If you have been following along you know that Bendel recently had TPLO surgery. I want to write about our experience honestly, as fellow blog posts I’ve read on the topic have truly helped me get through this. Before you keep scrolling be warned I am going to share photos of her leg and of course other adorable ones!
We are 2.5 weeks post op. We’ve been keeping it pretty honest on Instagram, and pupdating everyone on our progress along the way. Every single person who reached out to us pre surgery warned us that it would be tough, and I truly thought I had mentally prepared myself. I was wrong.
The reality of TPLO recovery is that it is not only hard on your pup, it is emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. I thought my anxiety pre surgery was bad, but I really did level up. 2 days post op Bendel’s leg swelled up so much that I couldn’t even believe it. We quickly got her on a higher dose of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics and watched her like a hawk. I was instantly panicking and blaming myself for this. Thank god the next day her leg showed major signs of improvement. Bendel has been such a good patient allowing us to apply heat to the leg and not bothering her cone at all.
After the swelling went down, then she started boycotting pills. She wouldn’t take them no matter what, and she started to also boycott us shoving them down her throat. Taking a pill used to be a simple thing in our house, and has now turned into a spectacle of shaking, drooling, and wrestling.
I told myself once her leg looked normal again, and the pills were done I would be less stressed. Once again I was so wrong. Here we are, done with our pills, stitches out, and cone free. She is slowly coming back to her own self, and my level of paranoia has doubled. Keeping her calm is so important to ensure the bone and plate do not shift, and doing so is practically impossible. Now that she’s got her energy back she is restless, and not sleeping through the night; therefore, I am not sleeping through the night. Truthfully I haven’t had a full night’s sleep in over 2 weeks.
Since day 1 she has refused to rest unless someone is resting with her. As fun as it sounds to sit in bed all day with your dog, it is actually quite depressing. We are a very active family, and I grow restless quite quickly (similar to Bendel ironically). When left to do nothing but hover over your dog and sit alone with your thoughts, it doesn’t do much to calm the anxiety.
I know we will get through this and it will seem like no big deal, but right now it is rough. Now that Bendel is feeling much better we will be doing a lot of mental stimulation with brain games! I will make sure to share them all here, and give you all a pupdate soon. Enjoy this photo of B post 2 week check up celebrating with a puppacino.
