My poor dog...2!

[nannon]

I am so upset! The vet has just called (the one who did the op on her leg) and said that when she did the op she found a lot on arthritus on Tira's knee and after the 6 months it takes to recover from this op she will still not be right. When she first had the X-ray they said there was no arthritis in her leg.
So my poor dog has been through this horific operation and will be no better off afterwards. She will be in pain for 2 weeks and its breaking my heart! She cant lie down or get comfy, and this stupid cone collar is driving her nuts! I dont know what else i can use to stop her chewing her stitches though, its just so sad to see her like this because she is usually so full of life.
She is an extremely fussy eater and the vet has said she has ordered her some food called Joint diet that she must eat - if she doesnt like it i cannot make her eat it!

[LoftyLottie]

Oh poor you, I fully understand how terrible you must feel.

Would one of these help. Another AB user has ordered one on the recommendation of Lankeela

http://www.amazinghealth.co.uk/comfy-collar.ht m

There is a phone number and perhaps they could get one in the post today for you by special delivery. They sound really excellent.

As for the food, don't worry too much because dogs won't always eat what the vet prescribes. If I were you I would cook her some plain rice and chicken (dogs usually love it) and add some cod liver oil to every meal. A teaspoon or two to help her joints. You could also try glucosamine tablets. (You would have to find out the correct strength, but I know animals respond well to it).

Meanwhile, all I can do is to say keep your chin up and give her loads of affection (which I know you are doing) and don't feel guilty about the op. You are doing your very best for her.

Take care - both of you

xxxx

[garner]

I second what lottie has said. The food will be no problem if you mix it with some chopped cooked chicken I'm sure.Feel so sorry for your lady,hope she soon gets well again and is her usual self soon.By the way there are many arthritic remedies you can buy on line before you pay the rop off prices from vets.Good luck .g.

[garner]

Sorry that should read [ rip ]

[LoftyLottie]

Yes, all is not lost with the Arthritis. There are plenty of things that can help (I have it myself!). Get her through this rough period first and build her up and then start worrying about the arthritis. I shouldn't worry too much about the special 'joint diet' just yet - just let Tira eat what you know she enjoys. No need to add to her discomfort.

Vet's will always try their best to sell the special foods. They make a bomb from it.

xxxx

[ruthann58]

i know how you feel i was in a state of constant panic for at least a week after issy had her leg removed . you are quite right you can not make her eat we had enough tins and packets of goodies to try and tempt her to eat we could have supplied tescos she was a week before she started to eat our gsd who we lost this year was 14 she did her ligament in when she was 10 they said they could operate but at her age the other 1 was likely to go as well with rest it got better we made her a play pen outside the patio doors so she could still get outside but not run about .our vet is a firm believer in glucsoamin he said an adult dose every day it helped her no end i also bought her a bioflow collar .she had another 4 years with us that we did not think we were going to have .i get it from age stop online 1500mg glucosamin 1200 chroditon and msm i also have got my sons old pony on it and he is a lot more mobile even the blacksmith has said how better his stiffness is

[nannon]

Thank your for you answers! I have calmed down a little bit now!
We took her to the vets, she said that the wound is healing well. I explained about her bad breathing and she said that was probably about the pain so has given her an injection and she is totally fasto on the floor.

the food they have given us is Hill's Prescription Diet but for the life of us we cant work out how much to feed her because the instructions dont make sense" We need to go to vets again tomorrow if she is better so she can give us more painkillers so help her, I didnt realise that she is only on anti biotics and anti inflamatries - i am very cross the poor baby is in pain and no painkillers! You wouldnt do that to a human! Although dont like all these drugs in her body! As long as she sleeps well tonight I'm happier - i have also ordered one of those collars, couldnt get through to the phone number so will have to wait but at least i know its coming!
Thank you very much again!!

[ruthann58]

oh bless her i cant believe they didnt give her any pain medication hopefully she will sleep well tonight you too ,dont worry to much about the food as long as she is eating somthing there will be plenty of time once she feels better to get her eating the new stuff issi was on pain killers for about a fortnight in all,i really hope you all sleep well tonight as it will do you all good ,ruth xx

[LoftyLottie]

Thanks for letting us know how things are going. I have been thinking about you. So glad you got the pain killers. As ruth says, don't worry too much about the food. Quite honestly I have never had a pet who likes Hills Prescription Diet, but Hills make a fortune and all vets stock it.

Hope you both have a really good sleep. Little Tira will be so much better for a good rest - you too

xxx

[ruthann58]

how is tira today what did the vet say this morning and how are you do you feel a bit less stressed

[nannon]

Hello - oh thank you for asking after her!
We went to the vets who said her heart had slowed back down to normal which of course is fab! She is apparently recovering well but is still in a lot od discomfort, She hasnt eaten the new food - she is eating roast chicken! Bless her,
She does seem better today, she zonked out last night, hardly heard a peep out of her! (so i actually slept as well! )Its so sweet she tries to run to us excited but of course cant! We bought her a new bed today, a big squishy cushion which seems a lot more comefortable for her! She seems to want to be close to us all the time, maybe for reassurance,
Next thing is to try and make her pooh! She hasnt been now since Tuesday and her tummy is rock solid. She hasnt wee'd today either, The vet recommended we put some cod liver oil in her food to help but not done the trick yet! If anyone else has any tips.....??
Ah its so nice i can come on here and get advice from you all! Thank you!

[ruthann58]

glad all is well, issy was a week before she poohed then it was the squits but all is back to normal now it s 4 weeks today she got hit , she also seems to want to be close she used to sleep on the back of the settee but now she snuggles up beside me if i have got the lap top i have to put my arm around her the she sits and purrs all evening. lucky girl roast chicken i wouldnt worry too much about the special food give her a few bits mixed in her chicken or try some gravy on it ,issy came home with several different foods from the vet and a packet of liquid food whch smelt a bit like horlicks all of which she would not touch i ended up mixing warm water with things then putting them through a sieve so i could syringe them into her. issy had 21 staples in her she was quite good with them and when she used o scratch them i would gently scatch each side of the wound for her so she did not catch them and rip them out ,she has slept in a puppy cage at night for the last 4 weeks as i needed to know she was not able to jump up onto anything in the night and split everything open, tonight we are going to leave her loose so i will spend half the night worrying if she is ok , then the next hurdle will be letting her outside for the first time, but i think i will leave that a while longer ,did you have a chance to look at the bioflow collars they are quite expensive about 40 quid but it really was worth it muppet was so much better with hers in fact after the difference it made to her i treated myself to a bioflow bracelet as my joints are getting a bit stiff, hopefully your girl will get a bit better each day, did the vet give her any painkillers today .speak to you tomorrow hugs to all ruthxx

[ruthann58]

how is she is she feeling better