Henry Actually Doesn't Have Osteo! (Update Post #311)

[Remolacha]

Wonderful update, I hope the rest of his recovery goes as well as this first part has gone!

[nmontgomery48]

Glad to hear the surgery went well....hope Henry continues to do well, so that his mama doesn't have to worry about him. Thanks for the update. Still praying for SWEET HENRY

[Brandiandwe]

Go Henry! Lots of love sent to you and your family!

[a_daerr]

That's a great update! How are you feeling now? I'm thinking part of the worrying is over right?

 

Thanks for asking. I'm doing a little better. I'm in "preparations mode" now, so trying to stay busy. The huge worry now is whether or not the pet insurance will cover us. This is the first claim we'll be filing with them, so I have to get all our records together, then it takes about two weeks for them to review it. I'll be waiting with bated breath.

[Guest IrskasMom]

sigh .... That is a greyt Update . I am so happy . Please give him some more of this gentle Hugs . He and you Alicia are on my Mind steady. :grouphug

[winnie]

 

Thanks for asking. I'm doing a little better. I'm in "preparations mode" now, so trying to stay busy. The huge worry now is whether or not the pet insurance will cover us. This is the first claim we'll be filing with them, so I have to get all our records together, then it takes about two weeks for them to review it. I'll be waiting with bated breath.

 

I know that feeling. I had to switch equine insurance companies (not my choice, but previous company is no longer insuring horses valued under $10K). New policy began on September 1. My horse tore a tendon on November 3. Paperwork submitted, but still waiting to find out if I'll get reimbursement.

 

I hope everything works out - both with Henry's recovery and the insurance process.

[MP_the4pack]

Do you have steps? If so have you made a ramp? I found that once she tried the steps as a tripod she much prefered her ramp (I made it in a weekend before we went to OSU).

But I do have 6 steps to get into the house from all entrances.

 

Take a deep breath and have a large glass of wine before he comes home. He'll be fine.

[a_daerr]

Do you have steps? If so have you made a ramp?

 

We do have steps... A LOT of them. Too many for a ramp to be possible. Tentatively, the plan is to walk him to the backyard from the front of the house as to avoid the steps. Before his amp, he had already stopped using the back leg. He was good going down on three legs, but not too sure how to get back up. And he got stuck in the dog door twice. After he heals from the amp, I'm hopeful that he'll start to figure out stairs again.

[MaryJane]

 

We do have steps... A LOT of them. Too many for a ramp to be possible. Tentatively, the plan is to walk him to the backyard from the front of the house as to avoid the steps. Before his amp, he had already stopped using the back leg. He was good going down on three legs, but not too sure how to get back up. And he got stuck in the dog door twice. After he heals from the amp, I'm hopeful that he'll start to figure out stairs again.

 

You may want to close of the dog door for the first week or two as he may freak out if he gets caught and as a result, hurt himself.

 

My angel Onyx never figured out stairs after the amp and I just had to keep on using a different door.

 

If you haven't already put down more scatter rugs with rubber backing - then this is the time to do it.

 

As many others have already said, the first week or two is the worst and you will question your decision right and left but, the situation changes quickly after that -- your dog adjusts, the injury starts to heal and one day you'll see him running in the yard.

[a_daerr]

Tuesday Morning Update: Another one of the surgeons called and said they are all very impressed with how well Henry is doing. Still eating, still walking around and going outside for them. Going to the bathroom and taking his meds normally. The bruising is still a concern, and they want to monitor him and ice his incision site every two hours. He's also getting pain meds in his IV cath every six hours, which has made his pain very minimal. His progress today will determine whether or not he'll come home tomorrow.

[Guest RMarie]

Henry's a champ!

[Guest IrskasMom]

So greyt :yay

[MaryJane]

Tuesday Morning Update: Another one of the surgeons called and said they are all very impressed with how well Henry is doing. Still eating, still walking around and going outside for them. Going to the bathroom and taking his meds normally. The bruising is still a concern, and they want to monitor him and ice his incision site every two hours. He's also getting pain meds in his IV cath every six hours, which has made his pain very minimal. His progress today will determine whether or not he'll come home tomorrow.

 

 

You mentioned that you were going to get Amicar earlier in the thread - do you know if he was started on it right after the surgery or before. If it was before, then I would not expect as much bruising, if it was after, then there would be bruising but, in either case, I would expect that it would not get worse.

 

My angel Onyx was severely bruised also but, this was before the benefits of Amicar were know. His bruising seemed to peak a few days after surgery and then started to change colors and then finally to dissipate. I never took pictures but, maybe others on the forum did and can share so you know what to expect when you see him ... or maybe you would prefer not to see pictures and just wait to see Henry.

 

It sounds like he is doing as good as can be expected. It also sounds like his seizures are still under control which is really good news.

[MP_the4pack]

That's a good idea to close off the dog door. My Diamond forgot she didn't have a front leg and tried to go down them, When she didn't think she could do it, she took a flying leap down 6 steps and crash landed on the cement patio. Can you say "HEART ATTACK". It was after that she decided to use her ramp.

 

And two weeks does seem to be the magic number. Diamond had an infection of the surgical site and was on the pain meds for two weeks. When she was finally off the pain meds she seemed so much better.

 

By the way, she was 12 when she had her surgery. And she did great!

Edited December 3, 2013 by MP_the4pack

[greysmom]

 

Awesome update!

 

We had to gate off the stairs up to our second floor bedroom. Our Dude tried to do them within three or four days after coming home! Down is easier than up, but he did eventualy learn how to do them. You might find that Henry's feeling so much better that he will try just about anything.

 

These harnesses work really well for hind leg amps

http://www.ruffwear.com/Web-Master-Harness_2

 

Even with Amicar, Dude bruised rather dramatically. It looked *really* ugly for about a week, then began to get better.

[kudzu]

Super!! Keep up the good work, Henry. Hopefully the bruising will start to resolve over the next 24 hours.

[krissn333]

His remaining back leg may retain some fluid too - so don't be alarmed by that. Keeping it elevated and massaging it helped quite a bit, but it still took a good week or so for all of the fluid to be reabsorbed.

[gracegirl]

Great news! Keep us posted on the insurance claim as well. Who is he insured with?

[NeylasMom]

Great updates! Go Henry!

[vjgrey]

SO glad to hear Henry is doing so well.

 

On the preparations topic, I thought I'd mention a trick that's been working great for us lately - Diamond has been dealing with a joint/ankle issue that makes her a bit wobbly. After she slipped one night on our bedroom floor, we threw down yoga mats as a temporary solution. Several weeks later, the mats are still there and working great. They're grippy on both sides, so they don't move and help with footing. They're cushy but not so cushy that they make her stumble. The hounds also think they're comfy (if pretty thin) beds.

[a_daerr]

These are all great ideas, especially about the yoga mats! As for the Amicar, he started it on Saturday, so he was on it a few days prior to the surgery. The surgeon said greyhounds are different in the fact that their bruising can have a delayed reaction. But she said it wasn't bad for a greyhound- she's seen a lot worse.

 

The dog door will stay open for Truman, but Henry will be gated off in the living room by himself. Truman can still see him, sniff him, and be near him, but I do worry about accidents since Truman is like a bull in a China closet.

[Charlies_Dad]

Sounds like he is doing well! That is great news.

[carronstar]

I am just reading through this thread now. I am so sorry that you have to deal with the osteo monster, but you are one prepared mama! I am so happy to hear that Henry did so well with the surgery and is coming around well. Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts.

[ramonaghan]

Good boy, Henry!

[nmontgomery48]

Glad to hear Henry is doing so well keep getting better Henry.