surgery today
Thanks for letting me ranble on  |
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| Thinking of you today Guinness as you begin your journey to a more
pain-free life. You've got a great mama to help you through this. Hugs to you both  |
6Girls wrote: Thinking of you today Guinness as you begin your journey to a more
pain-free life. You've got a great mama to help you through this. Hugs to you both Ditto! |
| Wishing Guinness all the best !!!!! Sure know how scary it is, but I never had a problem with my kids getting good care. Sheepies just have that way of charming vet techs! Good luck, will be thinking of you !!! |
| Wishing your sweet Guiness will be home very soon!!! I will be thinking of you today...PLEASE keep us posted!!!!! |
| Hope all goes well for Guiness and you are not too worried.
Hugs to you both. |
Breath deeply.
gin and tonic before bed  |
| Good luck Guinness! Get well soon! |
| Good luck! |
| Cindy,
Best wishes to Guinness and you on this big day! |
He is done  procedure went well...I can call back tonight to check on him (maybe every two hours  ) he may come home as soon as tomorrow if not the next day I am off to lunch and a big ol' GIN and TONIC thanks everyone for the good thoughts they really helped  |
YIPPEE!!!
Glad the wait is over.  Enjoy your lunch. |
| Great News
Have some lunch with that gin and tonic |
| What excellent news!!
Big grins here for you both. PLEASE keep us posted on his recovery. |
| Great News
Wishing Guiness a speedy recovery |
4dognight wrote: He is done
procedure went well...I can call back tonight to check on him (maybe every two hours ) he may come home as soon as tomorrow if not the next day I am off to lunch and a big ol' GIN and TONIC thanks everyone for the good thoughts they really helped RELIEF!!!!!!!! 
Have a big G & T for me too. Hugs to the boy. Now let the fun begin. (Rehab - halfway to better, kiddo) Kristine  |
|
I am so glad it went well for Guinness. He is such a sweet boy and will probably be a very good patient for you Cindy. Hugs from your Therapy buddies in St. Louis. |
| Great news!!!
Good luck with his recovery.  |
| So glad he's ok!! Keep us updated on how he recovers |
   ..Give Guinness a big sheepie kiss from Heart!!!!!
Enjoy your G&T....you deserve it~~~~~~ .... |
| Cindy that is wonderful...what a trooper you both are!!!!
Hugs to you both! |
| Wishing Guinness (& you!) a speedy recovery!! |
Fantastic news!! Guinness will be better than ever now - woohoo!!  |
| I can pick him up at 2 It is about an hour and 40 min drive |
Anyone that has had a dog with a THR done bring on any advice or hints to keep him happy in a crate for a month  Only out to potty!! How do I keep my spronging loves to fetch sheepdog quiet when I take him out on a leash!! We will be in the basement which is a walk out (but in renovation stage) without my other crazy guys. Any help is appreciated and I will not get my feelings hurt H E L P !!!! |
I'm really glad the surgery went well. But, as for how to keep him happy in a crate for a MONTH???  Oh my! I have no ideas. I run out of options keeping the wigglebums happy in the house for a rainy weekend. 
GOOD LUCK!! (Sincerely!!) |
4dognight wrote: I can pick him up at 2 It is about an hour and 40 min drive
great news!!!! |
4dognight wrote: Any help is appreciated and I will not get my feelings hurt
H E L P !!!!Well, that's good because evidently hurting people's feelings with my endless advice is my forte!!
Seriously, he's probably not going to be feeling wonderful right away so that's going to be in your favor. You keep him medicated just enough that he's not in outright pain, but not so much that he feels wonderful and doesn't realize that doing backflips and spins HURT. I know sheepdogs are not known for their sense of self-preservation (oh, boy!), but you should have at least a 24-48 hour window of opportunity to get a handle on how to best handle him, and you'll be playing it by ear every day because he'll be getting a little bit stronger every day. A lot of it will be household management. Trying to avoid major excitement in your other dogs (THAT'S the challenge!) Mad reduced me to tears many times not because of what she did when directly managed by me, but what she'd try to do if the other dogs got on a barking/playing spree. And she was paralyzed in the beginning and still gave me cardiac arrest on a daily basis. Breathe deeply and remember they are more resilient than we think they are. You'll be apologizing to your other dogs a lot, but they really need to get their energy burts out away from Guinness or that will set him off. And so much of your emotional and physical energy will be focused on him that they'll most likely be a bit out of sorts and prone to excessive obnoxiousness. Unless your husband diverts their energies and attention, perhaps? Other than that, it's lots and lots of mental games. Maybe get a clicker. Amazing what kind of games you can come up with when dog is in a down Try the peanut shell game with three dixie cups. Trying to think what other ridiculous things I came up with. I know she got very frustrated so I'd give her things she was allowed to shred like old egg cartons and small cardboard boxes and what not. Safe big bones are a god send.
Fortunately even things like ROM exercises (now, aren't you glad you're a nurse?!) and massage drains some of the energy off of them. And you! I didn't find it at all hard to do these things because in the beginning I couldn't keep my hands off of her so might as well have them do useful things. Because I had to be much more hands on with her and turn her so she wouldn't get bed sores and so on I found an abbreviated ex-pen was easier for me. Then again, she wasn't really ambulatory and there is no way she was going to jump out. Not so sure that would work with him. We won't mention the dropping the mattress on the floor and setting an ex-pen up around the bed so I didn't have to sleep in the ex-pen with her (this too shall pass ) You will amaze yourself at your ingenuity. I actually kept a log of what I did and the progress day to day (and some times it devolved into diary style writing more for my own therapy than hers). That came in very handy when working with her physical therapist. Well, not the "my husband is driving me crazy and I want to run away from home with my dog" statements (or whatever ) but the rest.
Heck - make a thread just for him that only you write in to detail his day to day progress. That way we can all follow his progress and see how you're doing as well if you feel up to it. Some day your experiences could prove invaluable to someone else going through the same thing. I wish I had had something like this with Mad. I quit all classes and it was six months of just work and rehab and it was very lonely at times. I stopped even answering my phone because although I knew friends meant well they had no concept of what I was going through and it zapped energy I didn't have to spare. Then again, my nature is to write anyway. Some people prefer phones. It actually gets harder the closer he gets to being totally rehabbed because by then he'll really feel good and that's kind of the dangerous time in terms of injuries because your guard is down too. But that is weeks away and that's a GOOD problem to have
You will feel so much better once he's HOME. Keep us posted.
Kristine |
| as usual Kristine - very thorough and informative. and I am sure Cindy doesn't feel at all defensive |
kerry wrote: as usual Kristine - very thorough and informative. and I am sure Cindy doesn't feel at all defensive
Let it go, hon. We all have different reactions to stress
Actually, I was thinking between you and Dawn you could come up with some really neat low impact games to play. Imagine the rock solid down stay he'll have. And she can teach him exciting things like how to twitch his ear on command, how to tilt his head pleadingly on command, fun things that he can use to wow people with later.
Something really good in addition to him feeling so much better can come out of this. I was just remembering his bucking display as a baby in the rescue parade at the 06 national - he had everybody in stitches - and I DO understand her trepidation at being able to keep him still!!
Kristine |
| Now that you mention it... It might be a good time to train him at a target? Marley likes to lay down when we do our target training (we are just beginning) and she stays quite still.
how about some of those puzzles they sell? I was just thinking this morning I need to splurge and get Morgan one or two. (I can't figure out anymore hiding places for his morning Kong - Today I resorted to putting it under an overturned dish, under a blanket and in the time it took me to hold the door for Marley I turned around and he had the dish in his teeth and was dropping it on the blanket!) http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1721&ParentCat=77 Of course you can also work on his song repetoire
And Kristine - I have no idea what you are talking about |
kerry wrote: how about some of those puzzles they sell? I was just thinking this morning I need to splurge and get Morgan one or two.
That reminds me, Sybil just loved the soft puzzle toy Morgan gave her. I've never seen a toy last that long. She hid it under my pillow at night for weeks until one morning it was toast. May have coincided with the night I threw myself off the bed and into whatever bitch fight resident foster got herself into. Or maybe it was just the two of them playing tug of war with the toy??? (Don't read this, Guinness!!!  )
Cindy - is Guinness into toys? KB |
| When Sam has his TPLO we put his crate in the diningroom, moved out the table and chairs and placed plywood across the two entries to the room. It was a giant dog playpen. Initially his was crate bound but gradually earned time outside the crate. He could see us in the kitchen over the top of the plywood and from time to time I'd come into the area and sit with him, reading to him, petting, brushing, etc. Thank heavens for RMBs!
The other dogs were kept quiet in the house, shooing them out when there was trouble brewing helped Sam remain calm. Potty time we had to support his entire rear down the 4 steps and initially for his walk across the lawn. In short order he could put a bit on weight on his rear and gradually increased. Actually I found that the most enjoyable part of his recoup.....he so loved being outside, being able to bark (but not run) that we'd flop down on the lawn and watch cars go by. He was a very good patient! Yeah, the diningroom walls needed repairing and painting afterward, the plywood rubbed against the wall, but that's no big deal. The rug is still there, maybe a bit more worn for the effort if that's possible. I hope time goes by well for you and Guiness. |
| Yeah Beowulf destroyed his finally too- Morgan still has all three of his intact and one is well over two years old (where is the angel icon when you need it?). The new puzzles I am talking about allows you to hide a food treat (or more) in any number of hidden compartments and they have to figure out how to get the treat (reminds me aof a BIG parrot toy). It might cut down on Morgan's after dinner whining (and it isn't becasue he is hungry - he just wants more to hide in the yard in case of a snack attack!!)
As long as Guiness has a food drive he should like these puzzles. I just think they are pricey. |
| Lots of good ideas already. And I'll second the "almost anything you do with them helps" ideas of Kristine's.
I had dog who was paralysed in the back legs for 3 weeks after a spinal injured and while we waited to see how things progressed I spent hours brushing and massaging him. It helps to keep their circulation going and reduces risk of pressure sores and also stops the muscles tightening up while they're out of action. He loved visitors coming and just sitting with him and patting/talking. If you can adapt favorite games to the down position that works well. My boy only like "fetch" so I'd sit on the floor about 2 feet from him and throw the ball and he'd catch it and then spit it out at my feet for me to throw again. I would NEVER have believed that a dog could enjoy doing that forever. But he'd keep it up for as long as I could bear to sit there and throw it. I maxed out at 25 minutes. It gets a tad boring for humans.
Good luck but I bet you find he'll be quite happy at first with just your time and attention and the time bit can be the hard part. |
| Cindy - what brand of prosthetic did Guinness have put in?? |
| I don't know the brand name but it is the newer one that screws in It can only be used if the dog has large enough bones (yeah like his big ol a** dosen't have big enough bones_ small scar Right leg and hip shaved like a deranged poodle.
All advice really appreciated We moved from the basement to the main level The steps were killing me (guinness went out to do his thing on the walkout door) I have a ramp for the high step to the front door A mattress on the floor and him hooked to my wrist is how we will sleep tonight He whined in his crate on and off He cannot stretch out in it. He is sleeping next to me on a large ortho bed. He likes toys But runs with them. He was able to walk out the door on his R leg Much less pain post op with this new hip replacement prosthetic. I bought him some raw bones to chew and have stuffed some kongs and froze. I have rubbed his bare butt and stroked his fuzzy brow. I have had many friends help and offer to help AND I have the support of this wonderful forum I think that has helped the most. I believe he will get more antsy as he feels better Thanks |
| Best of luck to the both of you |
4dognight wrote: I have rubbed his bare butt and stroked his fuzzy brow. I know the surgery's not funny but oh you made me laugh with this comment. I believe he will get more antsy as he feels better I reckon your right!!!! |
4dognight wrote: We moved from the basement to the main level The steps were killing me (guinness went out to do his thing on the walkout door)
He PEED on the door????
I had a feeling you'd feel compelled to sleep next to each other
Forgot to mention: you may want to consider shaving him. I did with Mad. Well, by the time they had shaved her here and there for IVs and MRI and what not she looked like a - yeah, deranged poodle about covers it Plus it's hard to bathe them for a while. And, in her case, she was doing the underwater treadmill thing within days and it was December and a two hour drive home with a wet dog and...
Life was just easier bald. I shaved her laying down and she was fine with that. We can always rouse Mandy and dispatch her if you decide to go that route and need help
If you leave hair on him...do you have a rinseless shampoo? That can help a lot. Especially with him sleeping that close...and relieving himself on doors apparently...
Sounds really good so far. Good to hear from you. Was thinking about you all day but figured you were busy holding his paw. Kristine |
| Kristine
He walked out the door which is a walkout to the basement I WAS tired (well I still am) he peed outside. I had him cut down to about 1/2 inch or so When I walked him last night he was more concerned with the rain hitting the one half of his naked butt. Mim I am glad I made you laugh That is OK You have to see the humor. I am just too old to do this sleeping on the floor I feel like hecky durn this morning. I am way past coffee and I went to get a bowl of cereal and the milk was sour so I had coffee and dry cereal Too tired to put it back in the box. At least the sun is shining. I do so appreciate all the support here Kristine , one more thing, if I put my crazy molly on a plane to you will you keep her for three months She misses her momma and is crazy as can be. She is snugged up next to my feet as I type and guinness is in a crate I have one in the den , one in the living room (travel type ) and I think I will put one in the family room. Sure wish I could make sheepie palooza I really need it after this...........................till later |
4dognight wrote: Kristine , one more thing, if I put my crazy molly on a plane to you will you keep her for three months
She misses her momma and is crazy as can be. She is snugged up next to my feet as I type and guinness is in a crate I have one in the den , one in the living room (travel type ) and I think I will put one in the family room. Sure wish I could make sheepie palooza I really need it after this...........................till laterSweetheart, if you put your crazy Molly on a plane to me I will gladly keep her for three months, but understand that Daffy Daphne foster child will be on the return flight back to YOU and, well, I think Molly may be a better bet but if you miracle of miracles make it to 'looza  we can have a run-off between the two in the crazy department .
I'm really sorry about the sour milk, but at least you stayed on track and didn't pour your coffee on your cereal! Shortly after I brought Mad home I lost my TV remote control for three days when I dutifully put it "back" in the "butter" compartment in the fridge. And then there was the time I put my cell phone in the freezer This too shall pass...
So happy to hear neither of you peed on the door. 
Kristine |
| So happy to hear neither of you peed on the door
not yet anyway Molly chewed off the wiskers on my last very large GSD foster She is trying to chew them off my shepherd Bailey is not amused. BUT maybe I will just keep molly... I don't think I will make sheepie palooza. molly is crazy crazy but we love her.
I am going to try and sleep on the sofa tonight and leave guinness in the crate. I still have no milk We will see who lasts the longest. I think I may just have wine for dinner maybe some popcorn everyone have a good evening and thanks for listening well reading |
4dognight wrote: I am going to try and sleep on the sofa tonight and leave guinness in the crate. I still have no milk We will see who lasts the longest. I think I may just have wine for dinner maybe some popcorn
Atta, girl! Keep up with the good nutrition <snicker> Last weekend was one of "those" weekends for me. I had Thursday off. OES friend flew in from Maryland. The little girls and I (she co-owns daddy) picked her up and spent most of the day with her. Next day, Sybil's first rally trial. She gets her first novice leg with a 98 (translation: she remembered her own name). Saturday morning, back to rally trial. Much more crowded today. Not only does she not know her own name, she kisses the judge (it went downhill from there ) NQ.
Race off to herding lesson after trial. Herding instructor has an evil sense of humor and sets us up with six goats. Two of them have horns!!! Not good.
Sunday morning. Race off to agility trial. Work first class, run next class. Haven't really run this class before - it's new since I last had a dog to run so I read the rules like crazy the night before (also how I got through undergrad AND grad school) It still works!! We ace the first class and she places and gets her first Novice FAST leg. Yippee! Next class, once again due to some internal blip only Sybil hears, she takes her sweet time stretching at the startline then when we finally proceed, takes two jump and has to thank ALL of the volunteers AND the judge AND the photographer personally for making this all possible. Handler leaves course in embarrassment. 
Work another class. Check on car. One of the tires is almost flat!!! 80 miles or so away from home in a different state, can't really drive that far on spare. Don't want to not run the last class but have to get this solved before we get stranded. It's late Sunday afternoon of course. Not a lot of places open. Call good friend in Wisconsin who magically manages to find a Sears Automotive two blocks away that closes in 90 minutes. Walk the course for the last class, sweat it out waiting for our turn, get in the ring and inform Sybil that if she visits anyone I'm tieing her to the bumper for the return trip. She laughs at me and points out that by her calculations I can't go more than five miles an hour, but does a decent run.
Grab Sybil and run off the course, throw her in the van and limp over to Sears where they fix the tire and refuse to charge me (!!!!!!!) It's still been four days of ups and downs and all arounds. Call good friend back to thank her profusely for her help and inform her that if I had anything alchoholic at home I'd happily partake in a liquid dinner, though I suspect I won't get home in time to pick up anything. She offers to DRIVE something over for me. And, finally, I get to the point of the story: THAT's friendship!!!
So I guess the bottomline is that in lieu of flowers and cards for Guinness we should all send you bottles of wine so you have something to go with your popcorn and cereal
Get some sleep, kiddo. And good work refraining from peeing on doors! Proud of you And Molly the GSD whisker chewer....
[I don't want to worry you, but don't you think that hobby is a bit ODD????? ]
Yours in alcohol (if I had any on hand), Kristine |
| i know when derby had his double acl surgery i ended up putting my bed on the floor and built some ramps // hang in there time will go fast |
| I'm so glad it went well!!!!! Here's to a good recovery period!!
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| THANK YOU all for your warm thoughts and suggestions. I need a little help Guinness must feel better and when I take him out of the crate (Which I think he is sad in) he sprongs and I have a heck of a time holding on to him to take him out to pee. He had been doing a "wait"for me but he is so "crate bound"? That his whole body wiggles and he wants to spring/sprong up in the air. I have ace but hate to use it I think this is just gonna get worse. Any help would be appreciated |
| Wow Cindy - sounds like the big guy feels better. I have no experience with keeping any of them quiet successfully without meds. can't help there. Can you try a partial dose of ACE? We use half a dose on the Irish when he is going in the car or a bad t storm is expected and it really helps him feel better. |
| ACP was the only thing that worked with Tiggy and after 2 days a consult with our vet lead to a doubling of the dose. It didnt stop her just slowed her down
Some vets recommend gradually lowering their pain meds too. But its a tricky balance to keep them comfortable but in enough discomfort to remind them to be careful. You be careful Guiness no spronging yet.
Good luck!!!!! |
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