Archive for ‘March, 2013’

Still a lot of lyin’ around going on

Day 3 post op – I am so happy to get beyond the first 48 hours. It is always hard to see a beloved pet not quite themselves.

Bear is still resting plenty but some of the initial bruising and swelling is much better and he seems more comfortable.

Getting the ice treatment after a walk. Walks have been going well. Bear uses the leg lightly which is what is wanted at this point.

Bear wanted to go under the dining room table this afternoon. I finally figured out that he wanted a cool corner like he has in the living room so I moved the table and the corner of the kitchen is a new spot. I tried putting a cushioned mat down, but he moved it. He’s happy so I let him be.

Later, though, back to the foam bed and some watching of his territory.

Bob has been very companionable and sometimes just walks up to Bear, touches noses and kind of looks like he’s asking how things are going.

I’m tired but did a better job this round of clearing my work schedule a bit. That has helped me relax and I guess since I don’t HAVE to get as much work done as usual, I’m getting close to normal. Go figure :) !

A low key kind of day

Although, it was a little gray, the ground was bare and the air was fresh when we arrived home this morning at 8:15. As we walked around the house, I was grateful for the dry ground – a LOT easier than the slushy ground last post-op.

BUT…a surprising one inch of snow fell mid-morning. It made everyone, including me, sleepy. I DID manage to grab a 10 minute cat nap on Bear’s bed as he was on his pads in the corner.

Even just over 24 hours post-op, Beardog on duty!

But mostly it was a low key kind of day. Bear did not seem uncomfortable at all except for figuring out how to deal with the bandage weight and stiffness. We’ll take that off tomorrow and I think he will feel more confident. He is already toe touching. It is just getting up and down that is awkward with the wrap.

I’m having my post-op fade. It will be an early night for all of us.

Bear is home

Bear is home. He reportedly slept well, kissed all who helped and checked on him, but would not go outside…walked to the door and then stopped.

Strange place, not the right person ???

He was happy to see me and sat up right away. When he saw the Gingerlead, he moved his front feet so I could put it under him. He wasted no time getting out of there but gave kisses to the tech when she bent down for a good bye.

Bear settled in the Jeep after a quick walk to a grassy area and home we came.

At home, Bear wanted to check the premises so we had a walk around the house before coming inside. Two short walks, a ride in the Jeep, a bit of cleanup to get rid of that clinic smell and Bear started fading.

Naptime.

Bear’s surgery went well!

Dr. Clark phoned at 11:45 to let me know that Bear was out of surgery, resting comfortably and all went very well.

A friend is helping me with the transfer to the ER for the overnight – we’ll do that later this afternoon. Bear and I stopped at the ER clinic on Saturday and spoke to the ER staff that will be the same staff tonight and they explained all they do and welcomed me to phone at any time during the night if I wanted to. I intend to sleep as I am very confident in their care and I will be at my best if I’m rested!

We left the house this morning at 7:45 and saw a beautiful sunrise…actually, the morning version of alpenglo as these clouds are to the West -turned pink by the rising sun.

Although the Wild Fowl area and path to the lake is closed until mid-July, we parked at the gate and walked back toward the highway. It is a good half mile of farm road with good things to sniff between the road and the pasture fences. All business was accomplished, fresh air and excercise taken and on we went.

I gave Bear hugs in the car, took him in silently and handed over his leash to the tech who he followed with wagging tail into the clinic – a low key parting with no tears (me) and no anxiety (either of us)!

***EDIT 8:04 p.m. Transfer to the ER went well. After retrieving my Jeep, I returned to the ER with a blanket for Bear. He was sleeping and comfortable. They told me – both clinics – what a sweetheart he is – that’s my boy! They moved another dog who was being annoying to Bear. I feel very good that all will be well. My neighbor is riding with me early in the morning to get Bear and allow me to ride in back with Bear on the way home. We should be home by 8:30 MDT!

Beardog recuperative suite Version 2.0

Bear’s second TPLO surgery is Monday, 3/11/2013.

All is ready here at Chez Beardog.

I did make a bit of a change in the recuperative suite.

The “mattress” from last round was rather tall and made me a bit anxious so for this round, I procured a foam mattress topper with a mere 3 inches of height.

The topper is the same brand I have on my own sleeping system and after the foam expanded, I laid down upon it and was VERY impressed with how comfy just the foam on the floor was. I hoped that Bear felt the same.

Ok.

Lookin’ good!

Huh???

Oh, dear!

???

Whatever.

***Srlsy…WE are in good shape for surgery v2.0. A little different this round as our new vet, Dr. Clark, is the surgeon and his anesthetic/pain protocol is different than the first TPLO. Bear will have a spinal epidural vs morphine. I am in agreement with Dr. Clark for this protocol although it means that Bear stays overnight…but since Dr. C’s clinic is not staffed overnight, I will transport Bear to the local ER for the overnight. I have met with the ER staff at the overnight clinic. Dr. C has done this handoff previously, i.e. all is set for the transition. I am very happy with how all is to be handled. I hope to be able to post surgery outcome late afternoon of 3/11 and have Bear home with Bob and me by very early (8:00 a.m. or sooner) 3/12.

A little bit of everything

We continue with our pattern of sun, snow squall, gray, sun and repeat…sometimes all at the same time.

Photo taken 3/7 early evening – looking East – just as a snowish squall ended and the setting sun hit the tree tops with blue sky above and gray clouds over the mountains of the divide.