Theo the Leonberger CCL SwiveLock by Arthrex

This afternoon he cried a liftle doing his range of motion exercises so I stopped. He walked a fair distance so that was great range of motion for his.

He wanted to make it to his p**p spot. I had my daughter pick us up. I don’t want to overdo it.

Hopefully this night sleep is longer. I am really trying to keep the incision dry (he would love to lick it) so we can move through this phase.

We use the cone AND a lick sleeve at night when I sleep, but he is NOT happy and makes for longer nights when he adjusts and hits the wall or crate.

Day 2. Slight weight on leg and took off help em up harness since he is intact, just makes it easier and he is able to get up with assistance with a thin light beach towel and enjoys it more.

Eating his special food since I baby him initially with all of the anesthesia and meds with a great menu.

He does not like drinking from his metal
Water dish. Maybe the meds ? Got him to drink today from a glass bowl.

Icing is going well. He tolerates it so he must like it. His range of motion is already good. I expect he will improve daily.

Will use gentle massage tool tomorrow above and below surgical site. Today I uses the “iced”roller to roll on the leg. That definitely gets blood moving.

Very tired but each day will improve.

Home safe with the “help em up XL harness”.

Cone of shame was made at home by using 2 cones and creating a massive one.

Lick sleeve ready since he pushes the cone down and gets to his incision, so I am ready for him this time.

Hoping for a smooth recovery. Will ice and massage him tonight and start antibiotics.

Gabapentin for pain tonight, but had an injection of something (I forgot the name) which is a slow release over 3 days. I think that helps since this car ride home was easier than the first surgery.

Here is the main stream surgery most vets do for the torn CCL, but my guy weighed in at 163lbs and this is just too hard to recover from for my big guy. We elected the other surgery over 2 year ago and it was a great decision. Praying for the same on this leg.

CCL Tears and How a TPLO Surgery Works An in depth and accurate animation to help better understand the TPLO surgery and it's benefits.

https://youtu.be/pXAhcpFP6c0?si=dPT5Anb1HlJMuu16

Here is what Theo had done today.

Much different than the TPLO

Knotless Swivelock® CCL

Unfortunately Theo’s other CCL needed to be repaired today. Since the the other leg is holding so well and the recovery was far milder than the TPLO, we elected this same surgery. I will record his journey again in hopes for encouraging other big breed owners.

I am forever grateful to Dr. Nick and staff st Village Vet in Merton WI.

Find a Dr that does this!

Swivelock surgery

July 14th a quick pivot with a puppy and tore his OTHER CCL. Most dogs tear the other one after a first tear, so the odds were not in our favor unfortunately.

His surgerical leg is doing great so I am electing the Swivellock once again.

Surgery scheduled for August 13.

Here we go again

Theo is not only a pet he is one like a boat - invest tons of money in this guy 🙂 to enjoy him.

Still healthy and happy