TPLO Led to His Amputation and I want to talk about it. It started out as a torn ACL. My Vet recommended the TPLO surgery and had a surgeon that he always uses. At the time Drakey was only 3 years old. He had issues in the past with his other knee and this surgeon fixed his luxating patella. Minor soft tissue infection that was resistant to the antibiotics, but he got on the correct medication and it resolved with a small scar.
Now his Left Hind leg needed an ACL repair. So I reminded the vet of the minor complication in the past. He assured me that it would be ok. This Surgeon has done many TPLOs in his office and only 1 had some complications. Drake had Surgery in February. He was progressing well until a month later I noticed he would not walk on the affected leg.
I called my vet because the surgeon was a traveling surgeon and could not be reached. I told my vet that it looked swollen and was red and warm to the touch. My vet assured me that it was normal. But because I persisted on him seeing my dog , I got an appointment the following week. By the appointment time there was drainage from the wound. And confirmation from my vet that his leg was infected. Treatment with antibiotics started and it seemed to resolve. Except I noticed some buckling when he walked.
He was receiving laser therapy so I brought it to my Vets attention on his visit. Again assured me he was fine. Within a month after Drake would not put his leg down. I made another appointment for Drake to see the Doctor. As I was on my way , the office called and told me I was scheduled with a different doctor and he had an emergency and canceled all his patients. I asked for the next available and they were not accommodating at all. Pushed me out another week.
So I went to another Vet that I had used for more emergent things because they have later hours and I wanted Drakey to be seen. Not understanding what could be wrong I thought he had re-injured his leg and I was supposed to go out of town. The vet I got was great and saw another abscess on his leg. I asked if I could call the surgeon because this was the 2nd time. Drakes surgeon also did surgery at this veterinary office. They told me they would have to treat it as a soft tissue infection first and see if it goes away. If not then they would call. So it was debrided and tissue sampled and sent out. Again an infection that was resistant and had to change the antibiotics.
He got better… then same thing. I brought him back to the vet. They told me to try rehab. Drake had another appointment with his skin and allergy specialist. When he saw him, he immediately told me that Drake needs to see the surgeon. I told him I had tried. But now I will push. So I went back to the vet and asked for the surgeon. They told me I would have to pay a fee. I did not care. Finally 3 months had passed and I saw the surgeon. Immediately he told me that Drakes leg was infected and the implant had to come out. Surgery #2. So I cancelled my vacation and Drake had the plates taken out EXCEPT a screw that was left.
The Surgeon told me he could not get it out and that he needed it for support. The leg was not fused. He also said that he had never seen this before , but the implant was loose. So again recovery with antibiotics, splint, crate etc for 2 more months. Drake gets better…. started rehab finally….then he hops! I had another vacation planned , but I could not leave him with a sitter not walking. I made an appointment with the existing Vet I had changed to. Asked them to please look at his leg, his paw, anything that could explain why he was not walking on all 4 legs! They told me they found nothing and go to rehab and get a brace! So I called the rehab vet and they squeezed Drake in to be seen.
They shaved his hair and examined his leg. ANOTHER ABCESS ! I called the vet back and told them they missed this. I needed him to see the vet asap. They told me to go to the ER cause they were too busy. And could only give me an appointment the next day… I was supposed to leave on a plane for a friends wedding. So I took Drake to the ER (waited 3 hours) Again they took one look at him and said I need to see the Surgeon. So I canceled my trip. The ER Surgeon told me the screw needs to come out. The infection never went away because part of the implant was still there.
I immediately called the primary vet that told me to get a brace for him and all of the sudden they were calling the first surgeon. But of course no call back. I had Drake already scheduled for Surgery #3 to remove the pin with the ER surgeon. Again 2 months recovery, antibiotics, splint,crate… etc. This time longer antibiotics.. more pain meds… But Drake gets better.Drake got attention and they were following up with X-rays every couple of weeks. His leg started to improve. He started to walk again.
He started Rehab again.. but with so much rehab needed we used one that was closer to home. Within 2 weeks.. Drake would not put his foot down. The rehab vet told me to contact the surgeon. Unfortunately the Xray showed a decline. The bones started to degenerate and the non fusions were worse. Surgery #4 This ER Surgeon tried so hard to save Drakes leg. She decided to clean it out and do biopsies and get a more specific antibiotic. But we had to wait for the results of the biopsy. Within that week, Drakes knee bone moved to the side of his leg, and the bones collapsed on each other. He was splinted and had strict instructions. The new antibiotics were given , but with only a 25% chance of recovery.
By now Drake was walking on 3 legs for 2 months. He needed the splint changed every week. And they did X-rays to see how the new antibiotics were working. But now he leg was pushing inward, and refused to walk on it. He was up to 3 pain medications and the new surgeon said the chances of him walking on it were slim to none. His leg would fuse deformed and he may attack it cause it is not working. I spoke to both rehab vets, my new primary vet, his skin and allergy specialist vet and human orthopaedic surgeons that I work with every day. The ER Surgeon said we had time and we could ride this out for another 4-6 months.. the infection was localised.
Drake would have to live in this splint, more atrophy of his leg and no guarantee that he could use it ever again. Arthritis would persist and chronic pain. Then what if the local infection spread….. The other choice was his amputation. 2 -4 weeks recovery and no more pain hopefully.
So here he is a TRIPAWD. As I write this I cry because this could have been avoided. Drake is a very easy going , relaxed and sweet black mini golden doodle. Does not jump ,run or get too excited except for chicken! LOL. But I wanted to Drakes story.. It’s important to bring awareness to Surgery and complications with infections. He will not be ignored again. And this amputation probably saved his life. Today is day #4 from his Surgery #5 Amputation. He finally started to eat.
The site is shocking at first. He has some swelling and redness, but overall the stitches are dry. He is so mellow he hasn’t even tried to pick at his wound. Please pay attention to any sites of infection. Im very strict with Drakes recovery. I do not want anything to happen to him.
Oh my gosh don’t beat yourself up. You did everything right, you got many opinions, no dog could ask for more. Sadly we’ve had many people join our community for almost identical reasons, especially when it comes to this surgery. You are not alone my friend!
I’m glad you posted to share his story. Let us know how we can help you and Drakey get better and get on with enjoying life together!
Thank you… AS I wrote above.. poor Drakey is back in the hospital. His wound was draining and would not stop. So I brought him back to the ER. Waited till 3am. They told me It is infected and admitted him. I am so sad.
What you and Drake have been through is horrific to say the least! We are at the ‘mercy’ of the ‘professionals” who have the education and expertise to lay out a treat,ent plan for our pets. No, they are not perfect, but goodness knows you advocated strongly for him but were seemingly let down time and time again.
I know it was hard to revisit these past many months but it indeed will be helpful and give a heads up to anyone doing TPLO.
We’ll be cheering for Drake to get through this recovery period and back to to living pain free life asap! He is such a good boy and clearly a strong willed fella who will get past this……as will you also
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
thank you . Yes I was just listening to my vet. And today Drakey is back in the hospital. He has an abscess on his surgical site. They are keeping him on IVs with pain meds , antibiotics etc… He won’t eat. The only good thing is that this surgeon cares. She called me on her day off to let me know what they are planning.
What the heck??🤬🤬🤬 So bumed to read this!
Okay, deep breaths. Drakey is in good hands with a Vet who clearly cares The fluids cocktail will help him feel better and may even help his appetite.
You mentioned he had RSA in the past. As an abundance of caution did they do a culture to make sure he has the RIGHT antibiotic?
I won’t tell you not to worry. Give yourself credit for getting him to the ER quicky so he can get the right treatment FWIW, infections st the surgery site like this do happen and get handled ,
Please keep us posted
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Just testing to see of this goes through. Wrote a response a bit agar and it disappeared
Just wanted to say how bummed I was to hear that you had to take Drake back to the ER. The only thing I can say is that he is in good hands and he is getting the right treatment. The fluids should help him feel better, as well as pick up his appetite and take out that blasted infection. Good for you for recognizing this incision needed the attention you were able to get for him. Just curious if they did a MRSAculture test as you mentioned he had heard that before. And it does take some tweaking to get the right antibiotic for that. Hopefully this infection will get knocked out quickly and he can get back onto the road to recovery Sometimes infections at the incision site due to a cold. So I know this is frustrating, but it is certainly treatable. Please keep us posted and try and get some rest knowing that he is in good hands tonight.
(((((((((((( hugs))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Thank you. Yes they did cultures. They have done cultures every time and Im just scared for him. I also had his leg sent out to the lab. I want to see if it is the same infection or just coincidence. He seems to get the same antibiotics, but at least he is getting 2 days more of IV. He isn’t eating yet but I think they took the urine catheter out so I am hoping things are better. I will hear from the surgeon today. Just to get feedback from you has been so comforting. Thank you.
Michelle
Just checking in on you and sweet Drakey❤️❤️❤️
Hi Sally,
Unfortunately he is still in the Doggy Hospital. They are giving him IV antibiotics and his abscess is still oozing. They are waiting on cultures, but I have a feeling it may need to be cleaned out. The wound has opened slightly and they are watching it. I want to say that they have been so great to Drake during all this, but I have been going in to see him cause I really miss my boy. And sadly I found out that he peed on himself yesterday. Then went back cause they needed more food. I saw him again and he is having diarrhea. I had to clean him up and brought it to their attention. Especially because we are fighting an infection. So now Im going to see him every day as much as possible. Just like our human babies , you have to stay on top of things. They are addressing the issues and he is on more meds now. He is staying another night…..
Checking in for an update❤️
Grrrr…..I can only imagine how it frustrated you to know he not only peed on himself, but had diarrhea meds to deal with too.
So good for you to bringing it to their attention. Knowingyou will be visiting him every day will help them be more diligent too. Of course “potty accidents” happen….but still.
I can see how the fluids would make him pew more, but what did they say caused the diarrhea ?
Even though he may not have had his potty needs taken care of promptly, he still is in good hands getting the fluids, pain meds etc.
Remind yourself you are doing everthing possible . Because of your diligence and knowing Drakey’s history, you acted quickly.
Thanks for the update. Sending pawsitive energy and quick healing .
(((((((((Hugs)))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Thinking of you and Drakey❤️
Good News!
I have Drake home with me finally! He is doing so well. Lots of meds but his wound looks so much better and he is getting around well too. By the way I had his leg sent out. I feel relieved knowing I did the right thing when I heard what they found. What we saw on the xray was not what we thought. We thought he may have some bone growing back and it was actually just scar tissue. His leg would have never heeled. The bone had deteriorated so much. So Drake will be so much better now.
just wanted to share the good news.
OVER THE-MOON HAPPY!!! Been checking several times a day for an update and soooooo Happy to get this good news!😀
You definitely did the right thing👍
Drakey is home and can now have a “normal” recovery and soak up all the loving and spoiling he so richly deserves❤️
Extra hugs to you both and have a great night’s sleep!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Update us when you can. You know we are all big fans of Drake and cheering for him, right?
Thank you so much! Yes Drake has been wagging his tail ever since he got home! Only on small doses of gabapentin and carprofen. Plus antibiotics of course! lol
Btw his leg biopsy came back and I made the right choice for him. They said he had no bone. We saw scar tissue on the X-ray. So he would have never gotten better.
And on our walk met another happy Tripawd! Couldn’t believe this other dogs recovery. So I’m feeling so hopeful. Thank you again !
Michelle
U2 have been through so much and it just warms my heart to know how well he is doing 💕 you can put all those rough times behind you now and just get on with you to live in your life to the fullest together!
Yes, you absolutely did the right thing for Drakey. You always have and you always will because every decision will be made out of love. ❤️
Thank you so much for the update I was hoping it was going to continue to be another good one and it was!
Crazy that you met another Tripawd on your walk. Those four legged dogs are gonna start looking pretty funny now with Drake he and his Tripawd friend showing up together
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!