Hi Bo! Gosh I have missed everyone! We have had a wicked-busy summer and I haven't gotten to post any updates, or check in on my friends!

Is Hot Rod back to normal aside from the atrophy? Ranger was chicken-legged for a long time, but with our camping and hiking he's really built back up. I think doing one leg is almost harder than doing both of them because they have a choice not to use it!

Oh, and awesome e-collars! What a great idea to make! So glad they are helping Moose! (Sorry to hijack your thread Moosey!) xoxo

Just checking in and seeing how Moose is doing! Hope all is well. Hope mommy is doing well too! ;) Hugs, Bo.

Amanda, all is well with Hot Rod other than the muscle issue but he's still running around like a nut. We're gonna put him on water therapy as soon as we get the hot tub situated. :)

I just read this. I hope all went well with Moose.

So please Moose's surgery well well, sending prayers hugs and kisses, and hoping for a speedy recovery.

Diana & Teddy

Moose's LP Recovery- Awful Day 3!
 

Is after surgery day 3 and 4 the worst?! :( Yesterday was awful, Moose just could not get comfortable at all. I am sleeping on the pull out sofa with him and the most sleep I can manage at night is about 5 hours.

He is attacking the stitches like crazy, I'm not sure if it is pain or itch related, probably both. The softee collar is great but he's found a way to wiggle out (mischevious as usual) so I have to stay right by side to stop him from licking. It seems crazy that I can only give him pain medicine once a day and only for five days. Tommorow is the last day he can have Metacam and I'm terrified! I know he's hurting!

He hasn't pooped yet; the vet tech said to give him sweet potato today to try to encourage him. He is only peeing once a day at most- I take him every 2 hours and try for a long time but he will only go once a day- and when he does its a huge spot. I guess its uncomfortable for him to go because of the neuter.:confused:

The stitches on his left leg look great but I noticed his right leg had a little bit of ooziness today! Should I call the vet and bring him in?! Or is it normal to have a little seeping?

Most of all I am just exhausted and really disheartned at seeing Moose in so much pain. I knew this would be a long road but its so hard to see him restless and in pain and not be able to help. :( The recovery is going to be so much more difficult than I had thought- will I see a big improvement when his stitches come out?

You poor thing. As you can tell, the first few days are horrible. When I went back and re-read my thread I started crying, because I had forgotten how bad it was.

The reason they have trouble making a bowel movement is because of the squatting which I am sure is excruitiating. The metacam should be enough, but some vets use something like tramadol instead. I know you don't want to hear this, but a little pain is a good thing, it is the body's natural "slow down" mechanism which is the only way for healing. I am sure the neuter on top of the leg surgery is just the icing on the cake. Poor Moose!!!!

Lets see, you are three days post op? I would say by day five there was a huge improvement. I didn't have the issues with Ranger biting at his stiches, but you could try cold/hot therapy (as long as there is no wettness). You can crush up ice in a plastic baggie and hold it over the incision, followed by a warm cloth as long as it isn't wet. Keep an eye on that incision, he should be fine with the antibiotics but watch closely.

I PROMISE! In just a few days you're going to be exhausted from trying to keep him still! Do you need anything else?

I am not sure if you saw my above post about Ranger getting so ill from being constipated, but it was a horrible experience. We actually had to put him on a laxative to make it easier for him to go.

Oh I feel for you and for Moose. I know it is really difficult right now and the first 2 weeks are probably the worst of it. I don't remember any type of oozing on Hot Rod but I do remember that it was a little "angry" looking. I would call the vet and talk with them about it. It might just need some type of topical treatment. :) Trust me, it will get better and easier. It is very hard when you don't know how and what they are feeling. Just being close to you is letting Moose know that you love him.

Poor baby just has had a time with the knees not being right and his manhood dealt with, he's probably not sure which way to go. :rolleyes: It took Hot Rod about 3 days for the neuter and teeth pulling to wear off and he only had that done to him. Poor Moose has his legs yet. As for the pooping, Hot Rod took a few days.

He is a little booger wiggling out of the collar. We can't have that. I'm going to pm you about that. I don't know if I sent you the info on the best way to fasten the collar.

Stay strong,it will get easier and better. It is very hard right now but I promise you, it will be a memory soon. Hugs and big kisses to Moose. And big hugs to you! Bo

Good luck - I hope he feels better soon. Hand on in there :)

New Moosey Update!
 

Thanks SO much for that support- it really made me feel so much better just reading those posts! It's so easy to get overwhelmed with everything- I haven't been separated from him for more than a bathroom/shower break since Friday and my heart is just broken for the little guy. :(

We just went to Moose's normal vet for a check up on the stitches. The doctor said they looked great and said he was very happy to see that Moose was willing to bend and use his back legs. He also said that it looked as if the surgeon did an excellent job! He hasn't really walked yet but that's probably because I've had him right next to me the entire time. :rolleyes: I told him I was worried about stopping the Metacam tommorow and he gave Tramadol-which you mentioned, amandawash- did you have a good experience with it? Moose has a sensitive tummy so I'd hate to give him anything to upset him right now. I was kind of hoping the narcotics were for me! haha ;) But I am a little more relaxed now that I know Moose is healing and recovering well.

-Oh and the vet said to try sweet potato tommorow if he hasn't pooped because its been 6 days- yikes

Oh and the softee collar has given me some relief now that I'm using it right, I don't have to be on stitch patrol :thumbup: He can't get to the stitches anymore but he's flipping himself over trying to get to them! :eek: Can't be good for him. :(

And it really does help me SO much to read your posts- its keeping me sane, thank you! All this stress and exhaustion has me an anxious, crying mess haha. I'll wait to hear if you guys did okay with the Tramdol before I give it to him.

Thank You!! :)

Still thinking of you and Moose.
Praying for a speedy recovery and that YOU can get the needed rest you need to take care of him
They are so much newborn babies :aimeeyork

We didn't do the tramado so Amanda will have to give that answer. Glad that the vet gave an a-ok! Little Moose will be rearing to go in no time! I bet you'll see improvement with the next couple of days. :)

We didn't do it either, I just know its a commonly prescribed med for after surgery. We had to cut the antibiotics and pain meds off a few days early because of tummy problems.

All you can do is try it and see how he does. You are so close to being past the worst of it- hang in there!

Poor Moose, sending prayers for a speedy recovery.

I just wanted to check in on Moose. I hope things will be better for you both today.

A Good News Moose Update
 

Great news- I'm less suicidal today! haha :p Yesterday was such a rough day, thanks for the encouragement:D

I managed to up my sleep from 4 hours to 6 hours last night so I consider that a big victory! We gave Moose a small dose of Tramadol last night and watched for any kind of bad reaction. He seemed to tolerate the medication fine; it did make him a little sleepy but not "drugged" or sedated at all.

Moose was uncomfortable until about 2 am and just couldn't sleep. I finally took him to potty...and he pooped..yay!! It was huge and I can only imagine how much better he felt! It was so hard to watch him try to squat but so glad he finally went. After that we settled down and he's been doing well this morning.

Wish there was some way I could itch those stitches for him! I carried Moose outside for a couple of minutes this morning and gingerly put him on the grass and he did pee- great news since he's only been going once a day. :thumbup: I am trying to still incorporate some of his normal routine into the day like treat time and belly rubs so his spirits stay up.

He pretty much sleeps nearly the entire day if he can stay comfortable- this is normal right?

Posting pics in just a few minutes!