Seriously injured dog needing good thoughts (outdoorschik)

WOOO HOOO!

I'm thrilled to read this update!  Keep on keepin' on, One Ton & Karen!

Wow - I love all the good news!! Keep it up One Ton - we're all pulling for you

Yea One Ton and Karen!!!  Awesome news today, so happy to hear the leg might be saved too.  Karen you are doing a great job.

I am sending super duper healing vibes!

Awesome.  You're a fighter, One Ton!  Continued vibes for health and strength for One Ton, and much of the same for you, Karen! 

shadowsgin

Awesome news today, so happy to hear the leg might be saved too. 

Yes, they are more hopeful than before since the nails are receiving blood and are pink. The swelling is reduced, but still very severe (practically double the other paw) so we can't tell what's left. I guess as the other vessels enlarge to make up for the lost function of the main vein that was torn, the swelling goes down and the function that is left will show. The vet tech has actually had a similar injury to her own arm last year and said that her fingers were like sausages for a month before the swelling went down so we are giving it time, no need to rush to remove it (that's kinda permanent :)). We are supposed to find a big tub to do some therapy in to make him put partial weight on it while taking some of the pressure off with water floatation of his body. They are worried about the muscle loss since he's not using it, or using it wrong )leaning on the bent ankle to drink out of a bowl vs. the paw), so now i'm in search of a big horse/cattle water tub to put in my basement!

He was so cute yesterday, for the first time rolling partially on his back for a belly rub as we drove... he got to sit on the bench seat with me since i took my truck. I tried to walk out of the exam room with him on his blanket on the floor to look at something with the tech and he panicked that I was leaving and tried to chase me on three legs... haven't seen him move that quick since he was injured, apparently he doesn't hate me even with all this pilling and sticking!

Awwww he loves you cause he knows you are making him all better. 

outdoorschik

I tried to walk out of the exam room with him on his blanket on the floor to look at something with the tech and he panicked that I was leaving and tried to chase me on three legs... haven't seen him move that quick since he was injured, apparently he doesn't hate me even with all this pilling and sticking!

aw I'm not supposed to cry at work... that is so sweet!

 YES!!!!

all great news! Way to go One Ton and way to go Karen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Springer Lady

outdoorschik

I tried to walk out of the exam room with him on his blanket on the floor to look at something with the tech and he panicked that I was leaving and tried to chase me on three legs... haven't seen him move that quick since he was injured, apparently he doesn't hate me even with all this pilling and sticking!

aw I'm not supposed to cry at work... that is so sweet!

I just logged in to check on One Ton's update, and I'm thrilled to read all the great news about his bloodwork and that there's a good chance he won't lose his leg.  That is amazing!  I think the water therapy will work wonders for him.  Anything that hurts on us feels better when in warm water, right?!  Getting a little movement along with the weightlessness will really help it.  Keep the faith -- you're both very special and inspirational!

I wanted to pop in and say you're doing an amazing job with sweet One Ton. If it wasn't for all your hard efforts, I don't think One Ton would be doing as well as he is. You are GREAT!

One Ton I am SO PROUD of you!!  Must be Olly-vah told you that Aunt Callie gets REEL serious about this stuff LOL

Karen -- I am also incredibly proud of you -- this has taken guts and commitment and incredible hard work.  Caretaking like this isn't intuitive -- particularly when the odds are so against you!  I've known you a long long time, and it's just INCREDIBLE to see you bloom to cope with stuff AND keep One Ton's brain on an even keel to get better!!  You rock lady!!! *hugs*

Thanks everyone... One Ton is working really hard and I'm getting more sleep now that he doesn't get fluids sub cue and eats mostly on his own!

He had his first water therapy session this morning ... I'm soaked, he's soaked, at least he's cleaner now lol. It definately stressed him out so we limited it to 5-10 minutes, we moved the leg around, and tried to get him to lean on it a little, but he's a smart boy, using his chin on the edge of the tank to prevent having to use it :) I think he used it a bit trying to fight me to get out of the tank so I'll take that as positive lol. Ah well, it's a work in progress. Thankfully we have a tractor supply up here that carries these big aluminum tanks for cattle watering (some use them for raising baby chicks in) It's just big enough to hold enough water to get it to chest level, he can't walk around in it, but soaking in warm water and moving it is better than nothing at all. One day, when I'm independently wealthy (hehe) I'm going to buy a nice warm pool to rehab dogs in...

Does anyone know the typical water temp they'd use for water to work with dogs in? I think it might have been a bit warm for him and stressed him out ...

He's still got a lot of infection, that neck is filling up again a bit, not as bad as before. I hope as he gets stronger he can fight it off more as the body heals too. They say he'll be on the antibiotics for a month. They didn't want to switch them yet since the ones he is on should do it.

outdoorschik

Does anyone know the typical water temp they'd use for water to work with dogs in?

Mostly glad that he got in there and is cleaner  and is doing a bit better mobility wise and that you are having better sleep. Fingers and paws crossed that neck goes down again swiftly

Tired to find some info for you about water temps--the German Keiper water walker (underwater treadmill thing) has a thermostat that ranges from 50-104 degrees.

Found this site that says 86-90 degrees for arthritic and neuro problems:

http://www.caninerehab.com/faqs.htm

 This site (Dogs in Motion) recommends 26 degrees C (78 degrees F)

http://www.dogsinmotion.com.au/hydrotherapy.php

 One Ton, I know the tub is scary but it will help!