Jasper's surgery

Jasper has been limping all spring -- his right hind leg. Our vet diagnosed a partial tear of the cranial cruciate ligament in his knee, which is a degenerative condition common in dogs. We've been taking it easy, no chasing balls or off-leash running, hoping that it would heal. Sadly, on Sunday, while saying hello to one of his doggie friends, Jasper fully ruptured the ligament. He was unable to bear any weight on it and was obviously in pain.

We met with a vet surgeon on Tuesday morning, and took advantage of a cancellation in her schedule to book the surgery for the next day. We dropped him off at 7:15 am Wednesday for a TPLO surgery.

Description of TPLO surgery: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cranial-cruciate-ligament-repair-tibial-plateau-leveling-osteotomy-tplo 

Poor sweet doggo. He's been so miserable this week, and even though surgery is obviously not what we wanted (and the rehab will be lengthy), we're hoping he'll be able to enjoy walking with less pain and more joy for a few more years.

 

 

 

At a softball game.

Hanging out under his favorite tree overlooking the school field. We sat here for half an hour one afternoon -- he didn't want to walk, because he was limping, but he was happy to be out smelling the air and watching the scene.

We boxed him in with furniture so that he wouldn't roam around the house -- we particularly did not want him on the stairs while injured.

Update: Jasper post-surgery, with a shaved chicken leg and the cone of shame, lying in a boxed-in corner of the living room. Poor sad dog.