Losing it and still have 86 days of crate rest after LP surgery- HELP

[deeda9999]

I'm losing my mind already!!! But I'm losing it differently than I was on days 90,89,88 , 87 and today- day 86.

Gilmore's LP surgery is just so tough on all of us.

Day 90- he came home and I couldn't stop crying. I cried for a zillion reasons. Because he made it through surgery, because we are so lucky that there is a surgery to make him better, because I missed him so much when he was in the hospital, because I was so afraid he was in pain and I was going to hurt him when I touched him, because I felt helpless to help him, because I felt sorry for myself and sorry for what he has to go through to get better. Because I didn't realize how loud the quiet was with him missing.

Day 89-he's crying a lot and it's so difficult to know what to do. I don't know if he's crying because he has to go potty or he is crying because he wants out. Is he crying because he hates this e collar and can't move in the crate. I have to keep in in the small crate because in the bigger one he is able to stand up on his hind legs which is bad. He is allowed to walk to go potty and amazing enough he is walking on his leg. He is stiff and limps a lot when he starts but he is doing so much better using the leg than I had thought. He shakes so much outside it makes me feel horrible. I so wish now more than ever he would use wee wee pads. My other dog uses them but Gilmore refused. The weather is getting colder here and having him outside in the pouring rain like today to go potty is just miserable. And it is definitely taking longer for him to find a comfortable position to potty in. I keep trying to get him to go on the pad but he just won't. I keep wondering If I should go and buy one of those potty patches but it would probably be a waste of time. I just hate to see him cold and uncomfortable.

Day 88-he was eating very little and totally wouldn't drink. As if I wasn't nervous enough- now I was stressed about him dehydrating. I called the hospital and the doctor told me to stop his antibiotic and anti-inflammatory for 2 days until he started eating again because they were probably the cause of making him feel sick. He didn't go home on any pain meds. We decided that I would bring him back the next day if he wasn't drinking. As I drove home from dropping my daughter off at dance my mind was going crazy worrying and I knew I wasn't going to last till the next day to bring him back to the hospital. I would be a total wreck. But he was a different dog when I fed him dinner. He ate a ton and drank so much water. It was amazing the difference. He even ate his joint supplement pill without anything on it to hide it. He wouldn't touch it the previous days. I don't know what will happen when I resume giving them to him but for right now I am thrilled.

Day 87-when I took him to the vet last week when his knee popped out and she told me to crate rest him for 10 days I thought I thought to myself- You've got to me kidding me, No way are we going to last 10 days. That's pretty funny now considering his recovery crate rest and total restricted activity of 90 days. Yes I know it's not a lifetime and I know we are fortunate it isn't worse and it's been corrected. I do know how lucky I am . I tell this to my daughter all the time and yet it's a hard pill to swallow for myself. I tell her don't complain about your hair because there are kids that lose their hair and would be so happy to have hair to complain about. I tell her that yes she has severe asthma and takes a ton of medicine there are kids that have diabetes and take needles every day and learn to cope with their disabilities. I try so hard everyday as a parent to instill the right message to my daughter. To be thankful for all you have and not complain about what you don't have. And yet I am feeling so sorry for myself when I should be feeling so thankful for Gilmore and all the joy he has brought to my family.

Day 86- He is crying a lot this morning. I know he doesn't have to go potty because he just went. I think he wants out and I am feeling so torn. I feel bad so I take him out but then I have to sit with him and I get nothing accomplished. My house is a total wreck and my daughter has been eating pop tarts for breakfast (not that she minds this at all ). I know I will find a balance but for right now he is sitting on my lap with his leash tied around my wrist and for the moment I am enjoying each inch of his warm and cuddly body.

[Susan78]

My prayers and thoughts are with you. You are a wonderful Mom and your baby surely knows it. Take care of and all this should work out for the better.

[DvlshAngel985]

Hugs to you OP! I'm so sorry I have no words of wisdom.

[boopster]

I wish I could make it easier for you. The only advice I can give is not to worry about your house. Unless your daughter's asthma is aggravated by dust, let it go. Anybody with a heart would totally understand.

[Patti]

I know how you are feeling. When Pixie had her LP surgery I felt so bad for her and for me. I didn't know how I was going to keep her confined. I was really second guessing having had the surgery done. As far as the e collar, I used the soft one Mom to Hot Rod makes and that helped so much. After a few days she didn't need it as she wasn't bothered with the incision. I found that when I was gone she would just sleep so I would go out for a few hours (DH was home) each day and it helped me cope. Also after a week her surgeon said it was ok to put her sister Roxie in with her and that really helped. Pixie's confinement was only 6 weeks so that was easier. Maybe once he is further along in his recovery the vet will ease up on his confinement time. Hang in there and try not to worry about getting things done, it gets better.

[chandracz]

As hard as it is, while he is not feeling well you have to be strong. When Bailey is sick, all I want to do is cry, but that makes him worse. He can pick up on your feelings and that will manifest his hurt. I know it's hard BELIEVE ME! I would call the vet and ask about Glucosamine or something similar to help with his joints. That's what I put Bailey on when he was diagnosed with LP. They wanted to do surgery when he was 6 months old and I tried the Synovi granuals (form of Glucosamine) and he is now 6 years old and thriving well. I'm not saying the surgery was a bad idea, but maybe this is something that can help your baby. Talk to your vet first to see what they think. Best of luck! Keep us posted!

[LuvTaycieGirl]

what an amazing mom you are! I am in awe of how well you are caring for this little one. I am so glad there are people like you to care for these special furbabies. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

[Mom to Hot Rod]

Awww, I hope that Gilmore will be able to get comfortable soon. As we talked about, it will get easier. Promise.

You should have your collar today...it is showing that it was processed in your area yesterday so you should have it today if not already. This should help Gilmore to be able to more comfortable and maybe he can get some better rest.

Big hugs to you and Gilmore.

Hugs, Hot Rod, Maggie May and me.

[linz06]

Hey, I know how tough crate rest can be. My baby was paralyzed and then had spinal surgery and she was on crate rest for about 10 weeks after. She had NEVER been crated before, we didn't even own a crate! I cried and cried and cried, and she cried and cried and cried. But it DOES get better! If you want advice, try as much as you can to ignore the crying. They are just like children, and if he learns the if he cries a lot, you let him out, he will keep crying! If he learns crying isn't getting him anywhere, he should eventually just realize nothing's going to change and he'll just have to stay in his crate. It is all training... don't give him attention when he cries, but give him lots of attention when he doesn't cry! We froze some ice cubes made of chicken broth and water and it kept our little girl busy in her crate. He may also be upset because he can sense you're upset. Believe me, I know how hard it is to stay positive, but it's important. They feed off our energy and if you make it a positive, he will feel better.

We are back on crate rest again now too, for a neck disk problem, and this time around my little girl is ready to just sleep the day away and rest, which is the best thing for healing.

Stay strong! You are a great mom!

[Yorkiedaze]

My Zada had both knees done at the same time, then months later had a torn ligament which the orthopedic surgeon found that the LP surgery was not done correctly. My poor girl spent 3 months in her crate and expen the first time and another three months the second time.
If your worried about doing house work, try putting her in a front carrier. The type that allow her back legs to dangle our maybe a sling. Take her out for walks, but carry her of course or use pet stroller. There are many ways to make sure they are comfortable, and to let you get some house work.

[CouversMom]

I'm sorry I don't have any words of advice, but I just wanted to tell you that you are being a great mommy to Gilmore. Keep up the good work and the time will pass...