First of all GREAT FORUM. I ran across this forum out of depression. Not a great way to find a forum, that's for sure. Anyways I was doing some reading about certain dog surgeries and ended up here so I thought I would share what is going on. The other day our Golden Retreiver named Brandi had to have her rear leg operated on for a torn ACL. She is in a cast from the top of her leg to the tip of her toe. When she was sent home we (the wife and I) wee told that we would have to help her with pottie duties by using a sling under her belly. We tried to do that but Brandi is overweight and has been ever since we had her fixed. She weighs in at 116lbs. So we give it our best shot but she would not go pottie. We had gotten her home the same day from surgery at about 5:00 in the evening and by 11:00 she had yet went pottie. We had her in and out about 5 times. This was a struggle for both of us as my wife cannot lift too much weight and I have had a total shoulder replacement and doing something like that is painful for me. Anyways early the next morning we took Brandi out and she would not put weight on her other leg. We called the vet and had to rush her down to him. She tore the ACL in her other leg due to trying to put all of her weight on that leg. So now we have to take her to a major clinic for surgery (TPLO) on her other leg. It rather expensive at $3000 but the money is no object. She will be operated on tomorrow, then we pick her up Saturday and take her to the kennel beside out vets office in the next town about 20 minutes away where she will have to spend the next month to 6 weeks for care. They have a staff that will look out for all her needs and we can visit every night. It is lonely around the house at the moment and all kinds of emotions run thru you head, like what could we have done different so this would not have happened. Brandi has no clue, and you feel bad because you take her to the vet one day and now she does not get to even come home for a month. It is tough. And her sister Nikki is just lost without her because all she know is that Brandi is gone. But she will be in good hands. You just can't help but feeling sorry for her though. And I have a real tough time when it comes to animals. At times I think I show more compassion for them than I do another person. A dog will be there for you no matter what. If you are having a bad day, a dog will be there for you and listen to your every word. A lick of the hand and a wag of the tail can turn your whole demeanor around. Then when they do not feel well you feel kind of useless. I guess it is something another dog person understands. Anyways, I just wanted to say I am glad to be a part of this forum and look forward to reading other stories from dog owners. And sorry for the thread being so lengthy but just had to get it off of my chest and talk about it.
Kevin
Brandi & Nikki
Kevin
Brandi & Nikki