TPLO Surgery and Recovery / Week 4

We just completed our four-week checkup and Bella came through with flying colors. Yes, she's still in the early phases of healing, but she is moving appropriately for that. Her leg is still jittery and her sits sloppy, but that is normal. The following are my questions to the vet and her answers.

Jittery Leg
The trembling is caused by Bella not putting full weight on the leg. It could also be a bit of excitement (as in going for a walk). If it is jittery while walking, that means she's tired and that means the walk is too long.

Wobbly Gait
The vet did not notice anything odd about Bella's gait. That knee is a bit larger (though it isn't swollen) than the other knee, so perhaps I am over-analyzing her movements. Vet said it should not be a concern.

Sloppy Sitting

Enjoying a Kong, post vet visit.

I am not at all perturbed about the "confirmation" aspect of Bella's sitting, but more about the stiffness and usability of her leg. When she sits, the TPLO leg is more to the outside and straighter, as if a tight bend were not comfortable. The vet said I can start correcting that by pushing her knee closer to her body. If Bella resists, she said stop the corrections. It's a bit early yet anyway, but she said it would be good to work on "sits to stands" which requires the leg to be folded near her body. I will add this to her "figure 8's" in walking where she has to weight the leg differently depending on whether she is turning to the outside or inside of the "8".

Stairs
Because Bella is long-legged, stairs are okay. We just need to watch that she doesn't race up or down them...which she does. The vet recommended holding on to her collar to keep her at a slower pace.

Walks
I asked if it was possible to give Bell two 30-minute walks daily rather than four 15-minute walks. The vet okayed that, but urged caution. She said shorter remains better for the healing. As it is, it is so hot here, that the half-hour walk is only in the morning. Bella gets a backyard pee break mid day and a short evening walk. The vet also said to keep at this pace until our eight week check up. So 20-30 minute walks R Us.

Play Time
Bella still cannot play with her buddies. She's going to be really excited in September when that ban is lifted! All in all, it's a six month healing time.

Swimming
If I can control Bell's entrance and exit from the water, the vet encouraged me to take her swimming. It's good movement without the bone stress.

Camping
We are hoping to go camping next week and got the okay to do so. Bellie cannot go mountain biking or running yet, but I can take her on her timed walks/hikes. We all need to get out of town, so this will be (hopefully) a wonderful adventure.

TPLO on the Other Leg
Those of you reading this or researching this surgery already know the statistics: 50% of dogs have the same surgery performed on their other back leg within a year. It is not from over-use of that leg during the healing process, but just plain, old genetics. I am so hoping Bella beats the odds!