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Dogs and a new TKR

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AlaskanTKR

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Jun 2, 2008
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Palmer, Alaska
Looking for some info/advice on how to handle my dog "situation" after a tkr. I have 3 puppers - 1 Alaskan Huskey (about 50 pounds) and 2 Giant Malamutes (132 pounds and 117 pounds). Believe it or not they are inside dogs. They go out and play but live in the house. They love their crates, but also their momma. We cuddle and play. They are like big old teddy bears, but the key word is big. They have never "taken me out", but on occassion have bumped me - especially in the knee area. Fortunately they are not "walk" dogs. They go out in my large fenced in yard and take care of business. My nine year old is a pro at feeding and picking up the yard. All I have to do is open their crates and then the back slider ad out they go. Just a bit worried about the whole coming home from the hospital and initial greeting. - plus the bumping issue.

Anyone else have to deal with issues like this??? I won't send them to a kennel since Jessi is able to deal with their immediate needs. Plus my honey is home for the beginning. We have a baby gate that keeps them in separate places when my little neice is here or my dad (also bad knees) Like I said they don't need to be walked - they run around my yard like wild!

Thanks for any suggestions!
MArianne
 
I have two black labs that are 90 pounds a piece and a German shorthaired pointer that is only 44 pounds but perpetually in motion. I took time to take the dogs to obedience training (refresher) before my surgery to help with problems. The labs are pretty good anyway, the pointer - not so much. When I came home, I got settled in before they came into the room. I had my leg protected on the couch (where they are not allowed to be). They understood pretty fast that crutches were part of me and to watch out. I used the crutch and then the cane to protect myself from their huge bodies.

The only problem I had was coming out of the bathroom in the middle of the night, in the dark, and falling over one of the labs. He is dark, the carpet is dark, the room was dark, I was half asleep and partly drugged. He is like my shadow and he waited right outside the bathroom door (never done that in the middle of the night before) and I didn't see him and fell right over him. Fortunately, I fell more on him than anything else. I burst into tears from the scare, but had no issues other than a few sore muscles where I caught myself.

For the most part the dogs figured out something was up and they gave me a wide berth. I also watched out more for them than usual.

Doug has big dogs (boxers) as well. Doug, any advice?
 
Skeet -
Thanks for making me feel better. 2 of the 3 just finished up school this spring and have made HUGE gains. The 3rd and the biggest is the easiest and actually the calmest. He should be no main problem. They sleep in their crates at night so that isn't an issue and up here right now it doesn't get toally dark - so niether does the house - even at 2 in the am. Its just that love bumping I am a bit worried about. They are still young (under 2 years) and love their momma time - although come to think about it they were really awesome the last time I had a major migraine - just laid on the floor by me. I think the crutches will provide some "blocking" power - My big guy is afraid of almost everything! And they should be pretty tired b4 my husband goes back to work - he will take them to the river and poop them out - hopefully.

Looking forward to hearing from Doug and his boxers!

Thanks for the reassurance that I can manage my pups- the OS was a bit concerned about the number of dogs - but he said since they crate and do not need walks all should be fine - It was a good thing he was not aware of their size - I sort of left that out!

Marianne
 
Your walker can be used as a barrier between you and the dog if needed. I had bi-lat knees and came home to a 70-75 lb Aussi shep/St. Bernard mix. She was fine. She sensed my disability and acted appropriately. The more I recovered, the less cautious she became.
 
I have two 65lb boxers...lot's of energy. They go through periods of running like terrors through the house. Nothing is off limits.. When I had my TKR, I kept a blanket folded to lay across my knee for a "just in case" moment. I also created a barrier with the walker.
I've hand carved walking sticks and canes for years so they have also learned that when daddy has the stick they need to settle down. I never hit one and wouldn't but they seemed to instinctively know I was injured. In fact, I had to stop each of them several times when they tried to wash the wound.
 
I have a 95# Black Lab and when I came home from bilateral TKR, he just gave me a wide berth. It didn't seem to be any problem at all.
 
Thanks for all the positive responses. I am sure we will do well now that I know you all have. They are definitely calming downs as they get older anyway. I hadn't thought about how they tend to pick up on certain things. This is one less thing to worry about. Iam anorganizerand multi-tasker soI have already begun thinking about what needs to be done inorderto prepare for the aftermath -UGHHHHH

Again -Many THANKS

Marianne
 
My current canines are two yellow labs--both flunked out of Guide Dogs for the Blind, and they were no problem at all--somehow that old training from years ago came back and other than wanting to rest their heads on my bad knee or lick it well again, no problem.

Years ago I had 5 Malamutes because I ran a dogsled team but they were first and foremost spoiled house dogs. During this time I had major bilateral knee reconstruction and was worried about the same thing because while they were fairly well trained and walked well on a leash, they were still bouncy and got exited in the house.

I was amazed that they did seem to sense something was different when I got home after 10 days in the hospital. I was on crutches and pretty laid up still, but none of them bumped, jumped or pushed me. They would mill around me as always, but were much calmer and gave my legs a fairly wide berth. It may have been because of the crutches, I never knew. All I knew was that they just seemed to want to lay near me.

Weezy
 
I have a scottish terrier, samoyed, and an american esicmo(sp?). The only problem I had was with my scottie, he wanted to protect my knee and always laied his head on it so no one would come near it. Your dogs will lnow that momma is hurting and they will be fine.

Debbi
 
Weezy,
My official career is an orientation and mobility instructor. Fun to hear you got 2 flunkies. 'i bet they are awesome dogs. when in graduate school in Ca. we were flown to the Seeing Eye in NJ, I got to go blindfolded in NYCity with a flunkie. He always went to the bank. He did take me there!!!

I have a little terrier mix who loves me. The rest of the family is OK with him, but he is really attached to me. I am wondering how he is going to do with me gone for 5 days hiip replacement tomorrow)
When I had arthroscopic hip surgery in Feb. he was so uncontrollably excited that he ran around and kept jumping on my lap. You guessed it right on the right knee.

I am glad you brought this up Alaska so I will have a plan for my return.
Judy
 
When I Went In To The Hospital On The 13th We Had 5 Dogs, Three Little Ones And A Lab Who Weighs In At Over 100 Lbs And A Pit Bull That Weighs About 7o Lbs.. Since The Lab And Pit Don't Get Along And The Three Little Ones Think They Are Rottwiellers We Ended Up With 3 Sets Of Dogs All In The House. On The 14th I Got A Call From My Son James That He And My Husband Had Rescued A Really Small Dog, About 6 Lbs, Who Wouldn't Be Any Trouble But They Named Him Rocket Because He Was So Fast You Couldn't See Him. Believe It Or Not When I Came Home On The 18th I Didn't Know What To Expect But They Were No Trouble At All. Since One Of The Little Ones, Less Than 10 Lbs Is My Lap Dog I Knew I Would Have To Find A Way To Keep Her Off My Knees Until They Were Healed. What I Did Was Put A Fluffy, Light Weight Pillow From Our Bed Across Me Knees To Cushion Any Sudden Jumps, Etc. The Walker Seemed To Take Care Of The Rest Of It. The Biggest Problem Was That I Have Always Been The Person Who Got Up And Let Them Out When They Needed Out. My Husband Hates Doggie Doors So We Have To Get Up And Let Them Out Each Time They Want To Go, Which Isn't As Bad As It Sounds. The First Couple Of Days My Husband Did Get Up And Let Them Out But As My Strength And Mobility Increased I Once Again Became The Person Who Got Up And Let Them Out When Everyone Else Was Sleeping. The Dogs Seemed To Sense I Was More Delicate Than Normal And Gave Me Plenty Of Time And Room To Get Them Out, So That Too Resolved Itself. I Really Think If You Have Well Mannered House Dogs When You Went Into The Hospital You Will Not Have Any Trouble When You Get Out Of Hospital. At Least That Was The Case With Our Dogs. Even The New Was Good As He Follows The Lead Of The Other Dogs. Between The Pillow To Cushion And The Walker To Run Interference You Should Have No Problem. Rowdy
 
Judy - Good Luck tomorrow - I'll be thinking of you!

I am so relieved to here that the pups will more than likely be fine. They will have my husband and daughter wih them while I am in the hospital and I think you are all right that they will sense somthing and be protective. The Huskey always cuddles up next to my daughter if she cries over something and the malamutes are so very mellow - most of the time.

I was so afraid the OS was going to tell me to board them - and they are so much a part of my life and have gotten me through so much this past year with their unconditional love - I couldn't board them - even when we are away we have a dog sitter and they stay in our house! SPOILED pups.

Thanks Again -
Marianne
 
You're so right! I think for those of us who are dog and/or cat co-dependents, they are an important part of our healing process. I can't imagine having been home alone so much without the dogs and cats to keep me company and entertained and give me someone to talk to during the day.

And even better, we had gotten two new kittens two weeks before my surgery so I've had "kitten therapy" in addition, and boy, are they a hoot to watch!

Glad your puppies will be there to comfort you when you get home.

Weezy
 
If its any consolation its not just dogs. At about 4 weeks my wife and
I went to a wine tasting party and a 50ish friend of mine who was a bit
tipsy and sitting on the floor tried to get up and fell over backwards
rolling into the front of my operated leg while it was planted on the floor.

Boy I didn't think I could still jump back after surgery - probably helped
my hyperextension though after the pain went away.
 
EDK.....now that's a different approach to physical therapy....jumping around while drinking wine! Good story. Hope you are not hurting anymore, though.
 
EDK - Thanks for reminding me about the people factor. I'll have to remember that with my neighbors. We have been known to get a little "interesting" when we all hangout together. After my last scope we had a scrabble gathering (to keep me busy) that turned into some rather interesting pizza, scrabble and "indulgences of choice". I think they were jealous of the pain med and felt the need to get loopy as well. Now everyone is into the halo online thing so I have a feeling it could get interesting - I will be careful to proceed with caution if they bring over the mixer or shaker (margueritas/cosmos).
Thanks - I guess my pups are the least of my worries!
Marianne
 
Hi All,
I just want to say that we lost our wonderful golden 2 years ago this July to renal failure. She was only 10 yrs old and I truly miss her still. I think you are all very blessed to have the unconditional love that a family pet or pets give to us. Unfortunately at this time in my life I cannot get another pup.

I know that she would have been all over me after being gone for a few days. Be careful when coming home. But enjoy their love for you. You just never know when they will be gone. I also think that that unconditional love will help you heal physically and emotionally.

My daughter has a boston terrier with her boyfriend. The pup lives with him. But he brings her to visit. I love having her here. She is very good for a 5 month old! When she first came over for a visit after surgery, I covered my knee with a pillow and that really helped alot. She came running and jumped on the bed, and boy is she quick!! But I love her visits. I miss having a pup around.

Give em a big hug for me!!!!!
 
If its any consolation its not just dogs. At about 4 weeks my wife and
I went to a wine tasting party and a 50ish friend of mine who was a bit
tipsy and sitting on the floor tried to get up and fell over backwards
rolling into the front of my operated leg while it was planted on the floor.

Boy I didn't think I could still jump back after surgery - probably helped
my hyperextension though after the pain went away.

OOOOCH! What did the friend have to say? Did they know on what they had landed?
 
If its any consolation its not just dogs. At about 4 weeks my wife and
I went to a wine tasting party and a 50ish friend of mine who was a bit
tipsy and sitting on the floor tried to get up and fell over backwards
rolling into the front of my operated leg while it was planted on the floor.

Boy I didn't think I could still jump back after surgery - probably helped
my hyperextension though after the pain went away.

Reflexes are a wonderful thing!
 
Cathy

I am sorry for your loss - Our husky is only 2 and the mals are 14 months. I can't even imagine what it will be like when it is their time to leave us. I will definitely share a hug with them. The pillows sound like a good strategy. They are supe loyal so once we get over the initial return to the house I think they will just move back into the laying around and "guarding" me behavior we have seen them do. The huskey came up last night to my room and jumped on the bed with me and totally avoided my knee. He is very perceptive. The mals on the other hand are so big they sometimes can't avoid me when they are full of energy!

Thanks again!

Marianne
 
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