My puppy, Belle, had major surgery yesterday on both of her back legs.  She has a condition that is common to the breed called Luxating Patella, where basically the knees keep popping out of place.  She was unable to walk so the surgery was her only option.  There are only three vets in the state of MN that  can do this surgery, so I chose Dr. Betty Kramek, the Head of Orthopedics at the U of MN Animal Hospital.  She's hard to get, but I was lucky enough to get an appointment with her.  So I met with her on Monday and she did the surgery on Tuesday.  Belle was already able to come home today and is doing really well!  She shocked the surgeons by WALKING already today.  Normally, it takes six weeks before they can take a step!  And she hasn't cried once.  She is a strong and stoic little puppy!  It will still be a minimum of two months before she can really walk, and then she will need physical therapy for a few months after that.  But the fact that she's already limping around is a very good sign.  And this surgery, although considered major, has a 100% recovery rate, so she will be good as new in six months!

She can't be allowed to walk or jump for the next eight weeks, so I have to crate her or carry her and keep her on leash at all times.  It will be a challenge keeping her still I think, if today is any indication!  :) 

Here are a few pictures of her today. 





And a few more graphic ones of both knees under LJ just in case.  :)



I'm glad it's over with and that she's doing so well!  What a relief!

Tomorrow, I have my own appointment with a Ear Nose and Throat Surgeon to find out what's the next steps for me.  I have Chronic Sinusitis and have been on six rounds of antibiotics since September and am currently on yet another antibiotic plus two forms of steroids until I can have sinus surgery.  I've had it once before, but now I have polyps that need to be removed and the ethmoid passage has to be widened.  The surgery itself is simple, an endoscopy that is done as an outpatient procedure.  The not-so-fun and painful part comes from having your nose packed and then having the packing removed....*shudder*  But mine will be minor compared to Belle's.  At least we'll be laid up together, LOL!

It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday.  Definitely looking forward to the weekend.  :)