Zoey's Surgery

This is Zoey, you've probably met her already.





   Zoey was born in December of 2013, and abandoned in the cold just two months later.  Seven months after she was rescued by local animal control officers, we found Zoey in a local humane society - waiting for someone to take her home.  Her high energy, combined with lack of training and exercise, had led to her behavior problems (such as jumping and puppy biting) that were intimidating to most, but alluring to me!  We adopted her on September 27th, 2014, and immediately began addressing these problem behaviors.
  

     With regular exercise, loving discipline, a healthy diet and continuous training; Zoey has blossomed into a wonderful young dog - everybody loves her!  While she still has lots of energy, it is tempered with self-control and obedience.  While maintaining a high energy level, she is attentive and sweet, listening to me even when she is bursting at the seems to do the very thing I'm telling her not to.  She travels with us almost everywhere - being well on her way to becoming an experienced camper, as well as excelling in group obedience class, and delighting in visiting a neighborhood nursing home.



    This summer, Zoey seemed to pull a muscle while we were playing fetch.  I restricted her movement for several weeks, forcing her to rest while the muscle was healing.  Slowly, I started re-introducing exercise; however, each time we started exercising again, she would come up lame.  Her energy levels plummeted, and her leg was getting worse, rather than better. 



So we made an appointment with Dr. Ed.   He suspected that she had injured her CCL, and the ex-rays and "drawer" test confirmed it.  Dr.  Ed explained the different options for treatment and recommended a TPLO surgery because of Zoey's age, activity level, and fitness. 



Two days before the scheduled surgery, Zoey pivoted on her left leg just 'wrong' and tore her left CCL.  

  After her pre-opp evaluation, Db. O'Brien recommended doing the surgery on her left leg first because the left tear seemed more acute.  

    Dr. O'Brien found that the left CCL was indeed completely ruptured, however, the meniscus was still intact and healthy - which is a really good thing!
   The first TPLO went really well, but Zoey will need to go back for a TPLO on her right knee after the bone in her left leg has healed.

   Zoey is only two, Lord willing, she has a lot of life left!
I am so blessed by her role in our life... and I am continually reminded of God's goodness through this crazy little dog!