Truman needs healing thoughts!

[furever_pit]

Awww. Poor Truman and poor you.

I have a friend with a super large dog who has had several knee surgeries. I'll contact her and see if she has any tricks up her sleeve that I can pass on to you.

[airwalk]

I'm sorry Joyce..give Truman a hug from me. We did cruciate repair recovery on a 140lb'r....it's not different just a lot of dog. My best suggestion is to invest in a belly sling. That way you are not strictly trying to control from the collar...you have some belly control as well and without having to try to use your little hands to hold on to a towel and him.

[Malli]

my vet is very traditional, he won't recommend anything (food or supplements) unless he has a study to show that it works. I bought it from him! So, your vet should already know

Oh! Okay! I will run it by him!

It only looks hippie-dippy

[iluvk9]

I have a friend with a super large dog who has had several knee surgeries. I'll contact her and see if she has any tricks up her sleeve that I can pass on to you.

Thanks! Louie was an 80 pound Lab, but he was calmer.

Diana, do you think I can lift him with a sling even though he is so TALL?

[airwalk]

Joyce you won't be able to lift him, I couldn't my Mastiff...but it did give me two ways to control the action. I could control speed and direction that way and was still able to provide a bit of support for that rear leg right after surgery.

I don't mind if my dogs toe touch..I kind of let them set the recovery pace, but what I don't want is them to feel slippery and suddenly slam that leg down to catch themselves. I find using an actual belly sling (with handles) lets me control speed, direction and offer just enough extra support that they don't get frightened of slipping.

My Mastiff was at my waist, so I do understand about having ponies.

[CinderDee]

Oh no. Sorry Joyce. Give the pony a hug & kiss from us and a huge hug to you too.

[furever_pit]

This is what my friend had to say; take or leave the info as you wish:

They bought a large exercise pen and put the dog in it with nothing but a few blankets. No pillows or beds because they didn't want him to have any uneven surfaces to trip on or whatever. They used bully sticks, marrow bones, whatever treats lasted long periods of time and would distract the big lug and keep him relatively quiet. The dog was put on Acepromazine and kept pretty drugged up for quite a while. Additionally, they did what they could with his environment to try and promote calmness - kept the house quiet and the lights off or low and the room was warm.

The sling that others have posted about to help you get Truman around makes a lot of sense.

I wish I had more suggestions for you. I've never had to deal with a dog recovering from this kind of procedure. Best of luck to you and Truman!

[iluvk9]

I could control speed and direction that way and was still able to provide a bit of support for that rear leg right after surgery.

That makes sense. I thought I was going to have to lift lard-ass.

The dog was put on Acepromazine and kept pretty drugged up for quite a while.

Unless absolutely necessary for "his life" I would not go that route.

Additionally, they did what they could with his environment to try and promote calmness - kept the house quiet and the lights off or low and the room was warm.

I usually do this when they have surgery of any type, so already I am planning it out. Thanks for asking your friend.

Surgery is scheduled for Jan. 13th.

[mnp13]

This is the first time I've caught up on this, I'm soooo sorry to hear about his diagnosis. What knee surgery did you decide on?

[iluvk9]

His left knee.

Honestly, I have been on overload, so I don't even remember the specifics. But when the Vet gets in there, he decides what has to be done, if that makes any sense. And the other 4 knees made them "bionic knees" so it is what it is.

[mnp13]

No, I mean which surgery? There are three common ones - the "traditional", the TPLO and the tight rope. TPLO (what we had with Connor) is a patented surgery so only specifically trained surgeons can do it. I don't know the specifics of who can do tightrope, but I think it's similar.

I think traditional is usually recommended for large breeds but I was wondering what you had decided on.

[iluvk9]

I know that is what you were asking.

Traditional then. Good ol' regular surgery. Although this Vet is a knee specialist and I think when he gets in there, he decides what is needed. With Darlene he had to replace the meniscus, if I remember correctly.

[iluvk9]

Erin drew this of him a few years ago:

[plebayo]

Erin drew this of him a few years ago:

That is awesome!

[iluvk9]

They were part of his Secret Santa gift. I have them in frames, but these are from when I got them.

[cheekymunkee]

Poor Truman, you should fly me up there to baby sit him.

[plebayo]

Poor Truman, you should fly me up there to baby sit him.

If we're doing that I want to be part of the rotation!

[iluvk9]

Poor Truman, you should fly me up there to baby sit him.

Oh sure! I will fly everyone from PBT here! Wait till I make you all breakfast.

[hugapitbull]

Oh sure! I will fly everyone from PBT here! Wait till I make you all breakfast.

I can help with breakfast!

[mnp13]

How's the pony doing today?