Month: June 2012

Well..it’s been a few days (weeks, maybe?) since I posted an update on Bubba.  Thankfully, Bubba is doing wonderful and I couldn’t be happier with his recovery!  Of all 5 of us in the house,  Bubba is probably doing the best right now!

I am very fortunate to be healthy and have a healthy family. With Bubba being the only ill ‘family member’ I have been able  to tend his extra needs: medications, vet visits, wound cleaning, constant water bowl refilling, hand feeding food, etc, etc. I work close to home and have been able to check on him during my lunch hour.  I am feeling stressed and hoping that I can maintain the extra care he needs as we face some new health and schedule challenges in our family.

In the past 3 weeks, our family has been plagued with some health issues. One mends and another falls!  Cursed!  On Sunday, my oldest (and most responsible) son fell off a bucket in the yard and severely fractured his arm.  It was 8 hours in the ER from 7pm to 4am, a day off of work to recover and weekly follow-up visits to make sure the bones are healing correctly.  The very next morning, I wake up to my middle child screaming that he can’t open his eyes.  Pink eye. Tonight, Bubba is the only one that does not have pink eye!  With baseball games, doctor visits, vet visits, spur-of -the-moment child care arrangements and a pending vacation….did I mention that my youngest is celebrating her 4th birthday today as well and a party is planned for the weekend?  How am I going to keep up?

I know…what does this have to do with my Tripawd?  First, his recovery is a priority to this family.  Second, I need him!  When the schedule is so crazy that I can loose my sanity at any given moment, that crazy face of his brings me back to happy.  He knows it.  For the last 3 crazy days, he has been better than his old self.  He barked Matthew (aka, middle child) into a corner after he had enough of Matthew’s misbehavior!  This is a common exercise for Bubba (pre-amp) when he feels that we are not parenting effectively.  It is hysterical!  Tonight, he pushed aside the baby gate and helped himself upstairs to the second level (first time post-amp).  Joseph and I were struggling upstairs with his cast and feeling anxious about it…I honestly think Bubba sensed it and came to help.  Immediately, all 5 of us went running to catch him before he decided that things were ‘OK’ and he would head back downstairs, as he so often did in the past.  There we stood, jaws dropped, laughing as he stood there on 3 legs, smiling, wagging his stub as if he was saying “Look, idiots, it’s not a big deal. I can go up the stairs. You only have 2 legs and you do it.  You all need to get it together up here, OK?  Woof.”  (I did harness him immediately and assisted him back down the stairs! Overprotective, I know!)

Bubba is an amazing dog.  I will say, Tripawd parents, you are right.  I am learning an awful lot from this dog!  Also, he is helping my son cope with his ‘temporary’ one-arm life!  Bubba and Joseph have a unique bond and it is ironic that they are both going through some life adjustments together right now.  Thank God for my Bubba.

A bit of relief tonight at Bubba’s follow-up, at last!

Kidney function tests were within normal limits, but the constant drinking water and peeing is not getting any better.  Possible reasons include: behavioral issues with adjusting to changes, underlying kidney stress (early dysfunction), or medication.  The only medication he is on is synthroid, which is new as of 2 weeks ago.  Apparently, appropriate thyroid levels in the blood are difficult to determine.  Too little causes fatigue, weight gain and compromises healing/immunity.  This is where Bubba started, which makes sense since he tires easily, has gained 20 lbs over the last year, and had complications with healing & infection after the last 2 surgeries.  Tonight, I learned that too much thyroid hormone can cause issues, one of which is excess thirst!  This could explain his new love of water and peeing in the house!  I sure hope this is the cause.

He needs to be on the current dose for 1 more week to accurately assess the dosage in his blood.  He will have bloodwork next Thursday to measure the level of thyroid hormone in his blood.  After that, the dosage could be reduced. Until then, it’s going to be a bit messy.  He is not happy to be sent in quarantine in the kitchen during the work day, but….it’s temporary.

Other than that, he got a good report.  Almost all the staples are out and the small area where the infection was is still healing and sutured.  He is moving around great and doing his “crazy time.” Crazy time is a special exercise for Bubba and entertainment for the whole family!  He lays belly up with all paws in the air and snaps/growls at the carpet upside down!  When I saw crazy time make it’s post-amp debut, I knew my Bubba was going to be OK!

OK Tripawd Parents: Help Me!

I am assuming that it is natural to be a bit overprotective of my baby, especially since we are still adjusting to life with 3 legs.  However, I am upset that some people make inappropriate comments in regards to our decision to amputate.  I have had 2 experiences with strangers who feel the need to speak up about what I have chosen to put my dog through.

What have I “put him through”?  3 failed attempts to control a soft tissue sarcoma, six weeks of twice-weekly bandage changes of cast material that prevented him from using his leg and numerous pain medications and antibiotics which strain his system.  Sometimes, I am sorry that we didn’t just amputate the first time around (or the second time or the third time).   Do these strangers know this before they comment?  Nope.

Yes.  He is having some complications.  But…we are no longer dealing with a rapidly growing tumor.  I have seen what happens to people with soft tissue sarcomas and dogs are not that different!   The tumor continues to grow and destroys everything in the general area.  The limb looses functionality and the entire body can be compromised by uncontrollable bleeding and infection.  This is a situation that is prevented by amputation.

You are probably wondering what was said that got me sooo upset!  Today, a very handsome boxer comes trotting down the hall at the vet, enthusiastically leading his owner and children to the checkout.  I can’t resist but to compliment the owner on her handsome boy. She is struggling with him, much like I used to with Bubba.  Her children are obviously disturbed by my Tripawd (understandable!)

She offers little for conversation and leads the team out behind us.  The poor kids tell her that they don’t want their dog to end up like Bubba.  The lady replies “don’t worry, he won’t.  We actually take care of our dog.”  Hmmmm…maybe I am being too sensitive, but is she insinuating that this is the result of neglect or ill provided care of my dog?

Like I said, there have been 2 incidents…..the first one happened while he was still in the hospital and I was visiting him.  I was struggling to get my emotions in order and looked visibly upset walking him back to the kennels.  A man stopped me and said, “you know, they wanted me to do that (points at Bubba’s missing leg) to my dog.  No way could I put my dog through that” (points again) and looks away from me, shaking his head.

Has anybody else had these experiences?  It is so frustrating!  I love my dog and can’t imagine anyone would put a loved one through a surgery like this unless it was the only option to provide happiness and life!  I know, it doesn’t matter what people say.  This is right for Bubba.  I have a new place in my heart for the Tripawd population and for the people who get them back on their feet, literally!  It is an emotional and, for some, a physical strain to manage through recovery.  I never thought I could lift a 100lb dog into a mini-van, but strength comes out of nowhere when my best friend is depending on me to get well.

Well….no more injected antibiotics for Bubba.  The blood tests were within normal limits, but the doctor was not happy with the urinalysis.  The antibiotic he was on is toxic to the kidneys.  This is a double-edged-sword: he needs the antibiotic to get rid of the infection but the one that works best can destroy his kidneys.

This morning, I woke up to 2 accidents in the living room.  It has been 4 days since the last injection and I hope that his kidneys can recover from any damage.  His next appointment is tomorrow and I am hoping for good news!  The hardest thing about these vet appointments is trying to entertain 3 kids while waiting for bloodwork results!  Last time, we played a game of Simon Says.  I Spy has already been exhausted as there is not much to the exam rooms!

I’m also starting to think that Bubba is taking advantage of this situation.  He pooped in the neighbor’s yard!  Not allowed!!  He know’s that.  Everyday, I tell him the same thing, “Get up.  Go potty, STAY IN YOUR YARD!”  Compliance with the rules is not his priority right now.  I am just as guilty because I reward him with a treat for getting the job done on 3 legs.  If my neighbors see me wandering around at odd hours with a shovel in hand, think nothing of it….and I apologize for any doodie drops gone unseen…

Being away from Bubba has been one of the hardest parts of this ordeal for me.  And, I don’t mean the times that he had to stay at the hospital.

Before Bubba came home, I built him a “recovery suite” in the middle of the kitchen.  I put a lot of thought into this and wanted it to be as comfortable and safe as it possibly could be.  I also thought this was a better option than putting him behind a closed door in the laundry room or bathroom.  This design allowed him to lay in the sun, look into the yard and be a part of the family while he heals.  I pulled scraps of carpeting from the basement and even taped them down to the floor so he wouldn’t slide.  Bubba is used to sleeping on the sofa, but when he is annoyed with us, he sleeps on Matthew’s spiderman couch.  To keep it clean, I wrapped it in garbage bags and covered it in a fleece blanket.  I put the couch in his “suite.”  I also set up the pen next to the doorwall so he could go outside conveniently, without negotiating the toys and chaos of the house.  My husband spent an entire day constructing a custom ramp from the deck to the patio.  We had it all figured out!

Bubba was not happy with this AT ALL!  His first night home, he cried all night.  It was a good thing that his room had space for me too.  I curled up next to him on the kitchen floor and spent the night in his suite!

His first time outside….he refused the ramp.  (However, the kids LOVE it!)

When he had his first set-back and spent a few days at the hospital, we wondered if  doggie depression was part of the problem.  Of course!  We took his leg, his couch, his family…life as he knew it was changed.  Who wouldn’t be depressed?  The next time he came home, we made some changes in this arrangement.  He needed freedom.

Knowing that it might be a messy transition back to the living room, I made a trip to a medical supply store and purchased some supplies.  I bought abdominal drain sponges (thick, large, non-stick, sterile pads) and some awesome material called “tubular netting”  to hold the pad in place.  I was advised to keep the area open, but I am (sometimes) non-compliant with instructions.  But…I have good reasons and did tell my vet about it!  I thought it was doing him no justice to healing by laying on blankets soaked with drainage.  I thought a good compromise would be material that allowed the area to breathe while containing some of the nasty ooze from spilling onto him and his blankee’s.

One more thing…this modified bandaging would give him back the freedom to get back into the living room without me scrubbing carpets or furniture.  Yes!  I cannot believe the difference in his spirit.  He slept soundly, snoring the whole night.  He got up on the couch without assistance.  I really believe that getting back to his old routines has helped him turn the corner in overcoming the challenges of this new life on 3 legs.  I still put him in his suite during the work day to keep him safe.  But, when we’re home, he is with us.  How stupid of me to think that he wouldn’t miss the same things that we did!

My boy is back!!  He is still fighting this nasty infection, but today I saw the Boxer in him come back.  Crazy, silly, stubborn, hungry….!

He has figured out the stairs and how to get on the couch today.  I don’t want him on the stairs (but it is nice to have my lap dog back for movie night)!  I am so excited to see him ‘hunting’ after dinner today.  It was pizza night and he knows I don’t eat the crust.  Ok, maybe I left a pepperoni or two.  I know, weight control is so important now that he is a tripawd and we are both trying to tackle this bad habit.  He knows my weaknesses…all he has to do is give me a sad-eyed look and a whimper and I give in.

I did get tough with him at lunch today.  He escaped my protection and took off down the 2 stairs to the yard, peed, and promptly came back up the stairs to claim his prize.  Claiming exhaustion, he laid down as I prepared his feast of canned dog food (not his normal food!) When I placed it across from him into his dishes, he immediately started crying.  Lately, I’ve been bringing the food bowl right to him.  Today, I told him “no way!  Get your big. old butt up and eat that food!”  A hearty sneeze and huff followed this conversation.  Next thing I see:  big, old 3-legged Bubba gets up without help and walks over to eat his food, effortlessly.  Player!

I am excited for his doctor to see him tomorrow.  I think he is making remarkable progress.  We are almost out of recovery Hell!  Yay!

Being our first child, Bubba has always been a popular boy in our family.  In the days before his surgery, I received more phone calls, facebook posts, emails, and text messages than I did when I gave birth!

Last Friday, one day after Bubba’s readmission to the hospital, our doorbell rang.  There stood 6 kids from the neighborhood who all said in unison, “we hope Bubba gets better soon.”   Wow.  I was moved!  Joseph, our 8 year old, has been keeping a verbal blog with the kids in the neighborhood about Bubba!  He also got to tell his classmates all about canine amputation.  I am so  impressed with Joseph’s maturity and his ability to handle this situation so well.  I am learning so much from Bubba and Joseph!

Bubba has always been the forbidden dog on the block.  Bubba’s oversized, brindle, foaming, drooling physique does not earn him many smiles from strangers!  He loves children and stops to watch every kid he see’s in hopes that he might find someone to play with.  I understand that most adults might see this beast staring down their kids and think he might have a different motive…..

Nonetheless, the children on the block have grown to love Bubba!  Word spread fast of Bubba’s homecoming.  Today, 4 children came to my doorwall to see their friend’s dog “who has 3 legs.”   One of the girls asked, “How old is he?”  I said, “he’s almost 10!”  She replies, “wow, I’m 10.  Can I give him a treat?”  Of course!  She came back, climbed over Bubba’s gate and fed him a treat.  It was so sweet.  And, there was my son, Joseph, smiling.  Bubba was thrilled with all this attention from his favorite generation of people – children.

Thank-you, Joseph, for knowing exactly what your dog (and your mom) needs!

I am staring at my buddy who is sleeping soundly on Matthew’s kiddie couch.  We’re not out of the woods yet…

He had minor surgery to clean out the infection in his incision today and we’re expecting blood culture results tomorrow.  2 more drains have been added, which he is not happy about.  Does anyone have advice for keeping him from licking at the drains?

I am a little bit worried we could be dealing with MRSA since he is on 3 different antibiotics with no resolve.  He has the beginnings of a respiratory infection as well.  Too many days in the doggie hospital 🙁  Thankfully, his doctor agreed that he would be happier at home!

On the positive side, he is moving around extremely well.  He is bright eyed and smiling!  He’s eating like a champ and doing all bodily functions as he should.

One day at a time.  Tonight, I am just glad that he is here.

 

For the past 9 years, there has been an eager body in this house to clean floors.  It is not me!

Bubba has been my silent assistant in cleaning the kitchen and I miss his help!  With 3 kids, somebody is always spilling something.  I didn’t realize just how often this was happening until now.  My floors are destroyed!  There are noodles stuck to the floor under the table and Dorito crumbs on the bathroom floor…yes, the bathroom floor.

Also, it seems like the children are eating less of their dinner since he’s been away…hmmmmmm.

He is a great helper with the dishes too.  Bubba has got away with a bit more than he should given his situation and my guilt…note the front left leg in the photo and the awkward position with the tumor protruding out from the elbow.  This was taken about 1 week pre-amp.  Ok..so he probably won’t be able to do that anymore!  Positive change: no more self helpings of table scraps=weight management for a healthy life on 3 legs!

 

Our afternoon picnic with Bubba went fairly well.  I say fairly well because, with an 8, 5 and 3 year old, nothing goes without trouble!

We made a stop at the pet store and loaded up on some treats and yummy food for our buddy.  We brought a blanket, bowls and bottled water so Bubba could have everything he needed for his picnic dinner!

I think he was most happy just to be out in the sun watching the kids play.  He was all cleaned up and I thought the incision looked clean with the exception of the small area of infection.  He seemed to have more confidence in walking too.  One day at a time!