My SuperCoolDawg Frankie is having to have the surgery pieces removed.  Apparently  the hock swelling issue I took him in for a bit ago and then to Rehab last week, was fluid coming from the cruciate knee infection/inflammation.

Now as I write this I can't  exactly  explain how he came to that conclusion,  but his explanation made sense at the time. 

 RELATIVELY speaking, this is a much less invasive  surgery than either of the knee surgeries he had and doesn't  require a lot of recovery time.

He was very thorough with his explanation  of what could and could not be done,  taken I to  consideration he's a tripawd with two rear leg surgeries and lots of the dreaded arthritis.

Even if I Mrs Bill Gates, he didn't  feel like a TPLO was an option in large part because  of the arthritis, as well as not having unaltered bone to work with.  He would be very hesitant  to consider that.

The outcome we are hoping for is he actually will use that a leg a little more, and not just a tap here and there for balance.  This is not a "cure" for the grinding  of the knee bones, but it should be a way to manage use of that leg a little better.  Once the "crimp" as he calls it is removed, it may should be less painful and clear up any residual fluid infection to the hock.  Again, can't  remember  exsctly ehat je asid about that doggone it, but it made sense that the swelling was that and not a torn ligament.

When I did the first cruciate  for Frankie, he was borderline at the weight threshold  for that type of "fishing line" surgery to be effective (70 lbs). It is a much less expensive  surgery, HOWEVER, if you have a choice between a TPLO and the fishing line technique,  I would go with the TPLO IF possible!  That's not to say a smaller dog it may be absolutely  fine and last a long time!  But a larger tripawd, based on my experience  only, the TPLO is the way to go with a Board Certified  Orthopedic Surgeon  who has done huge numbers of them.

Sooooo.......has of now, Frankie is  going in for cruciate  surgery REMOVAL next week. 

Rene.....you know that SuperCoolDawg picture you did of Frankie with his Superdawg Cape?  You know the video Clare did of Frankie Cool Dawg when he had his first surgeries?  Whenever you have a free moment (probavly  jever), would love it if you could find them and post them here for good luck!!   Can't  help but worry a bit.  This crazy hound can't  avoid any screw ups!

A chuckle'  Surgeon said after bringing  him back he could not beloefe how strong he is!  Said Frankie was almost pulling him down!  Also said he was amazed at how high energy  and fast and  vibrant he is even with all his leg issues!

Yep, that's my SuperCoolDawg-do-it-my-way- Frankie!!!