It's been a very long week! Jeff got home from China - and on Wednesday, Oct 25th, he took Cola to go see Dr. Diane Craig @ Veterinary Surgical Specialist of Orange County, www.vssoc.com. Unfortunately; I could not go, b/c I had to stay at work.
She examined Cola and said that she definately needed TPLO surgery for her cruciate tear, and she does them on Tuesdays and Thursdays - so he booked her in for the next day. Him and Cola came by my office after the appt to let me know the info; and to tell me about the place. Then he got to meet a few of my new co-workers and Cola was introduced to them as well!
The next morning @ 7am, we both drove seperately and dropped Cola off. I asked Jeff to meet me there, b/c I knew I was going to be so emotional. I have always worked in Vet Clinics and if there was anything that had to be done to her; I was able to be an involved part of it! It was so sad for me to put her through this! We got to the Clinic, and it was amazing! I met two different Amy's, and they were so nice and the place was absolutely beautiful. We talked about the surgery with the Amy the receptionist and then Amie, the Dr's surgical assistant. They told us that Cola was going to be the third one to be done that day in a group of 12!! They also asked me if I was interested in having Cola take part in a Hip Dysplasia study sponsered by Walthams. They would take an extra xray, (VD shot of her hips), and send a small amount of blood to Walthams' so they could do a DNA study on Hip Dysplasia. I told them to go ahead with it as I knew they were already going to be taking xrays and taking blood for her pre-op panel. Cola's been very lucky - she has never had any congenital problems with anything. I'm grateful her bones are in such great shape!
We left her there, and she was more than eager to hop back there on her 3-legs! She has always been so comfortable in Veterinary Clinics, (so far!). She'd often go to work with me and spend a lot of time in various clinics.
They told me that they were going to get started on her IV and blood panel right away; then sedate her after that. Dr. Craig was already in surgery with her first patient. The surgery time for Cola was going to be about 2hrs. At about 12:30pm, I was so anxious that I phoned the clinic and was told that my timing was just right. She was just in recovery; and starting to lift her head. They gave her an epidural, so the pain wouldn't be that bad upon recovery. I was so impressed.
I phoned again @ 9:00pm and she was still doing well. I missed her so much!!
The next morning; I phoned the clinic @ 9:20am to see when she could go home;and we arranged for a 4:15pm TGH appt. My day at work went by ssooo slow!!! At 4pm, I booked it to the clinic and Jeff was already there. We completed our bill - FORTUNATELY we were approved for financing; and we didn't have to pay anything when we picked her up - but we now get to make monthly payments for a minimum of one year. We get one year with no interest; so we're hoping to be able to pay it off within 12mos!!
We went into a room, and Amy put her xrays up on the screen, (all digital) - and they were so clear! We saw a VD and lateral view of her LH leg. The plate and screws are all in place - and she's got a line of about 30 staples down the edge of her knee. A 'discharge nurse' came in to explain the meds. She's got her own little pharmacy going now!
Fentanyl Patch 50mcg (stuck to her back)
Previcox 227mg Chewable (1 tab once daily) NSAIDCephalexin 500mg (1 cap twice daily) AntibioticAcepromazine 25mg (1/2 tab daily as needed) Sedative
Famotidine 10mg (1.5 once daily as needed) Anti-Nausia
The guy then went to go get her and she came hobbling out with a HUGE yellow padded bandage on her entire leg. We finished up talking then drove home with Cola. I put her in my truck and I could tell that she wasn't feeling too great. She was groaning/whining and I felt so bad for her!!
She is supposed to be in STRICT confinement for 2 weeks. Absolutely no steps or jumping. She can only go outside to do her business; then come back inside. She's been in our bedroom and I've used the neighbours' gate to keep her on one side of the bed. She's been pretty quiet since being home - I try to keep her on the Ace, b/c she does get a little antsy when we go out. I'm not sure where we're going to put her when we go to work. This morning Jeff was getting ready to go to the Chargers game, and she jumped on the bed, walked across it; then off the bed to stand at the top of the stairs. We were both downstairs; and I freaked out when I came running up the stairs. Needless to say - she's now crashed out beside me lovin' the Ace. They gave us an E-collar, and I've had to use it once so far; as she did try to start removing her bandage off from the top. She'll get it removed on Wednesday, Nov 1st.
Over all - her attitude has been great! She's eating normal - has not had any bouts of Vomiting or Diarrhea. She hobbles around alright. Sometimes she'll put weight on the leg and other times she'll lift it; (it's a bulky "cast" - so I imagine it's pretty heavy to lift). I am not regretting this at all. I am so glad that we were able to get this done for her. I am glad that the recovery has been smooth. Simon the kitten just absolutely loves to have Cola back. He follows her everywhere and rubs up against her and curls up more than he ever did. He will not let Cola out of his sight. So cute. My mom might come down mid-November to help us out with Cola. I hope she does as it looks like I might not be able to get home for Christmas after all.
That's the update so far!
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