Monday, January 26, 2009

Great News!!

Cleo got to go to work with me this morning. I think that kind of made up for not feeding her (she wasn't too thrilled with THAT). Everyone loved her up, she's such a good girl. A couple people said that she walks so well! I told them that they should see her run, because she lifts it up then. I dropped Cleo off at the vets at about 8:15. She did NOT want to go back with the tech. I didn’t want her to either, but I told myself that it was for the best, just like I told her last night, when I was having second thoughts - that she wouldn't be in pain anymore, well after the initial pain!!

Well, I got the call from Dr. Smith around 4:15 pm. He said that she was just coming out of the anesthesia with some good stuff to help with the pain. He then said that her ACL wasn’t torn!!! Nor was her meniscus! He did say he thought she was walking a whole lot better than when he first saw her. He did the drawer test thing on her and her leg even popped there on the table that first day. Dr. Smith said that there might have been a small, very small tear, but nothing to worry about, and not enough to put her through the traditional surgery. He took X-rays, saw hip dysplasia (on her right I think he said) and bone spurs on her patella on the left. He got rid of those and sewed her up. At least, that is what I remember - it's all a blur. I did actually ask him if he did the left – he paused and said yes (and that I worried him there for a second)!
Dr. Smith said she won’t have to go through the strict 6 weeks confinement, but I will learn more tomorrow when I pick her up. He also mentioned getting her started on Adequan shots. I spent over four years giving BJ his insulin shots twice a day, so hopefully, these will be just as easy!

I can’t tell you how relieved I am about this. Maybe it was just the bone spurs and the HD causing her pain and the toe-tapping/3-legging it? One thing – I started her on Glucosamine/Chondrotin, Fish Oil, and some other supplements as soon as I got her. Maybe those were helping more than I thought! So, I need to stop and get more G/C, and more L-Glutamine, and Hyaluronic Acid before I pick her up. I may need to leave work a bit earlier than planned (oh darn).

And Cleo was tagged in an online game by her friend Parker. To play you open a file folder, click on the fifth folder and then on the fifth photo. Post the photo and describe it. Then tag 5 other bloggers. (But I don't know five other bloggers...so...I'm a spoilsport when it comes to tagging...) BUT - here is mine...
This is BJ - my black lab mix who was diabetic since he was 1 1/2 years old. He passed in August from complications from his diabetes. I got him when he was about 8 weeks old - he followed the Schwan Man to the house and no one claimed him. He always was a weird sleeper - and this must have been a hard day protecting those chewies!

3 comments:

Nika + PARKER said...

OMG Stephanie, that is insane! I mean, I think it's good, but i'm sure your head was in a whirlwind. Let me know more when you pick up Cleo - thanks for playing : )

Gwen said...

Stephanie,

Thanks for this blog. My dog Heisman has TPLO surgery on Feb 5 (I will not get my hopes up for a report as AMAZING as Cleo's!!), and it has been great reading about your preparations. I ordered Heisman's harness from Campmor after checking out your blog.

Good luck with Cleo's recovery - even now that it is more mild. Ask Cleo to keep her paws crossed for Heisman!

Gwen

Moose said...

Yea for Cleo! That is great news for his knee and hope his hip is ok. I have seen on at least 2 separate occasions noticeable differences when Moose is getting his Joint supplements compared to times he has not gotten them for 2+ weeks so I bet that did help improve his mobility.