Go to content Go to navigation Go to search

2007-10-21 11:38

Barlow's First Days After TPLO Surgery

Posted in by Jeff Thorsett

Barlow James had his tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) done on October 19th, 2007 at about 3:00 PM down at the Southwest Veterinary Referral Center in Glendale, AZ. Surgery was successful with only an internal tear of his cranial cruciate ligament and severe ligament stretching found. His medial meniscus was found to be intact, which is a positive sign considering he had a lot of movement in the knee, but he did have some mild osteoarthritis forming in and around the joint.

Now the hard part begins: post-op recovery and rehabilitation. Making it home from the land of hot concrete they call Phoenix was a pretty easy journey, save for the traffic. Barlow rode nicely in the kennel in the back of the truck despite the infernal traffic that defines the valley.

Barlow seems to being doing pretty good considering, but is pretty high on a variety of medications right now. Deramaxx® for pain and inflammation, Acepromazine for sedation, and Tramadol for those painful times. He’s pretty much becoming a pill-popping junkie, but has been going through some bouts of pain that we need to control.

As of about 20 hours after surgery he has been putting slight weight on his leg and the vets say that is a good thing. The first night home Barlow was sleepless and vocal, probably due to the fact they cut his tibia completely through and crammed 6 screws into it. Too bad dogs can’t speak English. The next few days look to be pretty much more of the same: complete confinement except for the strugglesome walks to the backyard to go to the bathroom.

I’ll keep you updated soon and until then here are a couple photos so you have an idea of what his life is about right now:

5 Comments for Barlow's First Days After TPLO Surgery

  1. Sawyer Greene

    Oct 22, 06:39 PM #

    Hey Barlow,

    I happened upon this site as I was searching for Flagbrew. Glad to hear that you are recovering. If you can believe it, I’m almost 14 ! I take 100mg of Tramadol 2-3 times daily for my chronic joint pain. Are you a Black Lab ? We hope to make it out to Flag soon. Later.

    Sawyer

  2. Dawn

    Oct 28, 09:20 PM #

    Django, my 143 lb Pyreneese/Anatolian 2 year old is supposed to get TPLO tomorrow on his right rear leg. Unfortuantely, just today he ALSO developed a bad limp and non-use of his left rear leg…. don’t know if they can or will do surgery on both. But geez this is gonna be tough as he is a biiiiiiiiig boy and hates to be in the house. I just hope it goes well. Hope your doggie is healing nicely.

  3. Jeff

    Oct 30, 08:23 AM #

    Dawn, sorry to hear about Django. My surgeon informed me that bilateral TPLO surgery (both knees) was needed in about 50% of all dogs. Fortunately they can do that with some time in between.

    Barlow is maintaining some semblance of sanity, although it really is tough for a lab puppy to be in a cage. I think he is going to survive though. Gets staples out Thursday and my biggest worry is how to get him inside the vets office without him blowing out the knee-plate.

    Good Luck to you and Django!

    Jeff

  4. Jeff

    Oct 30, 08:34 AM #

    That previous comment oughta read “50% of all TPLO candidate dogs”

  5. neckfro

    Oct 30, 03:21 PM #

    I think that barlow and greg oden are kindred spirits. So much surgery so soon, but will surely rock the house in about a year.

    BTW, Jeff, your random image is BRUTAL.

Leave a Comment

  Textile Help