AL - Recording baby steps: Newest Addition

[ohiofarmgirl]

wow. the short version is that my vets know how to restrain me when they take my animals back out of my sight. they had to learn the hard way after a "what are you doing to my cat" episode. i'm not even kidding.

baby i'm so sorry. but. i'm glad you got him home.

ps lemme know if you want me to meet that gal in the parking lot. dang.

 

[pinkfox]

im glad you kept your cool, i know i wouldnt have thats for sure...
the only one alowed to call my dog names, or 'yell" at it is ME...

you cant handle an excited dog...you shouldnt be working with dogs plain and simple.

 

[AL]

His kennel is one of the wire ones... a 48 inch one. But he has already (in the past) buckled the door when he decided he wanted out. . He won't leave my side so it's easy when I am home. I am trying to convince my dad to tether him in their bedroom and he will be fine, he just won't stay voluntarily and he won't stay inside alone (at least not being still). If they don't do that then I will just have to close him up in my room at home in his kennel, maybe block that section of the room off and hope for the best. :/
He generally doesn't go out much... couple times a day. The issue is that when I am not home he stays outside, so he is used to spending the day in the shade by my gate or under my steps. He would explode before going potty in the house, so they said take him out at least 4 times a day so he can use his leg some.
The sling I am getting my vet's personal sling from their dog they had, so I can use it as long as I need it for free. They are so awesome.

Well, the surgeon told me on the phone he thought he needed to send home sedatives. I told him I thought it was a good idea because they had seen in person how excitable Rio is and how once he is going he totally forgets the pain. I don't know if the vet was just throwing it out there because we were talking about Rio's activity level or what. I'll just get some from my vet, it'll be cheaper anyway (surgery clinic charged me $21 for administering pain meds (3 pills) that I provided!

I told my vet when I was talking to her that I could never express to them how much I appreciate the way they take care of my animals and work with me. I guess I am completely spoiled by them because I don't get mad easily but I was ready to take somebody out behind the woodshed today!

hehe if I have another run-in with her OFG you'll be the first one I call! Well, maybe after my vet because she was pretty irate. I adore my vets - all 3 of them. Their staff is amazing and kind. There is one tech that thinks Rio is a Westminster champion and Rin Tin Tin all rolled up into one - she adores him and fusses over him like he was her own.

Poor Rio is sleeping still... I imagine he spent the night alternating between freaked out and drugged up on pain meds. He has cried a few times but I think he is hungry - evidently they don't feed them or give them water (on IV fluids) in case they have to go back in surgery. I just feed him a little at a time because the last thing I need is for him to bloat now!!



ETA - I agree, PF. I call him an "idiot" all the time (that sounds so mean typing it!), but I love him to death. He IS crazy because he loves everybody. Each person he meets he assures them they are his new BFF and THE coolest person EVER. He does listen, and he does mind but not a stranger when he has been hurt while being away from me for 24hrs, know what I mean? My vet agreed... she said only family can call him crazy and this chick isn't family lol

 

[AL]

ok... I know there is going to be some pretty good swelling and bruising - the poor dog basically had his leg broken. But his leg is HUGE.
I have done the massage / range of motion / cold packs as directed. He is on anti-inflammatory (won't have another til 9pm) and Tramadol. I think I am more miserable than he is because he is breaking my heart! (the white bandage is his lidocaine patch, it is to fall off on its own. He has had some bleeding because it was white when I picked him up this morning)

ETA his paw isn't swollen, just looks like it

 

[savingdogs]

That actually looks great to me. Really good, not too much bruising. Isn't it strange how small their leg is under the hair?

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

oh golly. but i'm kinda with SD - not that i'm an expert and heck i was the one who totally freaked out over the whole Nicholas Tail incident.

he's probably going to heal really fast - especially with you giving him all the good lovin's. give him some hugs from his Auntie OFG. we sped Nicholas's healing with the Therapy of a Thousand Kisses per day. it totally worked.


ps you need a hug to - it hurts us when they hurt, i know it.

 

[Javamama]

Sending Rio a big get well soon wish Hang in there Al

 

[AL]

Ok, thanks... It just seemed really swollen , more than what I was expecting! He is good today - a little swelling but no bleeding and a lot of bruising is gone. He is so bad though - seriously can't handle being indoors without me. I gave him some Ace last night so I could leave him with my folks and go to a baby shower at work . He definitely had the dopey look down, with his eyes drooping like a hound dog and his right ear sticking straight out to the side (as much as a floppy ear can stick straight out). Funny stuff.


I left him again today, without drugs, and they said he did a little better. Hopefully he will adjust to me leaving since we have 40 more days (yes I'm counting )


My sister's friend had weight loss surgery back in April... today she brought me 7 bags of clothes! WOW, I usually wear the same few shirts to work every week, I am really excited! Most of them will still be a little too small, but I am working out and losing pretty regularly. Today I did a 30 minute session with the personal trainer at work - she kicked my butt, but I did it. I'm sore already , but I did it lol

My nephew's are planning to come over in the next week or two and mow / till the garden lot for me. The horses have pretty much cleared it out. No other news... huge rainstorm today so it is really muggy but not too hot.

 

[savingdogs]

So you have 40 days to get Rio settled, that should be long enough. He'll be walking good by then. Then later you and Rio will be able to talk about your surgeries together.

I think it looks really good in the picture, except the bloody bandage, but I'm disregarding that. At least it looks like the vet did a good job, except in training his dismissal tech.

I remember one time that I was working at a vet clinic and I told the client that her dog was "real nervous" because she was complaining it was taking too long for just a nail trim.

I went back and the vet asked me to repeat what I said. She listened and then told me, "No dog here is EVER anything but GREAT in front of the client, do you HEAR me?"

 

[Denim Deb]

If that was my dog, I'd WANT to be told the truth, not something to keep me happy. But, I'd also expect them to listen to me about whatever I had to say about my dog.