4-19-01

We are 6 days post TPLO today. We are settling into a routine. The leg looks good. The red is gone or fading, I haven't noticed any big red areas today. The ankle or hock is a bit swollen, the knee is still swollen but the incision looks clean, no red or leaking.

The biggest challenge continues to be getting Magnum to slow down. We keep him on a short leash and only go out for potty breaks. Other than that he is in his penned area in the living room with us. Someone is with him constantly and will be until the staples come out on Tuesday.

I feel much better about our decision to go with TPLO surgery for Magnum. I am convinced that this was his only hope of getting back on all 4 legs again and I'm glad we could give him that chance.

I did give him his big giant bone today for a little while. His lip did fine, no bleeding. I'll give it to him again for a little while later. Other than wanting to run when he gets out of his pen, he has been a model patient.

I am feeling, generally, more relaxed about his recovery and the future of the leg. The first 2 days were pretty awful and so was going to our local vet but all in all this hasn't been as hard as I expected. Getting into a routine to get him out to potty was hard for a couple of days but gets easier all the time. The leg looks better than I anticipated so far.

I find that I am not questioning my decision as much anymore and am more confident that we did the right thing. Thank you Lord for your guidance.

Erica counted about 24 staples. There is a long incision just inside the knee and just inside the previous incision. The long incision has 23 staples then there is a space of about 2 - 3" and then there is one more staple.

I knew it was too good to be true. Magnum is panting and pacing. I don't know what is wrong with him. Did he hurt himself somehow? He's had his pain medicine and there is really nothing else I can do.