Disaster!

[Jordan]

Thanks Kimmikins, i agree with you. By the time i went to bed last night i had decided the reop was the way to go.

Spoke to both my vet and the surgeon again today. My vet agreed there was no reason to end his life and was quite shocked at the suggestion. He said he would opt for the surgery if it was him. The surgeon emphasized the reop was not without difficulty and every day that goes by adds to the problem as the loose screw is wearing bone away with every movement making it more difficult to secure the bigger screw as theres not much bone there as it is. Theres a possability once they are in the op that it ends up being an amputation anyway.

Hes booked in for addmittance on Thursday and the operation on Friday.

[Kimmikins]

I know you're doing the right thing, so fingers crossed this time it's a roaring success and he's bounding around enjoying life again soon!

[Jordan]

Well thats it done, unfortunately they couldnt save the right leg there just wasnt enough bone to secure a screw so had to amputate. They put a screw in the left elbow at the same time so it wont fracture under the added stress it will have now the other legs gone. The whole thing took 6 hours to complete. i'll hear in the morning how he doing and if hes able to stand etc. cant imagine how he'll feel waking to find only one leg, hate not being with him for this.

[Kimmikins]

From what I've read, heard about and learnt over the years, dogs cope far better at waking up with 3 legs than humans do! I ca guarantee you he will not miss it, and it definitely won't bother him. He'll just be focused on adjusting to his new set up.

This might end up being the better option - there was always the risk that while the first one was healing the second one could succumb to the pressure and then he'd be in a sticky situation. Now that his other leg is secure and he doesn't have to compensate on it beyond learning to balance on 3 legs instead of 4, his remaining leg had the best chance of healing successfully.

When you see him give him a gentle squeeze from me, he's such a brave boy and I can't wait to see how quickly he's back on his paws and causing you grief by not being a calm, quiet patient!

[Jordan]

The report this morning was he is managing to get about without the aid of a sling for support. More through his own desire than theirs because he is so scared he wouldnt let them put it on and they didnt want to make him feel worse by forcing him. Were only talking a few steps for the toilet and thats pretty much all he will do for a few weeks. Hes not eating more than a couple of mouthfulls so they are trying to encourage him to eat more so they can start giving him tablet pain relief. He is toileting fine so theyre happy with how he is. They said the inscision is about 20cm long so quite extensive and he'll need a buster collar once the dressing comes off in a day or two. He will be seeing the neurologist again while hes up there on Monday. Poor wee man is going to be soooo stressed and anxious for a long time after all this but hopefully once hes through the recovery we wont have to see a vet for a very long time!

[Kimmikins]

No sling already? Atta boy Domino! A speedy recovery and no more vets for a loooong time

[Jordan]

Yeh hes coming home tomorrow, cant wait to see him and see for myself exactly how he is.

[Kimmikins]

Fantastic news! I bet you're counting down the hours.

[kristina]

Just caught up with all this news Jordan I am so sorry to hear about Domino but Kimmikins is right he is such a brave wonderful little dog I wish the best for him.Kristina

[kristina]

Bless his great heart and how brave you are too Jordan,most people would have given up on him a long time ago.Kristina

[Jordan]

Its brilliant having him home again, really missed him and our cuddles in an evening.

Cant believe how well hes doing. Hes already mastered the stairs and snuck up on my bed when i wasnt looking, he is allowed, i just didnt think hed manage just yet. Lifted him down though as its a high bed and he might hurt himself if he lands badly. His balance is still a bit off at times. i think hes finding the hardest thing is getting comfy as the right side was the side he lay on and the amputation has removed the whole leg and shoulder blade so no support at all on that side. He's fine in his bed but has taken to under the kitchen table instead of on his mat as he can sandwich himself between the chair legs.

Typical today has been lashings of rain so getting him out for the toilet and not getting soaked is a problem. Hes not supposed to get the wound wet and drying him is a challenge for him not to be knocked off balance. Havent quite worked out the best way to dry his paws either, especially front one!

wasnt sure how hed cope meeting other dogs again. Well that was put to test the first time he stepped out side! My neighbourd bitch must be coming into season as there was a strange dog running loose outside our door. Thank fully a friendly one, Domino dribbled a bit pee but seemed pretty relaxed as it approached him. I didnt hang about though i just took him back in and tried later when the coast looked clear only to find he was still lurking around and was for hours so called the local rescue and they put a call out on their website. Owner saw it and came down for it so finally got Domino to toilet. Hope it doesnt appear tomorrow again.

[Kimmikins]

I knew he was going to ace this tri-pawd malarkey I'm sure he'll figure out a new way to get comfy once he's gotten used to it...especially as he's mastered your bed already!

As for drying his paws, for his front one would getting him to sit work? And then standing behind him to support his weight a bit while you dry it? I don't know if the logistics work out on that one...I'm trying to picture it in my head and that's the solution that came to mind.

[Jordan]

Domino not been feeling great over the weekend and had a temperature on Sunday night also breathing very rapidly. He seems to have pain in his back right leg which is worrying. This morning he didnt even want to leave his cage and no amout of encouragement to play worked. Still a slight temperature and forced breathing so called the vet and he said to bring him in. He couldnt find anything wrong with the back leg and wound looks fine, small pool of fluid at one end but nothing to worry about. So he prescribed Tramadol and Gabapentin and to go back on Friday to see how hes doing and have stitches removed.

I do hope he picks up over the next couple of weeks, I'm beginning to wonder if hes ever going to get better, its just one thing after another, poor wee man.

I've been using the Adaptil spray on a bandana and also giving him the Adaptil tablet as well for these stressful times and i'm pleased to say they do make a big difference.

[Jordan]

WARNING......image may shock!

Here he is one week after amputation, massive incision, with 20 stitches.

[Kimmikins]

That is a beautifully healing incision - clean, dry and no redness...fab! He looks super handsome, and seems to be getting the hang of balancing on his other leg.

How's he feeling today?