Any advice about managing external frame after knee surgery?

[lilysmum51]

Previous thread was Kneecap problems - sorry, but can't do links yet.

My Smalldog has had to have knee surgery re-done after the first attempt failed. After a week in hospital, we will get her back tomorrow, but with an external frame on her leg, which stays on for 6 weeks. The first 4 weeks are strict crate rest,and as she is a 2 year old Border Terrier,she will get extremely bored. Does anyone have any suggestions to help us manage the condition, and how to stop her getting really bored. Her crate will be where she can see everyone going past,so she has got something to look at, but any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

Lilly I hope Smalldog is ok.

In my experience my dogs have been a bit subdued for a few days which does help them in chilling in the crate.

Kongs are your friend and I would use these a lot to keep her occupied, also bones etc to chew on.

We got a buggy for one of our dogs that had cruciate surgery and took her out and about with us after a few weeks. She did need training to be still in the buggy but it meant she could come out with the other dogs. The Stroller we used but our dog was labrador size We pushed this along the coastal paths of Cornwall and were stopped constantly by people wanting to fuss our dog!

Hope things are ok and she is on the mend soon - what a nightmare this has turned out to be

Thanks, Mutty. Will try Kong therapy, but somehow don't see that it will be viable to keep a 2 year old border terrier in a buggy. Desperation might make me try it, though.
Has been very difficult. Poor little dog.

We had to clicker train our dog in the buggy - so for the first few days he got clicked and treated for lying down in the buggy. We then moved it a bit and rewarded for being down. Our dog was a 18 month old working cocker so a very lively and active dog. As yours is little you could crate in the buggy.

I do hope the recovery is smooth and uneventful

Thanks. I hope so too.