I may have to put down my dog today

[Baz]

Thanks for the update on Dexter, Rob.

Nothing surprises me any more with regard to medical procedure twists and turns.

Kudos to you and yours for doing the right thing.

Woof!

[rfuerst911sc]

Well here it is 5:15 in the morning and I'm on Pelican ......... sounds about right . We received several updates from the medical staff yesterday and into the late evening and all has been positive. The last update at 9:30 last night said you can pick him up in the morning at 8:30 . So today is the day Dexter comes home ! As it turns out this is a planned weekend for us to have the three grandchildren ages 8 , 5 + 3 so it's going to be a busy house. Dexter will get plenty of love and affection and the grandchildren are very polite/mindful so they will leave him alone if that's what he needs. We'll just have to see how the day unfolds. Then there's the other two doxies.......... yes this weekend should be interesting .

[Chocaholic]

Congrats! Dexter may need some quiet time for the next few days if possible. We're going through that now (pic below). Glad it's all working out.

From our invalid to yours...

[rfuerst911sc]

We just got home about 15 minutes ago safe and sound. Dexter groaning like an old man . He was wagging his tail when we picked him up so he was happy to see us . He has four different medications that he has to take several times a day over the next two weeks. In two weeks he'll get the staples removed from his back. He can't walk right now but there is motor movement in both rear legs and he was going to the bathroom on his own late last night and this morning so that is very positive . Dexter doesn't seem too thrilled at the moment to be locked in the cage but it's better than being at the doctor . The other dogs greeted him, sniffed a little and wagged their tails so they seem happy he's back. His back looks like a horror movie gone bad but we sure are glad he's here. I just took these pics of him in the cage, as my son would say at least he doesn't have to wear the cone of shame !

[Justin@Athens]

[rfuerst911sc]

Dexter is having no problems with the dog cookies we are giving him . He looks at us like he's saying " keep em coming ! " . He has drank a little water and has settled down in his bed.
Chocaholic I'm glad your pup is on the mend also.

[Seahawk]

Nice.

Sounds to me like you have both a cool pup and a really good vet.

[crustychief]

AWESOME! How did they strengthen the missing rib?

[pwd72s]

Thanks for the updates. We love & spoil our pets. As we should...

May the healing go fast and well.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by crustychief

AWESOME! How did they strengthen the missing rib?

As it turns out the ruptured disc was at the same junction as the missing rib . To be honest the tech on duty today didn't know the specifics on what the surgeon did . I'm OK not knowing the details as long as he heals in a timely manner. I'm quite surprised with all the meds this little guy is taking he's quite alert and starting to show emotion. I'm typing on my laptop in our living room with the other two dogs on my lap. Dexter is in the sunroom about 25 - 30 feet away and he's pissed ! So he is fully aware of what's going on and has no problem barking or whining to show his displeasure. I'm thinking with time he will be just fine .

[95avblm3]

Glad to hear Dexter is on the mend. I often read PPOT as a break at work and have to admit, there were some downer threads last week. I can't imagine life without our own two Doxie's, so your thread hit close to home (one of ours has injured his back in the past too) and I found myself avoiding it because I was afraid of the outcome. Glad that this one has a good ending. Dexter should get all the treats he wants

[rfuerst911sc]

We made it through the day and evening with no snafu's so that is good. Dexter is drinking water and eating small meals. Also he is peeing and pooping on his own which is quite the exercise for dog and owner. Because he can't use his rear legs yet we take him out when we think he has to pee and we prop him up, grab his tail as a " handle " and he knows this is the pee position. Then to go to poop position the vet gave us a fleece lined sling with long strap handles. We place that under his belly and carry/lift him up and walk him along until he gets in the mood to poop . But he's able to go so that is a great sign. He is restless he's tired of just laying around. We are hopeful to see some signs of wanting to walk over the next 2 weeks. In all the excitement of picking him up neither my wife or I thought to ask when should he start showing signs of wanting to walk ? The house just seems complete with D-Dawg here .

[Chocaholic]

On the road to recovery at last. Be glad he's small enough to pick up and not 105 lbs! You've been gifted more time with Dexter. Once he's through the worst of his recovery, a small filet mignon might be in order for the old boy! Congrats.

[Steve Carlton]

Cool reverse Mohawk! Glad he's on the mend.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

On the road to recovery at last. Be glad he's small enough to pick up and not 105 lbs! You've been gifted more time with Dexter. Once he's through the worst of his recovery, a small filet mignon might be in order for the old boy! Congrats.

Maybe even a tiny piece of bacon No we don't give them table scraps but may make an exception once he starts walking on his own. And yeah I'm glad I don't have to haul around 105 pounds of dog ! But good for you to do so .

[wdfifteen]

Wonderful!!

I've been reluctant to click on this thread. It seemed to me the chances of things going bad were high. I am so happy that Dexter is doing well.

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Maybe even a tiny piece of bacon No we don't give them table scraps but may make an exception once he starts walking on his own. And yeah I'm glad I don't have to haul around 105 pounds of dog ! But good for you to do so .

Fortunately, we don't have to carry her! She had a damaged condroid process (elbow) and mis aligned ulna/radius (rescued parvo pup). Chip removed and ulna shortened and pinned. 6 weeks in her crate, then pin comes out. But her cast is like a walking cast. She can walk on it and weight is transferred to her shoulder. It's not very graceful but gets her out to relieve herself.

Amazing what we do for these animals...as you well know. It's only money, time, patience and of course belly rubs and love. All worth it.

[rfuerst911sc]

I thought I would give an update on Dexter. Each day you could see he's been getting stronger and wanting to attempt walking. We have been doing stretching exercises on his rear legs and holding him upright on a pillow so he starts to put pressure on his rear legs and works on his balance. We carry him outside to go to the bathroom but he does his business with little fanfare he's adapting. Yesterday he started walking on his own !!! Granted he's a wobbly mess but he's now able to get up from laying down position and walk. Our house is all hardwood floors or laminate so he slides/drags on those but we have a lot of area rugs and runners that he just gets up on and walks. We are very happy with that portion of the recovery. This coming Thursday he gets the 12 staples removed from his back hope that goes well . D-Dawg is on the road to full recovery .

[KevinTodd]

Great news!

[Baz]

Great news! Go Dexter go!

Did he get that little piece of bacon?