LOL! It sounds like you are doing a great job, and he's improving! :D

Hey Diane
 

The Day Shift is covered, the Evening Shift is open. Pay differential for conflict resolution offered as incentive.
Please submit your application to: KenGraceTJStan Hospital human resources department at: alabamathreeringcircus.com
Thank you for your interest.
Nurse Matthew

Prayers
 

Sending you prayers from South Africa
Lee Roy will also be going in soon, please keep us updated!

I think that his weight loss could most definitely have been a result of the dental issues/infection. You aren't going to want to eat if it hurts. :( Poor baby! I'm so glad you took him in to have the work done. :thumbup:

Hey Lara
 

Is Lee Roy going in for dental work?
How old is he?
A very handsome dog, BTW.
Thanks to all for the support. I know I might seem a bit of a pain, but I am new at small dog care, so bear with me, please.
I have taken in the big dog for lots of issues, but the differences are amazing. One size does NOT fit all.
LOL

I used to work for a vet and all saw all ages get their teeth cleaned and never once did I see a complication from anesthesia! I'm sure your baby will be just fine!

Thanks, ILAddie. Good info.
Patient has moved himself to a sunny window ledge of his own accord. Ears are cool, nose is wet and cold. He is using his tongue to wet his lips, and seems alert, albeit a bit tired. No wonder! Got a nice big drink of water from the syringe, and he seems a bit more settled today. Whew.

So glad he is doing well and lmao at your description of patient and roomate .

Hi

No I am afraid that Lee Roy is going in to be neutered, I am really scared as he is tiny and I fear for his saftey. He weighs 1.9kg's and is ony 1 yr 1 month, the problem is his testicles have never dropped, the vet said that if I do not get them removed that they will eventually become cancer growths....SCARY!!!!

So I know that I need to take him in but I am really scared,

I feel wrong dumping this on you, as you are going through something very real right now, and mine is still to happen!!!

Matther, Thank you so much for your updates on Stannie. When I get old and lose all of my teeth...will you be my nurse too:D

My resume is on its way! I have at least some experience with most of the issues facing your distinct and varied patients. And I think I probably have some pretty good references from my own previous patients.

Maybe one size does not fit all, but seems like YOU fit ALL sizes. :D

7 am -4 pm shift
 

Patient evidences some restlessness. Asked to go outdoors. Patient enjoyed sniffing grass, turning nose into the wind, and raking at some dirt. Engaged in public urination. Was warned by nursing staff not to urinate on the decorative vegetation. Patient ignored this request. Returned indoors, drank some water, and rested in bed.
Patient became vocal at 4 pm, requesting early dinner. This was provided stat, and patient consumed 95% of his dinner of creamed veal and gravy, along with a pinch of Missing Link. He still seems a bit hesitant to eat from bowl, but nursing staff encouraged him with some food on their fingers, and directed him to his bowl. This approach was successful.
Nursing staff notes eyes are more focused and bright, gait has returned to normal, and patient attitude is improving.
Staff report patient is a bit demanding at times, but that they believe this makes him all the more lovable.
Roommates continue to check in with patient on occasion, and one visitor (black and white pit mix) offered support by lying near patient and staring at him. Patient appears to appreciate visitors. He is receiving more gifts in the form of "onesies" and a new tee shirt emblazoned with "Top Dog", in an attractive camo pattern, given by assorted admirers and friends. Feline roommates report jealousy, but recieved extra attention from staff, calming any potential uprisings on the ward.
Next Shift: Please monitor for feline outbursts, evidenced by loud yapping and gum smacking from patient.
Next update coming soon.
"Nurse Matthew" :rolleyes:

Matthew, I can't even begin to tell you how much I am enjoying the updates. Keep 'em coming. Give that cute little guy a little kiss from me.

Hey Matthew,
It's great to hear Stanford is doing better today. Love hearing the humor in your posts. Keep us updated!:animal-pa

Me too.

I hope you received my resume, because I would LOVE to come visit your "ward"!! You are the best nursing staff EVER!!

Good wishes and Kisses distributed
 

Thanks, All for the good wishes and kisses. They have been passed along.
The patient attempted to beg a taste of a spicy chicken wing this evening.
Nursing staff, for the first time since surgery, refused this request.
Patient donned surly attitude and retired back to his bed.
Overnight staff will monitor, and report in the morning on progress.
Nurse Matthew

11pm-9am Shift
 

Patient requested room change at midnight, to be closer to nursing staff. Request was honored. Patient awakened at 5am by overly rambunctious behavior by feline roommates. Roommates switched to another room, and patient again settled in.
He rose for the day at 9 am, and promptly demanded breakfast. Beef and gravy menu chosen, along with dollop of Nutrical and approximately 5 cc of water. 100% of breakfast offered was consumed.
Patient then requested to use the bathroom, and accompanied his canine roommate outdoors upon own initiation. Patient cautioned not to "plop" near outdoor furniture or firepit. Patient disregarded this warning. Staff note this is the first "poo" for patient since surgery. "Poo" appeared to weigh in at approximately 1 ton.
Patient enjoyed darting about yard, sniffing roommates butt, smelling a few early blooming flowers, and allowing a stray, outdoor feline who is familiar to the patient to "mark" him via "head butting" and rubbing behavior.
Patient then attempted to bolt from hospital grounds to a nearby field, and was redirected back to the hospital lobby.
Patient then received morning dosages of Metacam and Clindamycin. Cooperative with medication administration, but facial features after each administration indicate displeasure with nursing staff.
Metacam now having effects. Patient is in chair in room, receiving Vitamin D dosage via undiluted sunshine. Appears drowsy and drifting off to sleep.
Updates provided this afternoon from incoming shift.
Nurse Matthew

Sounds to me like patient is doing well...I'm sure because of the great nursing staff. Stannie is sure one tuff little guy.

:D Glad to hear that he's doing so well. :) And I believe it's a rule that the first poop after surgery can be anywhere he darn well pleases, so just be happy it was somewhere outside! LOL! :p

Oh I know, Judy!! I was just happy to see him poop. Like a lot of older men, he is usually very regular. LOL
I am so impressed with how he is dealing with all this. I expected lots of whining, a slow recovery, and refusals to eat. But, if not for the meds and some minor tiredness (and increased lip licking), I would never know he had major surgery less than 72 hours ago. The vet warned about bloody fluid from the mouth, but none has been noted after the first evening.
I like fussing over him, and the his brothers and sister seem to be fairly cooperative and understanding.
So all is going well here with Stanford. I will feel we are totally out of the woods by the end of this week.
Tomorrow we go back to the canned food, pureed and diluted.
Best,
Matthew

9am-5pm shift
 

Quiet day for patient.
Enjoyed a period of outdoor activity, and again was visited by feline friend who appeared to be waiting in the adjacent field for patient's return.
Patient ate 100% of Turkey and Gravy mix, in record time.
Patient appeared irritated by staff running the vacuum cleaner, but tolerated it well (as opposed to past episodes of yapping and charging the vacuum cleaner).
Patient now enjoying the Weather Channel from his bed, monitoring the possible severe weather episode for West Alabama on Monday night into Tuesday.
Patient requested his, and his brother's and sister's, emergency evacuation bag be checked for all needed items, as the hospital must be evacuated during high winds or tornadic activity (it is a mobile hospital, after all). This was accomplished.
Patient received evening dose of anti-biotics, with some minor struggle. Staff feels this indicates he is truly on the mend.
Patient thanks all his friends for their good wishes and prayers.
Update in the AM at Shift Change.
Nurse Matthew:) :p

Hope you all rest well tonight.

Ditto!! :thumbup:

So glad to hear Stannie is doing well and I am so enjoying your updates.

Oh Matthew......where is our update????

I know!! I know the nursing staff is top-notch, so I'm not worried about the health of the patients. I am more worried about a mutiny on the ward! What if the nursing staff is tied up in a supply closet!

Sorry all- Back to School today
 

Had to go back to school today, and spent the morning grading papers.
Stanford is doing great! Slurping down his soupy food, and seeming increasingly perky. I left him alone for about 6 hours, and when I got home, he greeted me at the door, and did his little "circus dog" food dance!!
He is now not keen on getting his antibiotic now, so he must be getting better.
No bloody drool noted. Doing is duties outside like a good boy.
Now it is time for other prayers and good thoughts. We are due for some severe weather here in Western Alabama in about an hour or so, to last for about 4 hours. I have packed up all the evacuation materials for the pets and myself, as we live in a mobile home, and need to get out if a twister or straightline winds show up.
SO SEND GOOD THOUGHTS TO DEFLECT THE TWISTERS AND HIGH WINDS AWAY FROM THE "HOSPITAL".
Thanks,
Matthew

GOOD THOUGHTS SENT!!

So glad patient is on the mend, no doubt to the excellent care of nurse M. Praying storm is not severe and you can all remain in your home.