A bit of history first
I posted several months ago about my Patt with Luxating Patella. My vet decided to just do the partial op of tightening the ligament (?) to prevent the knee cap from popping out. I followed the instructions regarding crating for 4 weeks then 2 weeks of gentle exercise and then hopefully back to normal. During the 2 weeks of gentle exercise she was a changed dog using 4 legs all the time - fantastic. However as she started to get back to normal she began using 3 legs again, only this time it was 90% of the time, far worse than before the op. I went back to my vet and tried anti inflammatories ( did not work) we discussed cage rest again but I did not want to go through trial and error as she was obviously in discomfort - so I asked for a referral.
I have now seen a specialist at Dick White in Newmarket and it seems that where the ligament has been tightened it still pops out but is too tight to pop back in again, so the patella is out most of the time now. They are taking her in to do the full groove in the bone op now. I trust them so much at DW that I know she is in the best place.
However my question is, how do I keep a lively little terrier crated for such a long time without her going mad. Last time was a nightmare, she could hear the dogs next door barking or going out for a walk and she would hurl herself around the cage to get out to go with them ( which she normally does) I am terrified she will damage the leg / screws etc after this op and dread keeping her quiet for several months. It may sound awful but are there any medications that I can give to keep her less stressed, something that can be used for several months without harming her. I have read about the options for dogs stressed with fireworks, but this will be used for a longer time. I just want to stop the long term crating to be less of an ordeal for her and for me. Crates are not something I usually use so it doesn't come easy for her.
Any help would be appreciated.

>Crates are not something I usually use so it doesn't come easy for her.

I usually only use crates at night, and that is more for safety reasons than anything else.  All my dogs sleep in the kitchen, and I have a large crate for any really tiny tots, simply because I know they will crawl in with a Collie, and worry that they will get laid on.  (Not sure why it doesn't happen during the day, they are always snuggling up to the Collies!)

But last year I had a small terrier that had the full operation, and her screws seem to have done just fine.  My vet did tell me that most people don't restrict for long enough, and then wonder why the operation isn't a success.  I hear so many people say that they got fed up of the crate.

I already knew that I was going to follow the vets instructions to the letter.  I'd had a poodle with this op 20 years ago, and was told 12 weeks rest even then.  I had to move this dog into the living room, away from the back of the house.  She couldn't then hear neighbours dogs barking in the garden.  I stopped the rest of the gang from entering the living room (they normally have free access.)

So the dog was restricted in a crate almost all the time.  Although in the evening when I sat down, I did have her on my lap while I watched TV.  She was carried up the garden to toilet, and straight back to the living room after.  This little terrier is a madcap little tearaway, yet I wanted a successful op, and I suppose had already stealed myself prior to the op.  It did seem forever at the time, but I would restrict for 3 months again without hesitation as the success is fantastic.

I didn't need to sedate, as she seemed to be calmer when she realised thet she had me all to herself in the evenings, instead of "sharing" me.

This little terrier is a madcap little tearaway, yet I wanted a successful op,

This is exactly my thoughts, I feel this is a once only chance to improve her future life, and if I mess up then I will have regrets for the rest of her life. However I do find the thought quite daunting and am dreading the next 3 months.
I live in the annex of my daughters home and she has a gang of dogs that mix like one family with mine, in fact the dogs see both houses as theirs and walk in as they please. They normally all run together and when one is missing they all act differently. But needs must, stiff upper lip and all that, roll on next January when she should be finished with the crate ( hopefully)

One of my girls had to be in a crate for a number of weeks and I was dreading it as she was extremely active, but I have to say she soon settled and realised that she wasn't allowed to go out for a run etc.  I think it's more the case of us being strong at the start and it's actually our anxiety that the dogs react on.

>But needs must, stiff upper lip and all that,

Truly - it's worth it.  :-)

> Truly - it's worth it.  :-)

One of ours had to be caged for some months before & after surgery due to growth plate deformities in his front legs, it was not easy but always ensured he was with us & it soon settled in to a routine, eventually the specialist said we could give him more space so we divided our kitchen in half with a two foot board! An interesting time having to step over it every time we moved between sink & cooker, but again well worth it. In the evening he came to join us in his basket, both had to be kept on leads as they always went over the top with excitement when first together. At night they settled down in their baskets either side of the board, when the board eventually went after 3/4months I missed it!!! Good luck.