1 mo post op!

Here is a pic of my scar about 3 1/2 weeks. It is healing nicely and my fur is starting to grow back in. I had a 3week check up. The vet said that I have good range of motion. I just need to continue to build muscle i a way that doesn't have much impact. SOOO I have been swimming! It is no impact and I can strengthen my leg. I had to learn to use the steps to get in and out of the pool. I used to jump off the side of the pool, but the vet said no jumping for 6mo!

I can fit three toys in my mouth at once. I get in the pool using the steps then go out and get a toy that my mom throws. Then right before I get back to the steps, she throws another one! Then right before I get back again she throws a toy again! That's three toys and three laps in the pool each time... I cannot leave a toy behind!

I spend a lot of time in my crate. This give time for my leg to rest and heal. I do not like this part. I want to greet everyone that comes in the house, and run and play like I used to.

For now, I LOVE swimming! It gies me excercise. The vet said I could swim all day if I wanted. However, I get to use Auntie Liz's pool and she doesn't want me there ALL day. So I just go for about an hour each day. It is my favorite time of the day!

I have more pics on my facebook that I will try to post here. I will keep you updated!

A Brief Surgery Update

Jake did very well in surgery. We were able to pick him up yesterday (Tues) afternoon. I was up with him all day and night and all day today. His leg is all bandaged up and they shave it from the hip down. He has an e collar to prevent him from licking his bandage. He is having trouble adjusting to this giant lamp shade around his neck and spending all day and night in a crate. He is also trying to get used to only being able to lay in one position.
He is a LOT of work. (that is why this is short and a day late) I will post his pathetic pictures soon. Poor guy!
He is a trooper! Today was better than yesterday and hopefully that trend will continue. He gets his stitches out in 14day. Once they are removed he can start swimming. I'm sure this will be a glorious day for him (and me too)! Until then he is limited to his crate, unless he is going potty. When he goes out, he is still confined to a tight leash.
I cannot wait until this phase is over. I will post more details later...
Good night!

surgery today

This is me and my grammy and my little sister Addy waiting at UC Davis last week for my appt.

BUT THIS IS THIS WEEK! Today I had my knee surgery. My mom had to drop me off between 7-8am. I was there at 7 because she had to work. They said I did good during surgery... but I was sleeping! I was crying for my mom when I woke up. They didn't let her come see me. Instead they called her and told her I was "anxious". So they gave me more medicine so I would sleep. I was just trying to tell them I was HUNGRY and wanted my MOM! I didn't get to eat my breakfast, lunch OR dinner today! And I have to sleep by myself. Don't then know I'm a lab... and I should be sleeping on someones bed.

My mom is going to get all the details tomorrow when she picks me up in the morning. She will let you know what my vet says and all those technical details. Well this vet isn't exactly a wi fi hotspot, and Im soooooo sleepy. They gave me more medicine. good....ni.....g.....t

Surgery is Monday May 17th!

So heres, the story- (as told by Jake)
Saturday my mom took me in a very long car ride. I didn't mind. It was Mothers Day and I got to be with my mom :-) I got to sit with my little sister (Addy) in the backseat. We slept almost the entire way to Rancho Cordova where we were staying. My mom and grammy set up a huge rate the Gigsy let me borrow. Gigsy is my friend from the dogpark. I didn't like sleeping in it. I like to sleep on my moms feet, not in another room by myself.
The next morning, my mom and grammy and Addy went to UC Davis small vet hospital. We had an appt at 10am. There were many dogs there to be seen by the student vets. There was even another dog named Jake who was 13yrs old who had a tumor removed on his leg. Another cat (my mom says he was a dog but he was the sixe of a cat) had a liver shunt and was there for follow up too. I wasn't allowed to play with the other dogs that were there. I had to sit and wait.
Our student, Mary Straub, came and said it was my turn. My mom and I went with her to a room She talked to my mom about my leg. Then Mary listened to my heart and made sure there was nothing else wrong with me. I stood still like my mom told me to. It didn't even hurt. I was in the mood to run and play, so they told my mom to come back later and get me!
While she was gone, they gave me some shots. They made me very sleepy. They took pictures of my legs and were pushing around on my knee. It hurt really bad and I tried to get away but I couldn't. Finally they were done! I went to another crate where I waitied for my mom to come back. After a while, I heard my sister in the waiting room and knew my mommy was back! I got so excited! Mary came and got me and took me to my mom! I felt funny the whole car ride home. I tried telling my mom that. Once we got to Chowchilla I felt better. I ate and had some water and slept the rest of the way home. I'll have my mom tell you what they vets said to her
-Jake

Well, after they took their own xrays and did a physical exam, the resident, Barbo Nordquist explained that she believes that Jake has a partial tear of his ACL. She could not say for sure. There was some instability in his leg, but she had no idea how big or small the tear was. She recommened two types of surgery. The first is extracapsular suture placement which ranges from $1800-2200). In this surgery, they would cut out the tear, make sure that there was no damage to his meniscus, and use nylon suture that would attach where his ligament is. If there is not a big tear, she would leave the good part of the ligament in place along with the suture. In time, scar tissue would form around the sutureand reinforce where the ligament was. The risk involved with this surgery is stretching of the nylon suture during recovery, which would cause they joint to not be stable.
The other type of surgery is called a TPLO which ranges from $3500- 4000) In this procedure, they would replace the ligament with a plate that attaches to the bone. This procedure has a little longer recovery time because they have to cut into the bone. The joint would not be at risk for becoming unstable like with the other procedure.
One out of two dogs, have tear their other ACL while recovering from ACL surgery. This is due to over compensating on the unijured knee, causing it to become injured.
Rehab is very critical in having a full recovery and keeping the other knee from becoming injured.
The sedation, xrays, and exam cost $350 at UC Davis. Jake had been taking asprin for pain so they recommended waiting a week to do the surgery to decrease chances of bleeding.
We have decided to do the surgery in Fresno with Dr. Nikolas Reijne. The information Davis gave us was the exact same as what our vet in Fresno said. Dr Reijne also did training at Davis. He is very experienced. His prices are the same as well. We decided that follow up would be easier to do at our local vet. We were very pleased with the care at Davis and the time that was taken to explain the procedures and their findings.
Jake has an appt Monday MAy 17th with Dr Reijne for his surgery! I will keep you updated!
- Krissi

Surgery TUESDAY! (hopefully)

Today I got a call that UC Davis had a cancellation. They asked if we were available to come in Monday at 10am, instead of June 14th! Whoo Hoo!
Jake will be going to the Small Animal Clinic at UC Davis. They way they schedule their appointments is as follows: You call the first working day of the month to schedule and appt for the following month. The office opens at 8am. When you call, you will leave a message with your name, phone number and vet diagnosis. Starting at 9am, Davis will start calling people back, in the order their call was received, to schedule appointments. I was told that they are usually booked up for the month by noon. So started calling at 7:58. I kept calling back until the phone msg was turned on (and the weekend msg was turned off). I got through about 30sec after 8am. The earliest date I was offered was June 14th.
That is why I was so excited they called me today saying they had an opening next week. Its a little inconvenient on such short notice, but the sooner the surgery is done, the better. Jakes Acl is not completely torn yet. It is just a matter of time. Once that happens, his leg will be immobile. I do NOT want that to happen! Also, the sooner he is seen, the sooner he can get better!
At the Appointment...
We will bring our x-rays that Dr. Nikolas took. They will review them and possibly take their own if they deem necessary. They will do their own physial exam as well. If they determine he needs surgery (which they probably will), The surgery will be done on Tuesday. They will keep him overnight and we will pick him up Wednesday as long as there are no complications.
EVERYTHING is covered in the estimated price... pre- and post surgical exam, surgery, all xrays, and suture removal following surgery. They quoted us $1800- $2400. Once we have the initial exam, we will have a better, more definite figure.
We are going to get the sutures removed at our local vet. They will forward their information to Davis so they can continue to follow up with Jake. Our local vet will also do the final follow up checks. UC Davis recommends we return to their clinic for follow- up, but its too long of a drive, especially with an 8mo old baby.
Well, those are the details! I will keep you posted and try to take pics during the process!

Facebook Auction Coming Soon!

Well, the dinner/concert/auction didn't get a many people as we had hoped. It was a fun evening. Dinner was great, music was awesome!
There were some gift certificates left over from the silent auction... so they are moving to facebook! Get them in time for Mother's Day!
The auction will be this Thursday thru Saturday!

Up for Auction will be:
De Ja Du Salon gift Certificate- haircut and style
Bear Creek gifts and decor- $20 gift certificate
"Its all about me" boutique- $20 gift certificate
2- half hour guitar lessons by Alan Yerxa certificate
One -hour long private dog training by Jen Bailey certificate
one half hour photo shoot by josh robinson certificate
Bow Bakery- one custom made bow holder
We Do Cakes!- one custom made dozen graduation cupcakes

All proceeds benefit Jakes surgery!

Tomorrow is the big event!

Well, I'm kinda nervous! Tomorrow is the dinner and auction. I hope lots of people show up and I am able to get my surgery! My mom has been so busy I have barely seen her. Gus has been keeping me company. We have been playing tug of war with a few socks he has found. I am also trying to talk my papa into feeding me a little more. (Im on a diet and grammy won't budge! With everyone busy, papa is my best bet for an extra cup of food!) :-)
I have been trying to be a good boy and sleep and rest my leg. However, the big winds and smells outside just get me so excited!
My aunt Katie and Grammy have been helping my mom bake tons of cookies. All this food around make me so hungry! I want to eat it all... but they keep telling me no and to stary out of the kitchen. I just want to help them.
I know some of you can't make it to the dinner and want to donate. My mom called the vet and they said you can donate directly to them.

Cedar Veterinary Hospital
Account name: Kristin Turnage for Jake Turnage
1602 Cedar Ave
Fresno, CA 93703
559-251-7141
M-F 7am-8pm
Sat 9am-5pm
http://cedarvethospital.com/

Thank you guys! Hope to see you at the dogpark soon!

Jake