Post by: Sammconn on July 21, 2015, 11:33:10 PM
Proving to me my redneck ways have passed to some extent, we opted for surgery to fix it, not the 8 cent solution my old self would have chosen.
It's funny how we truly love our best friends.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Cabin/dogs/45EB036C-4FF3-4DFC-8949-DECB0A9EB76F.jpg) (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/sammconn/media/Cabin/dogs/45EB036C-4FF3-4DFC-8949-DECB0A9EB76F.jpg.html)
She is not a happy camper, and is looking at an eight week recovery and then rehab.
Needless to say I'm praying for this to work out for us/her and she can continue her life with us for many years to come.
Post by: Dawg25385 on July 22, 2015, 01:05:43 AM
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Post by: TexasRedNeck on July 22, 2015, 07:15:17 AM
Post by: cudakidd53 on July 22, 2015, 07:30:00 AM
Post by: EL TATE on July 22, 2015, 11:05:21 AM
Post by: Wilbur on July 22, 2015, 11:28:50 AM
Post by: Flyin6 on July 22, 2015, 01:00:09 PM
Hope the doggie heals quickly
Can you get it addicted to liquor in the meantime to ease the pain?
(not a real suggestion!)
Post by: Sammconn on July 22, 2015, 04:08:03 PM
Yes she will be on a short leash for the next few weeks for sure.
Then hope to get her back in the water. But not too soon.
For the above mentioned reason that we don't need the other one gone too.
She'll be good mama is off for the summer, school secretary, so all should go well.
Yes she likes beer, but not a good idea. Lol.
Post by: Nate on July 22, 2015, 05:04:26 PM
Post by: TexasRedNeck on July 22, 2015, 08:59:39 PM
Or was that woman....
Just kidding folks, please no hate mail....
I can see it now. NOW bombards the site and shuts it down over that statement.
Post by: Sammconn on July 23, 2015, 12:09:54 PM
Ruptured ACL. Referral to one of the best (supposedly/apparently) surgeons.
He did a TPOL or some sort of acronym like that.
Cut the joint and rotate it 6.5 degrees. Steel plate to reconnect. Fixed up the ACL and the partially damaged MCL. Put all the pieces back together and stapled it shut.
The rotation of the joint is to free up the knee with all the repair work done. It will allow full motion of the leg and foot once healed they say, or something to that effect.
She is basically confined to her kennel, or cuddled up with one of us to rest and heal.
I now have ramps at both the house and cabin so she doesn't have to deal with stairs.
The physical therapy has already started, just range of motion without a lot of stretch for now.
She knows that it's fixed now, but I am sure it is sore, and she is still not using it. To me that is a good thing. I'm glad she's not a male, as the towel under the belly to keep the weight off would be in the way of a male taking a pee.
We're in good spirits, so is Chaka, but summer is going to be a whole lot slower than we would all like. I was supposed to be going to our military shooting competition in September, and as of right now that is all on hold. I'm afraid it may be too much for mama, but it is still early and time will tell.
Post by: Sammconn on August 14, 2015, 04:08:35 PM
Dr's orders were to let he 'swim', more wade in the water, but what's a dog do after a swim?
LICK, and lick, and lick. well she opened up a couple 1/2 inch or so spots.
So its back in the head cone for a few days again, a little shave by the open spots, and steri-strips to hold it shut again.
This was a couple days ago now, and as of last night, they were sealed up again, and looking good.
Just hard to keep a pup down for so long! Especially when so young and active.
Post by: Nate on August 14, 2015, 06:31:48 PM
Post by: cudakidd53 on August 14, 2015, 06:41:04 PM
Post by: Sammconn on August 14, 2015, 07:31:49 PM
Open may be the wrong term, but the incision unzipped a bit.
It's not a bad thing for sure.
Just want it all healed up and back to normal for all of our sakes.
When she blew it out, she knew immediately something was wrong, and still is taking it easy, so it's good. Funny how they know they're hurt, but she did, and hopefully we make the next couple months and then we're golden.
Post by: EL TATE on August 18, 2015, 01:10:58 PM
Post by: Sammconn on August 25, 2015, 08:38:45 PM
Chaka is doing very well.
We've managed to keep her weight in check this far.
She's definitely feeling better, wanting to run jump all the good healthy dog stuff again.
It's still too early for all that, and we're still on a leash, and she hates it.
Good news is she can swim, and thankfully that does almost enough for her.
The incision is all healed up now so she's as good to go as can be for the time being.
Still another couple months to go though.
We've got X-rays coming up in three weeks that will tell the tale on how we've done.
Hoping for the best.
Post by: TexasRedNeck on August 25, 2015, 08:49:38 PM
Post by: Flyin6 on August 25, 2015, 09:55:22 PM
That's a good thing
Post by: Sammconn on August 25, 2015, 10:37:16 PM
Mike you have a genuine love for your animalsYes I think Mike does too.
That's a good thing
I really do as well. Heck I'd have never guessed I would do this for a pet.
Well, they are part of our family, can't shoot 'em cause well they're family.
So here we are.
The million dollar hound. Oh well.
The love they show us, it's the least I could do for her.
Post by: Sammconn on October 14, 2015, 10:39:16 PM
We were out for he 8 week X-rays a week late, the vet said that was ok and it fit our schedule.
They were good, healing well, no complications.
Hooray for us, got through the worst of it ok.
As of a few days ago she was GTG by the vet. (12 week mark)
I'm still hesitant to let her go nuts. We've been watching her closely, slowly the strength has been returning to her leg. I'm not sold yet that she's 100%, but slowly she is losing the leash and being a dog again. The last couple days I've been seeing the wobble disappearing.
What a happy dog, running and jumping up and just plain happy again!
Post by: Dawg25385 on October 14, 2015, 11:44:21 PM
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Post by: TexasRedNeck on October 15, 2015, 07:45:50 AM
Maybe get her in the water for some low impact exercise before the water gets too cold?
Post by: Flyin6 on October 15, 2015, 09:04:35 AM
Post by: EL TATE on October 15, 2015, 11:14:19 AM
Post by: Nate on October 15, 2015, 11:47:16 AM
Post by: cudakidd53 on October 15, 2015, 01:58:28 PM
Post by: Sammconn on October 15, 2015, 05:30:34 PM
Great to hear!That is actually all she was able to do at first. She is always in wading and poking about in the water. Not quite so deep last weekend though, water temp down to 46 already. We try to get her even just to the beach everyday we can, and I guess it worked.
Maybe get her in the water for some low impact exercise before the water gets too cold?
Post by: Sammconn on October 15, 2015, 05:32:10 PM
now if you can stop trying to cut YOUR leg off, you both would be good..;DHa ha!
That's not in the plan to ever do again. Way to close for comfort there.
Not sure exactly how that lapse in motor skills happened but once was enough.
Post by: Sammconn on November 01, 2015, 09:25:10 PM
Chaka had the green light waiting after the last X-rays.
That would have been three weeks ago I believe.
We kept her slow up till about a week ago, then let her be a dog again.
She's over did it a couple times since, but is doing real good.
13 or 14 weeks on a leash was pure hell for her, and us for that matter.
But she's one healthy happy dog these days!
Thanks for all the support throughout this!
Post by: Dawg25385 on November 02, 2015, 11:26:37 AM
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Post by: TexasRedNeck on November 02, 2015, 07:40:04 PM
Good news.
Post by: Sammconn on February 21, 2017, 03:04:37 PM
When we returned from our cruise and picked the dogs up we let them out for their run like always.
Wouldn't you know it Chaka slipped on some ice and today the X-rays show she blew her other ACL.
So waiting to hear from the surgeon if I go home or back to the city...
We want it done sooner than later as at the end of March we are heading to Europe on a school trip on Canada and the wars, including Juno Beach, Vimy Ridge etc. We need as much of the hard times over for whoever ends up watching her now... I really don't want to miss this trip.
Ah, the love of our four legged friends.
Post by: KensAuto on February 21, 2017, 03:11:10 PM
Post by: Wilbur on February 21, 2017, 05:14:39 PM
Post by: EL TATE on February 21, 2017, 05:16:56 PM
Post by: TexasRedNeck on February 21, 2017, 06:14:07 PM
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Post by: Flyin6 on February 21, 2017, 07:46:32 PM
I hate it when these dogs of ours get injured or are in pain.
Post by: cudakidd53 on February 21, 2017, 08:46:12 PM
Post by: Sammconn on February 22, 2017, 11:07:59 AM
The good news of this injury is it is relatively painless for them.
She knows it's hurt, and is barely using it.
Bad news is surgery date is about a month away.
Now we need to decide whether to do it before the trip and I don't go.
Here lies the $5k question, if I can get my money back I don't go, otherwise I think we wait till I'm back...
But it's a total pain in the butt, she can't do stairs, never walked them one at a time like a 'normal' dog does, but runs them 2-3 at a time. So I need to build the ramps again.
Post by: cudakidd53 on February 22, 2017, 12:20:15 PM
Post by: Sammconn on February 22, 2017, 01:15:31 PM
Sam, is there another Vet that can do it sooner? Month is a long time for the pieces/parts to be curled up and shrinking from lack of use. What about shipping to the states? I know of a Vet who's husband is a UPS/FedEx pilot - want me to inquire about "shipping and surgery" package? The live north of Louisville, KY in Shawn's old state, IN. Let me know and I'll see what's possible.We have another option for March first. Just not sure, this one was the number two pick's study, and not sure what we want to do. I'll run it by 6, but I think we've relegated to the same surgeon as he did a bang up job on the other, and would hate for anything less this time.
In speaking with the vet, option one, and two, none were really concerned about the timeline. Yes, you bring good points, and those questions were asked for those reasons.
It is an extremely long recovery 13-14 weeks no nothin, and was likely a year before I would have said she was 100%.
Post by: Bigdave_185 on March 03, 2017, 09:22:54 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170304/b1d5c01a7e51b3f582062ede35fe7f73.jpg)
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Post by: Sammconn on March 03, 2017, 09:32:08 PM
Hope you have better luck than me...
Post by: Bigdave_185 on March 04, 2017, 02:41:21 PM
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Post by: Sammconn on March 04, 2017, 05:38:29 PM
Yeah, bones, knees etc. I will do.
The long term suffering ones, I couldn't do to my dog.
Post by: Sammconn on April 05, 2017, 08:42:57 AM
Praying for this one to go as good as the first.
Chaka was wound right up to see me yesterday and her happy self this morning.
She has been at the kennel for the last two weeks, and until I took her and Holly for a bit of a walk I wondered if it was bad. It appears he kennel took the zero exercise very well.
Will update more later in the day.
Post by: Wilbur on April 05, 2017, 08:44:28 AM
Post by: Bigdave_185 on April 05, 2017, 08:54:17 AM
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Post by: Sammconn on April 05, 2017, 03:14:37 PM
She's recovering from the anesthesia at the moment and will be in my possession in a few hours.
Now for the recovery and rehab, again.
We were probably overly cautious last time, and likely will be again this time.
The other leg is absolutely 100% and I intend on the same for this one.
12-14 weeks more of no exercise 3-4 weeks, limited 3-4 more, and then slowly ease into it for the rest. Now that will be July, yikes. At least she will have the lake to swim/wade in for the most part once she can walk a bit on her own.
Part of the reason we waited was for the lake for rehab, she will just hang out in it all day literally, bobbing and wading around. So the 8 week point we should have open water for her to play in.
Yeah that's end of May, boats go in May long on an early year...
Post by: cruizng on April 06, 2017, 08:12:30 AM
Post by: Sammconn on April 06, 2017, 08:55:31 AM
Unhappy about her state of affairs.
I'm guessing it's a bit sore, she's on some pretty good pain killers for the next few days.
Happy to be with me again.
She ate well, had a big drink and is resting again now.
I remembered this morning to take the cone off her head. It makes eating drinking and navigating so much better for her.
Post by: Sammconn on April 10, 2017, 08:06:15 PM
Chaka is doing great.
Too good in fact. She's using the leg more than I would like.
We've had to go back to the pinch collar to slow her down some.
Even with the towel supporting her hind end she still can pull me around.
So I guess that's good, but we've got to keep her slow for quite a while yet.
Will be tough by he looks of how she's doing already.
She's using the leg almost every step now.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/Cabin/dogs/A4502A78-1C96-45A3-8B1E-DF994C02C4AA.jpg) (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/sammconn/media/Cabin/dogs/A4502A78-1C96-45A3-8B1E-DF994C02C4AA.jpg.html)
Post by: Flyin6 on April 10, 2017, 11:10:19 PM
Post by: cruizng on April 10, 2017, 11:45:03 PM
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Post by: Bigdave_185 on April 17, 2017, 10:03:50 AM
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Post by: Wilbur on April 17, 2017, 02:48:53 PM
Post by: Sammconn on May 31, 2017, 06:48:58 PM
So we drive out to one of the dykes, 5 mins to here, and 5 back.
One happy pup to be semi free again.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/sammconn/D9E5D7B2-8421-401A-9B24-35320A35D704.jpg) (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/sammconn/media/D9E5D7B2-8421-401A-9B24-35320A35D704.jpg.html)
Post by: EL TATE on June 01, 2017, 11:02:13 AM
Post by: KensAuto on June 01, 2017, 01:09:31 PM
Post by: cudakidd53 on June 07, 2017, 08:41:56 AM
Post by: Sammconn on June 07, 2017, 01:10:41 PM
Everything looks very good, so the slow addition of more week by week now.
Another 4-6 of limited walking, were at about 10 mins per day now, an will add to it each week.
The lake surprised me when I had the boat out and is at 55 degrees or so, depending, explaining the time it takes for her to get cold a lot.
We can get to the cabin now, so swimming and wading will be on the agenda for her.
Post by: cudakidd53 on June 07, 2017, 10:18:42 PM
Post by: Sammconn on June 07, 2017, 10:55:51 PM
Chaka has a sore leg tonight, she was extremely agitated/hyper at the clinic this morning.
Jumping, turning circles etc.
There will be many of these days ahead as she exceeds the 'real' limit that she should be at.
It will be a long summer yet for her, but with the lake, it will be easier on her.
I'm just happy to be on the home stretch now!