Golden Retriever picture with 3 of Dakota in one..

video dog swimming post fho surgery

Golden Retriever, Dakota First time swimming post fho surgery

He had a blast! He did so good, and didn't even seem sore after it. They are right swimming is a great exercise for him right now.His scar is healing very well, and his fur is growning back...you can see him swimming on video on my other page.

golden retriever post fho surgery,better little by little

Well, Dakota's staples being out since Friday and he is doing great. His scar is looking good. He is walking to the corner and back, which is the farthest he's gotton so far. He walks around the house more like he used to. I am not using a towel when he goes up and down the stairs now. He is doing well, the hardest thing is getting him to walk slowly up and down them.
He went to the park the other day and I tossed a ball a few times. Not far of course but just to do it and see how he would reaact to it. He kinda quickly walked over to it but certainly didn't do any runnning. It didn't last long but it was nice to get him outside and try anyways.
Also, took him for a carride the other day too. Omg, was he happy to be doing that. The smile was worth it as he stretched his neck to breathe the air flowing into his face. I did notice that his stability was a little better when we went around corners too. He used to always lay down and now he can stay sitting up better.
Well that's about all there is to say for now, so far so good. Still looking forward to take him swimming soon.

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golden retriever gets stitches removed after fho surgery

Today we went to the vet and got Dakota's stitches removed! That was exciting, one step closer back to normalcy. We weighed him and he has not lost any weight. He moved good for him,and we were told that by monday we should be able to start him swimming, since that is such good therapy for him. Yeah! But, all is well and healing well, so good news for us today.
My only fun part right now, is that I tried just giving him his dog food today minus the extras, and he put his nose in it moved it around and then walked away. Boy they learn quick don't they? Oh, well a few more days and then he will just have to suffer a bit until he decides to eat on his own the regular annamaet food. I love him to death but I am not going to cook rice and hamb. etc.. for him the rest of his life lol.
I will try and post a picture later on here of him with out the stitches..

Golden retriever,feeling better today after fho surgery

I have links,videos,information on fho surgery both pre and postop on my golden retriever Dakota.
There's also links to other sites both informational and fun.

dr on video explaining who gets hip dysplasia,what is hip dysplasia,symptoms of hip dysplasia and the diagnosis of hip dysplasia

 

I'm not sure how your dog is doing right now, but I want to let you know that if he is clumsy,has a wobbly gait which means that he has a swish to his walk, walks with his head down alot (because he is walking on his front half)which my Dakota did. He had great muscle mass in the front half of him because of this,but very little in the back.
Won't even attempt to jump up on your furniture, which is good but at the same time can show you that he doesn't want to use them back limbs.Goes to move your hand with his nose if you are trying to rub those back limbs in the hip joint area (because he is sore,so he is protecting them).sometimes they will literally stumble going up stairs etc..
Now I am not saying that this is definately hip dysplasia in your animal because i am no doctor but those are the things that went on with him and he had severe hip dysplasia.Just ideas,things to watch for and ask your vet about if you are noticing any of this in your animal...
These are things that I noticed when we had Dakota. Now, it was a little different with him because he had just been neutered so we weren't sure if things were going on with that at first or something else was going on until a few weeks had passed by and he just wasn't healing like we thought he should be so we made him a vet appointment thank goodness.


This is a short clip of him at the dog park, you will notice that he is happy playing but does not yet run all over like the other dogs. He will at first arrival but tires out pretty quickly still.
Did you happen to notice how well his fur is growing back?The stages are so weird, first it looks like he has a diaper on when he is sitting as in the picture above. Then it feels like razor stubble when it starts to grow back. Now it feels like a thick short wool.
If you are here, I am assuming that the reason has to do with a possible surgery coming up and you want to learn more and make the right decision.
I am so glad that you are doing this!!
First of all make sure that you read on the choices of surgeries if you haven't talked to your vet on that yet.
I am still worried that maybe the complete hip surgery may have been the way to go for him instead of the fho surgery.
He is out of pain which was my goal of course and it will never come back so I am told. But, he has such a swish still when he walks and pretty clumsy still.
I know it is early yet and hopefullly these things will still take care of themselves with time and muscle growth.
Just something to think about if you have a larger dog like I do.
Research,Research,Research you have one chance.
Make sure that you make the right one for you and your loved pet.

Putting him back on his rimidal seems to have helped already! He was much more frisky this morning, even smiled which I haven't seen in a while. I ran out of hamburger so I cooked up a skinless chicken breast and mixed that with the rice and dog food today. He gobbled it all up and drank water too. I am very happy that today we seem to be moving forward again.
I know that he is probably going to be spoiled with the food mixtures, but I will just deal with that after he is feeling back to his old self.That's a small price to pay to help make sure that he is eating and drinking for now.
It was so cute he was lying on the Dora bed while i was icing him and Bob our cat was lying on the arm of the sofa with is tail hanging, so Dakota would just lift a paw and bat at his tail. He did this 3 or 4 times and I think that Bob was moving his tail back and forth just to play...
Anyways, it's not even noon yet but so far today, so good.. Am keeping fingers crossed I still have to walk him etc...

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Golden retriever post fho surgery..

I talked with the vet today and we are putting him back on the rimidal since it was not making him vomit. He wanted him to have it before the therapist shows today. He says to keep giving him the mixture in the food if that is helping.. Asked if he has lost any weight, so we may run him down their just to check on that issue.
The therapist visited Dakota and right now this is what we should be doing for him.
flushing very lightly,which is placing your hand on him down by his knee and just lightly pressing your hand and moving it up towards the staples.
You may notice any little bumps in the area which may be retaining some fluid, that's why you are doing this, so you can break them up.
Also don't forget to be doing the light massaging as well, this also is light and should not be painfull. You don't have to just do the shaven area you can do all over and relax him as well.
Press lightly one or two finger circles right over his staples and go up and down 3 passes.
When he is relaxed then you can try straightening his leg and holding it for 20 seconds. Do this just a few times, and make sure that you are straightening and then bringing it back up slowly so that he is not having muscle shakes.
Outside:
We are just to walk up the block 2 houses,slowly and try to keep head up so that he is also using his back leg muscles. I don't know about your animal but Dakota is used to putting all his weight onto his front so he walks with his head down.
Every 3 days walk 1 house further.
Work on him standing longer, Dakota will get where he needs to be an automatically sit down. So, even if you have to put a hand under his belly to help him, just to stand up a bit, before he sits down.
Also, stand on the left side and next time the right side and try to get him to turn towards you using both sides each time he gets up. He may favor one side so you want to get him used to getting up either way.
Don't forget to be icing him, it seems to work for me better to put the towel and then the ice on the side of him that is on the floor. The pressure seems to work better than lying on the side facing up because theirs not as much pressure then.Do this for 15-20 minutes after any exercising,flushing,massaging etc...

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golden retriever ,tough day yesterday

Well, I am writing today on things for yesterday. Dakota still not eating well, or drinking. The only way he will still eat is with the rice and hamb. in his food mixed. He is very sore today, so, I iced him alot but I didn't do much else.
Some flushing and tried to do his stretching exercises, but he's at the point now where I need someone there to hold him down a bit, because he does not want them done, AT ALL..
I think that taking away the rimidal (pain med) because he wasn't eating is not working all that well. Now, he just seems to be hurting more and still not helping with the food part.
We have the therapist coming over tomorrow to help us some, so we will see what information that that brings.

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article for animal lovers, it brought me too tears.It's in the word of the animal..

Note from the PetPlace Editor

We recently received this wonderful story from a dog lover. It is very sad but true. We at the Petplace office cried when we read it. Originally, we didn't know the source of the story. We recently found out that the author was Mr. Jim Willis who gives permission for the story to be published on our website to encourage responsible pet ownership.

We wanted to share it with you. For any of you thinking of getting a dog or adopting – understand it is a lifelong commitment. Consider adopting a shelter pet and ensure that it is spayed or neutered.

We hope this makes even one person give their dog a better life.

For those of you dog lovers that appreciate your dog – we appreciate you!

PetPlace.com Editor


A letter from a dog – "How Could You?"

by Jim Willis

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh.
You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask, "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

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We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.

Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

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I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said, "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. T hey understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar, as he screamed, "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

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I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.


A Note from the Author:

If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as You read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters.



I am so glad that Dakota did not end up in that kind of horrible situation: This is a picture of him when he was still at the pound..

this story is from the petplace.com please go there to see all additional information and topics:

Golden Retriever post surgery fho ,trouble eating

Well, today is another day and another worry. He hardly ate yesterday, and he was not eating or drinking at all today. So, I made up a concoction of 1 cup of dry food, 1/2 cup of cooked rice, and 1/2 cup of cooked hamburger.. He ate every last drop! I was very excited so I did it again later on in the evening and he ate that too.
I used a spray bottle and misted his mouth during the day to stimulate him to drink, and that seemed to work pretty well too.
He is still going to the curb for wanting a car ride, so I may have to try it out tomorrow for a while.
He went up and down the stairs today pretty darn good. I had to rush to keep up while holding his towel,lol.
We walked a little farther today, mostly because he wanted to.He's a people person and if he sees people (which he did) it gives him that little oomph that he needed anyways.
I've been walking him on a short leash when outside and today I tried putting him on his long yard leash. Boy, was that a good idea! He obviously didn't like being walked around to go to the bathroom. He had alot of defacating to do, that he must have been holding in.
I worried about him tripping on the leash, but he did real good. A little cross legged at times. But able to squat using his leg muscle to do his duties.
Still icing etc...

post surgery for hip dysplasia pictures of a golden retriever

 

 

Today is has been 5 days since Dakota's surgery. He is walking around the house more like he used to.(he loves to follow you and be in the room that you are).

He is getting more comfortable going up and down our front stairs, although I still am using a towel under him for stability when he does.

I talked to his veterinarian about him losing a bit of his appetite and he(dakota) is not going to be taking one of his 3 different pills that he takes twice daily. He thinks that may be the culprit. But, if it continues, then I have to call him again and go from there.

He doesn't feel very warm over his staples and that is very good. That's all we want to be working on now is the healing. I am still icing 4-6x daily for the next few days though.

I can tell that he is bored though, everytime we are outside he goes and sits on the curb facing the car :( . He can't figure out why why are just sitting around the house. He knows usually he gets to go with places and we left the house for the first time today for a few hours.Dakota went in his kennel but I don't think he was very pleased about it.

Feeling a bit more optimistic today.

fho surgery and medication affecting appetite of golden retriever

I talked to the dog therapist about his not having much of a normal appetite today. Out of the pills that he's taking, she says it could be the tramadol. I am supposed to just observe the next few days and see if he resumes his appetite or else possible break the pills in half and spread them out through out the day as well.

4th day after golden retrievers fho surgery

Today, Dakota is looking pretty good, he likes to sit up alot. We have had to lift him up on the couch with us a few times. He seems to be very needy for attention right now. And who can blame him?
I am getting into a routine of giving him his meds at 9am,12pm,3pm,6pm,9pm, & 3am.

Now I am writing this to help people going through the same thing. I am not an expert at all! I am getting my information from:

Calvin Kobluk,BSc,BSA,DVM,DVs,DVSc,Diplomat ACVS Central Minnesota Veterinary Surgical Referral (320)229-8746
Kasey Kephart,CVT,CCRP (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner) Alexandria Veterinary Clinic PetCare Center (320)762-8112

I have added my own thoughts in with the information and I have added information that I have been told by A dog therapist as well.Please check with your veterinarian or a therapist in your hometown before attempting to do this on your own.I do not want the worries that anyone is just taking my word for this and not doing it the correct way. This is to be used just as a guideline to know about what you will be going through after their surgery.Do your Research!

1) I also do his gentle massaging 3-4x a day. This takes about an hour a time from start to finish,because I have to do both sides.





No heat is to be used at this time!

Put a towel over his surgical scar and then put some ice or frozen vegetables on the towel.You can do this for 20 minutes a time 4-6 times a day if his sites are feeling warm or hot. If they do not feel warm or hot then you can lower the number of times a day to 2-3x. This can be done for at least 5-7 days after his initial resting directly after surgery.

You also want to be doing flushing while you are icing for 10 minutes each time. Use a flat hand and light strokes from knee to above the hip.

You also want to do easy rear extension stretches. slowly holding one hand on his knee and the other on his foot, straighten his leg straight down for 20 seconds a time. then, if you can pull it back very gently a little bit and hold. Then again very gently pull it back a little more and hold. This depends on the dog and his tolerance, this is only to stretch not to exercise and heat up so if he is not tolerating it well, then don't worry about stretching it back at this point. Just do the first one where you are straightening it and holding for 20.

They are able to walk around the house at this point without a sling or towel for short walks. No jumping on the sofa,bed etc.. just flat walking.





The same goes for pottying, he can go by himself if steady enough, without the towel or sling. If it is on flat ground, and if he is tolerating it on his own that way. I have a towel around my neck just in case.

The stairs, same thing. He can go up and down the stairs if you are assisting him with a towel to keep him from falling.

The main thing I want to stress is that you do not want his sites to be warm or hot. Keep icing them please. We only get one chance to do this right, so we don't harm his progress or slow it down.

Before you begin with the next exercises after about a week:

Hot packs may be used after initial period of recovery (5-7 days post-op). Apply heat in the hip for 10-15 minutes prior to exercises to prepare muscles. heat a wet towel folded in a ziplock freezer bag, or rice bag, in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Then, place a thin towel between skin and pack before applying to the hip. Be sure to check the skin periodically to avoid getting too hot.

Next:

2) After the massage for a few minutes with 2 or 3 fingers in small circular motions, and avoiding the area directly around the incision,I move onto:

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3) Passive Range of motion: Keeping your pet in the same position as the massage(on his side,surgery leg up) Place one hand on the front of the thigh above the knee and use the other hand to support the lower leg with an open palm. Slowly guide the leg toward the head so the ankle, knee and hip bend in full available range. Hold for 20 seconds. Then using the hand above the knee slowly guiding the leg toward the tail straightening the hip,knee and ankle to full available range. Hold for 20 seconds.

Repeat this pattern until your dog becomes restless or indicates discomfort.
Signs of discomfort:Quickly turning to look at you or at the leg: vocalization or restlessness:muscle tensing or increasing trembling.
Next it says as the hip heals it is important to maintain normal function of the leg by performing additional exercises to move the hip in all directions:
Now I have slowly started doing this one already, He is handling it very well, he does not seem to be in any distress.Today I will be doing it at least 3x. Here how these ones go:

a. Keeping the same lying position as the previous exercise support the leg in a relaxed position with the knee partially bent. Place one hand under the thigh and one hand under the lower leg, with open palms. Slowly lift the leg toward the ceiling a few inches, hold for 5 seconds then lower the leg toward the floor. Repeat this pattern for 15-20 times.

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b. Keeping the same lying position, moving one hand to grasp the front of the knee and the other at the ankle. Slowly raise the knee a few inches as you lower the ankle so the thigh rotates at the hip. Hold for 5 seconds, and then lower the knee as you raise the ankle, and hold for 5 seconds. Repeat this 15-20 times.

4) Begin slow leash walks (using a short leash) on level ground for up to 5 minutes. 3 times daily(be sure to time this).(when I have someone else here I still use the towel under him just to help slow him down.)It is important to go slow to encourage weight bearing on the leg and full amount of stance time on each stride. Do not do what I have in parenthesis >>(increased momentum allows them to shift their weight to the other legs, thus decreases the weight to the affected leg) During the second week increase the walk time up to 10 minutes. 3 times daily.If any increased lameness or pain is indicated reduce the exercise to half of the previous walk then slowly increase by 2 minutes as tolerated.

This next part is not as easy as it sounds, Dakota wants to keep sitting down. I have to use a towel to hold him up to do these ones also: I know he's doing o.k. because he is still as stubborn as ever...



Do not do these exercises for at least a week afterwards.

5) weight shifting exercises
a. While standing on a level surface with secure footing, gently push your dog toward the involved leg to increase weight bearing. Hold for 3-5 seconds then release slowly. Repeat up to 5 times. 3-4 times daily.

b. when in standing position slowly un-weight opposite front leg of the affected leg. hold for 3-5 seconds then slowly release to a normal stance. repeat this 3-5 times,3-4 times daily.

c. in standing, apply gentle downward pressure in tiny,rhythmic oscillations through the hips. This is a very gentle exercise, be sure not to push directly over spine.

After each therapy session ice packs should be used to reduce any post exercise inflammation. Apply a commercial pack of frozen bag of peas, crushed ice in zip lock to the hip for 20-30 minutes. This can be done after each session or at least 3-4 times daily. Put a thin towel between pack and the skin to avoid from getting too cold.

Now as for Dakota himself, he is not eating as well as he usually does. I Have called the vet to see if it's from the pills or not. He did get a bread and cheese sand-which which by the way he just gulfed down. hmmm. just spoiled? no, he shouldn't be because I do not give him table food. The occasional popsicle yeah but other than that he is on a strict "annamaet dog food diet" . Which by the way I recommend for anyone to use. Good stuff it is.

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But, is he drinking well, and I have notice some drooling which he usually doesn't do either. It is on my list for the vet.

He did walk on his own to come in here from the living room, because he does not like to be alone. He is lying on his side all stretched out and comfy as we speak.

Itemized cost for my dogs fho surgery

Anyone interested in the cost of an fho surgery?

well, let me make you a list and show you the break down of the cost.
Now remember these are the costs for my dogs surgery only.
Yours can be cheaper or more expensive depending on many different things.




How hard of a surgery it is and how big your animal is, for just a few.

anesthesia-inhalation 99.20
anesthesia-pre anesth-included 0.00
anesthesia-i.v.-included 0.00
anesthesia-valium 0.00
anesthesia-ketamine 0.00
iv cathterization & fluid admin. 58.65
morphine sulfate injection 15mg/ml 59.17
anesthesia-ketamine 0.00
surg-dr.cal kobluk 1000.00 (it took 20 minutes per side to do)
surg-pack fee (regular) 34.45 i want his job lol
surgical supplies-regular 38.00
radiograph-post-op 66.20
cefazolin injection 50-100# 39.40
pulse oximeter,ekg,respiration mo 16.75
cephalexin 500 mg 19.85
hosp.-intensive care full day 55.15
surgical flush-tplo 25.05
tramadol 50mg 9.17
radiograph-post-op 66.20
rimadyl inj (1ml) 14.63
hospitalization-half day 18.80
________________
1619.67
tax added for a grand total of $1621.85





and that is the just amount of the fho surgery done for a dog the size of a golden retriever, that had hip dysplasia so bad that their surgery was an easy one because the bones weren't attached well, so they could reach it easy without chiseling to do what needed to be done.

Now, don't forget that you really should have a dog therapist at least come out to your house one time to show you what to do. That is an added cost as well, but worth it if you want your dog to heal the very best that he can.
If affordable, then you can certainly have therapy done a few times a week for a few weeks or as needed...
all things to consider and plan for, my problem was that i was given a clean bill of health when we got him so we didn't have time to save up money and plan for it at all.

Golden Retriever, Dakota's first day home after surgery

When they first brought Dakota out from the back of the vets I wasn't sure how to react. I've never gone through this with an animal before. Here comes two vet tech's one in the front and one in the back of my dog. They had a towel under his stomach and then I saw it. His poor little babbon shaven hips and butt.Oh lord, reality hits you in the face at that very moment.
So, they walk with him outside and try to potty him before he gets in my vehicle to go home. Of course, he didn't want to go.
Next, I am thinking? Did I bring the right vehicle to bring him home in? I have a jeep which is pretty high and I would have to lift him in and out but he could lay down in the back. Or, I have the mustang which is very low so I wouldn't have to lift him, but doesn't have as much room. I opted for the mustang that he could get in and out of easier.. For you, it's your choice depending on how big your dog is and if you have anyone helping you.
The first day I brought Dakota home, he was pretty tired all day. Which let's face it anyone that had both of their femors cut in half, along with a catheter placed in during the surgery, Anesthesia, morphine, just to name a few things that were used and done, you would be a littttle bit tired out too.
We had built a ramp for our stairs by the main entrance. After looking at him and the dog, I have realized that this is not going to work right now anyways. He has to relearn how to use back legs so how is he supposed to get up a ramp? It was a good idea at the time but, it is too steep for him to do right now anyways.






So, the way to bring him in and outside during the day? well, you put a towel underneath his midsection and hold him up so he is more steady, and you have someone walk in front with a leash to guide him up and you walk up holding the towel.
Now in a perfect world this works well, but if you are a single person and you do not always have someone to help at your disposal. What do you do then?
Well, for me I just leave the door open a crack so it is easier for me to grab and open. put one hand under his bottom, and the other hand by his chest and neck, and then just carry my boy in the door and have him sit while I shut the door. Then you can take off the leash, which I still had on him and wrapped around my neck so it wouldn't drag while going up the stairs.
Next I put the towel under his stomach again, and guide him into his bed (which I have a child's Dora fold out couch) your chuckles here.... hey, don't knock it he loves it and it has padding for him to lie on and/or kennel.
Great so now I know how to get him and and out of the house, now what?





Well, for me I put some food and water over by him because he hasn't gotton to eat since 8pm yesterday and now it is about 10am. It didn't take much coaxing and he ate and drank everything in sight.
Other than trying to get him to pee outside which is interesting, walking around leading your dog until he stops and hoping that he is going to pee and not just sit down.Which by the way, after arriving home at 10a.m. that was the one and only time that he did urinate today.
I pretty much left him alone and let him just rest.Except when he was awake then we all gave him lovin's.
Well, that's about it for the first day except for my being anal and writing down a medication plan,exercise plan etc...

I hope this blog helps other people and their animals that have fho surgery.

O.k. here goes, I am going to start blogging daily because I do not think that I was giving explicit directions well enough when I was sent home from Dakota's surgery.
I also tried looking on the internet for post operative fho for dogs, and I have not found what I have been looking for either.
So, I am going to do this for any other people that may go through the same thing that I am.
Hopefully, I will learn along the way and make it easier for you now.


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(fho done on dog)pictures from Dakotas first day home after surgery.

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i love my pets glitter graphic

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Give me a little love..CAT AND DOG PHOTO

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