My Precious Sadie

[Superbob]

I don't mind saying I cried a river yesterday. I know our dog friends live far too short lives but I can't bear the thought of living without Sadie.

 

[geebee]

Rob,

Can't they give you injectable pain med for the short term? Be sure and watch out for dehdration since she is not eating or drinking.

Praying hard for you both.

 

[Pegasus]

Bob, I pm'd you. Gina is right - you could ask for injections. Our dog had a morphine patch for a few days after each surgery and after that just a oral dose of Metacam, if needed. Metcam worked fine. My husband was more upset about our dog than his own OHS and we had strangers offering us doggie wheel chairs etc. (which she thankfully never needed). At the University Animal Hospital we met numerous people who gave their last money (literally) to their dogs, cats or horses.
Hang in there. Sending lots of healing thoughts.
astrid

 

[Superbob]

Thanks for those ideas. I will ask. They gave her an IV at the emergency clinic last night. If I can't get her to drink any water by this evening I may need to take her back there

 

[EVELYN]

Bob

I just read you post and as a dog lover can understand every feeling you are experiencing. I will say this, though.....give her some time. Have your vet check her out and bring her along verrry slowly through rehab. If there's a place near you with a dog therapy group and a pool, that would be marvelous. Ask your vet about it and see what he says. If she still needs the pin, I know it's expensive, but she's sooo worth it. Give her some time. My neighbor's lab had both hips pinned and he's doing wonderfully.

I will definitely put you both in my prayers. Believe me, I know the feeling in the pit of your stomach.....

Evelyn

 

[Bina]

Yes, the morphine patch is usually used post op, it is strong stuff, we used it on our cat after tumour removal.

And Metacam is hard on the stomach, it needs to be taken with food, but usually dogs in pain won't eat....and on the other hand Sadie needs a little bit of pain to remind her to be resting.

When my Lab slit her side open, (a freak accident with patio furniture), the vet stapled it and we gave her the low dose Aspirin of 81 mg. It just took the edge off of her pain so that she could get some sleep.

Sadie sounds like a survivor.....and yes animals deserve the same care as us

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Oh Sweet, Sweet Sadie

Oh Sweet, Sweet Sadie

Dearest Bob,
I know how much you love and adore your sweet Sadie. I am so so sorry. I didn't know anything about it until just now. (i've been totally lost in the mounds and mounds of my special ed work the last couple of weeks or so) You know I completely understand the emotions our precious dogs evoke in our hearts and souls. You can cry a river on my shoulder anyday.

I feel just horrible Sadie is in such pain, but I am so thankful it sounds like she is going to make it. I can just picture you there pampering her to no end and her licking it all up like a t-bone steak. BTW, my Sophie sends her best to her cyber pal, Sadie.

I hope and pray Sadie is just like her precious master.......Bionic!

Love ya,
Debbi

 

[Pegasus]

Bob, I forgot to mention that the 'crying' may not be a just pain response. When dogs are or have been on sedatives they get confused and it messes with their brain so they do cry after surgeries. Like Bina said you have to balance pain - they do need a little pain to be resting and not aggrevate the injury. In any case, if she doesn't get better it's best to bring her back to the vet, like you said.
Our dog tolerated the Metacam well, with or without food - we refused the Rimadyl - it depends on the dog. Ours has a 'pig's stomach but we actually switched her over to a homeopathic remedy quickly - high potency Arnica which only the vet can give. Plus she got calming herbal teas which she just drank up like crazy and which she put herself on wounds as we weren't quick enough to address all wounds at once (they were itchy). She seemed to know best what she needed and we took cues from her. She actually learned to give signals to us when she needed more teas.
Many hugs to Sadie
astrid

 

[Curtsmum]

Bob, iam glad they were able to help Sadie and i hope she has a good recovery. we all feel for our pets and love them just as much as if they were human. I had a cat when i was 7 and it died when i was 16, felt like i'd lost my best friend because it was always around when i needed comfort and never feel bad, we all wish we could change things. Really hope sadie feels better soon and give her a big hug from me

 

[Guest]

Bob,

Continuing thoughts/prayers for you ... and for Sadie.

Good luck at the Vet's on Monday....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Something is wrong here" ... Uncle Cracker ... 'In A Little While'

 

[Ross]

She's just like us after heart surgery. She's in pain, doesn't understand why and just has no appetite or thirst. I imagine she'll be like this for a day or two, then she should start. Just keep her from jumping around when she does start. It's going to take those muscles awhile to strengthen and hold the hip in place.

 

[hensylee]

Rob, my heart breaks for you. You feel so helpless. Just love Sadie and that will ease her some. Have you tried eye dropper for some water. At least a bit would go down. If all else fails an IV will have to be the answer.

 

[Superbob]

Thanks, all. Here is a progress report: I slept down in the basement with Sadie, where there is easy access without stairs to get her outside to do her business, and I thought we'd get no sleep all night. She'd been moaning and restless all day. But from about midnight to 4, we slept (and hey that's pretty good by my own normal standards ) and then after we'd come back in from her doing her biz, I looked around and she was three-legged hopping up the stairs to the main part of the house! Not an approved activity for her. But she made it fine. Then she was interested in trying the big jump onto my bed, but I put my foot down at that, and made her a pallet on the floor beside my bed and we got a little more shut-eye.

Anyway, I see now my challenge as she starts feeling a little better is going to be to hold her down from doing things that could put that hip out again before it has a chance to heal.

She has lapped at water a few times when I hold it up to her but not often. To supplement that, my wife and I have started using a syringe-type thing from the pet store that shoots a little water in the side of her mouth. She actually seems to like that. My wife boiled her some nice chicken breast but she took only a couple of quick bites. Hopefully she will regain some appetite today.

Hopefully we'll learn more from the vet Monday morning about the chances of her hip healing without surgery. I know there is a long prayer list on vr.com but if any of you want to visualize that hip healing nicely back in the socket and saying a little prayer for Sadie lady, it would be appreciated.

 

[juliek]

I am saying prayers for your baby Sadie!

 

[Ross]

So long as you can keep her from jumping around and as sedentary as possible, there shouldn't be a need for the pin, but a dog that size is hard to keep sedentary. Do the best you can and if the pin is a must, it's a must, but if she'll cooperate for a week or two, you may be safe.

 

[lance]

She's on the mend

She's on the mend

Glad to read your beloved Sadie is on the mend--it's so good to have her home in her own surroundings.

My dogs love cheese, eat it readily and it's full of protein.

Great news!

 

[Pegasus]

Better news alredy Healing thoughts will be send!
If she gets too active you may have to put her in a dog crate, but if she isn't used to one that may freak her out.
Our dog was used to the crate since we have one in the Van and going on airplanes. She thinks it's her dog house and goes to sleep in it. One day, post-op (with 11 external pins sticking out her tibia) she managed to get one pin stuck in the crate door and pulled a 35 pds crate thorugh the living room. She didn't even notice. We were sick to our stomachs but no damage was done. Another time she cleared a 30 inch baby gate with her fractured leg (with cast and oversized Elizabeth-collar) and also landed just fine. Good thing, my husband wasn't a valve patient then! Goes to show you how resilient they are and much more agile than humans.
I will keep my fingers crossed for Sadie's speedy and smooth recovery!
astrid

 

[hensylee]

I didn't want to say so, but I just KNEW you slept right by her all night. I am sure she knows how you feel. They want to be touched by our hand to reassure them. She is reacting to your positive touches and care. She is WINNING!

 

[Wise]

Good to hear about Sadie's progress. We will pray for you and Sadie.

Cindy says to tell you that she once had a beloved shepherd mix named Sadie, so she'll remember your little lady's name.

It is AMAZING what they can do on three legs if they have to; hopefully you can keep her calm enough to avoid the surgery.

 

[Superbob]

Thanks so much for all the good thoughts. Sadie seemed livelier this morning, but now she hasn't eaten since before the accident Friday afternoon and seems to be running down. We've just started her on some Pedialyte, and plan to try some baby food (chicken and turkey) a little later. (The vet's assistant said it was okay to try all this). Don't want to crowd her stomach but don't want her running on empty either. I am sure they will have to give her some fluids tomorrow. The assistant said we would have to leave her at least for the day (I hate that!) and that I am to bring the x-rays from the emergency clinic (the hip separation was not a pretty thing and now I am getting all worried again).

Anyway, you guys have been wonderful. I really appreciate the moral support.