Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Raw Food Diet, Day 343- Paisley Update

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Big Pupi and the 'Tale of the Wobbly Knee':

Aloha folks. My cousin Paisley made it through surgery just fine and she gets to go home today!Turns out that she had the most severe level of luxating patella, and it's a wonder that she was able to swim, run and play for so many years before needing surgery. In case you didn't click thru to read about the condition in Stanley's previous post, I'll give you a brief run down~

Luxating patella is a condition in which the knee cap (patella) doesn't like to stay where it belongs. In a proper knee joint there is a deep groove that runs at the base of the femur bone (that really big bone that extends from the hip to the knee). It is this groove that keeps the patella and its ligament gliding smoothly in place at the front of the knee. The whole thing stays pleasantly lubricated with joint fluid, and the proper alignment creates proper movement and balance with the quadriceps muscles (those hefty guys at the front of the thigh).

In dogs with luxation problems, the deep groove that keeps the patella and ligament in place exists in various degrees of "not good enough" to "non-existent." In most cases the outer ridges that give the groove its shape exist only on the outside portion of the bone, leaving the inside too shallow to hold the patella in place. The patella and ligament will then jump out of the groove (luxation) and slide over towards the inside of the leg. This creates great pain for the dog as there is no lubrication, the joint becomes locked in a bent position, and the quadriceps muscle is taken out of alignment. The knee will often eventually find its way back into place, but it's temporary and the condition causes a lot of pain.

My grandhumans spoke to 2 doctors and got 2 opinions on Paisley. Some dogs with very minor luxation problems can avoid surgery all together, and they didn't want her to go under the knife if she didn't have to. One doctor said that Paisley most definitely needed the surgery, and the other said that they should wait and see how she progresses. They decided to keep a close eye on her but in just a short time their original suspicions were confirmed - Paisley cried, limped and well.... Paisley needed the surgery.

It was only during her surgery that the doctor discovered that she didn't have any groove in her knee at all. It was completely smooth and the patella and ligament had absolutely nothing to limit their lateral movement. Ouch! The way that they solve the problem in surgery (this is the G-Rated version) is to carve a groove into the knee and make a little home for the patella, and then pin the ligament in place to ensure that it doesn't try to make any more escapes. I sure hope that patella finds its new home groovy. Ha ha ha... er... okay.

Despite the fact that bones and ligaments are being altered and moved about, recovery isn't supposed to be too bad. In fact, the doctor said that the most painful part of it all is the incision made to get to the knee joint - not the actual knee surgery. Paisley's movements will be limited for quite a while, but she should be better in no time at all. And the best part of this surgery is that if she behaves herself while healing that the problem will most likely be fixed for good - success rates for this procedure are over 90%.

So here's to Paisley with her brand new knee joint. I'm sure she's excited to get home and be spoiled as her mom and dad's little patient. I bet there's lots of treats, chew toys and belly rubs involved and that's kind of awesome!

Play hard, be healthy,
Big Pupi

21 comments:

Mack said...

Get well quick Paisley!!

Alex V. said...

Thank goodness the problem wasn't too hard to fix and that Paisley should recover well without a lot of pain!

Petra said...

Yea! Paisley's surgery is over and she's going to be fine! That makes me smile all over.

Canine Aficionado said...

Yay!! So Happy Paisley did well and is now recovering at home.

Have Paisley's human's considered hydrotherapy for her rehabilitation? Supposedly it helps dogs who have had surgery to correct a luxating patella regain strength and mobility - and it increases the success rate of the surgery a ton!

Ella Bean and I learned all about hydrotherapy this past weekend, and I even got to take a dip!!

My female human wrote all about it on my website - and there are some funny picture of me swimming...
http://www.caninebark.com/2009/01/doggy-swimming.html

Bark at ya later,
Louis

Niamh said...

That is great news that Paisley did so well during her surgery and that her prognosis is excellent. Thanks for the update on this condition - which I am very glad that I do not have.

Your friend,
Niamh

Coco Bean - The Princess said...

I'm glad to hear that Paisley did well an dis able to go home today! I will keep my dewclaws crossed for her speedy recovery.

Stanislaw, I have made tis suggestion to my mommy and we are going to take the picture on a special disk to a photo place and have it enlarged to hang in the livingroom.

Now, i need to hold a survey on my page to see which one we should have enlarged. So, stop on by again and please cast your vote!

Tail Wiggles & Puppy Kisses

coco - The Princess

Biggie-Z said...

WOw, that's pretty groovy! Good to hear Paisley did well - it sounds like the dog version of what heppened to my Auntie Pita who had a similar splurgery last March and couldn't walk for a while. But now she's a lot better.

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

That sounds a horrible thing for your poor cousin. I sure is glad they was able to help it get better.
~lickies, Ludo

River said...

I hope she does well in recovery. My girlfriend Georgia has that--it's at the stage where we just watch it. All is groovy, hahacoughcough.

love & wags,
River

Niamh said...

Stanislaw,

When you do a calm playbow you are telling your people that you are going to play by their rules and it is a really nice greeting behavior. It is a bit of self-handicapping, sort of like when I lie down to play with a very small dog or puppy. I let them know that I recognize that they are smaller than me. Of course I love that paw slapping play bow too, but you know how sensitive some people are! I am sure your mom and dad give you lots of pats and strokes when you give them a calm playbow. Hope that answers your question.

Your friend,
NIamh

Anonymous said...

Hi Stan!
Wow you have been busy! I have my paws crossed for your Paisley. I just know everything will be ok. You sure look good in your bow tie! Pupi, on the other hand, looks.....cute.....in his toy.
Mom says you are right about how they breed dogs for qualities people want without reguard for the dogs themselves. Poor pups. Them mom says if they are done showing the dog it isn't important to the owners anymore a lot of times.

Barklove,
Rusty

Joe Stains said...

I have that, but not that bad at all!! I am glad they were able to fix it!!

Hero said...

I'm relieved to hear that your cousin's surgery went well. I hope she has a speedy recovery.

Lorenza said...

I am so happy for Paisley! Glad everyting went well and she is now at home!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Bae Bae said...

I hope Paisley is better today. ;)

~ Bae

Stanley said...

Happy New Year, guys! We hope you're having a good one.

So glad Paisley's surgery went well and we're sending her some healing goober smooches to help her out! keep an eye on her!

Goober love & smooches,
Stanley

Molly the Airedale said...

You are one knowledgable pup, Big Pupi! Our paws are crossed that Paisley heals up very quickly so she can run and play!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Fenway said...

I hope Paisley gets to do some speed runs with you guys. She's braver than me!

I'm going to the Place of Tile & Steel today to see Dr. Ira for my annual shots. I hope that he finds nothing out of place on me....nary a whisker!

Toffee said...

Glad to hear that Paisley is doing well now! Sounds like her "kneecap" now has a comfy home!

Hap-pee new year!

Eric said...

Hope Paisley is doing ok? look after her guys. Your Christmas sounds wagging cool. Certainly yor colours, very stylish headgear.All that paper taearing and sharing. How's the zzzzzzzzzzzz's level now. Woken up yet? Haa! I'm like that that I return from my one day a week at Puppy Play School too!!

Wiry wags, Eric xx

FleasGang said...

We're glad her mom and pop didn't have a "knee-jerk" reaction but thought the surgery through - ha! We said "knee-jerk". Anywho, get well soon Paisley

luv
Shelly & Tommy