"Flynn's hip replacement in Pictures" - also in my profile (My Albums).


My boy Flynn (Alaskan Malamute) needed a hip replacement and just a few days ago had it done. I've been keeping a diary since three days before he went in, with thoughts doubts and now his recovery. I thought i'd post it on here for reference in case anyone else is, or decides to, go down the same route.
I will update daily and here's the first part. I hope it may help someone as I couldn't find any personal blogs from the UK in my search.
This is where Flynns op was carried out: http://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/

Sat. 14th August 2010

It's three days before Flynn goes to see Noel and with each day i'm feeling more nervous. For all I know he may not even have it done but somehow I feel he will as his walking is not as good as it usd to be. He still copes well with it and is usually a happy boy but after walks, no matter how short, he gets stiffer.
He is taking a 50kg dose of Metacam and has been for some months now but it doesn't appear to be doing a great deal of good, niether does his treadmill hydrotherapy, although I must admit that if he has this op I will take him to the swim hydro as that's what they have at Fitzpatrick Referrals.
Somehow Flynn seems to be growing up fast as he's not as nutty as he used to be. I wonder if it's because he is uncomfortable or if it's just that he's maturing at last, he is just so quiet most of the time, especially during the day.
He's all groomed and ready for his trip, was going to bath him but don't want to upset him if he doesn't like it, also it's been raining the last couple of days and still is so I can't bath him outside and there's no way I can get the big lump in the bath.
It's funny how you can feel the pulse in your chest when nervous and the sickly feeling that goes with it. Am sure i'm worrying for no reason but at the end of the day this is a big op and with it comes risks no matter how small and I always think the worst will happen - I so hope i'm wrong and everything goes to plan.
The best thing I can do right now is keep myself occupied and get things ready for when he comes home. It's a bit late but I think i'll do some spring cleaning to take my mind off the op for a while because if I don't i'll probably end up crying - again!

Sun 15th Aug.

Two days to go and trying to keep busy but it's constantly on my mind.
I gave Flynn another massive grooming session last night and will do again tonight. I have this feeling that the operating theatre will get full of Mally hair and cause infection if I don't get as much out as possible, silly fool!
Am feeding Flynn tripe and veg at the mo as i'm hoping it'll keep him regular because I don't want him constipated after the op, what with all the cage rest. I'm worried it'll make him even more uncomfortable. His meals are smaller than usual, poor boy but at least he's having good food to help build up his stregnth.
He's been so quiet the past couple of weeks, seems to be growing up quickly now, it makes me worry that he's uncomfortable but everyone else thinks it's just him maturing - I hope so.
He's looking lovely and his coat is a lovely shade of orange - my beautiful boy, I hope he doesn't take all this too badly and that he sails through it all with no complications whatsoever.

Monday 16th Aug.

Just a short walk for Flynn this evening as don't want to put him in any pain for the journey tomorrow. Had a little cry on our walk and he was so very good that it somehow made me feel worse.
Have to starve him from 8pm and watch him like a hawk as he likes to munch grass, so no lying out in the garden before bed time - poor baby, he loves that time and won't be having it for quite a while now.
Early night for him tonight as we've an early start tomorrow.

Tuesday 17th Aug.

The big day.
Up at 6am today, put on Flynns harness ready for a short walk before we start the journey and hopefully tire him out.
The journey took around two hours with Rosie driving and Emma as co pilot. Flynn was actually very good, if a little mouthy at times, particularly in the begining when he saw some dogs at the dog park.
We saw Noel, very lovely man and he examined Flynn - which made him yell - and after a long chat I decided to go along with the replacement. He will have the left hip replaced, the right is not painful to him so Noel said he doubts he'll ever have to have it done - good news!
Flynn wasn't at all bothered by being left and happily went off with the nurse, not looking back at us.

8.20pm.
Just had a call from Noel's nurse and told that Noel was just about to begin Flynns surgery. She said there were no problems and they often work late at night.
Am waiting for the call to say he's out of surgery and hopefully all went well, she said it would be around 10.30 - 11pm - poor man, never rests!

10.40pm
Noel just called and the op went well, thank goodness! He used the BFX, which is the one where the bone grows round the implants. It's the one i'd hoped he would do as it looks stronger but he had to determine whether Flynns bones were strong enough as this implant is slightly bigger. For now he is sleeping and we'll see what tomorrow brings. Noel will phone with an update in the morning but now is off to do another op - this man must never sleep!
Flynns new socket is smaller than the circumference of a 50 pence piece, i'd thought it would be a lot larger.
Here's a pic and brief explanation of the two different types.





Wednesday 18th Aug. (Day One - post op)

4.10pm.
Had a call from Fitzpatrick Referrals to say that Flynn is doing exactly as Noel expected and he is very happy with his progress. He is mobilizing well and is eating and drinking. We will be picking him up tomorrow morning (yipee!!) and Noel will go through his x rays and explain the operation in full. I will be given instruction for his post op recovery for the next two weeks, after that he'll go back for a post op check, then another six weeks later, after which he will start his hydro therapy. He is apparently quite happy in himself but quiet as he is on strong pain meds - just what he'll need for the journey home.
Today has been such a long day, I didn't want to phone as I knew he'd had his op late last night so didn't expect them to be mobilizing him early this morning. I also didn't want to bug them either but then I didn't want them to think I didn't care - am sure they wouldn't have thought that really!
He'll be coming home with a sling which two of us will have to support him with for the first few weeks when he goes out to toilet.

I am so glad that he is eating and drinking, always a good sign. So my little boy comes back to his mummy tomorrow and rest assured he'll have me with him 24/7, well he virtually always does anyway.

When he comes home I will start the posts from post op as that will be his recovery period, sort of stage two of his new life. It's going to be hard to see him in his cage for so many weeks and to have to put him back every time after only 10 mins but it will all be worth it in the end - if only I could explain that to him.

Thursday 19th Aug. (Two Days - post op))

7.40am.
Off to pick up Flynn this morning, have an appointment for 11.30 to see Noel and take a look at his x rays. Am very excited to see what they look llike now.
I know what to expect when I see him, well sort of, think he'll look even more "leggy" than he usually does. I don't suppose he'll be too excited to see us as he hasn't been before when he's been at the vets for any length of time, so i'm hoping he'll be glad to be coming home and settle in the car for the journey - we shall see!
Have a mixture of emotions, excited that it's all done and aprehensive about the care he'll now have to be given at home. Lovely to have him home again.

3.15pm.
Home at last.
Have had a long chat with Noel and Flynns biggest risk is not dislocation, he said that is more around zero in Flynns case as the muscles holding it all in are so tight. Because of the tightness of the muscles, Flynns foot will turn slightly outwards but in a couple of months will gradually return to a normal position as the muscles repair and start to slacken.
The big risk with Flynns op is fracture of the femur at the point where the implant ends inside the bone. Flynns femur is not quite straight and has a very slight curve and as the implant is straight and not angled there is a risk of the implant actually going through the bone, creating a fracture. This is something that will only happen if Flynn slips or falls, so he has to walk with the aid of a sling under his belly whenever he is out of the crate. If you look at the x ray you can see what Noel means about the angle, the ring you can see is in order to help prevent the implant from moving down any further. Toileting and feeding are the only times he is allowed out for the next six weeks and only for 10 minutes at a time, say five times a day - not whenever he wants. We have to be very vigillant when he's moving but not panicky, we are only using the sling to take a little weight off the hip, not all and to ensure if he does get unsteady we are there to support him and not let him slip or fall. As he is on strong pain meds at the mo and sedatives to keep him calm and drowsey a slip or fall could happen if he is groggy.
Flynns new hip.


And his shaved leg/back.


.
The hip joint itself was hard as stone apparently and he had a job actually cutting the damaged portions off, this he said was due to the bones rubbing on each other and creating a kind of boney callous. Once this had been removed and the socket skimmed of damaged tissue, this leaves a kind of honeycomb appearance of bone, which will then grow into the implant. This will take four weeks - surprisingly fast I thought - after that time the replacement and surrounding bone will just get stronger and stronger and within a couple of months will be tougher than any normal hip joint. He didn't say it but I was thinking "He will become truly bionic" lol, one of his favourite phrases.

Flynn is not on antibiotics but has sedatives (ACP) and has to take three 10mg tablets three times daily for two weeks and chewable Rimadyl tablets 100mg which he has to have one of twice daily. He has a morphine patch (Fentanyl) on his side to help cover his pain for the next four days or so, this is held on with staples and eventually will start to fall off. I have to leave the patch on untill his stiches are out in 14 days time, when he will return to Noel for an assessment.

A VERY large area has been shaved, I would expect that's to prevent infection during the operation. I had googled images beforehand so knew what to expect.

Will update later as we get better at mobilizing with the sling and can't wait til he goes out and successfully goes to the toilet - that's my main worry at the mo, believe it or not!
It will be a long haul for Flynn and us for that matter - but if all goes to plan, it will all be worth it in the end.
Thank you Noel for giving him the chance of a new life.

9.45pm.
Well, we've managed to kind of master the art of the sling. One person holding the sling around Flynns tummy, making sure the straps are crossed over the arm, in order that it is less likely to slip out of place. Another holding his lead so as he can't walk too fast or bolt - which he tried to do when he heard the cat in the bushes. He is walking beautifully, no sign of a limp and very steady on his feet, considering all the sedatives he's on. I would say he is definitely walking better than he did before the op and that's wonderful considering he only had it 48 hours ago.
My only concern is that he still didn't wee or poo, maybe he will when he's used to us holding him and we begin to relax and gain more confidence in ourselves.
He's had a lovely meal and a small drink and is now sleeping again, so we'll try him again when he wakes up later. whether he wee's or not it's still necessary to get him up occasionally so as to keep his hip working and not let it get stiff.
Here's how the sling should be used - this is when he first saw us, the small shaved area on his side is where his Fentanyl patch is.

And here he is asleep in his custom made crate. We had to make it bigger as the 48" i'd ordered wasn't big enough. Note the Comfy Collar - so much nicer than a buster.



Friday 20th Aug. (Three Days - post op.)

12.40am.
Wonderful news - took Flynn out in the garden and he did his first huge wee - yipee!
The sling walking is getting easier each time we go out and as we gain more confidence so does Flynn. It may seem like a small issue but when your dog hasn't been to the toilet for some time it really does tend to worry you. Having the feeling that he's more comfortable is a lovely way to settle for the night. I will be with Flynn all night and should he need to go out Emma is on call too, lol.
Getting him out of the crate was a concern, I asked Noel if it was okay for Flynn to walk out slowly and then put his slip lead on and he said that was fine. I wasn't sure how to get him out and was worried about him walking without the support of the sling. As Noel said, it's okay for him to sit, stand and move around in the crate so a few steps to come out of it is fine. Flynn is quite good and waits for me to put the lead around his neck before he walks further than the rug, I slip the lead on and off we go - so easy and to think I was afraid of doing it!
He's had a small meal to take his pain killers and sedatives with and is now all settled in his crate. Earlier he was butting the top of the cage with his comfy collar, I think he's a little peeved that he has to go back in after such a short spell out and although he hesitates about going back, a firm "in you go Flynn" and he complies - such a good boy.
Looking forward to us all having a good nights sleep and hopefully he'll sleep for a good 10 hours now he's back home - he usually does.
Bye the way, he isn't showing any attention to his wound whatever, tomorrow I will take the comfy collar off while one of us keeps a close eye on him, just to give him a break.

10.30am.
Flynn slept from 1am til 9am this morning, not a peep out of him the whole night. He's had his breakfast and a drink, been to the toilet and though he still hasn't poo'd has done another huge wee - so that's great. He's now in his crate just starting to go back to sleep, after having a howl off for ten mins, think the meds have kicked in now. It feels bad constantly dosing him up with sedatives but as Noel said, it will keep him calm and relaxed and that's very important for the first few weeks, don't want him stressing out and panting all the time.
I did take the comfy collar off for a while this morning but got scared after about 5 mins and put it back on, it's not bothering him at all and to take it off because I feel bad is silly.

11.30am.
He started another howl off, lol, so we took him in the garden in case he wanted to poo but all he wanted to do was lie down on the grass. We sat with him for five mins for some fresh air, then brought him back in - didn't want him deciding to leap up, like he does sometimes. To be honest I doubt he would have as he's very mellow right now but still wags his tail and gives us a kiss when we ask for one. He's back in his crate and after a little munch on some carrots from his kong he's now asleep, head on kong and snoring slightly - bless him.
His walking is still excellent and he even lifted his poorly leg to wee - I can see why crate rest is so important as he doesn't seem to know he's had anything done to that hip at all.
To think how scared I was yesterday when we got him out of the car to bring him in, so many worries were going through my head about all the responsibility all now being in our court (I say our because Emma is helping so much and keeps a cool head, think it's important to have someone as back up) yet just a few hours of practice and it all seems so easy. Of course it's just the begining and we've got a long way to go but by treating it as just an ordinary road to recovery, trying to put to one side all the emmotional feelings we have for Flynn and remember that we have to be strong for him, makes it so much easier. Feeling sorry for him is a waste of time and also can make you feel very drained, the best way to look at it is, it's not going to be forever but when it's all done, say six months from now, his entire life WILL change forever and what more could we ask for?

6.45pm.
We have lift off!!! He's done his first poo - yaye!
No more thinking he'll get constipated and be uncomfortable, or need some kind of medication to help him "go" - wonderful! He had a tiny amount of liver today and a few peach slices with all the juice rinsed off, needless to say he loved the peaches.
Now everything's going even more smoothly, he's toileting fine, eating and drinking well and sleeping in his crate with no probs - thanks to his meds.
We have to watch him carefully when he's on grass though as he's attempted to throw his shoulder down to have a good roll on a couple of occasions, crafty boy! By holding his collar and the sling, that is easily avoided but he has to be allowed to sniff the ground in order to find where to toilet, so we just have to be one step ahead. He did insist on a five min lie on the grass, just looking around and at the sky. This extra five min treat seems to settle him for his crate, he doesn't protest when he goes back in and settles quickly. I make sure I sit behind him so as he can't roll onto his back.
All rested and sleeping again now after a very small protest - sleep tight baby.

This needs to be a sticky

I agree Rona!
Thanks for sharing this amazing journey - please keep posting and let us know how Flynn is recovering, glad he seems to be doing so well

__________________

Wow, what a brave boy well done and I agree this should be made sticky. Thank you for sharing.

__________________

R.I.P Barney, I had 4 wonderful years with you, Thank you-29/04/06-25/11/09
The dog who saved my life
Proud owner of Maya, the Rescued Alaskan Malamute

http://www.dog-breeds-plus.com
Mine and My husband's Dog breed website

Fantastic thread well done Flynn fingers crossed for a speedy recovery x

__________________


Door Hugger Land http://paws4paint.weebly.com

All my children have paws!

Thank you, I know all the wories and doubts i've been through and just thought this may help someone else.
I had e mailed Fitzpatrick for advice a couple of months ago and when I saw him on TV I made up my mind. Now knowing the state his hips were in, from what Noel told me after the op, my poor boy must have been so uncomfortable yet he was always a happy lad, he just couldn't walk very far. In a way I feel a little guilty I left it so long, I only had him x rayed and hip scored last April and could have done it sooner. His hip score was 55 - massive! However Noel said the score is not what he goes by, it's the x ray that counts.

Hope you continue to enjoy Flynns thread, I will update regularly.

Thanks for giving us an update like this its very interesting, although I am sorry he has to go through, anything at all, I was surprised to hear of his hip score, although I did know of a mal who had a score of 69, even with this score, the dog did not show any discomfort in the past and enjoyed working in harness, although now he is getting on in years, its possible this may have changed. good luck and I pray for continued improvement.

Mo

Yes I know that Mal and he's a very lucky lad to have been able to work. That proves that it's not all about the hip score doesn't it? Have had pm's with his mum and he's coped very well, Flynn on the other hand was not doing so well even at the young age of two - hopefully all that has now changed.

Saturday 21st Aug. (Four Days - post op)

1.30am.
Flynn is protesting VERY loudly (full on Mally howls) at the mo at being put back in his crate. He's been out, done a wee and had a small wander in case he wanted to do anything else but is not happy at going back. At least I gave him his meal and tablets before he went out so as they would kick in by the time he went back but am just waiting for them to work. I can't give in and let him come out again as his exercise is very limited and don't want to do any damage. When he goes out now he wants to walk faster and again I can't allow it - poor boy! Just have to be stern and ignore his howls, so as he knows it won't work. I offered him some water and he tried to knock the bowl out of my hand, he's having a right tantrum, lol. even his comfy collar is annoying him now.
I do feel wicked though and wish i'd let him have a lie on the grass but as it's late thought he wouldn't need one.

2.05am.
A small drink of Ribena once he quietened down and he's now asleep, time for bed!

12.05pm.
Flynn was awake at 9am today and apart from turning and repositioning in his crate during the night not a peep out of him again. After last nights howl off I have changed the way i'm doing things, so this morning he had his meal and tablets 15mins before coming out of the crate, as usually I give them to him when he goes back or immediately before coming out.
We took him in the garden to toilet, he did a wee and brought him back in after a couple of mins for a cuddle outside the crate. After around 10 mins we took him outside again in case he wanted to poo, then sat with him on the grass for a further 10 mins. While he is lying down there is no difference if he's out of the crate or in it, he's resting just the same and the sedatives kick in beautifully. He seemed to want to go back in after this and as he is now only coming out three times a day, it's nice to have some extra fussing time to take away the stress of the crate. I think this approach has worked a treat, seems to have tired him out mentally and of course the sedatives are a huge bonus - don't know what we'd do without them and so glad Noel is one of those vets who prescribe for the dogs state of mind as well as the physical side.
The flooring in my front room is laminate so Flynn can only walk on the non slip rugs from his crate to the patio door - in a couple of weeks I will carpet the whole front room, as obviously he can't walk on that when he's allowed out for longer spells. The thing is, if the sling is used correctly even a slip doesn't matter as you just have to be aware that that's the main reason you're holding it. He could slip anywhere, even in the garden if he loses his footing, just yesterday a small slip on damp grass was quickly corrected by Emma and nothing more than a slight tug by her prevented anything happening. We watch him like a hawk and are constantly aware of any small dips in the ground to be avoided but we are also getting very relaxed about it all, although not complacent. At first we were holding it quite taught but there's no need as it's only a light support that's needed and is really used to prevent a fall or slip - panicking at first we were - or should I say I was, lol.
I have put a pic of the sling position for walking, it's not much different from the toileting position except just a little further down and has to be moved up slightly to expose his "bits" when he stands still. When he starts sniffing - you can usually tell when he's about to wee - we move the sling towards his ribs a little, have only had one small accident so far when when he wee'd as soon as he stopped but the sling can be washed and dried in minutes, it's almost dry when it comes out of the machine and could, if needed, be used immediately.
A pic of him relaxing in the front room - so much nicer than a howl off in the crate.
Sleeping like a babe again now for the next few hours, am missing his usual antics and will be so glad to get my real Flynn back again - got a long wait though!





7.15pm.
Successfully toileted again, he seems used to us following him around and has had a wee and poo. Think all my worries are over now, he's mobilizing very well, eating, drinking and toileting. He LOVES lying on the rug outside his crate for a short while and although not keen to go back, will go in as soon as I say - he tries pushing his head out but I just push it back and say a stern "NO" - which I hate doing.
We extended his crate again today so he has an extra six inches of space now. I bought a 48" crate, took the back off and used it to extend the top and used two lengths of strong wood trellis attached to the sides, in order to fill in the now extended area. It was so simple and all held in place with extra thick cable ties then secured it with two large hooks rawplugged into the wall. With a vetbed on the floor it is completely non slip and can still be extended by another six inches if needed. The largest I could find on the net was 52", still too small and over £200. It doesn't rattle at all and he's got plenty of room for him to lie completely stretched out - lucky boy!
Here's a pic of it in case anyone else needs a crate for a dog over 75kgs.




11.30pm.
A little time out of the crate to gnaw on a bone before bed time as a treat.
It's been a good day, everything going as planned and each day seems easier to cope with, as we learn to be calm around Flynn. He seems to be settling better when put back in his crate and if he does howl I don't feel bad about telling him "quiet" as I know he has at least had some time with us to relax.
His dressing has now come off on it's own as Noel said it would and the scar is very neat, although it looks larger than i'd thought, no swelling though apart from what's to be expected after all the work that went on in there. Have to keep an eye on it as it shouldn't get any more swollen than it already is.
He's all quiet now and sleeping for the night.

Sunday 22nd Aug. (Five Days - post op)

11.55am.
Flynn was restless in the night so at 3am we got up and took him in the garden where he did a wee and poo, good boy for telling me. I thought it was unuasul as once settled for the night he usually sleeps through til the morning. When we brought him back in he went straight back in his crate where he slept til 11am. He was just lying in his crate looking around and not making a sound, being very patient just waiting, I hope this means that he is getting used to the crate.
He had his breakfast and meds then we took him out to toilet, which was succesful. I'm having to cut his food intake down by a 1/4 Noel said, so he's having lots of veg to bulk it up and also keep him regular but must have a good portion of protien as I know he will have some degree of muscle wastage, which is quite rapid during crate rest for long periods. Needless to say, i'm thinking already is the little groove I can see on his leg the first sign but Emma said it's probably the slight swelling from the op site that makes it look a little indented. I've been told not to worry about muscle wastage as that will soon come back when he goes to hydrotherapy and can have longer spells outside the crate.
He had around 15 mins lie out in the garden with us, while being hand fed small pieces of carrot, he loves the attention, then another 10 indoors before going back in the crate. He did have a small howl off but the meds took over and he's now sleeping again. The "time out" seems to make him accept the crate better and he seems to know when his comfy collar is put back on it's time to go to bed again.

11.05pm.
Another good day all round, Flynn has had some quality time out of his crate and is in good spirits.
Tomorrow I am going to begin to wean him off of the sedatives and cut his dosage down to once a day. They have been very useful for these first few days and have definitely helped him to come to terms with being in the crate but I think he's now settled enough to return to normal. It's never a good idea with sedatives to cut them out completely as there can be withdrawal symptoms, such as hyperactivity, so i'll see how he goes with just one dose in late afternoon. He's always been a good sleeper at night and rarely wants to get up in the day before 10am, regardless of what's going on around him, so he should settle into his normal routine fairly quickly. Also it will help him return to my normal Flynny - will see how it goes and should soon have my boy back to his usual self in no time - fingers crossed!