Frozen peas are wonderful cold packs. they mold to the body and they're not so cold they'll burn the skin. See how much I'm learning?Walter made it through his first night home and it was a challenge. I will post my notes below. The owner of the SUV that hit him stopped by today, and the car might be from hell but the lady was lovely and I am truly sorry for causing all this pain in her life. After all, she wasn't doing anything wrong. Cars belong on the road, pugs do not. Somehow we will all pick up the pieces from this complicated event and we will go forward. I just wish...oh I wish so many things I'm just going to take life as it is right now.
my notes from last night:
July 15, 2009
10:00pm Arrived home
10:30 1 whole Tramadol pain tablet
10:45 asleep soundly, no heavy breathing
10:53 – 11:03 apply frozen peas to right hip while sleeping. He woke slightly, did not seem to mind pressure. Applied for 10 minutes to other side
11:00 went outside to pee. I was terrible at it, hurt him picking him up. Must come up with better pick up procedure. Need his legs to work!
11:30 He ate half a cooked chicken breast
12:00 He slept but uncomfortably, panting.
12:31 woke up whimpering. I gave does of metacam for pain and
Fed him water thru syringe since he cant get good angle on bowl
1:10 He is now sleeping soundly (seems the walk outside really riled his hips up)
1:30am seemed agitated, asked him if he wanted to go potty, he seemed to say yes, we went, a bit easier, he peed but no poop
1:50 Sound asleep
2:35am still sleeping soundly
4:00 I woke up to slight whimpering went out and changed sheets, bedding damp, gave water, applied frozen peas, seemed to make him feel better.
July 16, 2009
6:00 am took outside but he had already peed in his bed. gave antibiotic, metacam, Tried to give tramadol but he spit it out.
6:15 He ate ¾ chicken breast!
6:30 iced left hip 10 mins he seems comfortable. I wonder how he will poop.
7:30 he peed in his bed again, changed sheets.
7:45 got a tramadol in him by stuffing into chicken and putting dab of butter. He ate almost whole rest of chicken, which means he’s eaten almost two chicken breasts since he’s been home. He has to poop by 8 tonight…so I must take him out. When? How about upon next rising. I am just cat napping with him.
Wish I hadn’t missed his peeing – but he seems to be going a lot. He doesn’t want to drink from bowl, he drinks from large non-needle plastic syringe. Could measure water if I wasn’t so exhausted. Had dream I was in car with walter on high road and we went off cliff into water below, woke before we hit.
9:00 – walter whining, Tried to take him outside. Disaster. I feel Im hurting him. He doesn’t seem to have any tension in legs at all. It like trying to manipulate a greased bowling ball, I keep slipping and hitting his staples. Nightmare. He’s sleeping now. How will he poop?
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20 comments:
Oh the poor little guy! The play pen idea is really good but the issue seems to be you lifting Walter? If he isn't really moving around right now, maybe have Walter somewhere else were you can pick him up better. Or even have him in something you can carry out side in?
Is the poor guy able to use his legs at all right now?
The peeing is good news! Maybe get some pee mats to have under him so you don't have to do so much laundry?
So glad Walter is eating, make sure you are too.
Take care!
we do have pee mats and they are very good. the lifting is the issue, I cant seem to build something that his waist-high but absolutely fall proof. I could build it, actually if I could get to home depot...i will think on this, but yes, lifting is difficult but then so his keeping hold of him. I am supposed to set him down front legs first, then hold his rear legs up. he is shaved, nothing to get a grip pn, like holding a bowling ball. must work on a better way.
When we got our St. Bernard's ACL replaced, the vet recommended supporting her with a towel....maybe you could put a towel underneath him and pick him up that way?
THe towel is a good idea. You could also try putting a harness on him and using it to help support him. It would at least give you something to hold onto. If he'll eat them, fruit and cheese are great ways to hide pills. The Pug Posse uses marshmellows too.
Glad the driver stopped by. We can all stop thinking bad things about her now =)
Poor Walter. I am very glad the driver stopped by. She must feel terrible. Hope you can figure out a way to pick him up. I do like the harness idea. Glad he is eating. Pooping probably will hurt, so expect that. You could always check with the vet on that.
We will keep sending pug snorts and good wishes your way.
Roxy
Glad to hear that the lady in the SUV stopped by. It is good to hear that he is eating and peeing. Hope you can get him to poop. The towel and the harness are both good ideas. I use something called pill pockets for my boys - I think they are made by "Greenies". I know PetSmart has them.
Oh this just breaks my hear to hear about his hurting, but I'm happy he's in recovery mode. Wish I could offer good advice, but instead will just continue to think positive thoughts. I'm sure you're doing a great job - Walter is lucky to have such a good mom.
Haha sorry I saw the peemat when I looked at your other posts after!
The towel idea sounds good, I hope it works for you.
It was nice of the driver to stop by.
Heather you are such a good momma to Walter. Soon, you will work out the kinks in picking him up, his peeing/pooping issues, etc. These first few days will just bring lots of learning and, it seems, very little sleep.
Thinking of you guys constantly!
We are glad to see Walter made it home and is eating. It may take awhile to poop because he hasn't had anything but the chicken recently that is soild in his system. We think the towel is a good idea to help lifting. We think your little pin set up is a good idea too. We will keep sending good thoughts yours and Walters way!
Talked to the vet and she checked with the orthopedic surgeon who confirmed they did void walters intestines before surgery, which means we could have another 48 hours to wait before he produces. I'm glad, it gives him 48 more hours to heal, because I imagine it could be painful. Now we have to pray his nerves are all connected and my handsome man will walk again. Frankly, I'll take him just as he is, alive. The rest seems very unimportant. He does love to run and frolic though, so I will pray - with standing gratitude for what he has already accomplished - that he can walk again. For him. He will want to traipse in the flowers.
So glad to hear that Walter is home and on the mend. A lot of the pain meds can be constipating so it could be painful for him when he does have a bowel movement. You may want to try giving him some fish oil or some canned fish in oil which might keep them a bit looser so its not so painful when they do come out.
Sending good vibes over!
Sabrina
Hi Heather - I have been following Walter's ordeal and am so glad that he is out of the hospital and home. I think you're doing an excellent job taking care of him and that he will, in time, walk and frolic again.
I'm still praying for a speedy recovery and sending good vibes to you guys daily.
Stubby xoxo
Hi, I am glad Walter is eating and peeing. When Coco takes pills he gets constipated, too (and he takes a pill everyday for life). He eats carrots and green beans everyday to keep his poop up to date. you could ask if veggies would be good for him now. I give him the pill with a tiny bit of Nutrical (vitamin) which he loves and devours. As for Walter walking again, we have to be positive and faithful that it will happen soon. But if it doesn't, there are wheelchairs for them, and dogs always get themselves adjusted to the circumstances in an incredible way. As long as he is loved, he will always be happy. I hope this helps a little, but I got very depressed and confused when Coco lost both eyes when he was one year old, plus he has a hormonal disease that makes him prone to get infections all the time. It had already been very painful for me, and I thought he was going to suffer as well. With a good vet and some care, he has been enjoying life as much as (or even much more) than any other "normal" dog does.
I hope you both get a little more rest tonight.
Hugs,
Sandra
hi wally!
we are friends of coco's and had to come and send you big hugs!
we hope you are feeling all better soon! you are a strong little pug!
all our love!
melissa and emmitt
He prolly won't poop for a bit. Pain meds will constipate. You may want to check with your vet to see if they recommend a laxative if he does not poop soon? Check with them first as I do not know about complications with laxative.Poor Walter my heart and thoughts are with him!
How did the towel thing work? It sounds like a very good idea! :)
Hi everybody. I used a peed pad folded over a few times as a towel. It was less bulky than a towel, easier to get in there. That said, he really does not like the process and I asked vet if I could scale back a bit, just so he could have longer times to rest. So I will take him put 2 x a day and monitor his crib closely so he doesnt get any pee on his skin.
We are so glad you are ALL ok!! We like the playpen idea too. Also I hope that lady offered some sort of compensation to you- I can't imagine not only the pain of all of Walter's medical stuff but the expense. WE are so glad you guys are all doing better and send HUGS and HUGS and HUGS!
Wow, what an ordeal! Hopefully you are working things out. I think a dish towel or baby receiving blanket would work for lifting. Smaller, thinner. Maybe you could contact local rescue groups on how they handle these types of situations. Meantime, each minute he is healing!
Hugs to you both.
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