Well, today we went for our Post-Op checkup at the Vets. Some of the girls came out to see her before we went in for our consult.
Shortly after we were called in the Tech offered her some liver treats but she was just too excited/nervous to take it.
Our Vet arrived, checked her over and said she was doing fantastic and healing well. Her incisions are scabbing and peeling, so I would think they'd be a bit itchy. The wonderful thing is you can hardly see the incisions! We set her on the floor and she walked around, but mostly followed me, staying close. Aww, my Jabby-Gurl! The vet said I did a great job, now maybe I can take better care of myself and I almost fainted at the clinic after our appointment. I don't know why...?
Her pain meds have been cut back to 2X a day and the anti-inflammatory 1X a day. And, we're allowed to take 5 minute walks, 2-3 X a day, very very slowly. This is to make sure she uses all 4 legs to strengthen up those muscles and ligaments. We're to keep her off any slippery surfaces, so no hardwood/laminate/tile/vinyl flooring.
She's been walking around her little blocked off area of the sitting room (where we spend most of our time). And, been going pee and poopie fairly regularly again on her pee pads in this same area. Tonight, she's a bit lame on the right side (grade 4), I'm not sure if it's from the activity today or because the cat may have stepped on her when she was burrowed into a blanket tonight. I'm not going to get myself over worried over it, because I'm sure she'll be better tomorrow. Not to mention, her pain med schedule has been altered, so she may be adjusting.
Well, I think that's all for now, I'm looking forward to our first little walk tomorrow and I hope the weather cooperates!
Blessings All...
Monday, August 18, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Saturday August 16th, 2008
Things are progressing along, but I wish I could find the worry switch in my head and just shut it off! Silly Humans, eh Jabby?
I phoned the vet clinic and they said not to worry about the icing, so we're letting the anti-inflamatory do it's job. She still has some swelling but it seems a little less each day. And the incisions look like they're knitting together.
She only seems to get out of her bed to go pee, about once a day and then it's a flood, for a Chihuahua anyway. And she's only had one bowel movement since her surgery. I'm trying to not be too concerned about it as she hasn't been eating her normal volume. Even before the surgery some days she ate more than other days so I'll let her decide when she's hungry.
I set her in the bottom half of her crate with blankets and we sat outside for maybe an hour today, but then it clouded up so we came inside. I thought the fresh air and change of scenery would do her good. She even got to bark at a couple people walking by, lol.
I'm trying to decide if now is the time to cut back on the pain medication. It's been about 5 days now post-op and she sleeps/rests a lot, which is good for the healing process. We're seeing the Vet on Monday, so maybe I should just keep on this schedule and let her decide then?!
Thanks to everyone who replies, it's great to have the support!
I phoned the vet clinic and they said not to worry about the icing, so we're letting the anti-inflamatory do it's job. She still has some swelling but it seems a little less each day. And the incisions look like they're knitting together.
She only seems to get out of her bed to go pee, about once a day and then it's a flood, for a Chihuahua anyway. And she's only had one bowel movement since her surgery. I'm trying to not be too concerned about it as she hasn't been eating her normal volume. Even before the surgery some days she ate more than other days so I'll let her decide when she's hungry.
I set her in the bottom half of her crate with blankets and we sat outside for maybe an hour today, but then it clouded up so we came inside. I thought the fresh air and change of scenery would do her good. She even got to bark at a couple people walking by, lol.
I'm trying to decide if now is the time to cut back on the pain medication. It's been about 5 days now post-op and she sleeps/rests a lot, which is good for the healing process. We're seeing the Vet on Monday, so maybe I should just keep on this schedule and let her decide then?!
Thanks to everyone who replies, it's great to have the support!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Friday August 15th, 2008
So, the icing just isn't going well and maybe it's a trade off for her not licking her incisions?! I'll just have to let the anti-inflammatory medication do it's job for now, until we see the Vet on Monday. Maybe if we actually got some HOT weather, she'd enjoy the ice pack more. lol
We set up a new bed for her last night and started using her normal comforter that she loves. It's much softer, but supported it with a couple layers of folded dog blankets underneath. Well, I think this was what was needed as she seems much happier and content, being back in her regular bedding.
This morning after her breakfast and medications I flopped down beside her on the sofa to try to get some sleep. Well, I must have been out cold because low and behold when I woke up...She had gotten out of her blankets and walked over to the pee pad unassisted. Had a huge pee and then pushed the paper over to cover it up. I've seen her do this before, she'll take her nose and push at the pee pad to cover everything up. What a Good Girl!
Needless to say she got a nice massage/scratch for that.
We set up a new bed for her last night and started using her normal comforter that she loves. It's much softer, but supported it with a couple layers of folded dog blankets underneath. Well, I think this was what was needed as she seems much happier and content, being back in her regular bedding.
This morning after her breakfast and medications I flopped down beside her on the sofa to try to get some sleep. Well, I must have been out cold because low and behold when I woke up...She had gotten out of her blankets and walked over to the pee pad unassisted. Had a huge pee and then pushed the paper over to cover it up. I've seen her do this before, she'll take her nose and push at the pee pad to cover everything up. What a Good Girl!
Needless to say she got a nice massage/scratch for that.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
08/14/08-Part 2
I went to my local pet food store this afternoon to get a more natural cream for the razor burn and bruising on her legs. I'm not a fan of cortisone and I certainly don't want her licking it either. I was recommended a product called Healthy Paws - Hot Spot Soother - 60ml. The ingredients are Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel, Calendula Oil, Vitamin E and Lavender Oil. It smells really nice!
Jabby made her first cry of pain today and it just killed me inside. I'm not exactly sure what was going on to cause it. I think she moved the wrong way while I was putting some cream on or maybe the witch hazel stun a little, I honestly don't know. The effect on us was the same, it hurt me, just as much as it hurt her!
When I tried to pill her after that she wanted no part of it. It might have been my fault and trying to go about it at the wrong angle or we just weren't working together. But the capsule started to break and she probably got a taste of horrible powder. I managed to get the powder quickly mixed into a bit of canned food and she ate some of it. I just hope she got enough pain medication to last until bedtime. Sighhh!
We tried ice packing again and she can only stand it for a few minutes.
"MOM, get the cold thing away from me!" (the evil cold, squishy towel)
But she suddenly decided to get out of her bed on her own, SURPRISE!
She went to her pee pad a few steps away, had a good pee, tried to push the pee pad over it to cover it up. A couple of turns and VOILA...A POOPIE!! And there was much rejoicing! Surprisingly, she the began to very gingerly/awkwardly walk around her bed, to sit on the carpet and then plop down. I covered her with a light blankie and there she stays.
Jabby made her first cry of pain today and it just killed me inside. I'm not exactly sure what was going on to cause it. I think she moved the wrong way while I was putting some cream on or maybe the witch hazel stun a little, I honestly don't know. The effect on us was the same, it hurt me, just as much as it hurt her!
When I tried to pill her after that she wanted no part of it. It might have been my fault and trying to go about it at the wrong angle or we just weren't working together. But the capsule started to break and she probably got a taste of horrible powder. I managed to get the powder quickly mixed into a bit of canned food and she ate some of it. I just hope she got enough pain medication to last until bedtime. Sighhh!
We tried ice packing again and she can only stand it for a few minutes.
"MOM, get the cold thing away from me!" (the evil cold, squishy towel)
But she suddenly decided to get out of her bed on her own, SURPRISE!
She went to her pee pad a few steps away, had a good pee, tried to push the pee pad over it to cover it up. A couple of turns and VOILA...A POOPIE!! And there was much rejoicing! Surprisingly, she the began to very gingerly/awkwardly walk around her bed, to sit on the carpet and then plop down. I covered her with a light blankie and there she stays.
Thursday August 14th, 2008
It's been approximately 24 hours since her surgery and it's amazing how you see small signs of improvement.
I always find that the most drastic changes are overnight. Her bruising is going down, the sutures look good but she's got some swelling (more so than yesterday) on her right leg. I think she's been lying on that side more which is different considering that was the Grade 4 leg. I put the ice pack on the leg this morning, but Chihuahuas despise the cold, shiver shiver. I think I'll make my own as the pack the clinic gave me is too stiff and awkward. I need something that will conform to her small joints better.
She ate up her breakfast (canned) lickety-split this morning, took her medications well and had a little cookie for good measure. Jabby also had visitors, a Sister-in-Law and a Niece came by and she got lots of lovin' which I'm sure made her feel better too.
No BM yet, but that's OK, she's only started eating again, but she's had 3 generous pee's. When she starts moving around more I'm sure the bowels will start working again. But right now, she needs her bed rest, when she's ready for more, she'll tell us I'm sure.
I always find that the most drastic changes are overnight. Her bruising is going down, the sutures look good but she's got some swelling (more so than yesterday) on her right leg. I think she's been lying on that side more which is different considering that was the Grade 4 leg. I put the ice pack on the leg this morning, but Chihuahuas despise the cold, shiver shiver. I think I'll make my own as the pack the clinic gave me is too stiff and awkward. I need something that will conform to her small joints better.
She ate up her breakfast (canned) lickety-split this morning, took her medications well and had a little cookie for good measure. Jabby also had visitors, a Sister-in-Law and a Niece came by and she got lots of lovin' which I'm sure made her feel better too.
No BM yet, but that's OK, she's only started eating again, but she's had 3 generous pee's. When she starts moving around more I'm sure the bowels will start working again. But right now, she needs her bed rest, when she's ready for more, she'll tell us I'm sure.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday August 13th, 2008
Well, we made it, it's the day after surgery!
Jabby came home last night after 7pm pretty much a "space cadet". The vet on duty for her pick-up explained all her medications needs, when to ice her stifles and so on. I also saw her before and after x-rays, wow, her right knee cap was completely out of place. Fortunately she nice deep grooves in the bone so they didn't have to remove any bone. Just re-adjust the ligaments and surrounding tissues and put a couple pins in. Fortunately her stitches are inside, so it's not as hideous looking or perhaps there's less incentive to licking/chewing on her part.
So, we're home, now what? I took the top off her carrier because I didn't want to be removing her from the kennel by dragging her out back to front. She has bedding (towel/blankets) on the bottom and blankets over top of her. As we know, Chihuahua's love the heat and it's been so cool and damp here, so I have her cocooned. I iced her stifles twice last night and gave her the pain pill (narcotic) about 11pm. She took a little bit of water from the end of a plastic syringe but we didn't push. She had a massive pee on a pee pad before bedtime which I imagine was a huge relief. We also put a bit of the cortisone cream on the areas that were bruised and had some clipper burn. As for her licking, so far so good, she's looked a bit, maybe licked a touch, but mostly where the bruising and clipper burn is. I tried the plastic collar, and it didn't go over to well. She made funny noises and drooled a bit while it was on and I tried it twice. She would just sit there and not move, no lying down or relaxing. So I think she's terrified of it, so we made a deal. If she doesn't lick, she doesn't have to wear it but if she does, it's going back on. She didn't lick after she was spayed or when she burst an impacted anal gland in February, so fingers are crossed!
I slept first on the sofa and then on the floor next to her last night. I just didn't want to be away from her in case there was a problem. She's been such a trooper and has only whimpered a bit when being moved around at times. This morning she looked much brighter and I got a puppy slurp and she wagged her tail when she saw Fab. She has a little bit of canned food and had more water as well. She even wanted a few of my Cheerios from the cereal bowl this morning. Awww Jabs, appetite of a Lab when it comes to people food. We haven't seen her looking longingly at the pee pads as of yet, but when she's ready, she'll tell us.
Well, I think that's all for now, my brain has been challenged even typing this out today, I'm so tired. Thank goodness for spell check!! I have posted some pictures that I took this morning. She even got a new blankie from Nonno & Nonna which she's lounging on now.
Thanks to everyone for the prayers, emails and all around wonderful support! The next few weeks will be challenging I'm sure.
Blessings...
Jabby came home last night after 7pm pretty much a "space cadet". The vet on duty for her pick-up explained all her medications needs, when to ice her stifles and so on. I also saw her before and after x-rays, wow, her right knee cap was completely out of place. Fortunately she nice deep grooves in the bone so they didn't have to remove any bone. Just re-adjust the ligaments and surrounding tissues and put a couple pins in. Fortunately her stitches are inside, so it's not as hideous looking or perhaps there's less incentive to licking/chewing on her part.
So, we're home, now what? I took the top off her carrier because I didn't want to be removing her from the kennel by dragging her out back to front. She has bedding (towel/blankets) on the bottom and blankets over top of her. As we know, Chihuahua's love the heat and it's been so cool and damp here, so I have her cocooned. I iced her stifles twice last night and gave her the pain pill (narcotic) about 11pm. She took a little bit of water from the end of a plastic syringe but we didn't push. She had a massive pee on a pee pad before bedtime which I imagine was a huge relief. We also put a bit of the cortisone cream on the areas that were bruised and had some clipper burn. As for her licking, so far so good, she's looked a bit, maybe licked a touch, but mostly where the bruising and clipper burn is. I tried the plastic collar, and it didn't go over to well. She made funny noises and drooled a bit while it was on and I tried it twice. She would just sit there and not move, no lying down or relaxing. So I think she's terrified of it, so we made a deal. If she doesn't lick, she doesn't have to wear it but if she does, it's going back on. She didn't lick after she was spayed or when she burst an impacted anal gland in February, so fingers are crossed!
I slept first on the sofa and then on the floor next to her last night. I just didn't want to be away from her in case there was a problem. She's been such a trooper and has only whimpered a bit when being moved around at times. This morning she looked much brighter and I got a puppy slurp and she wagged her tail when she saw Fab. She has a little bit of canned food and had more water as well. She even wanted a few of my Cheerios from the cereal bowl this morning. Awww Jabs, appetite of a Lab when it comes to people food. We haven't seen her looking longingly at the pee pads as of yet, but when she's ready, she'll tell us.
Well, I think that's all for now, my brain has been challenged even typing this out today, I'm so tired. Thank goodness for spell check!! I have posted some pictures that I took this morning. She even got a new blankie from Nonno & Nonna which she's lounging on now.
Thanks to everyone for the prayers, emails and all around wonderful support! The next few weeks will be challenging I'm sure.
Blessings...
Monday, August 11, 2008
Monday August 11th, 2008.
Well...here we are, the night before the surgery! Why am I so nervous? Probably because Jabby is my best friend and I only want what's best for her. My vet has recommended this vet because she has the utmost confidence in his abilities. I really like my vet, so I know she wouldn't treat me wrong.
I managed to get Jabby out for a little walk around the block, before the skies opened about 5 or so houses from home. After, the 2 of us went out to Pet Valu to get a can of Merrick's Thanksgiving Day Dinner and she got a heaping spoonful in her bowl. An a cookie too, for good measure! I washed up her big blanket and will prep the living room tomorrow before she comes home. I gave her a bath last week and she was like a puppy afterwards, playing in the towels and zipping around. I know once she's recovered she'll be like this again, it was nice to see a bit of the "ol" Jabby.
We've had a lot of lightning and thunder this afternoon, so she's currently curled up against my chest as I type with one hand. :)
God Bless Jabby!
I managed to get Jabby out for a little walk around the block, before the skies opened about 5 or so houses from home. After, the 2 of us went out to Pet Valu to get a can of Merrick's Thanksgiving Day Dinner and she got a heaping spoonful in her bowl. An a cookie too, for good measure! I washed up her big blanket and will prep the living room tomorrow before she comes home. I gave her a bath last week and she was like a puppy afterwards, playing in the towels and zipping around. I know once she's recovered she'll be like this again, it was nice to see a bit of the "ol" Jabby.
We've had a lot of lightning and thunder this afternoon, so she's currently curled up against my chest as I type with one hand. :)
God Bless Jabby!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tuesday August 5, 2008.
One week today until surgery, I'm starting to get a bit anxious about it all. I know we're doing the right thing and it will be wonderful to see Jabby back to her more active self. I'm working the morning of her surgery, which is probably a good thing as I won't be sitting at home thinking (read worrying) about her. ;)
I'm still not sure how to keep her comfortable once she's home?! Should she be crated? I only have a small carrying crate which wouldn't be very comfortable for any length of time. Maybe we'll have to box her into a smaller area in the living room. All these questions...I must start writing them down so that I can remember to ask the Vet!
I think I need more sleep...
I'm still not sure how to keep her comfortable once she's home?! Should she be crated? I only have a small carrying crate which wouldn't be very comfortable for any length of time. Maybe we'll have to box her into a smaller area in the living room. All these questions...I must start writing them down so that I can remember to ask the Vet!
I think I need more sleep...
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Saturday August 2, 2008.
Well, I honestly meant to post something on the first of the month to get this started, but I just ran out of 'day'. My reason for starting this Blog is to tell the journey of my Chihuahua's surgery, the love of our lives, our "child" in many ways.
Our little Jabby has luxating patella in both knees. It's much worse on her right then her left, but it's been suggested that she has both knees done at the same time, so we will.
In some ways I can't imagine what that would be like to recooperate from, but the Veterinarians assure me that it's quite common. Our Jabby is a tough little cookie and seems to heal well, handle office visits and all that goes along with that, so I'm optimistic.
After all, I had a total hip replacement in February 07 and managed alright. Jabby was my constant companion when I returned home from the hospital, so I will be there for her.
She's been booked for her blood work on August 8th, with her surgery booked for August 12th. I'm off for about a week post-op to be with her and to make sure the two cats don't pester her. :)
God Bless Jabby's!
Our little Jabby has luxating patella in both knees. It's much worse on her right then her left, but it's been suggested that she has both knees done at the same time, so we will.
In some ways I can't imagine what that would be like to recooperate from, but the Veterinarians assure me that it's quite common. Our Jabby is a tough little cookie and seems to heal well, handle office visits and all that goes along with that, so I'm optimistic.
After all, I had a total hip replacement in February 07 and managed alright. Jabby was my constant companion when I returned home from the hospital, so I will be there for her.
She's been booked for her blood work on August 8th, with her surgery booked for August 12th. I'm off for about a week post-op to be with her and to make sure the two cats don't pester her. :)
God Bless Jabby's!
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