Xan Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 That sling might be able to be reversed... I see it and think that it will pull the leg too far under the body for a greyhound. Again, thinking of how Wabi sits ... Like this: Oh, and since it was right where I could get it easily, just to remind you how adaptable these guys are, Wabi running, wierd left leg and all: Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 All these changes must be discouraging to all of you including Alan. But as everyone adjusts and some logistics get worked out like the sling, habits and routines develop, things should improve. I know it has to be so hard, but am praying that things will start to look up soon. And Alan, especially for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mleg2001 Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Just reading for the first time, I am very sorry about Alan , what a terrible time you are having right now I was wondering if a splint/brace would work it would hold the foot in the proper position so it is not knuckled under, therefore would allow weight to be placed on the leg which in turn may help to rebuild strength in the upper leg, does he have any movement in the upper part of the leg at all ?? http://www.handicappedpets.com/splints/index.htm this page has an orthotic boot , the dog shown had been hit by a car causing spinal injury not allowing the dog to use his hind paws to walk, the boots prevent the knuckling under so he can bear weight and closed in front to protect the feet from cuts and scrapes http://www.handicappedpets.com/k9brace/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Cris_M Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Lots of love streaming your and Alan's way. Until one has been through it, it is hard to understand how all consuming and totally exhausting it is to have a much loved hound that has such serious health problems. All the emotions you are feeling are totally normal -- wanting to be with him all the time, feeling guilty and like you could have prevented the problem, frantically searching for anything to make his life easier. Be very kind to yourself -- I already know you are being very kind to Alan. The best advice I have is to find something Alan really likes to do -- ride in the car, see a special buddy, have a special treat, play with a stuffie -- and set a schedule to do that every day at the same time. Dogs are such creatures of habit that Alan will get to where he knows when his favorite thing is coming and he will look forward to it. It really helps with the depression. A happy dog with a serious health problem is a whole different animal than a depressed one. And an owner with a happy dog is a whole different owner than the one who has a depressed dog. It is great to have more than one favorite thing scheduled for the day. Mostly, lots of prayers for all of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AmyB Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Sending more hugs your way!! I agree that it's a good idea to find something that Alan loves...maybe devise a game that he can play with you while he's lying down. Something that involves treats and lots of praise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Sending more prayers for Alan and his family...I am so sorry that you are going through all of this. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Just reading for the first time, I am very sorry about Alan , what a terrible time you are having right now I was wondering if a splint/brace would work it would hold the foot in the proper position so it is not knuckled under, therefore would allow weight to be placed on the leg which in turn may help to rebuild strength in the upper leg, does he have any movement in the upper part of the leg at all ?? http://www.handicappedpets.com/splints/index.htm this page has an orthotic boot , the dog shown had been hit by a car causing spinal injury not allowing the dog to use his hind paws to walk, the boots prevent the knuckling under so he can bear weight and closed in front to protect the feet from cuts and scrapes http://www.handicappedpets.com/k9brace/ It would probably be a good idea to start something like this sooner than later, because the tendons will tighten up in that knuckled-over position making it much harder to stretch the toes into a normal weight-bearing position. (That's part of Wabi's problem: her toes were NEVER in that position.) Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MZH Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Argh, for the life of me, I just can't find the update on Alan. Would someone please post it for me or t ell me what post # it is? What did the MRI show? Whatever it was, I dearly hope he surprises you and starts using the leg. FWIW, I know a greyhound who had a serious FCE incident and who didn't get up for 6 weeks. It was extremely difficult to watch, but the boy met his owner at the door one day when she returned home. It was an incredible day! Marcia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tammara Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Argh, for the life of me, I just can't find the update on Alan. Would someone please post it for me or t ell me what post # it is? What did the MRI show? Whatever it was, I dearly hope he surprises you and starts using the leg. FWIW, I know a greyhound who had a serious FCE incident and who didn't get up for 6 weeks. It was extremely difficult to watch, but the boy met his owner at the door one day when she returned home. It was an incredible day! Marcia All updates are in the first post, just scroll down the page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LoveSeniorGreys Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 a lot of people here have experienced similar concerns with their hounds. Lots of good suggestions as well. White light and prayers for Alan and his family as they make the best choice for their boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Thinking about you guys....How is Alan doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tammymacb Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Checking in also... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tanner Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 My friend's dog had this same thing happen to her. They did have to have the bad leg taken off because with it not being used and pretty much just hanging there it would fall out of the socket which was very painful to her. She didn't have much use of her good leg either so they used a sling to take her out. PM me if you would like to talk to her. She may be able to help. Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest whatahound Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Thinking of you all.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packmom Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 KittyBoo wore a sling like that for 6 weeks for dislocated hip. It kept the hip in place so it could heal. My vet had to look it up in a book, though, to replace it once when it came off. (it was first put on at the specialist's.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Hugs for you and Alan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Continued prayers for Alan. I hope the hydrotherapy cheers him up, please update afterwards! (If Alan is anything like Rickie, he may not like it too much first time around ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Alan is very depressed...I can tell...I see it in his eyes and it breaks my heart to see him that way It's up to you to undepress him--I know that is easier said than done He can feel you. When he is having a problem, just use a happy voice and tell him he CAN do it and you think he is handsome and you love him--in other words, talk to him Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MZH Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 If you'd like a happy-ending story for inspiration, here's one because it feels to me like what you are going through with Alan. Tucker (6 years old at the time) had a stroke/FCE/something back in '99. The vets at the ER said after three days there with no improvement that we might want to consider putting him down. We pulled him out of there and brought him to Tufts. He couldn't stand on his own there either and wasn't eating, so we took him home after 3 or 4 days there. He started eating tiny bits at home but was still vomiting and reeling. He was a little too young for vestibular problems and we persevered, thinking stroke. We kept turning him to avoid bed sores, which he got anyway. (Well, he didn't get pneumonia, so that was worth it.) After three weeks he staggered to his feet and then staggered around the yard, smiling for all he was worth. He looked awful, but what got him eating for real was freeze-dried liver, of all things. He fell plenty, but we cheered him on anyway even though our hearts were breaking and in our mouths at the same time. He finally starting walking almost normally in a couple of months. His head tilt never left and he had intermittent no-so-good periods, but he was very happy to be alive for another 4 years. So were we. Moral of story: be a very good actor and actress and be happy when he moves, never mind gets up, even if it kills you. They really do need do "happy stuff", as some have mentioned. It's hard to do, but it's really necessary. Please keep us all posted. (Now I know all the updates are in post 1; thanks for that invaluable info! I got so upset reading about Alan it never occurred to me to look at the top of the thread.) White light coming from CT.... Love that cabana! Marcia in CT and soon in SC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Sending more prayers for your Alan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NevadasMom Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Alan looks pretty happy in his cabana. Sending good thoughts your way. Quote Carol-Glendale, AZ Trolley (Figsiza Trollyn) Nevada 1992-2008...always in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Frustrating, I know, and -- worse yet -- heartbreaking ... but it's early days yet. Sending hugs and prayers and hopes that you and Alan will be smiling again soon. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 just hugs and prayers :grouphug :hope Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendie Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Sending lots and lots of good thoughts :grouphug Quote Forever in my Heart Joe T Greyhound, Charly Bear, Angel Daisy, and Katze & Buzz Kitty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tenderhearts Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 Moral of story: be a very good actor and actress and be happy when he moves, never mind gets up, even if it kills you. They really do need do "happy stuff", as some have mentioned. It's hard to do, but it's really necessary. Your story really touched me. They are so very sensitive to our feelings. Thank you so much for sharing that, smiling through your tears, and giving your fellow 4 more wonderful years :grouphug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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