A year ago, the author’s Cockapoo puppy, Simon, was diagnosed with a dislocated canine patella (gimmicked knee). Simply put, the kneecap in his right rear leg was dislocating. Evidence for this condition: Simon walked on stiff legs until he put the kneecap back into its slot.

The prognosis – without surgery, the condition may get worse. Arthritis develops in most dogs with this condition. If the dog puts too much pressure on the knee joint, it can burst a cruxial ligament.

A month after the diagnosis, a vet repaired Simon’s knee.

The most critical part of Simon’s story

The most important part of Simon’s story was the recovery period. To ensure that the surgical repairs healed properly, the post-surgery instructions emphasized inactivity for six weeks. That meant going up and down stairs and jumping on anything and anyone was forbidden.

If the dog falls backwards in the recent surgical repair, he may re-injure his knee. In this case, another surgery may be required. If you have other dogs or children, extra vigilance is necessary. During play, a blow to the injured animal’s hip or mid-leg can cause a tear in the repaired tissue.

What else can you expect?

A short stay in the hospital: Simon returned home one day after the operation.

The dog may require pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications or antibiotics for about a week after surgery.

During the first week of recovery, the dog will sleep a lot from the medication. After that, you will probably feel better and want to resume your normal activities. Obviously, that is not an option.

The dog cannot lick or tamper with the surgical sutures, so an e-collar may be necessary.

Other items to consider:

* Corral, cage or door to contain your dog.

* Toys for entertainment.

* A carrier for car travel (if not contained, a dog can fall during quick stops).

* A comfortable electronic collar

Surgeon and hospital costs can run into the thousands of dollars.