Sad & Concerned

[RoxyDog]

Best wishes for a full recovery for the little guy, and hopefully just a some time can be a big help!

[FocusFin]

This was my worst fear when we bought our puppy last year for our 7 year old daughter. How much money would be too much and how would I explain it to her.

I opted for an insurance plan so that I'd never have to make a decision based on the cost. $47.00 a month for unlimited treatment. I recently considered dropping it but this is a reminder of why I bought it in the first place.

I feel bad for you and and your family, I hope things work out.

[Greatwhite]

I always wonder how much is too much...  And unfortunately, I had that decision to make a few years back when my dog grew a cancerous lump.  

That's why I can empathize with Dan here.  Seeing the poor dog in pain must be hard.  It sounds like he's showing signs of getting better, at least.  I really hope that it continues in that direction.

Just keep him calm, with lots of love around.  Dogs are amazing animals and I have seen bigger things happen than coming back from something like this!

[dan2x38]

Well love has amazing healing powers especially with animals. In turn it is proven humans recover quickly when an animal is there with them. In the elderly it is proven they live longer and are happier especially after losing their life partner.

Yesterday I wasn't online with dog and son and other stuff my hands were full. he is showing more improvement. His left left hind leg might be at 70% - 75% these are my numbers from observation. His weakest leg the back right I think is close to 25% maybe pushing it to 30%. He is wagging that little stub more, walks at a good pace even pulls on his leash now - he was never a well behaved dog... LMAO he's embarrassed me more than once... LOL

We are walking him around the block now and today my son and me took him for 3 block walk. We watch for other dogs so we scoop him up. When he sees dogs he likes to pull to go visit them he loves to play with all dogs. Even his bowl movements have even changed they are almost normal now.

He goes for a check up Friday which will mark a week since he hurt himself. I am not sure he will recover 100% but we are now feel more promise he will be able to function well.

Watching him and observing his behavior I've notice much change. I wonder if it is due to the injury alone or is he worried. I believe he is also worried. How must oue pets feel or any animal for that matter when pain strikes suddenly? We experience pain and watch others go through it so we become aware what it is. Animals must become totally confused. I remember still the look on his face when this happened he was so - geese don't even know a word for it! Then we take him to total strangers and leave him there for over night and late into the next day. When he was young if he made a mess he was penned in the kitchen for several hours. Leaving him I imagine he was feeling punished?

When some comes to the door he usually barks like mad but not now. He usually does all kinds of other little things and he hasn't been. I think he is like the kid who is bad gets punished then is extra good for awhile. He must be so confused right now. So we hope he returns to himself and recovers 100%.

[brotherluv]

You are absolutely right Dan.  The joy animals bring to us have been proven to add many years to our lives!  It is amazing how much our love can do for them as you have pointed out!  I am glad to hear your dog is facing this challenge with a loving support group and has been showing signs of improvement! 

[sas]

So nice your little guy is improving, don't underestimate the power of
just good ole fashion nursing.
I'm a Veterinarian Technician and have see my share of incredible cures.
I sometimes wonder if we do more harm to life with meds.

We ourselves had an awful spring. Our oldest horse, at 30 who was bought for our daughter
when she was 7, started to go blind last fall. By March you could tell he was totally blind. The rest
of the herd left him behind continually and he was so lost.
With horses this is very dangerous since they are a flight animal. Hardest decision I've
had to make on the farm, to put him down and then to have to send him to dead stock since we
didn't have the land mass to bury him.
Rip Traveller

Being the owner of animals is a great responsibility, be it pets or farm animals.

[dan2x38]

@ SAS & GreatWhite sorry to hear of your losses. It can be heart wrenching to loss a pet for any reason. I grew up inthe country and farm animals are sometimes just considered property but some folks have a harder time then others doing what they do as farmers. I grew on an orchard so we didn't have any animals other then the usual dog & cats.

Sas I agree with to much meds. and also to much rest. Yes he needs rest but we have to prevent muscle apathy (sp). I know this from my own back issues. To remain stationary to long can be more harmful than good. Even when he lays beside me I massage his legs especially the weakest one making sure there is plenty of blood flow. I also rub his back carefully and he shows no signs of pain to touch! He is cruising the house when we go to another room. When I eat he always lays by my feet waiting for crumbs to fall... guess I am a sloppy eater... LOL he is doing that again... Seeing any of his old behaviors is a great sign and sight!

Now he is napping I got to get to a water change 2 days over due...

[Greatwhite]

Everyone who has had pets in their lives has had to deal with losses... Some just hit harder than others. 

The hard part is trying to figure out who you're actually helping by paying thousands of dollars on treatments for...  Is it for the dog - or for yourself?  I'd have a harder time justifying the expense on a 10 year old dog, but wouldn't really think twice on a 3 year old one.  And that's where the HARD choices come...

[Nerine]

glad to hear he's doing better!! it could be the trip home that did it too...

Our vet phoned us awhile back to tell us to come get our cat so he could die in peace at home (as that is what we had asked for) he was a young cat only a few years old, he had a horrible allergic reaction to the vaccines...and went from 12 lbs to 4lbs in just a couple days...he was on death's door step, hanging over the edge of it...we brought him home and kept giving him water and baby food and talking to him 24 hrs a day (we took turns) and with in 24 hours of him being home, he perked up right away and then a few days later was walking again! he's never regained his full weight back and he's always on the thin side, but he's alive and well! The vet said he was going downhill fast at the office....animals don't understand why they are there!! being home sometimes helps a LOT in the healing process!!!!

[dan2x38]

@ Nerine awesome story glad the cat is OK - is he happy? Like GreatWhite said the choice is often between the pet and our feelings. Keeping an old dog with lots of health issues alive when they are in pain is unfair to them. In nature he would not surive unable to fend for himself or defend himself.

Yes I totally believe when they are with us they are in the best environment! Like I mentioned they must be so confused when we leave them there. He wasn't eating at all there - we brought him home gave home water and put food in front of him he wolfed it down. It was a small portion we didn't want him to get sick overeating. One day of no food can have a serious affect on a small animal. Even worse no water or to little can cause serious illness in a very short time.

It is funny he always plays with the cats - well at least one the other doesn't like him a lot... LOL He was caught an hour ago playing with his buddy our black cat 'Shadow'. This is great too part of his old behavior. That is another thing being home with his buddies even the cat that is not overly fond of him has been caught licking his ears and preening over him... They too noticed something was wrong they both came to him and hung out in the living room when he first came home. Animals are so in tune to the atmosphere around them. If some one is sick, aruging, having fun, etc. they notice it.

[Greatwhite]

Dan - seriously keep up the good reports...  I get warm fuzzy feelings every time I hear about him eating, wagging his nub, playing with a cat.  Damn dogs get me every time. 

[dan2x38]

+1  OK stop if you ask for a hug I might just have to slap ya... LOL Seriously thanks appreciate all the encouragement and kind words.

The little critter is sleeping beside me on the couch as I type. As he dreams his legs twitch then he digs his damn claws into my side... this a good thing though because they are his weak back legs... I want to wake him but don't have the heart - the little bugger likely doing it deliberately and faking he's a sleep... LMAO

[kerisb]

    So great Diego is doing well............sounds like he will recover totally.    A loving family for an animal makes all the difference in the world.    And just like someone in here mentioned even if he limps or whatever.....animals don't see disabilities the way people do.     The fact that he is getting back to doing the things he did before....especially the mischeivious ones is a great sign.

   I have always felt a little sorry for people that did not grow up with animals.............they seem to have missed out on a very magical bond and loving side between the people and animal world.     For most of us I believe pets give way more back than we could ever give them...as in they have unconditional love..............were as humans love always seems to be conditional in one way or another.

   Dan you and your family keep up all the great work.....Diego has come this far in less than a week....he must be a real go getter lol.     Six months from now your family will be saying....remember when Diego was like this!!


All the best to your family and Diego, please keep us posted as to the progress.

[dan2x38]

Well he is being Diego more which as mentioned is always good. Here are 2 pictures of the little Hellion... LOL The 1st he just got told to stop licking the coach - he smells something then will lick it. The 2nd is a few minutes later he decided to stay out of trouble and went for a nap.

He is doing well and maybe his left leg is close to normal. He always pees lifting his right leg even if he is walking the other way he will turn around to do it... LOL any ways he is able to pee like a big boy again. He is still wobbly some what his right leg is the weakest but maybe it is 50% or even more. If I hold his foot and pull it he pulls it away from me - he wasn't able to do this even little a couple days ago.

My son left him on the couch and went to the kitchen where I was doing laundry. Low and behold a few seconds later Diego showed up in kitchen on the crumb patrol... LOL He wants to stand on his hind legs but there yet. He comes to my feet to get picked up to lay beside me on the coach but first he stands and thinks about trying to jump up there then I can see him change his mind.

Friday he goes for a follow up but it's with his regular Vet. The Vets who treated him was at the emergency vet clinic at the Carling Animal Hospital. So not sure how well he can make the comparison to how well he will recover from how bad the injury was. Without that $2000 Cat Scan in my thinking it would hard for any Vet to determine how well he is doing or will do?

[Greatwhite]

Without that $2000 Cat Scan in my thinking it would hard for any Vet to determine how well he is doing or will do?

How much for a Dog Scan?

[Thunda]

Lisa and I both are so happy to hear that he is making such great progress

[dan2x38]

How much for a Dog Scan?

Clever... guess I should write it C.A.T. Scan?

No big changes but he is walking up our front steps and down. His left is still maybe 80% but the right is only about 50%. The right hasn't changed much I fear it will not get a much better. He wags his stub as I said but it is not the usual 90 mph.

He is barking like he use to...    When someone came to the door he always barked. He didn't start really until yesterday then just a little. I have a serve bad if I sneeze or cough it is like a knife stabbing my lower back. I suspect when he barked it was the same for him? So I figure his barking is another good sign of recovery. OR at least a batter way for me to accept it... LOL

Below his him getting ready to go for a walk. He picks his leash up in his mouth. He didn't even start doing this until 2 days ago.

<editted>: released you can actually see a box spring standing up in the hall - his fault too... LOL not exposed wall studs.

[Greatwhite]

He is barking like he use to...    When someone came to the door he always barked. He didn't start really until yesterday then just a little. I have a serve bad if I sneeze or cough it is like a knife stabbing my lower back. I suspect when he barked it was the same for him? So I figure his barking is another good sign of recovery. OR at least a batter way for me to accept it... LOL

I threw my back out a few years back, fixing a fence that blew down.  I know first hand that sneezing, coughing, laughing - ANYTHING like that caused excruciating pain.  Barking dogs would have the same effect as sneezing, I think - or perhaps maniacal laughing... 

The fact that he's started up again is a great indication that the pain is subsiding, otherwise it would be a bark-yelp, bark-yelp, "oh come on, stop making me bark", bark-yelp.

[RedFish]

I'm thrilled for you and Diego that he is healing.  Very scary when our babies are hurting.

[dan2x38]

When it happened my wife said, "it is scarey how quick life can change!" It was such a stupid freak accident. Never in a million years would I ever thought such a thing would or could happen so easily and quickly. Tomorrow marks a week and I can see his little face as if it was seconds ago it happened. He was so scared, hurt, confused... and whatever else you can think of!

It is kind of funny some of the little things he is doing to compensate... when we take him for a walk he is pulling on his leash again but he does it by walking forward on a slight angle so he can use his 3 strongest legs... what a little bugger...