Big Paws Only Dog Forums
BPO Medical Forum => Medical Conditions & Diseases => : Kermit October 25, 2006, 05:12:26 PM
-
Today I picked up Turkey and brought her home. I got to talk to Dr. Jerry briefly about everything. He said he is a little concerned about the swelling in her broken leg. It seems to be inhibiting the nerve function. So her broken (now pinned) back leg is just hanging there and she has no control over it.
BUT she is already trying to stand! Originally he didn't think she would even try for several weeks... hehe... but this is TURKEY we are talking about! So of course she wants to be on the move. I think it's actually scaring her that she can't more around like she used to, she seems to get pretty nervous when she tries to walk. :'( But what she needs to do is just lay down and rest.
So she ate a good dinner tonight and now she's cozy in Nigel's crate (her choice! who am I to argue about which crate she gets in?) and I am trying to figure out how I can sleep nearby her. I am so used to her sleeping right beside me, she has since she was 7 weeks old. I'm not sure I can sleep in a different room!
So... Turkey would like to thank everyone who sent her good thoughts, she says she is very thankful to be back home!!!
-
:o :o :o :o :o :o
Heal fast miss turkey and try and stay off that leg. You will be running around in no time! Marina
-
YAY!!! TURKEY'S HOME.
Look at that face. That is the face of a stinker. She's going to be back to normal sooner than we expect. I can see it in her face.
Welcome home, honey.
Tina
Stinker is RIGHT! She pulled out a bunch of her staples last night! :o The little turd!
Her pelvis needs more time to heal, but the kid keeps standing up. How do you slow down someone like Turkey??? She was even eating her breakfast standing up this morning, which is ridiculous.
I am really going to have to keep her confined. I bet anything if I let her out of her crate right now she would crawl/hop/drag herself into the living room and get on the couch somehow. ::)
But she has total bladder control which is AWESOME! :) I am so happy about that. But she hasn't pooped yet, which bothers me a little, since I know she has eaten two meals here since she's been home. :-\ This is like a roller coaster. I am just so thankful that she is home. And yep I slept on the floor next to her crate last night! :D
-
Yeah Turkey..you are such a sweetheart. Wishing you a speedy recovery sweet girl :-*
-
Oh Turkey, its so good your home, now all you need to do is have a safe recovery~
~K
-
this bears repeating....
Rebekah, I am so happy your Turkey is home, safe and sound....there is no place like home, surrounded by love, to help your girl heal!
-
Poor Turkey! :-[
(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/doghealer/IMAG0022.jpg)
She feels like crap today. She asked me to leave her alone so she can rest. Does anyone know if Vitamin C would be good for her right now?? When I was at the grocery store today I had a hunch to buy some. I am trying to think of supplements and stuff to help her heal and make her more comfortable. It it weren't my own dog I could probably think of ten things! Somehow I cannot get my brain to work right. Ugh maybe it's stress? I feel like I became dumb in my sleep last night. Does that happen to people??
:P
Turkey says THANKS to everyone for the big welcome home. :)
-
First of all, YAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAY FOR TURKEY!
I'm so glad she's back home with her mama and daddy and all her brothers and sisters. That's where she belongs. She looks great, too. I mean, you can definitely tell she's going to make it through unscathed!
The first thing that came to my mind is arnica...I guess its more of a topical thing, though. It helps with bruising, swelling and lessens the chance of scarring. (Not that Miss Turkey cares about scars...but, it should help the pain of the bruises if they heal faster!)
-
YES! ARNICA! Thank you, Nicole. :)
She has so much bruising and swelling... yikes. I will get some arnica. ;D
-
The poor little munchkin pulled out ALL of her staples as I slept like a rock this morning. So I woke up (late) to a gaping hole in her leg. I wasn't ready to see that.
She is at the local vet clinic right now, and this is awful, Will's dad is driving down from his vacation in North Ga to stitch her back up. My local vet didn't have time for Turkey today, but it needs to be done because the skin is already drying out, it's just a big mess. I have already had my nervous breakdown so thankfully I am on the other side of that now.
I should have gone out yesterday and bought her a dang cone but I didn't. And now she has to go through being put under anesthesia again, and the skin has to be cut so it's fresh, and then put back together. I feel awful on so many levels it is ridiculous. :'( :'( :'(
Advice to anyone in the world who has a dog go through surgery- just put the Elizabethan collar (a.k.a. cone) on them whether you think they need it or not. :-[
-
Is it too late to put a moist pack on it? I guess it is if they already know they are going to have to trim the skin. That sucks!! Did you get the collar or will your vet provide one? I can't believe they didn't have time for her!
-
Awwww poor Turkey!! I seen the title "Turkey is home" and I got all excited!! Then seen the poor girl tore out stitches! :( Sometimes I wish dogs could understand us when we say "LEAVE IT ALONE"! I'm sure she'll be fine though, get stitched back up and hopefully there won't be anymore problems. I'll keep sending those get well vibes her way!!
-
I'm sorry that Turkey is being a little turkey! Hopefully the rest of recovery will be smooth sailing and uneventful. It's never easy having to keep a high energy pup quiet. I hope she feels better soon and lots of hugs and healing thoughts your way.
-
Ok, Turkey is home, again! She is a sad little muffin right now after being stitched up again. :( But Dr. Jerry came and took care of her. Boy am I lucky. It is amazing how lucky I am.
If I am REALLY lucky, Turkey's leg will heal. But it is not looking good. It might have to be amputated. :'( :'( :'( She seems to have very little nerve function in the leg. I am hoping for a miracle over here. I still cannot believe all of this is really happening. :'( Oh how I wish I could talk to her!!! At least now she is wearing her brand new cone!!!
-
I'm so glad Turkey's home, and I'm sure she's glad to be home too! Now tell Turkey to keep calm and no more biting stitches, hopefully she'll listen this time! ;)
I really hope her leg heals with no more problems, but I did want to say that IF she does need to get the leg amputated it'll be ok. I used to work as a vet tech and I assisted in a leg amputation, the dog was miserable before the surgery he had jumped out the back of a moving truck and his leg was in really bad shape. I used to associate dogs with having human feelings so it was a little upsetting to think this dogs leg was going to be amputated, I was thinking he'd be all depressed. BUT after the surgery it was AMAZING to see how quickly he recovered! He was soooo happy to just be alive and well he could have cared less that he only had 3 legs! When he was all healed he could still run, jump and play just like any other dog.
I really hope I didn't upset you by bringing that up, I just wanted to let you know if it comes to that (hopefully it doesn't) that she'll be ok. Turkey seems like a little fighter, though, I'm sure she'll be just fine and in a few months she'll be back to her old Turkey self! I'm sending tons of get well vibes! :)
-
Aww, I'm so glad Miss Turkey is home! Turkey, you'd better behave yourself, those stitches and staples are in there for your own good, Missy!
I agree with everyone, though, if she were to need an amputation (which we hope it doesn't come to that!) she will adjust just fine. I've got a friend with a three-legger (he is missing a front leg) and he gets around very well.
I always say that God gave dogs and cats four legs so they could have a spare.
-
Thanks so much, you guys. :) I am feeling a little better tonight after spending some time in the crate (yes- in the crate!) with Turkey. She is pepping up a bit, but let me tell you she is mad about that cone! :D I took her outside for a potty break, and every time she is able to take a peepee I am thankful!!!! I cannot express how scared I was that she would lose control of her bodily functions. The fact that her internal organs are all intact is just so reassuring to me. And her new stitches look fantastic, I am so thankful that we were able to get that fixed up.
However, the swelling in her leg is just crazy. Her leg is huge. I just don't know how I can help bring it down. The only way we will know if she still has nerve function is for the swelling to go down! :-[ But I guess I am not doing anyone any good by worrying! I did buy some arnica cream which Nicole suggested for swelling and bruising, so hopefully that will make a difference.
I'm sorry I have been a wreck this week and haven't been able to contribute much to the board other than freaking out about Turkey! This has been one of the hardest weeks of my life! I can't wait for Will to get home so I can just sleep for two days straight!!!! ;)
-
Oh my goodness! Poor Turkey! well how is she doing right now? Is she resting peacefully? Nonsense, Rebekah. You just tell us everything there is to know about that little girl otherwise we'll all worry and have nervous breakdowns too!
-
Rebekah, as about massaging the leg. I know in rehab for swelling we would do what is called a retrograde massage, pushing the fluid back, from the foot to the knee, etc. I know elevation is impossible for her, but maybe if you massaged the leg that would get the fluid moving and it would also help with nerve stimulation. It's worth a shot! Good luck!
-
I don't have any good advice for you on how to help her leg out except maybe give her access to a heating pad set on low. That might help relieve some of the discomfort in the leg. I'm so sorry that both you and Turkey are going through this. Big hugs to both you and Turkey.
-
Hmmm... elevation.... I thought about that for a brief moment today. I will give it a shot.
As for massaging, I don't think I can do it. I tried to do some acupressure to the swollen leg today, and where I pressed down, well, it stayed pressed down after I let go. Her leg feels like clay underneath the skin. It is giving me the creeps. I am going to ask Will to check with his dad about it tonight when I talk to him on the phone. *heebie*jeebies*
Other than that, she is in a much better mood today. I gave her a break from the cone and she went right back to chewing on the incision. What the heck is she thinking?? No more breaks from the cone!!!
Also today I had her out in the yard for some fresh air since the weather was so nice. Some of my neighbors were outside talking and when she heard them she got totally freaked out and started booking it towards the back door!!! :o I had to grab her to keep her from trying to run!!! She was wobbling all over the place and it scared the bejesus out of me!!!
Ohhhhh Turkey. ::)
-
I'm not sure if you can, but are you allowed to ice her leg? that usually helps with keeping the swelling down.
Nina
-
I'm not sure if you can, but are you allowed to ice her leg? that usually helps with keeping the swelling down.
Nina
Actually, the vets suggested to me that I put a heat pack on it! :o That doesn't seem to make sense to me! But I'm not the one who went to vet school!!!
The swelling seems to have gone down a *little* bit. I'm hoping to see some more improvement tomorrow!!!!
Ya gotta love a good cone shot. ;)
(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/doghealer/IMAG0010.jpg)
-
And Kathryn suggested heat too! Who knew? I guess I should try heat!! 8)
-
Holly's explanation is how I remember it too. But it has been a long time since I worked in the field.Â
I wonder if you wore gloves to massage her leg. Cloth or perhaps gardening gloves. The gloves may help with the feeling that is giving you the willies.
Gloves! Heebie-jeebie protection gloves!!! I LOVE IT!!! :D :D :D
-
Awww Turkey, you are such a beautiful girl...
Rebekah, she will pull through, I wish I knew more about the subject to help Turkey out, but I don't. Can you email me your address, I would like to send Turkey a little something, since that is all I can do from here!! Please give her hugs ad kisses from me!!
-
Update on Turkey!
:) She is feeling pretty good lately! The swelling in her back leg has gone down completely. I am so relieved. She's still not using the leg, but I didn't expect her to try yet. Sometime soon we'll be getting some new ex-rays to see how everything is healing in there. I am no longer afraid of her losing the leg. I think it's all going to heal up. She is one strong girl. :)
The crate time is getting to her! And she hates the cone! But she is being such a good girl. My friend let me borrow a sling to help her walk around and it has made potty breaks so much easier. She is being such a trooper.
;D
My sweet and beautiful little girl.
(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/doghealer/turkeynov3.jpg)
-
Oh, Rebekah!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAY! I must laugh a little at how peeved she looks, but that's a good thing! That attitude will get her through! She looks like she's healing up nicely. I'm glad to hear it!
-
YAY Turkey!! I'm so glad she's getting better, she looks a little miffed in the pic, but she's so dang adorable! Getter better soon Turkey! :-*
-
yay you can do it Turkey!!!
HAHAH she looks pissed in that last picture. I can only imagine what she was thinking!!!