Marty was happy to see us. The girls on the other hand are totally terrified of him. They think he looks like a dinosaur, they're afraid of his big ouchie. They actually hid behind the exam table so they weren't close to him. Talk about break your heart, both for the dog and the kids.
We got home and and got him comfortable. After dinner we took him for his first walk. OMG did I underestimate how physically hard that is. I have no idea how I'm going ot be able to do that for 15 min three times a day all while still trying to watch the girls.
The girls went to bed and we started setting up his night time meds. 4 pills. He has never had an issue taking a pill before in his life and of course he chose to not take them. We tried everything we could think of, peanut butter, cheese, hot dog, forcing, pleading. Finally I thought my husband was going to kill the dog so I called the vet. They told us to dissolve all of them and squirt them into his mouth. That worked...kinda. I'm not sure how much he actually got but whatever.
We put him in the bathroom downstairs with his cone on and passed the F out.
This morning he was better about taking his slurry of meds. Now he's locked in a baby enclosure but he's resting pretty well. We made him walk from one pen to the other but I really need to get him up and going in a little bit. It's hard to bug him when he's actually resting. He did drink a little this morning and ate a small Milkbone but no interest in anything else.
I am seriously second guessing our decision. This is really hard and I have no idea if I can do this.
You CAN do it... have you ever been to a physical therapist? Those folks are truly mean - they make you do stuff that HURTS when it is in your best interest... Unfortunately, You are going to have to be one of those people. He hurts & doesn't really want to do much of anything - AND he doesn't have opposable thumbs to do anything himself AND he doesn't *really* understand the english language so you cannot reason with him. As far as food goes - try boiled chicken (or hamburger) and rice, babyfood in meat flavors, anything that could possibly seem tempting to him. The more you get him up & about the less the muscles will atrophy and he will regain use sooner. IMO that is the hardest part - they're like your kids, why would you want to push them & cause pain/stress - but really it's for the best. Hang in there - YOU CAN DO THIS. BE HELGA the PT GIRL!!!! Call me or Kate if you need more ideas.
ReplyDeleteOh honey...I feel bad for you...do you have a fenced in backyard? Can you safely walk him around there and leave the girls in the house? Or take them out back?
ReplyDeleteWe wrap our dog's meds in sliced chicken or sliced turkey...she devours it and now begs for her meds in the AM.
Watch Marty....he'll clue you in on what is best. My brother's dog was 5 when she had back surgery, we call her the Bionic Beagle, it cost them a crapload of money (he joked that his last tour in Iraq was so he could pay her vet bills) but she recovered well and they were very happy they went through everything they did to keep her (even the post surgery care).
ReplyDeleteI've never had anything severe with the boys, but I sympathize. Stormy's surgery was so minor but man did recovery suck- taking care of the drain, getting him to eat...and the pill swallowing! Chewie is getting his shoved down his throat daily for his post-dental antibiotics and I swear he is going to kill me next time I shove a pill down his throat.
Thanks guys. I hope the stress dissipates as we figure out our routine and get used to it. I just feel like a bundle of emotions.
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