Guest RavenRacersMom Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Sending good thoughts and prayers to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MorganKonaAlex Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Does anyone have any suggestions to help me keep her off of that side? I've always heard to keep a snorer from sleeping on his back you should sew a marble in the back of his pajamas. Maybe something similar could be rigged to keep her from sleeping on her side. From some of the positions I've seen greyhounds sleep you may need something bigger than a marble. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytkidsmom Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 We have been following Dye's story with a lot of interest. It sounds like you have a team that has Dye's best interests at heart. Dye is lucky to have you to take such good care of her. All of our paws are crossed that the fixator does the trick and she gets to keep her leg. There is a youtube video of a whippet who lost two legs in an accident. It is amazing and the dog is a greyt inspiration... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 My goodness, what a ride you've had. Many prayers coming your way. Hopefully this procedure will work and Dye can start the healing process. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I'm sorry you guys are having such a time of it. Sending lots of prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerosmom Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I'm just seeing this now. What a very difficult time for you and Dye. I hope that you don't have to resort to amputation, but if you need some encouraging words about how well they adapt here are some. Like many others who have posted here, we had to amputate Snickers' front leg due to osteosarcoma. I don't think the vet followed the protocol recommended by OSU (although I gave them the literature!), so she had more bruising than necessary but the overall outcome was a dog who was her "old" self -- jumping, playbowing, running, happy. It is hard emotionally for us to think of it, but dogs bounce back and cope well. Dye's quality of life will be fine. It's a rough couple of weeks post-surgery but once you're through that it's business as usual. Please update and I'll be thinking positive thoughts for Dye. Quote Aero: http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?d=kees+uncatchable; our bridge angel (1/04/02-8/2/07) Snickers; our bridge angel (1/04/02-2/29/08) Cricket; Kanga Roo: oops girl 5/26/07; Doctor Thunder http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?z=P_31Oj&a...&birthland= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Sending lots of prayers. Sometimes amputation is better for the dog--just something to think of. Obviously with an external fixture, you cannot crate her. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyindy Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 (((Dye))) Hope he is healing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paulamariez Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 My prayers are with you and your precious Dye today! I'm going through a similar situation with Bueller, only he got attacked by a Mastiff. So I will be saying many prayers, including one for Dye. Tiger, Bueller and Domino are sending Dye some doggie kisses too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jturchi2 Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Dye's surgery yesterday went really well. They are pleased with the way things have turned out. The update today was positive! Dye is eating well and is actually starting to put some weight on her leg. Which is good! Because this will help her cartilage and help facilitate the healing process. I get to bring her home tomorrow, barring any major crises tonight! I don't want to jinx it, but I'm feeling pretty confident about this go round. I'll keep you all posted as Dye's rehab progresses! It is going to be a loooooong summer--with no trips to the doggy park . Hopefully Dye will forgive me, haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jurishound Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Glad to hear things are headed in the right direction! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jturchi2 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Just got Dye home tonight. We spent about 5-10 minutes outside in the front yard, to try to get her to go to the bathroom. She wouldn't go, but I know she loved being home in her own yard again! I'm really worried that I am going to do something to hurt her leg. I know the external fixateurs should keep her leg in place, but we've had so much trouble with her leg already. Does anyone have any experiences with these things? I guess I just need some reassurance that her bones can't really go anywhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LynnM Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 YES! PM OnrushPam... her hound Whyte spend quite a while in her "tinkertoys" after she managed to sever her Achilles tendon. Have you had instruction on keeping it clean? It's not difficult, just a tad tedious and it's a lot easier if someone talks you through it. It should be cleaned at each metal/skin point daily with Nolvasan and saline, then allowed to air dry. The vast majority of dogs tolerate this very well. The external fixator is quite sturdy, but you do need to exercise common sense. The dog should be on TOTAL crate rest. That means leashed potty walks ONLY. No ifs ands or buts about it. Oftentimes a bandage is placed over it, for two reasons. The first is for a little bit of extra padding. The second is so that the dog is less likely to lick at the sites where the rods come through the skin. I'll say it one more time... TOTAL crate rest. Those eyes can be persuasive, but you MUST be firm on this point. Get her through her time in the fixator and then the real work begins. MAKE SURE that your vet gives you either clear instructions or a referral to a canine rehabilitation facility. The surgery, fixator and crate rest are completely useless without rehab work to get the dog back to using the leg, and you do not want to trial and error through an orthopedic rehab. I'm not a vet, don't even pretend to know as much as they do, but can give a few pointers, but unless you've done this before, you need someone physically showing you what to do. Oh, and the dog picked a GREAT time to bang up her knee. Water will be your best friend in a few weeks. One BIG tip. If you have your own property, scope out a level site now and prep it for one of those cheap, blue, inflatable swimming pools. Those things are God's gift to canine orthopedic rehab. It will be the best $200 you can spend towards the dog getting well, so budget for it now. If you don't have your own property, make friends with someone that does (or has a pool already). Best wishes, Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jturchi2 Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 Hi Lynn! Thank you so much for the information!! Dye has been resting in a small corner that we have sectioned off with baby crates zipped tied together. She had a difficult time getting around in her crate (getting up and adjusting), so I talked to my surgeon and that is what he suggested. I think it is good for her because she is by the window now and can look outside. She's upset with me because I'm only taking her out and letting her walk around for a few minutes to find "the right spot". Dye had surgery at Iowa State University. Luckily for us they have a wonderful rehab facility--lots of pools and underwater treadmills (as well as land exercises!). The woman who runs the rehab facility as greys of her own and absolutely loves them! Dye will definitely be going through their rehab program. First, it's getting her through the external fixator. We had a funny reaction to the Ace from last night so I'm not going to give that to her anymore. I feel a lot better now. When I first got her home, I was terrified that her tibia could still move, but I think the more I'm getting used to it, the more I'm realizing that it would take a lot for her tibia to move (and we'd definitely have a lot bigger problem on our hands). I'll keep you posted. Thank you again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Snowy8 Posted May 10, 2008 Share Posted May 10, 2008 I would DEFINITELY get a specialist opinion. Way back in the seventies, the vets I worked for were doing cruciate ligament replacement surgery. Admittedly the dogs I saw operated on were small dogs, but I'm willing to bet ligament surgery is a possibility for a grey, if you see the right vet. I would be very reluctant to accept the advice to amputate without seeing a specialist at a vet school or referral centre. Ditto Silverfish & Burpdog...I think I would get in touch with a specialist...I have a broken hock survivor who tore a lot of things in her leg & they didn't amputate...She's 13 1/2 now & going strong. I think unless you are confident in what your vet tells you, I'd seek out a specialist, one that is greyhound savvy also! Good luck & keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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