Jeccu’s TPO blog

This is a story of young golden retriever Jeccu who had done throug a TPO operation in Dec 2010 at age of 9 months. I hope this story will help some other dog owners in same situation as I was in autumn 2010.

Background info: Jeccu had been limbing his fore legs in Sep 2010 and it got really bad on 30 Sep. Pain killers didn’t help so I decided to X-ray all joints on 5 Oct. There was osteocondritis in fore arms and those were operated next day. Worse news was that he had also severe hip dysplasia with severe dislocation of femoral head. So I started to seek information how to live with this diagnose. I found information on TPO operation. Triple pelvic osteotomy means cutting the pelvis in three places. The osteotomies, or cuts, are performed to allow rotation of the acetabulum into a better position over the femoral head. Thus, the femoral head is “captured” within the acetabulum to stabilize the hip joint. A stainless steel plate specifically designed for this procedure holds the repositioned acetabulum while the osteotomies heal.

So I contacted local vet who had been done such operations. Jeccu was suitable for the operation, but we had to wait until the forearms would be healed before the operation. So the settled date was 26 Nov. Due to vet’s personal loss night before the operation was cancelled. Then started process to find a new vet and succeeded to settle new opearation date in Helsinki on 3 Dec 2010.

Here is one great link for detail information on operation:

http://www.gcvs.com/page1/page15/page135/page135.html

My friend Katri found a blog of golden boy Otis with this operation and that engouraged me to go through this procedure. So I decided to do the same to help others.

Here is link to Otis blog pages:

http://otisjourney.blogspot.com/

20 Jun 2012
One year passed since last x-rays, so it was time to look what’s up. Vet said that Jeccu looks very good, all movements very great and he looked happy and healthy. The x-rays showed no changes since last time, so we were succesful with the operation. The same slight arthritis was on left side, and the right was OK. Agility was not recommended due to the risk f injuries, but otherwise all kind of exercise is OK. 🙂 I’m soo happy for this.

2 Jun 2011

Half year check up. Everything is fine, right side is nice, and there is no change on the left side arthritis. Jeccu has no symptoms for pain either. All kind of exercise was recommeded, and that we’ll do 🙂

The elbows were also x-rayed and official result is 0/0, so there is at least something healthy in him :).

26 Mar 2011

Today I was with Jeccu and Nefer about 1 hour walk on woods, where Jeccu could be free all the way. He was so happy and run up and down the hills. Afterwards I put on the Back on Tracks on both boys. Just now we were on the evening small walk and Jeccu didn’t show any pain or tiredness so he has really covered remarkably well. On monday at the PT Tanja said that Jeccu has perfect reach with both legs for front, back and side, great :). Now we just need to grow our muscles.

16 Mar 2011

I just hate these icy roads …. Jeccu and Nefer were joining me and Neco to the agility training. After Neco’s session we went for a walk and I let Jeccu to run free. The road was so icy that Jeccu fell several times. He was just so happy to be with new frieds. He didn’t seem to limp later in the evening or on the next morning, but something was wrong. Luckily we had the physiotheraphy session in the evening so Tanja checked the situation. We started with the water walk, but the walking seemed painful so Tanja started to massage Jeccu. She found then sore spot on the right side (the weak side). Some muscle has been ruptured, so will start to give some Rimadyl for a while and keep Jeccu on leach and do just short walkings. Luckily we have another PT session on Monday so Tanja can check the situation again very shortly. Everything has been too well …

05 Mar 2011:

2 weeks passed since last update. The healing process has been incredible. During last week Jeccu has been running free on the river ice where was excellent surface, about 10 cm snow on it. So Jeccu has finally joined actual dogs life running free after rabbit marks :). We have been at the physiotherapy every Wednesday and she has been very happy with Jeccu’s progress. Now we have everyday jogging – lifting diagonal legs on the air for 5 sec three times, going 8 circles, and balancing when the front legs are upper than rear legs. Last time Jeccu was also running in the water, it was nice. That was first time Jeccu showed tiredness atfter the excercises. So everything is going well and we could celebrate Jeccu’s 1 year birthday this Monday.

20 Feb 2011:

Just short update how Jeccu is doing. We have increased the jogging time to 30min. Now Jeccu is running quite nicely all the way even in slow speed, and no limping is seen so far. Yesterday he jumped first time on the sofa, where he used to sleep a lot before the operations.And today I actually saw it and he used both back legs for jumping. Lets see when he’ll jump to the car. So all good news 🙂

10 Feb 2011:

One week now with light exercise. Yesterday we went to the water theraphy first time. Jeccu was very calm and started to walk in the water mmediately, the speed was even increased a bit. Today there was no signs of muscle ache, so we had our regular walks as usual. Therapist said that Jeccu looks good, both legs have even muscles and he was walking and sitting steadily.

Now we will have water theraphy and massaging every other week, respectively. Walks will be increased to 30 minutes, and I try to keep him running not walking. That will be hard as I also must run, huh huh.

03 Feb 2011:

4 weeks passed and today we were on check-up and new x-rays were taken. Everything has heeled nicely, bones are cured and Jeccu is walking well. Now we’ll start exercises ja and physiotherapy within two weeks. After 3 weeks he should be able walk and run normaly.

This evening Jeccu will rest and survive the hangover :), but tomorrow we can go and sniff new odors outside own yard.

26 Jan 2011:

3 weeks now from operation. Everything is still OK. Now the muscels from the right leg has been diminshed but on the other hand on the left side have been grown nicely. Jeccu tries time to time to run – especially when some leaves are flying or a rabbit is running on the field. Nice 🙂 , he cannot have much pain as he uses both legs well. Still one week to go before the x-ray and hopefully release to start full excercise.

19 Jan 2011:

Two weeks now over. Everything is fine. Jeccu tries to play with his toys a lot, carrying teddy bear, fighting against the small teddy, and walking around the house all the time.

17 jan 2011:

Stiches were removed today. Everything seems OK. Jeccu puts nicely weight on both legs.

12 Jan 2011:

One week behind. Now Jeccu is walking quite nicely inside. Getting up is still slow as he has to set his legs correctly and must be sitting first. But that is better and better every day. Jeccu does not show any pain, but I still give him Rimadyl twice a day. He is sleeping now peacefully all night and just slep about 6 hours morning sleep. There is no swelling seen on the hip, but it should come near days if everything goes as fot the first operation. Just looked that quite the same phenomenon has been for both operations. Only difference is that now Jeccu have to use both legs evenly, he cannot rest the weaker leg as the other is as weak.

Today is snowing and there is still that slippery ice under it, must be very careful when walking as I cannot fall now, have to keep Jeccu’s balance.

10 Jan 2011:

Yesterday went little better, first feaces came at night and again during the day. So everything is OK for physical status. Last night was quite OK, Jeccu has still problems to sleep on  the same spot long, also the heat disturbs him. But we managed to sleep from 1 to 9 am :). That’s longest time consistent sleeping so far.

Jeccu was a bit restless during the day, but it seem that the heat is the problem, he tryes to find cool spot and changes the place often. Today he walked by himself from living room to the outdoor and showed that now he wants to go out. Outside I still use a towel under the stomage to catch him in case he slips on the icy road. All wounds are nice 🙂

8 Jan 2011:

Again only couple hour sleep and then Jeccu woke and started peeping. So I tried to give one Tramal, at 11 pm but that didn’t make any change – no better no worse. Had breakfast, anticiotics and Rimadyl at 6 am, after that we slept three hours. During the day Jeccu was still anxous and we went out every 2-3 hours as I thought he wanted to make the bigger things, but no, only urine.

At 3 pm I removed the pain sticker. There was some nasty rash, so I washed the skin and put some Bepanthen on it. After that the peeping came less and less, and finaly he was lying calmly. At 7 pm he started to lay on the operated side and seem that the main pain is revealing with only Rimadyl. Still no feaces.

7 Jan 2011:

Last night went better, Jeccu woke up only three times and at 3am we went outside for pii. 6 am we went out again, gave food to Jeccu, and Rimadyl + antibiotics. I think the Tramal was the reason for the anxiety. Then Jeccu slept again. During the day we have been out about every 3 hour, and sleeping a lot. So the daily routines are again the same as earlier. We were playing with the dog tornado also today, and Katri visited. So now its time for a nap. Food and medications will be given at 6pm. So far everything is good, heeling has started well. Tomorrow will take out those bandages from the wounds, but at least the one between the legs looks good.

6 Jan 2011:

What a night, no sleep at all. Jeccu was anxious and peeping all night despite me lying next to him and comforting all the time. Gave Tramal, but no help, got even more anxious. At 8 am we carried Jeccu out – as his legs were not carrying him at all due to the epidural analgesia shot – and tryed to get him to pee, no luck. But after visit outside he finaly fell at sleep – and me too. 1 hour sleep was needed. Food and antibiotics were given at 7, as well the tramal again. The same anxious started when he woke up. So we went outside again about 11 am, and now he is again sleeping. I start to sleep as well, will continue this later…

I have been giving small portions of i/d food with plenty of water. Gave again tramal at 2 pm after visiting outside. He almed down a bit. At 4 pm went out again, now Jeccu was walking himself so the epidural effect has worn out. Now he succeeded to urinate, great. Inside he started again to be very anxous, perhaps I should give up the  tramal medication, at least try without it trough next night. Will give Rimadyl and antibiotics only in the evening. Jeccu is trying little to play with his toys and  he did eat one bone already, but time to time he is just painting and peeping. Will let you know tomorrow how the night went.

5 Jan 2011:

Today we went back to the clinic for new x-rays. The hip is in correct place and the bones are healed and Jeccu is using the leg well enough, bad news was that some arthritis was already seen in the pictures. Well, lets deal with that after both operations are over. So Jeccu’s right pelvis was operated today. Again the operation went well, and he was calm and positive when woke up- he was wagging his tail all the time said the nurses. He was slightly sedated for the journey home to make my drive a bit easier. This time the weather was fine so we were home before 10 pm. Hoping to get some sleep …

4 Jan 2011:

Jeccu is using his leg very well during our walks :). Today we went to the clinic for a new pain sticker as the right pelvis will be hopefully operated tomorrow. Jeccu jumped into the car as I was again too slow to stop him, but he seemed not to hurt himself. At the clinic I was prepared and succeeded to lift him down from the car. I was afraid for the stairs too, but Jeccu just walked them as he would be healthy as horse. I carried of course a bit and ensured that he would not  slip. Down we did carried him, would not want to take any risk. Now I just hope tomorrow x-rays are OK and we are ready for the next step and start all over the healing process.

31 Dec 2010:

4 weeks passed and today we started the walks. Luckily it was not so cold today, so we walked around the block forst time since beginning of Dec. Jeccu was so happy and was sniffing all new odors. Afternoon we went a little longer walk, and everything went well. We did one more walking in the evening, and Jeccu slept very well all night 🙂 . Happy new year 2011 to all !

26 Dec 2010:

We have lots of people visiting so Jeccu has had lots of to do duringthe days. We have been playing the new Dog fighter game but he doies not like it as weel as the old Dog tornado. One step forward happened today, Jeccu was scraching his ears with the operated leg. Untill today he has not lifted that leg.

24 Dec 2010:

3 weeks passed and going well. We are going out several times per day for 5 mins. Jeccu needs some walking to get the feaces out … He just wants to be outside and sniff all post the neighbour dogs have left for him. Bones are given everyday and those keeps him busy usually for a hour.

17 Dec 2010:

2 weeks over and everyhting is going well. Jeccu is lying a lot but seems to be without any pain. Last dose of Rimadyl was given today.

15 Dec 2010:

Today all stitches were  removed. The wound  between legs was a little reddish but no inflammation was seen. That  needs monitoring and  cleaning couple of times per day.  Doctor looked Jeccu’s gait and it seemed good, he is putting only some weight on the operated leg. The swelling  on the hip is now greatest and that might couse some pain and that is the reason Jeccu does not want to put  so much weight  on it (he is also licking his thigh due to some reason), but it should now start to heal.  Not yet even two weeks from the operation and everything is looking good.

9 Dec 2010:

Days are begining to have clear routine. Wake up between 7-8 am, out for pee, waiting for the feaces – no luck on 8 Dec – breakfast with medications, and then morning nap while mum watches TV. During day eating bones, going out every 3 hour, playing some activation game, dinner between 7-8 pm, then resting until bed time.

Last night Jeccu was a little resless, so we went out at 2 am – and finally nice feaces came. So now all normal body functions are now in place within a week – GREAT. In house Jeccu walks without any help, but outdoors I still have a towel under the stomage in case he slips.

So, now we just try to keep him still.

7 Dec 2010:

Fourth day done. The pain sticker removed today, no change to Jeccu’s status from that. He is happy little puppy who would like to  play and run outside. He was not so happy when I put him into cage during Neco’s visit – his dearest playmate came and he just will not stay anywhere. So he jumped against the cage side and I worried whole next two hours if something happened. After Neco left again to Katri’s home we went out for peeing and everything was OK, he was walking as ‘usual’.

I found more bruises on the belly and beside the tail, but they does not disturb Jeccu. So far Jeccu has also left all his stiches alone, no licking to them 🙂 . I settled the stitch removal day today, it is 15 Dec. Then we’ll see also when the right side could be operated.

6 Dec 2010:

Third day almost over. Last night was troubled by the rash which came from the sticth tread knots. Did treat it with a plaster (covered just the knots) and put some Bepanthen lotion on the red skin. Rash was better during the day. We have been out for urinating about six times as I have been putting lots of water with Jeccu’s food, which I have divided into four occasions.

Jeccu would like to follow me every time I move to another room so the cage was taken into use this morning. Jeccu is standing more steadily today, but I’m still supporting him when we are going out.

Some bruises came visible today into the leg, will put some photos also here when have time. No tramal was given today so only Rimadyl for pain. Also the pain sticker is still on but it feels quite loose so don’t know if it is working anymore.

No feaces yet …

5 Dec 2010:

Second day from the operation. Jeccu was again resless after 2 am, so I went on the floor to lie  beside him, and so went the morning. Tried again several times to empty the bladder, but no luck. Call again to Jeccu’s breeder and asked help. We figured that Jeccu had not been drinking enough, as I could not feel any bladder. So I started to give lots of water to him. Couple tee spoons  of moist food with 200-300 ml water was given first every half hour and then later once an hour. And then he started to urinate, jihuu! So there was over 24 hours between the urinations, so you can believe I got a little bit worried. But now I know to keep  eye also on the drinking.

Now in the evening the wound between legs is disturbing Jeccu, specially when the bladder is ful. So will keep taking him out more often. We are still using a blanket under Jeccu’s stomage when we are moving him. But he is walking quite nicely now. Have to really keep the leach tight as he would like to run 🙂 . Sometimes you can see that the operated leg is not keeping as solid as the other one, but it has been only two days.

Today tramal was given early in the morning and then in midday.Will try to leave it in the evening as seems that Jeccu doesn’t have any pain.

4 Dec afternoon:

Jeccu seems very calm and rests beside me. We tried to go out for urinating 3 times but no luck. Our friend Marjo came for a visit and Jeccu was very social 🙂 . Last time we went out at 11 pm, but no luck for peeing.

4 Dec 2010 morning:

First day after the procedure. Jeccu seems quite calm, he has been peeping since 3 am, but had been calmed down when I have talked and comforted him. At 7 am gave some food, antibiotics, one tramal and started the anti-inflammatory drug Rimadyl. We tried to go out for elevation but we got only couple meters and then I carried him back to the sleeping matress. The we got some sleep again. As he had not been urinating since 6 pm last day I thought that that was the biggest concern and made him restless.We tried couple of times to go out but no success. At 11 am finally Jeccu was standing on his own feet so well that we managed to go out had he finally urinated. Then Katri came for a visit and Jeccu’s tail was wagging  first time after the operation. How happy can human be for dogs pee-pee and tail wag.

At noon Jeccu got again some small amount of food and tramal as he seemed restless. Assume the epidural effect is wearing off and more pain is coming. He calmes down when I do some massage on his back.

There are three wounds on him: on long on pelvis area, one smaller near the tail and one very small between legs. All wounds seems nice, and did some cleaning for the wound between legs as it didn’t have any pandage on it.

3 Dec 2010:

Operation for the left (worse) leg was performed. I brought Jeccu to APEX clinic early in the morning. Dr Esa Eskelinen performed the clinical examination and started the sedation. He took last X-rays to verify the suitability to the operation once more. So far Jeccu had been X-rayed three times already.

After noon I got a call from Dr Esa and he told that everything has gone as planned and the X-rays showed good position on hip and femour head. After 6 pm Jeccu was ready to be released for home journey. He was slightly sedated again as we had over 2 hours drive back home. At home we moved together into our extra bedroom and other dogs were totally separated. First dose of antibiotics was given. For pain he had 2 capsules of tramadol at the clinic, he was still under the epidural anesthesia and had new pain sticker on his back.

I slept (at least couple of hours…) with Jeccu. Around 11 pm he started painting and came restless so I gave one more dose of Tramal (tramadol), and after that he slept 3 hours.