We are home from the vet.Chance is still loopy from the anesthesia and sleeping. But overall did good. The main wound we went to the vet for, is a pressure sore. He is not active during the summer months, so he is prone to them just like the senior dogs. It was caught before getting infected. The second issue: At the vet, while I was getting Chance out of the stroller, he cut his foot open and started bleeding (Richard wasnt there, Rachel was there but with Moose. At 85 pounds, this is a tough job for one person,me). Turns out this was a lump he scraped open.Since he was already sedated, Dr.Shaffer cut it off. It was some kind of benign puppy lump. Cant recall the correct name. End up getting 2 stitches. While sedated Dr.Shaffer also did a complete exam. Noted he is thriving better than she ever thought! YAY! Heart/lungs good Nails trimmed Weight good, now eats 3 pounds of food a day. Yes I said 3 pounds. Due to constant movement he burns more energy than the normal dog. I had her check his ears as he shakes his head sometimes, like dogs do when the ears hurt. His ears were, in Dr,Shaffers words, perfectly clean and very well cared for! No ear infection. The head shaking (not tremor, he has those too) is related to his neurological condition and just something they do. Maybe feels dizzy or something. Not a headache as he does not paw or press his head. So now he is on very strict crate rest and hope he does not pop the stitches, due to the exaggerated movements he does. Also keep the pressure wound as clean and dry as possible. No cone as he lacks coordination in general and would really fall with that. Hell be just fine and up and going soon! As you are reading this, you are probably saying, what?? Why all the sedation and big deal with such simple wounds and exam? Well. let me tell you, with a dog like Chance with severe neurological issues, simple wounds and vet visits are a big deal. They are risky due to the sedation needed. Sedation is needed due to his flopping and lack of control and risk further injury. Then add his 85 pound size to the mix. Vet visits with Chance are finely orchestrated events, that take planning from loading, walking in the vet door, involving all the vet staff (that we are very thankful for), Chance is in large stroller that will not fit past waiting area (an ordeal on its own ), the exam and procedures are creative in itself. Then loading and head back home to unload. This is a 5 to 6 hour process. But hes worth every second of it!
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 02:11:41 +0000