We had a good night last night. Hick slept all night...it was Holly who pestered me a time or two, esp. this morning when it was time to get up.
He's getting around so well! and when I took him out a bit ago his tail is just way up high...it's so good to see!
M is sick today, so he's going to stay home and work from here. I was supposed to stay home, but will go in to work and hope that's okay. I'll ask for tomorrow off, and then I'll work Sat. Gotta make the $$ to pay for Hickory!
I'll get some pics loaded later...
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Eventful Day
Last night Hick started wimpering a lot. We took him out, me holding his choke chain, M holding the towel under his groin for support, but nothing. We even let him go way down in the backyard into Hick's "poop zone"...but still nothing.
We got in the house, and he wimpered a lot, so we gave him his pain meds...but still wimpering. We took him out...nothing...and got him settled in C's room. We got in bed, but the wimpering was too much so we moved C into my side of the bed, and I was going to try to sleep w/ Hick (and Holly...who was so happy to be with her momma!)...but after a few moments, I called for M and said, "we've gotta take him out."
This time we put him on the leash and let him wander since he was really stable. After some wandering and sniffing, the floodgates opened and he tinkled forever...standing on the BAD LEG!
We came back in and all slept until about 3:30 when the wimpering started again. Took him out...but just a little tinkle...and then slept until about 6. I suggested we let him walk in the backyard again and that did the trick! He did his pooping thang!! YEA!
We had a hectic morning w/ C shadowing at a middle school, so Hick was alone for a bit. When I got home I took him out.
He pooped again a few times, and I gave him another can of tuna, to keep things going...but I think it might have been too much. I also gave him a bit of peanut butter in a kong...and maybe it's just post-surgery stuff, but he's been vomitting a little bit and also had some diarrhea.
He's such a good boy, though. One time, we'd gone out, he'd done his business...but not long after we'd got back in and settled, Hick started wimpering again...I talked to him and thought maybe he was hurting, but finally I asked if he wanted to go out, and he hopped up...out we went, and that was when the diarrhea had started. Obviously his stomach had been hurting, and he really did need to go back out.
He's had a little gas later this afternoon. Last time it got pretty bad for a few days...but I think it was while he was constipated...
Overall, he is doing so GREAT! He just seems to handle it so much better this time. I don't know if it's because he had the surgery earlier in the day and some of the grogginess had worn off, or if his body knows what to expect, or he knows...or some combination...
The only challenge is keeping him slow and calm. The TTA surgery involved cutting his bone and putting in the implants. He has to grow new bone, and that leaves the leg very fragile for the next 12 weeks. He has to be completely on leash whenever outside. We still had rugs on the non-carpeted areas, but I moved them so the area through the kitchen to garage door is pretty solidly covered.
His leg is very swollen and bruised. I'll get some pics tomorrow...and tonight I'm sleeping with him again...keeping my fingers crossed that we all sleep through the night!
We got in the house, and he wimpered a lot, so we gave him his pain meds...but still wimpering. We took him out...nothing...and got him settled in C's room. We got in bed, but the wimpering was too much so we moved C into my side of the bed, and I was going to try to sleep w/ Hick (and Holly...who was so happy to be with her momma!)...but after a few moments, I called for M and said, "we've gotta take him out."
This time we put him on the leash and let him wander since he was really stable. After some wandering and sniffing, the floodgates opened and he tinkled forever...standing on the BAD LEG!
We came back in and all slept until about 3:30 when the wimpering started again. Took him out...but just a little tinkle...and then slept until about 6. I suggested we let him walk in the backyard again and that did the trick! He did his pooping thang!! YEA!
We had a hectic morning w/ C shadowing at a middle school, so Hick was alone for a bit. When I got home I took him out.
He pooped again a few times, and I gave him another can of tuna, to keep things going...but I think it might have been too much. I also gave him a bit of peanut butter in a kong...and maybe it's just post-surgery stuff, but he's been vomitting a little bit and also had some diarrhea.
He's such a good boy, though. One time, we'd gone out, he'd done his business...but not long after we'd got back in and settled, Hick started wimpering again...I talked to him and thought maybe he was hurting, but finally I asked if he wanted to go out, and he hopped up...out we went, and that was when the diarrhea had started. Obviously his stomach had been hurting, and he really did need to go back out.
He's had a little gas later this afternoon. Last time it got pretty bad for a few days...but I think it was while he was constipated...
Overall, he is doing so GREAT! He just seems to handle it so much better this time. I don't know if it's because he had the surgery earlier in the day and some of the grogginess had worn off, or if his body knows what to expect, or he knows...or some combination...
The only challenge is keeping him slow and calm. The TTA surgery involved cutting his bone and putting in the implants. He has to grow new bone, and that leaves the leg very fragile for the next 12 weeks. He has to be completely on leash whenever outside. We still had rugs on the non-carpeted areas, but I moved them so the area through the kitchen to garage door is pretty solidly covered.
His leg is very swollen and bruised. I'll get some pics tomorrow...and tonight I'm sleeping with him again...keeping my fingers crossed that we all sleep through the night!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Eating...
I just got home from work and a dr's appt, and got Hick to eat a whole, big can of tuna! YEA! The tuna in oil is recommended since the oil helps "grease the innards". Hick has a pain patch on, and that, in addition to the surgery alone, can cause constipation.
We just took him outside, hoping that he'd go "tinkle", but I don't think he did. He can actually move pretty well, and it was a struggle for M to try to hold him and the support towel (a bath sheet, technically). Sure would be easier if Hick was a little doggie...but then he wouldn't be our big goofy boy!
M said he did well during the day, overall seem more alert and managed to get up better on his own. It's just the worst seeing him suffer...but it will be better tomorrow...
We just took him outside, hoping that he'd go "tinkle", but I don't think he did. He can actually move pretty well, and it was a struggle for M to try to hold him and the support towel (a bath sheet, technically). Sure would be easier if Hick was a little doggie...but then he wouldn't be our big goofy boy!
M said he did well during the day, overall seem more alert and managed to get up better on his own. It's just the worst seeing him suffer...but it will be better tomorrow...
HICK is HOME!
We were lucky that the icy rain didn't mess up our getting our Hickory. We got there, paid our bill (about $400 for the emergency care part of surgery), and then they got Hick.
M & I were waiting, and I said that I was really nervous...dreading...and then we heard yelping and crying. M asked, "Do you think that's Hick?", and I nodded...that's what I'd been not wanting to hear.
There was quite a bit of yelping, and M went looking through some of the exam rooms to see what was going on. Finally he said, "They've got him, he's coming," and when the vet/tech opened the door, he told us that it was the first Hick had gotten up.
I didn't see or hear this, but when we got in the van, M said that the vet/tech said that Hick had wagged his tail when he saw us.
We got him in the van, but he didn't know how to get down....afraid to move. Finally, M came and sort of lifted Hick so he could get down on his good leg (the former bad leg...I'm sure that's throwing Hick some now, realizing that his "bad" leg has shifted)
I'd taken a pillow and sat in the back of the van with him. The seats and bench were out or folded away, so I rode home illegally, but I didn't care. I braced Hick for the turns and just comforted him.
We got him in okay, he was actually quite anxious to get in the house, and M had a hard time keeping up w/ Hick. He's resting on the pillows now, covered up, and dreaming.
He doesn't seem as groggy as the last time. Don't know if maybe he had his surgery earlier yesterday than last time, altho he is still plenty tired.
Holly seemed a bit more interested in him this time and sniffed at his pain patch after I got him settled, although she was more anxious to see me and have me pet her.
I have to go to work today, but M will be here, working from home. It's terrible to hear Hick cry out and know he's hurting, but I remember that last time, the first day home was the worst...and tomorrow should be much, much better.
Thanks to our friend and neighbor, TB, who watched C for a bit early this morning while we went to get Hick. C caught the bus from her house.
Thanks also to everyone checking in and keeping a good thought/prayer for our special dog. We appreciate it!
M & I were waiting, and I said that I was really nervous...dreading...and then we heard yelping and crying. M asked, "Do you think that's Hick?", and I nodded...that's what I'd been not wanting to hear.
There was quite a bit of yelping, and M went looking through some of the exam rooms to see what was going on. Finally he said, "They've got him, he's coming," and when the vet/tech opened the door, he told us that it was the first Hick had gotten up.
I didn't see or hear this, but when we got in the van, M said that the vet/tech said that Hick had wagged his tail when he saw us.
We got him in the van, but he didn't know how to get down....afraid to move. Finally, M came and sort of lifted Hick so he could get down on his good leg (the former bad leg...I'm sure that's throwing Hick some now, realizing that his "bad" leg has shifted)
I'd taken a pillow and sat in the back of the van with him. The seats and bench were out or folded away, so I rode home illegally, but I didn't care. I braced Hick for the turns and just comforted him.
We got him in okay, he was actually quite anxious to get in the house, and M had a hard time keeping up w/ Hick. He's resting on the pillows now, covered up, and dreaming.
He doesn't seem as groggy as the last time. Don't know if maybe he had his surgery earlier yesterday than last time, altho he is still plenty tired.
Holly seemed a bit more interested in him this time and sniffed at his pain patch after I got him settled, although she was more anxious to see me and have me pet her.
I have to go to work today, but M will be here, working from home. It's terrible to hear Hick cry out and know he's hurting, but I remember that last time, the first day home was the worst...and tomorrow should be much, much better.
Thanks to our friend and neighbor, TB, who watched C for a bit early this morning while we went to get Hick. C caught the bus from her house.
Thanks also to everyone checking in and keeping a good thought/prayer for our special dog. We appreciate it!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Hickory Update!
Dr. Dew called about 6 and said that all went well. The meniscus was intact, which was good news, so now it's just wait until early morning when we can get him...before 7 a.m.!
For very detailed info:
http://dogkneeinjury.com/2008/does-my-dog-need-a-meniscus/
and this is more about what Hick has had, first the right, and now the left:
http://dogkneeinjury.com/category/tibial-tuberosity-advancement-or-tta/
The pricing is obviously out of date...or maybe because I have a BIG DOG!...He's worth every penny!
For very detailed info:
http://dogkneeinjury.com/2008/does-my-dog-need-a-meniscus/
and this is more about what Hick has had, first the right, and now the left:
http://dogkneeinjury.com/category/tibial-tuberosity-advancement-or-tta/
The pricing is obviously out of date...or maybe because I have a BIG DOG!...He's worth every penny!
Homecoming Prep
Last time, we "hickory-ized" C's room for the long convalescence. Hick has a habit of chewing...not all the time, but every now and then, so you aren't expecting it.
Coming home from WI last week, he helped himself to some wrapped cheese that was meant to be a gift for M's admin. Cheese, wax coating, plastic wrap...all gone. For some reason, we never get mad at him, tho. We just shrug and say, "that bad boy" and laugh about it. He is such the "baby" of the family.
Neither Hick or Holly ever get on the beds. They have been caught getting on the couch, even though they aren't supposed to. After surgery, it's VITAL that Hick not put too much pressure on his leg. I decided last time to put C's bed on the floor, but even with Hick's long legs, it still seemed high w/ both the box spring and mattress, so I ended up just leaving the mattress in the room.
I removed anything else that might be a temptation: trash can, laundry hamper, book and bookcase, stray toys, and just try to keep it very sparse.
When he comes home tomorrow, we won't get him any further than the family room, just past the kitchen. I'll washing all his bedding now, and will have it ready for him tomorrow. He'll zonk out there, and that way, it won't be too far for M to take him out, through the garage, when he needs to go outside. At bedtime, we'll put him in C's room, and will mostly keep him in there. It keeps him confined, but with the ability to move around.
Right now the waiting is terrible...
Coming home from WI last week, he helped himself to some wrapped cheese that was meant to be a gift for M's admin. Cheese, wax coating, plastic wrap...all gone. For some reason, we never get mad at him, tho. We just shrug and say, "that bad boy" and laugh about it. He is such the "baby" of the family.
Neither Hick or Holly ever get on the beds. They have been caught getting on the couch, even though they aren't supposed to. After surgery, it's VITAL that Hick not put too much pressure on his leg. I decided last time to put C's bed on the floor, but even with Hick's long legs, it still seemed high w/ both the box spring and mattress, so I ended up just leaving the mattress in the room.
I removed anything else that might be a temptation: trash can, laundry hamper, book and bookcase, stray toys, and just try to keep it very sparse.
When he comes home tomorrow, we won't get him any further than the family room, just past the kitchen. I'll washing all his bedding now, and will have it ready for him tomorrow. He'll zonk out there, and that way, it won't be too far for M to take him out, through the garage, when he needs to go outside. At bedtime, we'll put him in C's room, and will mostly keep him in there. It keeps him confined, but with the ability to move around.
Right now the waiting is terrible...
Operation Day
I took Hick in today about 7:30. M got pretty choked up saying his good-bye (he couldn't go with me) and C said good-bye before catching the bus about 6:45.
A woman came in w/ a dog that obviously had lots of problems. She said they were in for a check-up on the ankle surgery. I asked how much it was, and she said that it had been $2700 for both. She said, "then it'll be the knees and then the hips"...and once again, I was struck by the feeling that "it could always be worse!"
We got into a room, and the assistant, Pam, commented on the 8 pk of Leinenkugel beer I'd brought. We'd taken Dr. Dew some back at our 12 wk check-up for the first knee, after finding out that he is also from WI. Pam said that Dr. Dew had gone up to WI for Xmas this year, and I said, "I guess he won't need these then" and she said, "don't worry, he'll take them!"
Dr. Dew came in and noticed the beer right away. He said he had some, I'd gotten the 1888 Bock, a seasonal, limited edition beer, and liked it. I said that I couldn't remember what we'd gotten before, but that I knew he didn't like the "fruity" ones (like you can get here in AR now), and he said, "I appreciate you remembering that".
We went over Hick's stuff...but since we just lived through it only a few months ago, there really was nothing new. Hick was put on an antibiotic for a skin (staph) infection on Fri., so I'd taken the prescription along. Dr. Dew said that they'd give him it in the IV.
Both he and Pam made sure that we were giving him the Glyco-flex, and I just ordered more yesterday from http://www.entirelypets.com/cagl.html
Dr. Dew got my signatures and left...with the beer!...and then Pam came back to get the $$. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten the information about the Care Credit account M opened on Fri. (6 months/same as cash financing) I said I could stop by on my way back to work, but she said that I could call the office (in Russellville).
Hick knew something was up. Normally he'll go anywhere with anyone, never looks back, never hesitates...not like Holly who has such separation anxiety and digs in like a tick, but today it was Hick who hesitated and didn't want to leave "momma". Pam told me that I could come back with her. She got a weight on him (somewhere between 100 and 101), and then put him in a big kennel.
I gave him a kiss and told him that I'd see him tomorrow and then left.
I ran back over the river so I could get showered and eat a hurried breakfast, before going back over the river to work...to pay for Hick!
It's nearly 5 p.m., and I imagine we'll hear something soon from Dr. Dew....I'll feel better after that...
A woman came in w/ a dog that obviously had lots of problems. She said they were in for a check-up on the ankle surgery. I asked how much it was, and she said that it had been $2700 for both. She said, "then it'll be the knees and then the hips"...and once again, I was struck by the feeling that "it could always be worse!"
We got into a room, and the assistant, Pam, commented on the 8 pk of Leinenkugel beer I'd brought. We'd taken Dr. Dew some back at our 12 wk check-up for the first knee, after finding out that he is also from WI. Pam said that Dr. Dew had gone up to WI for Xmas this year, and I said, "I guess he won't need these then" and she said, "don't worry, he'll take them!"
Dr. Dew came in and noticed the beer right away. He said he had some, I'd gotten the 1888 Bock, a seasonal, limited edition beer, and liked it. I said that I couldn't remember what we'd gotten before, but that I knew he didn't like the "fruity" ones (like you can get here in AR now), and he said, "I appreciate you remembering that".
We went over Hick's stuff...but since we just lived through it only a few months ago, there really was nothing new. Hick was put on an antibiotic for a skin (staph) infection on Fri., so I'd taken the prescription along. Dr. Dew said that they'd give him it in the IV.
Both he and Pam made sure that we were giving him the Glyco-flex, and I just ordered more yesterday from http://www.entirelypets.com/cagl.html
Dr. Dew got my signatures and left...with the beer!...and then Pam came back to get the $$. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten the information about the Care Credit account M opened on Fri. (6 months/same as cash financing) I said I could stop by on my way back to work, but she said that I could call the office (in Russellville).
Hick knew something was up. Normally he'll go anywhere with anyone, never looks back, never hesitates...not like Holly who has such separation anxiety and digs in like a tick, but today it was Hick who hesitated and didn't want to leave "momma". Pam told me that I could come back with her. She got a weight on him (somewhere between 100 and 101), and then put him in a big kennel.
I gave him a kiss and told him that I'd see him tomorrow and then left.
I ran back over the river so I could get showered and eat a hurried breakfast, before going back over the river to work...to pay for Hick!
It's nearly 5 p.m., and I imagine we'll hear something soon from Dr. Dew....I'll feel better after that...
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