Dog Community

Seriously injured dog needing good thoughts (outdoorschik)

Posted : 3/23/2011 8:29:33 AM

***Warning - Graphic trauma details below. ***

I wasn't going to post, I'm having a tough time keeping strong on this one.

One Ton, one of my senior lead sled dogs and just retired one week ago was savagely attached by a loose dog tearing into a major leg vein. When I got to him he was going into the final stages of shock, eyes glazeing over, unresponsive, surrounded in more blood than I thought possible... it's the most upsetting thing I've ever seen. I thought he was dying right there never having seen shock but he was still breathing. I put a tourniquet on his leg (note to those reading, I should NOT have done that, I thought it was an arterty, but it was a vein and pressure was what it needed) and got him to the vet sitting with him til they opened. I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off panicking losing precious moments that morning. He spend a two days and night there and while he is home, it is just because I can do at home what they were doing for him there and they're hoping familiar surroundings will boost his spirits and get him to eat. He's in severe pain, the crushing (read repetitive chewing) injuries to his leg + my idiot self tying it off may cause him to lose it. He's still coming out of the shock and battling serious infection. They didn't even want to disturb him to x-ray the limb as at this time it doesn't matter, he wouldnt' survive a surgery to fix the vein or remove the leg. I've got to give him fluids multiple times a day, several antibiotics, and painkillers as he fights to live. It's so hard to watch a dog that was so strong just two days ago barely able to lift his head. His kidney and liver values are bad though the vet hopes it is a temporary spike due to the massive cell death and infection he is fighting. The vet told me his prognosis was guarded at best and that he needs to show us continued improvement in the next 24-48 hours - he needs to want to eat on his own and try to get up. If he were a human, it was explained to me that he'd be in the ICU for many weeks.

So... I'm asking for good thoughts for One Ton, he deserves a couch and to enjoy his retirement, not to go out like this. We think he wants to live, but he's scared and in pain. When we brought him out on the stretcher to my car last night he lifted his head and took a deeeeeep sniff of the cool air. I'm hoping his being in great shape will help him pull through even though he is old.

Springer Lady

Posted : 3/23/2011 8:33:34 AM

Lots of get well vibes and prayers from all of us... Poor pup Crying

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/23/2011 8:45:06 AM

Please tell One Ton that Aunt Callie is pulling for him. Keep assuring him he can DO this.

Keep telling him that things are to "help" him. "This is going to help you get better!" "You gotta eat to get better -- don't worry if you can't get up to pee right now. We'll clean it up. YOU just get better!!" (They will sometimes avoid eating and drinking just for that reason!)

I have SAM-e I can send you if you want.

JackieG

Posted : 3/23/2011 8:53:11 AM

Good vibes for One Ton. Don't beat yourself up for trying to do your best to give him emergency treatment. Not many people would be able to accurately diagnose a torn artery or a torn vein, especially with that much blood loss and trauma to the site. I hope he can recover.

outdoorschik

Posted : 3/23/2011 8:54:32 AM

Thanks Springer Lady! I truly appreciate it.

Callie - I have SAM-e actually, I didn't think to start that too but I should... amount? I've begun milk thistle, though it's the alcohol based tincture making him gag... I'm going to the Co-op this evening for the pills by Gaia. He certainly feeds off of my anxiety. Like I said the other morning I didn't present myself well to him at all... screaming and repeating oh my god at all the blood did not inspire confidence I'm sure. I do think he's avoiding the solid food because A - he doesn't want to have to "go" and B - the liver values have got to have him nauseaus as heck. He's had two small meals via syringe that he swallowed willingly with a mix of high protien kibble blended with a dog stew of beef/liver/sweet potato/carrot/kale/egg.

Hate to be at work right now, I'd rather be sitting with him.

The dogs are AMAZING around him, carefully laying just far enough, not going anywhere near the tempting food sitting in front of him (normally they are little thieves stealling food out of each others mouths, much less leaving food thats a treat and easy to snatch... wow). Oliver knows too... he would normally get in between me and any male dog I was paying such attention too and he just sits at my side and "supervises", I didn't think he could help himself or he was that mature. They certainly know how gravely ill he is I've been just wowed by their sensitivity.

outdoorschik

Posted : 3/23/2011 9:00:22 AM

JackieG
Not many people would be able to accurately diagnose a torn artery or a torn vein

Thank you...

I do "know" that... but I feel like I can always learn more and I'll certainly take many things from this experience that I need to improve. I'm making it a point to learn more about trauma care and basic dog anatomy... the part of his front leg that was injured worst is where they'd normally place an IV (up top) in the vein. I've learned that that vein will stop bleeding out with consistent pressure and that I should have released the tourniquet every 20 minutes for a few miniutes to allow blood flow. I'm feeling guilty even though the vet said that I saved his life doing what I did. I also need to learn to control those emotions... the panic I let take over was not good, though that will likely be a lifetime work in progress.

rwbeagles

Posted : 3/23/2011 9:15:29 AM

all our good, fighting vibes are being sent on to you and to One Ton.

sharismom

Posted : 3/23/2011 9:27:17 AM

^^^ ditto what Gina said

((((Karen))))

outdoorschik

Posted : 3/23/2011 9:28:31 AM

Thanks Gina...

A quick "amazing Oly" story. I think I've shared before how she is the smartest dog I've ever known... well last night, I was attempting to lure him to eat with chucks of beef so I had her next to me and was showing him that she liked it. Well, she'd take them from me and then drop them in front of him in a little row next to him... she refused to eat the beef that she'd normally leap in the air for. Weird and amazing.

glenmar

Posted : 3/23/2011 9:30:45 AM

Oh my gosh. That poor baby! TONS of healing and hungry vibes coming from here.

JackieG

Posted : 3/23/2011 9:40:50 AM

Karen, I'm not prone to panic in an emergency but I've been in a few situations that were so scary and traumatic that I felt like I was going to pass out after the situation was under control. I think we all would have been pretty panicked if one of our dogs was injured this seriously, even if the panic was under the surface. You did save his life and I know you know that.

Oly, you are one amazing dog. :)

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 3/23/2011 9:53:43 AM

Strong vibes for One Ton. Oly, you're one special girl. Keep up the sweetness. I'm sure it can help him.

iluvjamison

Posted : 3/23/2011 10:03:11 AM

My best healing vibes are going out to One Ton. Take care of yourself also.

Deb W.

shadowsgin

Posted : 3/23/2011 10:15:49 AM

I am just seeing this, {{hugs}} for you. Of course panic hit you first but, your adrenaline kicked in and you did what you could to save him and "he" know that. Good healing vibes for One Ton! Oly what a good little nurse you are... like Callie said keep reassuring him, let Oly help it sounds like she knows exactly what is going on. Get those guilty feelings away, let only the positive vibes shine through!

stardog85

Posted : 3/23/2011 10:22:10 AM

Tons of vibes from us too! You can do it One Ton!