subject: Recovery from luxating patella [print this page] Recovery from luxating patella Recovery from luxating patella
This is a plastic cone that is placed around the dog's neck to prevent him from reaching the wound. You will be able to keep him steady with out straining the knee.
If the dog tries to become too active keeping him in a padded crate will help. A sling made from a towel placed under his belly will help if the dog starts to fall. The animal needs to be seen by the Veterinarian to see he if needs surgery to correct the problem. The surgical site will have a bandage on for a few days. To prevent your dog from licking the surgical site the Vet may recommend an Elizabethan collar. The ice pack should be used for fifteen minutes two to three times a day for the first few days.
Leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes.
He can't be allowed to run or jump. It must be kept clean and dry. The dog needs to be leash walked only during the early weeks. The period is up to sixteen weeks for a full recovery.
If there are stairs to go up and down he would need to be carried.
Moist heat can be applied to the surgical area after the bandage taken off. If the trick knee (floating patella) isn't treated it will cause problems later on.
When applying the ice pack place a towel underneath it to protect the skin. This will freeze to a slushy consistency. please visit luxating patella for more information.The Veterinarian will prescribe pain medication, antibiotics and an anti inflammatory to help with the healing process. It the bandage slips or is loose take him in for the Vet to check it. When the dog makes a complete recovery he should be able to resume his previous activities pain free. His activity must be limited to allow for recovery time.
It is important to keep the surgical area free of infection. About a week after the surgery for the floating patella, the dog can be leash walked for about five minutes. Freeze the solution in doubled zip lock bags.
It is important to limit exercise for the dog during the recovery period. The luxating patella can be painful and cause the animal to limp. Normally after about six weeks he can have longer walks. Subluxation of the patella amounts to a dislocation of the knee cap. After the surgery for Medial Luxating Patella will be the recovery period. Try to keep him on level surfaces. It is two cups of ice, one half cup of rubbing alcohol and one half teaspoon salt.
