A week ago today we picked
Dusty up from Newmarket.
This is how his leg looked on
day 3.
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| Day 3 |
On Day 4, he went to our vet
for a check-up. She was a little concerned about his temperature being high,
but said it might be because he was stressed. And he was very stressed. He
shook and shivered the whole way out there – and was as calm as anything coming
home.
So to save us going back and
forth, she gave me a thermometer and asked me to check his temperature later
that day. It had gone down by the afternoon. By the next morning (Wednesday –
day 5) it had dropped further.
I have to keep taking his
temp twice a day in case it spikes again.
I have also been massaging
arnica into his leg – keeping away from the wound – to help with the bruising.
Carrying him up and down
stairs and in and out of the back door, I pulled something in my back so I
stopped being a stubborn control freak and let the males in the house do some
of the carrying up and down. Pleased to say my back is now feeling much better.
First big step was that the
fluid around his ankle had gone by day 4 and he is now putting some weight on
his leg, not a lot, but it’s a start. He walks best if he walks slowly and as
Dusty has never done anything slowly in his life that is a big challenge.
We’re keeping visitors to a
minimum, but he’s had a few this week. The kidlets have all been very good,
keeping low so he won’t jump up and putting up with being bashed with the
e-collar.
 |
| Visitors |
Sleeping downstairs on the
floor was what I expected to be the hardest part and it turns out to be the
easiest and best. He settles down in his cave which he loves, kicks his duvet
out and goes to sleep. I haven’t closed him in there yet. At the moment I’m
letting him come and go as he likes to move to his bed, or my bed (on the
floor) or up by my head next to the gate.
I couldn’t get a very good
photo of him in his cave as I have the lights low when we settle down for the
night.
 |
| In his cave |
At night he wears a soft neck
cushion as well as the e-collar as a couple of times I have caught him just
about to lick at his leg. He is something of a contortionist.
The worst part of this so far
is when he decides there is something up on the side which he absolutely must
see and tries to jump up. Even picking him up and showing him there is nothing
interesting to see doesn’t help. He needs constant supervision and that is
stressful. You wouldn't believe how long it's taken me just to write this post!
Monday he has his 10 day check-up.
I think the next step will be dispensing with the e-collar which should be
sometime next week. I'm looking forward to that as much as he is! No more bruised shins!
It's such hard work, being on duty all the time. I'm not surprised your back objected. Springers cannot be light to carry! It is amazing how they manage to reach forbidden bits of themselves, despite all our wonderful precautions. Hope next week will be a bit easier. x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanne. He's quite titchy for a springer, only around 14 kilos, but he soon starts to feel heavy :-) xx
DeleteYou are doing an amazing job Teresa. I think maybe I know why we don't have any pets because they are such a commitment. I hope Dusty is better soon, not least so you can relax and be stress free.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maggie. His initial six week recovery will be up on Christmas Day and that doesn't seem so far away when you think about it. Then all being well we can look ahead to spring and perhaps getting back to normality. He is missing Poppy so much - and she him bless her. She doesn't understand why she doesn't get to visit him - and he doesn't understand why I come home smelling of her but not with her xx
DeleteHow lucky Dusty is to have such a devoted owner, Teresa. I am just trying to imagine carrying step-dog Bonnie (it's more likely she'd be carrying me!) I do hope he gets better soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy. I have been thinking that myself - thank goodness he is not a heavier dog!
DeleteWhen I was a child one of our Boxers had a cruciate problem, but it didn't rupture thank goodness. He weighed about 40 kilos! xx
Poor Dusty. It will be such a relief for you both when he can have the collar off. You are doing such a brilliant job of caring for him, Teresa. I can well imagine how long it must have taken you to write your post or do anything else at all while he needs such close supervision. It's so good that he is managing to use that leg and I hope this progress continues and he is soon charging about again. xxx
ReplyDeletePoor Dusty. It will be such a relief for you both when he can have the collar off. You are doing such a brilliant job of caring for him, Teresa. I can well imagine how long it must have taken you to write your post or do anything else at all while he needs such close supervision. It's so good that he is managing to use that leg and I hope this progress continues and he is soon charging about again. xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanna. He's trying very hard to charge about now and can't understand why I won't let him! xx
DeleteDusty is very lucky to have such a devoted owner, Teresa. I'm so glad he's on the mend.
ReplyDeleteI keep telling him he's lucky, Frances! He just thinks I'm mean making him go everywhere on a lead and he's not impressed with the leaf/mud shoveller/skin scraped he wears round his head either xx
DeleteCan't believe how much devotion you need to care for Dusty, Teresa - hope you both get some rest and respite soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosemary xx
DeletePoor chap (and poor you worrying about him). Hope he's soon recovered.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patsy xx
DeleteAh, I have just read both your posts about Dusty. It is so hard to keep them immobile isn't it? Glad Dusty is making a good recovery. As for you lifting him, good grief, we never learn do we? Yes, leave that to those stronger than you from now on. Sleeping on a bed chair next to him? Oh my, you put me to shame! I hope he continues to make a good recovery Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteIf he was crate trained, I could sleep in my own bed, so it's my own fault really. Hoping to get him crate trained though so if the other leg goes, we'll be better prepared :-) xx
DeleteDusty, we hope you've asked Santa to bring your human a medal for Christmas because she deserves one.
ReplyDeleteMind you, it must be a bit frustrating for you as well so Santa Paws will have to bring you a reward as well.
licks & tail wags & xxxs from our human
It is very frustrating for me Tim and Ted - and I know you will sympathise with my latest problem and the enormous lampshade - woofs and tail wags and hugs for your human xxxx
DeletePleased to hear and see Dusty's improved- the cave looks to be a great success.
ReplyDeleteHope your back continues to improve, Teresa, along with Dusty's leg.
Fingers crossed for the collar removal.
Thank you, Carol. The collar would have been off soon, but he's sore in a delicate place now so while he's having cream applied, the collar has to stay on xx
DeleteVery useful information share and The Dog Trainer give the Training and Dog training can be socialisation to the domestic environment, basic obedience training or training for specialized activities including law enforcement, search and rescue . Dog Trainers in Northern Virginia
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting.
DeleteHow lucky Dusty is to have you. He has so much more chance of making a brilliant recovery because of your commitment. Just watch yourself though - glad you are 'delegating' and your back is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteTake care xxxxxx
Thanks, Sue. I don't think he feels very lucky - who is this woman who won't let me jump up and keeps telling me to slow down and doesn't let me have any fun, he says! xxxx
DeleteHi Teresa
ReplyDeleteAh, poor Dusty. So glad to hear he's improving. Bet he can't wait to get the cone of shame taken off!
Thank you. It will be a few more days before the cone can come off - and he's now wearing a bigger one. He's getting used to it though poor little chap! It must be so uncomfortable for him. His leg wound looks really good, but he has a skin infection on his testicles which the vet thinks might have been caused by him scraping them with the previous cone. They were bruised after the op too. Honestly, poor dog, it's just one thing after another xx
DeletePoor Dusty and poor you too. Take care.xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb xx
DeleteHi human, Teresa,
ReplyDeleteApawlogies for taking so long to get here. Been a bit hectic since I took over for my human, Gary.
I do so hope that Dusty is continuing to improve. Your love for us doggies resonates from your pawst, my dear human friend.
Have a peaceful Sunday.
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,
Penny xx
Lovely to see you here, Penny. Dusty says he is fed up being told, "Slow down! Don't do that! Don't do this! None of that now!" and he's missing his best friend doggy pal Poppy. He's not even allowed to play with Harley the cat any more so when she runs past yelling, "Chase me chase me!" I have to say, no! He says it's not even a dog's life and I'm looking forward to the day when he can go off the lead again almost as much as he is :-) xx
DeleteI think we've all come to love Dusty, Teresa. Thank you for keeping us informed. So pleased he is a fighter - just like his mum :) Wishing you both a lovely, relaxing and healing week.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicola :-) xx
Delete