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Post by willow on Feb 21, 2006 17:54:43 GMT -5
It has been about a year since Kara's right knee injury. It has been a loooong year with up's and down's, but she was doing pretty well, with just some stiffness in the evening/morning.
Today she injured her left knee.
We were outside while I did "yard cleanup" and Kara wanted to play. I laughed and said to her..."hey goofey girl, you be careful"....with that she took off running, yelped and held up her left leg. It was deja vu all over again!!
She wanted in the house, but could not get up the 4 deck stairs, so I had to help her, which is no easy feat, because she weighs about 50# and is as solid as a rock and heavy! When she got to the top both back legs gave out on her. She struggled back up and limped into the house, but with her right leg being weak, I don't know how she is going to manage to get around and I can't carry her. I tried a sling for her back end the last time and then after a couple of days she was able to put weight on the injured leg, but this time is different, because she has no "good" leg.
Needless to say, I feel totally defeated tonight.
My poor lil' girl.
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Post by sibemom on Feb 21, 2006 19:08:45 GMT -5
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Post by willow on Feb 21, 2006 21:20:05 GMT -5
Thanks, Ann and yes, I am going to call my Vet tomorrow and at least get her on some pain meds.
I have been crying since this happened and I am totally drained tonight.
Just when I thought I saw light at the end of the tunnel.
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Post by Nicole on Feb 22, 2006 17:49:43 GMT -5
Oh Loey!! I am so sorry to hear this. I know how upsetting this is but please don't panic. Lets wait to see what the vet says. Prayers and healing thoughts are headed your way!!
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Post by willow on Feb 22, 2006 18:42:11 GMT -5
Thank you too, Nicki . ;D I can't believe how this has affected me. I am usually such a logical person, but this has totally devastated me and my reaction is so un like me! I called the Vet today and asked her what she would suggest as far as treatment and meds. She said one month of complete rest, only going out to potty on a 3' leash and Meticam as an anti-inflamatory pain treatment, so we started her on it today. Linda, my vet, was positive and told me "many" dogs do well with this treatment. Thank God she did not even hint at putting her down at this point, although if she had, I was prepared to follow her advise, because I don't want my lil' girl suffering any more than she has to. I have been crying all day. It breaks my heart to see her struggling to get up and walk. I have never, ever reacted to any other dog this way. She is so tolerant. When I come with the leash to take her out, she tries to get up and I tell her, "Wait Sweetie", and she will stop until I get the sling under her and lift her back end up and tell her "o.k." and then she will walk towards the door. On a funny note: You know how we dog owner's worry so much about " dog poop". Well, Kara had not gone since yesterday when she hurt herself and I was really fretting over that. After I fed them tonight she went out and pooped and I almost did a Victory Dance! Well, if this keeps up it will be good for my waistline, because I have not been able to eat since this happened.
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Post by Brooke on Feb 22, 2006 23:00:30 GMT -5
Aww Loey... give it some time. It's probably pretty premature to worry about putting her down at this point. Don't think that yet. There is still hope things will be ok. Pamper your puppy. ;D Maybe just have a girls day and hang out snuggled up watching movies or something haha! Make the most of it for now...
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 23, 2006 4:27:01 GMT -5
Metacam is a wonder drug. My old Lab Jody was terribly arthritic, and had hip displasia to boot. I was facing the older dog quality of life question when she was 13 and unable to move and the old arthritis meds were no longer working. My vet at the time introduced her to the 'new' experimental Metacam and she lived happily pain free for another 7 years.
I was able to talk her for walks until she died - ok, slow lumbering plods resembling a dinosaur- and we didn't go for distance - but walks all the same.
I hope that with good care and rest Kara will make a full bouncing recovery. She's a special dog that is living a great life, and no one can ask for more than that.
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Post by willow on Feb 23, 2006 7:25:39 GMT -5
Thanks Brooke and Aussie! ;D I am greatly in need of encouragement right now, with things looking pretty bleak.
Aussie, I am glad to hear that about the Metacam! You know me and drugs, but I do recognize that some times if you want yourself or your pet not to suffer in pain, they are necessary, and I did notice yesterday after giving it to her, she did seem to get around a bit better.
And seven more years! Wow! I won't look for that, because Kara is 10, but another 3-4 years would be great! ;D
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Post by amyjo on Feb 23, 2006 10:19:42 GMT -5
Oh Loey.... I am sorry about your sweet girls knee. I know its tough but hang in and stay positive... I am not a big advocate of drugs either - but I believe this is one of those times when modern medicine provides us with hope and continued joy! I would not hesitate to put an "older" (shhhh don't tell Kara I called her that :-)) dog on pain meds. Take care, Amy
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Post by willow on Feb 24, 2006 9:19:32 GMT -5
Thanks, Amyjo and I won't tell Kara you said that. ;D She does not look or act "older" and that is probably her problem, like mine! We think we can do more than we can and end up hurting ourselves. So far, at least, the Metacam seems to really be helping and I would not dare let her outside w/out being on leash, because with the rabbits and neighbor cats she would really be in a world of hurt! Last night she smelled something and really wanted to run! My Vet said "It's hard to keep some of these dogs quiet" and Kara is one of them. Buddy otoh.....no problem! He can lie around and sleep all day if there isn't anything going on. ;D
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Post by Richard on Feb 24, 2006 10:44:35 GMT -5
Loey,
I'm glad you chose a path of what was best for Kara and it's good to see she's responding to the medication.
I've read the posts here and I know this must of been so hard for you to handle but face it, you are probably the best person here to know what has to be done and you're taking care of her the best way you know how.
I couldn't see it being any other way.
I know you are sad over her injury but remember, you are doing something (which is better than worrying and doing nothing ) and come spring, she'll be ready to get out there again (well, under your close watchful eye of course!!). In the meantime, Buddy will be the rabbit chaser for both of them and I'm sure he'll keep her up to date about his adventures.
As each day passes, Kara will get better and you need to convince yourself too of that. So keep that chin up, stay positive and don't look back - everything will work out ok.
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Post by willow on Feb 25, 2006 9:29:49 GMT -5
Thanks, Richard. I am finding out that "Metacam" and "keep totally quiet" are contradictory. It's amazing how fast a dog can hop on a 3' leash!
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