Sammie's Surgery

[Tambrey]

Thanks Skeptic...I know you have had alot going on in your own life...

Marty...I think that back then, they did not have the choices that we do now...and their only option was to do that...however painful it was even for the person doing it...I never would be able to...no way...I sure am glad for modern medicine!!!

[Tambrey]

Well...we had a bit of a setback this afternoon...*Sighs*...

we are dog sitting for a friend...another doxie that Sammie knows...we brought her crate and blankie and all that fun stuff...just overnight, but still...

Sammie was so excited to see her that when I let him out of his crate, after she settled down some....he was turning to sniff at her, like they are prone to do, and I guess the going in the circle, his right hind foot slipped a bit to the side, then when he started to stretch his hind legs out and yawn...because he had been sleeping...he yelped and ran back to his crate... hopefully just stretched a muscle...he is laying very still again, looks like he is hurting...I managed to get him to come out a while ago, but he just turned and went back in...poor guy...
I have Cuddles in her crate as well...I figure she does not need to be chasing cats while Sammie is trying to rest...but I have their crates next to each other so they can kiss noses...

I have a call in to the surgeon...we have been playing phone tag for a week now, but updating over voice mail...

I just pray that is all it is...that he overstretched or overdid something...and will be okay tomorrow once again...

{edited 2 hours later...I think Sammie will be okay...pulled muscles, I think...he just went out to go potty and wanted to go for a walk too, so we did a short one...he is back in his crate now, as I had to take Cuddles out for her walk...no way was I going to try both together...hahaha...both did thier business and are happy now...however, Sammie might be a little put out because I am letting Cuddles have run of his house right now...later on, he will get his turn...then tonight when we are all home, we will let them both out as long as both DS and I can be on the floor with them!! }

[Tambrey]

Sammie a few months ago...before we ever knew anything was wrong, becuase this is how he always looked



Sammie 4 days after surgery



Sammie one month after surgery



he does not even look like the same dog!!

[Traci]

Were you able to get ahold of the surgeon yet?

Be careful Tambrey...when your vet said restriction, he really meant restriction!

[Tambrey]

yes, I spoke with her yesterday afternoon...she said that what Sammie was feeling, since he did it during a stretch, and given that we are now a month out from surgery, was ligaments and maybe some scar tissue pulling...he was fine later on in the evening...and shows no affects from being sore...

no running around and for the most part, both doxies have been in their crates...Cuddles is not used to that so she is barking alot...but Sammie is just sleeping...

She said he can continue leash walks for short distances, gradually going further every week or so...but he has to stay under control on a leash until May...

he actually did really well lastnight when we had them both out for a while...he just laid on the couch beside me...

[slvrwhispr]

Hey Tambrey. It's been a while with no update. How's the little guy doing?

[Tambrey]

thanks for asking...
Sammie is doing great...wanting to run all over the place...we got home tongiht and I opened his kennel door...he came CHARGING out and around the dining room table and back into the living room before I could stop him...I told him a firm NO and told him he has to WALK in the house...he has been good since then...
but it is hard to keep him down and quiet...he feels better than he has probably felt in YEARS...and it shows...but come May 1st, he will be free and clear to "be a dog" once again...barring any setbacks, but so far this recovery period has been wonderfully uneventful and much smoother than we anticipated...
here is a picture of him this morning when he went out to go potty..yes the snow is higher than he is tall!!...my son shoveled a place off the sidewalk for him to go in

[slvrwhispr]

Yay! I'm glad he's doing so well. And he's starting to be furry on his back again! Poor little guy's gotta be cold, lol. He's adorable and so sweet, and I'm so glad he's doing well.

[Tambrey]

thanks
his fur feels like soft velvet right now...when you pet one way...and when you pet the other, he still feels like brushing your hand backwards against velvet...
he LOVES to have his back and around his scar scratched...as I am sure it itches while growing in and healing...

he did not want to come back inside, actually...I was the one getting cold...hahaha...he does have a sweater, but I need to cuff and sew the legs, they are too long for him...but the length for his back is right...
we also got him a yellow slicker/raincoat to wear on spring walks...

can you tell he is spoiled?!

[Tambrey]

Sammie is having some troubles these past few days with his back...things are still in a good stage...if there is one...and if we can keep him basically on crate rest and meds again for 7-10 days, hopefully since we are aware of symptoms and caught things early enough, that it will be better on its own...

so we are back on a light does of pain meds and muscle relaxers for a few days... and the crate rest he is NOT liking at all...

It is only sometimes that it bothers him...most of the time he is wanting to run around the yard and scrooch in the stinky areas, and he does fine...but then every so often he lets out that yelp and limps...which is what he did at the beginning stages before, we just were dumb and did not recognize them early enough...

but there is that slight inflammation there and we are not taking ANY chances with him...