, trying to rapidly learn about CCL injuries in dogs. There are some amazing resources online, particularly an experienced group called "orthodogs" on Yahoo. What an invaluable resource! More than a decade of conversations, information, data and resources. And an active support network of people who have been through this before and have endless pearls of wisdom.
Daisy needs to be on crate rest until her orthopaedic surgery consult next Thursday, March 31. That means no walks, no stairs, no playtime. For a 9 month old puppy, no exercise means one thing: more chewing. We've gone through at least one toy a day...she loves to pull stuffing and squeakers out of soft toys, and if we don't provide a variety of soft, rubbery and tough toys, she'll opt to chew her dog bed instead. Boo.
We're getting a workout, as we have to carry her up and down the 50+ steps to go potty. Our intrepid dog walker, Sunshine, didn't even hesitate when we said Daisy can't go down the stairs on her own. She rocks.
We moved the coffee table around to create a small confinement area for her to roam around the living room, with carpets spread everywhere so she doesn't slip on the hardwood floors (and damage the other CCL).
I've been teaching Daisy all sorts of new tricks and games in an attempt to mentally exhaust her. We're still getting the hang of it, but she's on her way to knowing how to nod and shake her head, find a treat under the correct cup in the "shell game," "playing dead," crawling, and differentiating toys. If anyone has other ideas for games she can play while sitting or laying down, we're all ears. We have another 4-8 weeks to keep her calm and confined, at least.
We're gathering all sorts of things, at the recommendation of the Orthodogs group, for after surgery:
- rugs to cover as much of the hardwood floors as possible (ordered 3/24)
- a comfy but functional e-collar (better than the big plastic cones) so she doesn't lick her staples/stitches and can still get comfy in her crate (ordered 3/24)
- tempting foods, in case she doesn't have an appetite after surgery
- pumpkin, sweet potatoes and other laxative foods, as the post-surgical meds will block her up (groceries on 3/21, need to make treats this weekend)
- pet insurance to hopefully cover her second ACL surgery down the line, as long which would be covered as it happens a year after the first. fingers crossed.
- Prepared food for me and Matt to eat...sounds like the first 2-5 days after surgery are going to be really busy carrying for Daisy.
I had a few questions about the right surgery for a growing puppy, so I reached out to Penn connections, and got some great intel from my Communications counterpart in the Vet School. I have great questions to ask the doggie orthopaedist, thanks to the puppy pediatrician. Most of the surgerical procedures anchor off the growth plate, but since Daisy isn't fully grown yet, I'm hoping they can do a variation on one of the more advanced surgeries so her growth isn't affected. And from what I've read online (don't believe everything you find online, I know), the variation for immature dogs may have some advantages and be less invasive.
The Penn Vet Ortho website says that her surgery may be the day after her vet consult, so we're planning that her surgery may be April Fool's Day. That doesn't give us much time to consider surgical options, so I hope that coming into the consultation prepared will help us come to the right decision quickly.
I really hope we have all the preparations in place by then!