December 11, 2008

Battle Scars

Last week, I introduced you to Abigail Jane and asked you to keep her in your prayers. I will say that my vet (whom we love and trust with our animals' lives) does take the wait and see approach and while they do surgery - they refer out for major medical issues. I will also say that my vet said she hurt her neck, he just didn't know how - if resting didn't help then they would refer out. Well as you know, resting didn't help - we self-referred to a local doggy orthopedic and she meet him on Friday afternoon. My good friend - the Anonymous Miss D - meet us at the vet. It's a good thing she was there, she asked all the right questions that I was unable to even think of. Dr. Duke did the x-rays and bloodwork eliminating anything easy. He said the next step was an MRI. By Friday evening Abby was so weak that she couldn't stand on her own, she would often stumble - falling on her chest. She was, however, still pottying on her own which I took as a great sign. Saturday morning I took her to Seattle Veterinary Specialists who did another exam, determined that she hurt her neck somehow and that the next step was an MRI. They said I could bring her home and make an appointment as a referral to have her seen on Monday, but if I left her with them, they would manage her pain and she was be examined first thing in the morning by Dr. Sanders. Dr. Sanders called me Monday morning after doing the exam and again in the afternoon after her MRI. The MRI showed a severely herniated disc between C4-C5. He said it was a low risk operation and she would have a great chance at being a "proper" dog again. So, Tuesday Abby had surgery on her spine to remove the herniated disc which was putting so much pressure on her spinal cord, causing extreme pain and weakness. Last night, JB and I went to visit her. Because of our vacation - she will be boarded at the vet until we get home. So (again thanks to Miss D) I finished the felted bone (Sorry Henry,I'll make you another) - I let Lucy play with it for a minute. I also took a piece of fleece - we had Dudley sit on it for awhile and JB rubbed him all over with it. Hopefully this will bring her a little comfort. As for Abby herself - she's still a little whinny. Probably indicating she's still in quite a bit of pain. She is managing to move around a little bit by herself, although her legs are still really weak. The front more so than the back. She had gotten a bath shortly before we arrived and her toenails were cut during surgery. Poor girl - they are doing all the things she hates! She did managed to roll onto her side so she could get tummy rubs. We will know she's doing fine when she can roll over on her back for belly rubs - her all time favorite thing in the world. Her incision is huge! Poor baby and she's stitched up like Frankenstein. But she seems to be in a fairly good spirits. And I am impressed with the techs that have helped us with the visits each time we have gone. The guy last night (who's name I didn't catch) seemed to really like her. I went to get him because she drank a ton of water and started whinging again - usually indicating she needs to potty. As hard as she was to housebreak - she now hates to potty in the house and I can't imagine soiling yourself would be very comfortable. He came back with a shoulder harness so she can walk as much as possible on her own. Giving her shoulders support without putting any pressure on her neck and allowing the human to lift her front legs and shoulders off the ground. She was in heaven outside sniffing and took a long time to find the right place to potty. The Musical One is going to see her today and Miss L has agreed to visit her while we are on vacation. So - all in all - she is now the most expensive dog I know but she will be fine. Other than the intense stress and fear I felt of the unknown and the pain she was in - I wouldn't trade her for the world or do anything different. I need to give a public shout out to bloggless Miss D, Jessica (go read her blog and leave a comment please), Cami and Chan all of whom spent countless hours on the phone with me, reassuring me, checking on Abby and making sure everything was okay. As well as several of the members of Dogs on Thursday who sent emails, support, prayers and good wishes. It worked everyone. thank you.

25 comments :

  1. I'm relieved, although doubtless not as much as you are. At least now you can have a happier vacation! Hugs and big doggie kisses to Abby and her friends, human and otherwise!

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  2. I'm so glad she will be fine once all the pains go away!
    Sending lots of well licks and woof to you all! Give her extra pets from me too!!

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  3. Poor girl! Sending lots of speedy recovery thoughts her way.

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  4. Glad to hear Abby is well on her way to a great recovery! HUGS..

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  5. Boo hooooo... Love on her for me. She still looks a little doped up in those photos, and I hope she is. Great thought, to take her pack to her in the fabrics!

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  6. No need to thank me - that's what friends are for. Besides, you did the same for me with Andy's wreck, surgery and rehab!

    How about a shout out for your hubby? He didn't seem to miss a beat when faced with the bills for doctors, tests, surgery and medical boarding. What a man! Although I do seem to remember him saying something about the yarn budget...

    Anonymous D.

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  7. I'm so sorry she's still in pain but so glad Abby is doing well after her surgery. Such a pretty girl to have to go through such trauma. Wilbur & Charlotte send puppy kisses and get well wishes too!!

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  8. Glad to hear she's on the mend. We're sending good thoughts her way.

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  9. Wow what a surgery! Oh I am so glad she is doing better and was able to sniff outside and go potty! I am glad she is getting meds to help control the pain.
    We are keeping her in our prayers for a speedy recovery!

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  10. oh, I am so glad she is doing well. The incision looks huge in the photo!! How scary for all of you.

    One more thing to be grateful for! Healthy dog-babies.

    Thanks for stopping by my piece of the web earlier on this DOT.

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  11. I am soo glad that my baby girl is better! I wish I could go visit her at the doggy hospital too, but unfortunately doggies don't truly negate a family emergency :( Although they should. I know you will all give her plenty of lovins for me.

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  12. I'm so glad she's on the mend! Poor baby. It's so hard to see our loved ones in pain and unable to say what's wrong. I'm glad they figured it out and it was a simple, if surgical, fix.

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  13. Henry says he is MORE than happy to let Abby have the bone. he also sends kisses. Fred does, too. You are so lucky to have Anon. Miss D...she is a good friend. I have a friend here who is as big a dog nut as me, and loves my pups, and it is a HUGE help to have her support. Please give Abs a HUGE hug and smooch from all of us!
    Oh, and all the DWOA gals send their love..they are all very concerned about you two.

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  14. Hi G. and pack!

    So glad that Abby will be ok!It really is like when one of your kids get sick.

    P.S. In answer to your question if the picture was posed, nope! This is what happens anytime I open the rear of the car. And Sampson, crazy hound that he is rides that way alot! We used to wonder if he wouldn't get car sick riding backwards. Guess it doesn't matter with dogs. The clothes were their blue sweaters.

    Happy Dogs on Thursday!

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  15. Poor sweet girl! You must be so relieved that everything worked out for the best - it's never easy to see our pups in distress. Simon sends Abby his best wishes for a quick and speedy recovery.

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  16. Sweet Abby. She certainly has some serious healing to do. So glad that she is on the mend, though it will take some time. What a relief for you and DH.

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  17. I'm so sorry about little Abigal. I'm glad she is doing better. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Charli and I are sending hugs your way.

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  18. I am glad that Abigail is doing better and will be safely boarded at the vets while you are gone!

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  19. my goodness what a big incision but whatever it takes to make her better! sending lots of gentle doggie hugs for a good recuperation

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  20. Such good news! We had a Rottie that had ruptured disc surgery at the age of 11 and recovered wonderfully. She also had two knee ligament surgeries at an earlier age. I called her my Million Dollar dog and she was worth every penny we spent. She went on to live to the age of 14 when her heart finally gave out. How I loved that girl!

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  21. Oh Ms G - I just now read about Abby and I'm so very glad that everything is going to be ok. I can't imagine how scary this has been. Hugs to you all and I wish her a very speedy recovery and you a wonderful vacation.

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  22. I too just read about Abby, the poor baby. I'm glad that she is going to be fine. ~ Robyn

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  23. I'm so glad that the worst is over for sweet little Abby. Please give her lots of hugs (gentle ones) from Emma, Tara and Cooper. We are all still sending healing vibes your way.

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  24. Hello there!

    We be the Dog Woods Pack and Snoopy and myself (tuffy) are basset hounds. We do hope that Abby gets well soon. We're sending all are furry warm get well wishes from our neck of the woods!

    licks and wags

    TUffy and teh Dog Woods Pack

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I appreciate you coming to see me. It may take me a bit to publish your comment - but I will get to them by the end of every day. If you leave a way for me to get back to you, I will. Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your opinions. g

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