Reilly got his sutures removed this morning. I found it hilarious and sweet that other students who had seen him when he was in before had to come in and love on him, too. He's a heart-stealer, for sure!
Since he had the seroma on his left knee, and was showing a small one on his right knee, the vet student who removed the sutures had him seen by the clinician on duty...who happened to be the department head. It seems the seromas are quite common in younger dogs so not unexpected. Reilly will be eased back into being active more slowly than we anticipated. He wants us to continue hot packing and massage and increase his walk time slowly. They're expecting eight weeks post surgery before he's allowed rougher activities. He did say that some people would try to drain the seromas, but in his experience it increases the risk of infection in the joint, plus they fill back up anyway. I've seen them drained in the past, and know that they often do fill back up, so see no sense in doing that.
Overall, they were quite pleased with how he's healing up. So are we.
We have managed to get past the accidents in the house with reminders that he should ask, and immediate response from us when he does. I'd like to modify how he asks, but that can be worked on later. Asking is the important thing.
Jake went to knit night tonight. I stayed for three hours this time. Jake began on the floor at my side, and as more people came in, he slowly crawled under the table in front of my feet. This is the perfect place for him to be, and most service dogs are trained to go under the table. I can see a need to teach Jake to crawl on command, as he didn't know how to come out from under there. He sat up...and banged his head on the table. He couldn't sit up all the way and was confused. At home, our table is a counter height. It allows the dogs to walk under more easily, and it's much easier for me to have the higher chairs. Aside from that though, Jake did beautifully. He got so comfortable that he snored, and didn't react at all when someone brought in McDonalds for several of us. Knitnight is valuable for him to learn patience, waiting, and for getting used to having lots of strangers close by. It will be very helpful since we have a new semester starting soon.
I intend to start going to work next week, with Jake, and going into the classrooms I'll be teaching in, using the computers in there to do my prep work. I'll take Jake's throw from my office, so he gets used to having his space, and waiting in there. That should make it easier when classes start.
Off to bed!
Meg, Reilly, Jake et al
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Jake out and about
Today I needed to run some errands, searching for some wide, heavy duty, sew-in Velcro. Hubby also needed to go to Harbor Freight. Anticipating lower crowds, I took Jake. We did HF first. He did very well, responding to "left" and "right" as we turned through isles. He did stretch toward one man who held his hand out, but stopped when I minded him that he wasn't supposed to do that. We then went to JoAnnes craft/fabric store. He did exceptionally well there, passing carts and people with aplomb. It was the first time he's seen shopping carts, too. There was a little girl he was attracted to, but again, he desisted when reminded.
JoAnnes didn't have what we needed, so we proceeded to Hobby Lobby. He decided he was an old hand at this now, and bypassed excited children as well as people and carts. But they still didn't have what I needed....so on to Michael's. Again, he acted like a pro. The only exception there was on the way out, where they have metal framed containers to display baskets and such, Chris rattled one, and Jake jumped. He settled back down quickly though.
We came home after that...still with no Velcro! Jake behaved marvelously. The check-out girl at HF didn't even notice him until we had paid and started to leave. I'm extremely proud of him.
Tomorrow we leave at 7:00 am to get to Reilly's 9:00 am appointment for suture removal and re-check. We'll see how it all goes. Chris is still hot/cold packing that swollen left knee.
Now I must find the sew-in Velcro so I can adapt doggie backpacks to fit the mobility harness.
Meg, Reilly, Jake, et al
JoAnnes didn't have what we needed, so we proceeded to Hobby Lobby. He decided he was an old hand at this now, and bypassed excited children as well as people and carts. But they still didn't have what I needed....so on to Michael's. Again, he acted like a pro. The only exception there was on the way out, where they have metal framed containers to display baskets and such, Chris rattled one, and Jake jumped. He settled back down quickly though.
We came home after that...still with no Velcro! Jake behaved marvelously. The check-out girl at HF didn't even notice him until we had paid and started to leave. I'm extremely proud of him.
Tomorrow we leave at 7:00 am to get to Reilly's 9:00 am appointment for suture removal and re-check. We'll see how it all goes. Chris is still hot/cold packing that swollen left knee.
Now I must find the sew-in Velcro so I can adapt doggie backpacks to fit the mobility harness.
Meg, Reilly, Jake, et al
Local vet recheck
Took Reilly to get looked at Wednesday as the seroma on his left knee just won't stay away. It goes down with a hot pack, then comes right back. It was larger and firmer than it has been, so we called and got a short appointment to get it checked. Doc Kim checked him out, agreed that he doesn't have signs of infection, and called State to confirm her suggestions for care (continued hot packs alternating with cold, and gentle massage). She also asked up to give them her email when we go up as she would like a copy of his x-rays. She wants to see better what she should be looking for on knees. Turns out she's only seen OCD in shoulders and has not had a case in knees, which is one reason it didn't get picked up. So she wants to fill in that education gap.
She did a quick scan of his record from State, and was amazed (and thrilled) that we went ahead and did the CT of his elbows while he was under anaesthesia. It was cheaper to do it then than to go back through all the anaesthesia again later, not to mention easier on him. After her comments today, I realize that I often forget the fact that we live in an area where people let their dogs run free or or leave them chained in the backyard, and they are considered disposable. It's not uncommon to see several puppies on the side of the road where they've all been hit by a car, as the litter has never been confined. So I'm guessing that most of her clientele would not pay to have their dog's knees fixed, but would let it remain in pain or put it down. On the other hand, I believe that when you get a pet, it's a responsibility. And a personality. Not disposable.
Reilly is quickly learning again to ask to go out, although he's not so quick to poop once he gets out. He pees like a race horse....but he also drinks more water than any dog I've ever seen. But he doesn't poop so quickly. But he's figured out that if he comes in and still needs to poop, to just ask to go out again, and we'll do that.
Of course, his asking right now is not subtle. He just starts barking. Loudly. It gets the point across, but he's got a serious big-dog bark going on that reverberates nicely through the house. Funny pup. Still, he's remembering what he should do, and that's good.
Jake starts beginner obedience class in a week or so. He already knows much of what is taught there, but it will still be good for him, and he'll go right into his CGC class. By then, Reilly will be fully healed and ready to go back to school, too. If it wasn't for the hurdle jumping, I'd put one of them in competition obedience, but jumping is not what they need to be doing. I'll just find another outlet somewhere for Reilly.
Meg, Reilly, Jake et al
She did a quick scan of his record from State, and was amazed (and thrilled) that we went ahead and did the CT of his elbows while he was under anaesthesia. It was cheaper to do it then than to go back through all the anaesthesia again later, not to mention easier on him. After her comments today, I realize that I often forget the fact that we live in an area where people let their dogs run free or or leave them chained in the backyard, and they are considered disposable. It's not uncommon to see several puppies on the side of the road where they've all been hit by a car, as the litter has never been confined. So I'm guessing that most of her clientele would not pay to have their dog's knees fixed, but would let it remain in pain or put it down. On the other hand, I believe that when you get a pet, it's a responsibility. And a personality. Not disposable.
Reilly is quickly learning again to ask to go out, although he's not so quick to poop once he gets out. He pees like a race horse....but he also drinks more water than any dog I've ever seen. But he doesn't poop so quickly. But he's figured out that if he comes in and still needs to poop, to just ask to go out again, and we'll do that.
Of course, his asking right now is not subtle. He just starts barking. Loudly. It gets the point across, but he's got a serious big-dog bark going on that reverberates nicely through the house. Funny pup. Still, he's remembering what he should do, and that's good.
Jake starts beginner obedience class in a week or so. He already knows much of what is taught there, but it will still be good for him, and he'll go right into his CGC class. By then, Reilly will be fully healed and ready to go back to school, too. If it wasn't for the hurdle jumping, I'd put one of them in competition obedience, but jumping is not what they need to be doing. I'll just find another outlet somewhere for Reilly.
Meg, Reilly, Jake et al
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Did I say bored?
Seriously bored.
The dog bed is now completely history, and he shredded the beach towel I put down on the carpet, too. Chris just took shoes away from him. Reverting to confinement has reverted him to acting like a teething puppy. Sigh. Nothing to do but watch him closely and remind him how he's supposed to behave. And keep giving him toys to play with and things he's allowed to destroy. Every day we get through is an accomplishment. And he'll be happy to get some freedom back at the end of it. If we all survive it!
It's made me remember all the things I would get into as a child when I was kept home sick. And when my son, Joe, was hospitalized at one year old, he tried to dismantle the hospital bed, piece by piece. Healing puppies are very similar to healing children. He feels better and doesn't want to be confined. Sutures out on Friday!
Today Jake escorted me to my knitnight group, and was a perfect gentleman. He is learning the Invisible Dog trick so well that one woman came in, walked past us to a seat, and later in the evening when he was mentioned, it took her by surprise. He'd been beside my chair the entire time. He will begin getting off-farm practice at least every-other day until spring semester starts up; then every day. And his obedience class begins on Jan 3rd.
We're getting there. We're taking a different route than the one I planned, but the scenic route is good, too.
Meg, Reilly, Jake et al
The dog bed is now completely history, and he shredded the beach towel I put down on the carpet, too. Chris just took shoes away from him. Reverting to confinement has reverted him to acting like a teething puppy. Sigh. Nothing to do but watch him closely and remind him how he's supposed to behave. And keep giving him toys to play with and things he's allowed to destroy. Every day we get through is an accomplishment. And he'll be happy to get some freedom back at the end of it. If we all survive it!
It's made me remember all the things I would get into as a child when I was kept home sick. And when my son, Joe, was hospitalized at one year old, he tried to dismantle the hospital bed, piece by piece. Healing puppies are very similar to healing children. He feels better and doesn't want to be confined. Sutures out on Friday!
Today Jake escorted me to my knitnight group, and was a perfect gentleman. He is learning the Invisible Dog trick so well that one woman came in, walked past us to a seat, and later in the evening when he was mentioned, it took her by surprise. He'd been beside my chair the entire time. He will begin getting off-farm practice at least every-other day until spring semester starts up; then every day. And his obedience class begins on Jan 3rd.
We're getting there. We're taking a different route than the one I planned, but the scenic route is good, too.
Meg, Reilly, Jake et al
Monday, December 26, 2011
Bored Puppy is bored
What do you get when a mastiff puppy catches Santa?
A snowstorm, maybe?
Oh! Wait! Reilly says that wasn't some old guy's beard after all.
It's just my pillow, Mom.
And since you took it all away...
I decided to bury my chewy in my bed.
Bored Puppy did go for a ride to Georgia and back, and got loved on by my nephews and niece, all in one day. Perhaps that will help for a few hours.
Also, I figured out that Reilly quit asking to go out some time ago, and has simply depended on the other Boys to ask and gone out with them each time. It's apparent now because we don't want them out altogether. It's hard to walk Reilly with the other Boys loose. So Reilly has had a couple accidents inside, simply because he forgot how to ask, and we weren't paying attention. We will be paying attention now, and he will re-learn how to ask.
The things you get with multiple doggies!
Only 2 1/2 weeks of incarceration to go!
Entertainment ideas for Bored Puppy would be welcome.
Meg, Bored Puppy, et al.
Oh! Wait! Reilly says that wasn't some old guy's beard after all.
And since you took it all away...
Bored Puppy did go for a ride to Georgia and back, and got loved on by my nephews and niece, all in one day. Perhaps that will help for a few hours.
Also, I figured out that Reilly quit asking to go out some time ago, and has simply depended on the other Boys to ask and gone out with them each time. It's apparent now because we don't want them out altogether. It's hard to walk Reilly with the other Boys loose. So Reilly has had a couple accidents inside, simply because he forgot how to ask, and we weren't paying attention. We will be paying attention now, and he will re-learn how to ask.
The things you get with multiple doggies!
Only 2 1/2 weeks of incarceration to go!
Entertainment ideas for Bored Puppy would be welcome.
Meg, Bored Puppy, et al.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Happy Christmas!
The swelling in Reilly's knee is down and pretty much back to normal after hot-packing over a couple days. He's not showing any other signs of distress with it, and the suture line looks good, so we're thinking we're past the danger point.
The Boys all got their Christmas stockings this morning, and they were hilarious! They each got two of those "Busy bones" that are supposed to last for hours, and some giant dog biscuits and a new toy. Murphy always wants to just play with his BusyBone. Jake and Reilly both love to eat them...in about fifteen minutes. They were hilarious, grabbing them and sneaking off to hide with them, stealing from each other, trying to stash them somewhere. Then Reilly took several of the giant cookies, one at a time, and simply shredded them on the carpet in the office. We'll be doing some vaccumming later, for sure.
Reilly ended up getting too excited when Jake scarfed the last Busybone, so we had to put him back in his room, where he promptly went to sleep.
I made eggnog/pumpkin/pecan pancakes for Christmas breakfast. The Boys were all hanging out in hopes of sharing some of those (before they got their stockings).
Yes, that is Reilly in the center. Jake is closest to the camera, and Murphy is farthest away. You can see some of the shaved leg of Reilly.
Hope everyone has/had a good Christmas.
Meg, Reilly, Jake, et al.
The Boys all got their Christmas stockings this morning, and they were hilarious! They each got two of those "Busy bones" that are supposed to last for hours, and some giant dog biscuits and a new toy. Murphy always wants to just play with his BusyBone. Jake and Reilly both love to eat them...in about fifteen minutes. They were hilarious, grabbing them and sneaking off to hide with them, stealing from each other, trying to stash them somewhere. Then Reilly took several of the giant cookies, one at a time, and simply shredded them on the carpet in the office. We'll be doing some vaccumming later, for sure.
Reilly ended up getting too excited when Jake scarfed the last Busybone, so we had to put him back in his room, where he promptly went to sleep.
I made eggnog/pumpkin/pecan pancakes for Christmas breakfast. The Boys were all hanging out in hopes of sharing some of those (before they got their stockings).
Yes, that is Reilly in the center. Jake is closest to the camera, and Murphy is farthest away. You can see some of the shaved leg of Reilly.
Hope everyone has/had a good Christmas.
Meg, Reilly, Jake, et al.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Never say it out loud
I should never have posted about how well things are going. Last evening, I noticed one of Reilly's knees was swollen. When I felt it, it was a very fluid swelling, such as when sub-que fluids are given. But no pain, redness, heat, oozing, anything but the swelling. Then hubby tells me that Reilly may have fallen yesterday morning. He heard what sounded like a fall, but didn't see it.
So,, I called the ER line at State, and the on-call vet called me back. After a discussion and a lot of questions and answers, she suggested hot-packing it over night and her calling back this morning. So, we hot packed it, and kept Reilly confined. Chris spent a good deal of the night in the mudroom with him. Reilly wanted to play, however, and Chris is not very good at just telling him to down-stay, so little hot-packing happened after I went to bed. However, the swelling is down markedly this morning, and no new symptoms have appeared. The doc was thinking it sounded like a seroma, which would not be a dreadful thing.
Last night he bent his right knee to pee, but stretched the left one. This morning he is again bending both, so that's a good sign.
I'll let you know....
Meg, Reilly and Jake
So,, I called the ER line at State, and the on-call vet called me back. After a discussion and a lot of questions and answers, she suggested hot-packing it over night and her calling back this morning. So, we hot packed it, and kept Reilly confined. Chris spent a good deal of the night in the mudroom with him. Reilly wanted to play, however, and Chris is not very good at just telling him to down-stay, so little hot-packing happened after I went to bed. However, the swelling is down markedly this morning, and no new symptoms have appeared. The doc was thinking it sounded like a seroma, which would not be a dreadful thing.
Last night he bent his right knee to pee, but stretched the left one. This morning he is again bending both, so that's a good sign.
I'll let you know....
Meg, Reilly and Jake
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Puppy watching
As each day goes by and Chris and I watch Reilly, it's amazing to me how rapidly changes are happening since his surgery. His back is no longer arching and tucking his rear under. His hind legs, while not yet straight, are straighter. When he pees, instead of stretching foreword like a horse, he is bending his knees and squatting. (still not ready to lift that leg, thank goodness!) He stood on three legs and scratched with a hind leg. He gets up and down much easier. His rear end is already showing signs of strengthening, since he's using it more.
I hear stories from reputable sources of dogs who have done this surgery and become sound. I don't know if "sound" means sound enough to carry on regular dog activities, or sound enough to work, but I will allow a small section of hope to remain, and not give up yet. It'll be pure luck, but I'd be thrilled. However, I'll be happy enough to have him pain-free and being a happy, healthy doggie. We'll see what we end up with down the road.
We have an appointment for suture removal on the 30th. After they check him then, we'll know what activity levels he can handle and how to work him back up, or if therapy of any sort would be beneficial.
One day at a time.
Meg, Reilly and Jake
I hear stories from reputable sources of dogs who have done this surgery and become sound. I don't know if "sound" means sound enough to carry on regular dog activities, or sound enough to work, but I will allow a small section of hope to remain, and not give up yet. It'll be pure luck, but I'd be thrilled. However, I'll be happy enough to have him pain-free and being a happy, healthy doggie. We'll see what we end up with down the road.
We have an appointment for suture removal on the 30th. After they check him then, we'll know what activity levels he can handle and how to work him back up, or if therapy of any sort would be beneficial.
One day at a time.
Meg, Reilly and Jake
Monday, December 19, 2011
One frustrated puppy
I wish I could explain to Reilly why he has to stay in a small area and only gets to go out on a leash. He just doesn't understand; can't understand.
He's got this uncanny ability, previously unknown, to mix a deep, full-throated bark with a warbling moaning cry, so that at 1:00 am when he's lonely, you aren't really sure how many dogs are in the mudroom but you decide to take them all for a walk just so they will stop. Tonight we will try having them all sleep in our room. That will frustrate Jake, who likes to move between the sofa and our room. He won't like being shut in or shut out. Currently though, Murphy and Jake are outside, Reilly is on the bed next to my computer being quiet, and it's bedtime for me.
The next month needs to go quickly, for all our sakes!
He's got this uncanny ability, previously unknown, to mix a deep, full-throated bark with a warbling moaning cry, so that at 1:00 am when he's lonely, you aren't really sure how many dogs are in the mudroom but you decide to take them all for a walk just so they will stop. Tonight we will try having them all sleep in our room. That will frustrate Jake, who likes to move between the sofa and our room. He won't like being shut in or shut out. Currently though, Murphy and Jake are outside, Reilly is on the bed next to my computer being quiet, and it's bedtime for me.
The next month needs to go quickly, for all our sakes!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Incarceration
Poor Reilly. It wasn't fifteen minutes after my last post that he went to run down the hallway to pounce on a toy. He spent most of the day after that in the mudroom. He got walked frequently, and was beginning to be a bit to handle there, too. He feels much better, he wants to play, and he doesn't understand that he can't disturb the blood clots in his knee. They're the foundation for the repairs his body will make and they need to be solid. So I'm working on doggie entertainment. A peanut butter laden Kong kept him occupied for about ten minutes. A giant size rawhide chewy is doing better, but I have to be careful with those so he doesn't pull off chunks of it. We did let him back out this evening, as they are usually much calmer in the evening....but that lasted thirty minutes before he started getting rambunctious.
It's going to be a long month, keeping him under control. Well worth it, but long, long, long. For us, and especially for him, since he can't even watch the calendar!
If anyone has any quiet doggy entertainment ideas, I'm all ears!
Meg, Reilly and Jake
It's going to be a long month, keeping him under control. Well worth it, but long, long, long. For us, and especially for him, since he can't even watch the calendar!
If anyone has any quiet doggy entertainment ideas, I'm all ears!
Meg, Reilly and Jake
Healing
Wow. What a difference! Reilly is allowed supervised freedom of movement in the house as long as he's not being too active...walking is good for him; jumping and running are not. But we may have to confine him. He's spending far more time on his feet than he was before. He sooooo wants to run and play. It's like he's a ten week old puppy again! His knees look great. They put in a very good mattress suture, and it doesn't pull at all. Plus, Reilly has not offered even once to lick or chew, so is not stuck in an Elizabethan collar. He did get some minor post-surgical swelling, but it appears to be gone today. And he wants to run and play. Poor fella, it will be a few more weeks before he can do that. But then he'll be free to be!
Our wonderful breeder, Martha, called after my series of update emails. She was rather upset that, of all the litter, the pup intended for a service dog is the one that had to come up with this. Not that she'd wish it on any of them of course, but it was a double-slam for it to be him. Especially since she's tried so hard to make sure that her litter was free of genetic issues. I had to remind her that you can't test for this one. Yes, I'm quite disappointed. But one thing this disease of mine has taught me is that crying over something you can't fix is a waste of time and energy. So, we go on.
Although I don't anticipate that Reilly will be able to be a mobility dog, that doesn't mean he can't work. He can still be taught to pick up things I drop, bring me things I indicate, and some other non-weight-bearing chores. And he'll still get his CGC and probably his Therapy Dog certification. His temperament is perfect for that. I couldn't handle both Jake as a mobility dog and Reilly as Therapy, But Chris could take him when he visits soldiers in the hospital, where allowed. Even if he never uses the training though, just the training itself will keep him occupied. I may continue with obedience classes, leaving out anything that involves jumping. He needs occupation.
Oh...I've had a couple people ask, for different reasons, but no, Reilly is not going to be given back/gotten rid of/anything of the sort. (In case you hadn't figured that out already!) Reilly is part of our family. The family didn't throw me out on my ear when we found out I was broke, and we aren't doing it to any other family member, either.
So, between the two doggies, this blog will continue, but it will be about training both of them from here on out, not just Reilly. His coming into our house is still a wonderful thing for us, but I must expand to include Jake at this point.
I'll keep you updated on how he heals!
Meg, Reilly and Jake
Our wonderful breeder, Martha, called after my series of update emails. She was rather upset that, of all the litter, the pup intended for a service dog is the one that had to come up with this. Not that she'd wish it on any of them of course, but it was a double-slam for it to be him. Especially since she's tried so hard to make sure that her litter was free of genetic issues. I had to remind her that you can't test for this one. Yes, I'm quite disappointed. But one thing this disease of mine has taught me is that crying over something you can't fix is a waste of time and energy. So, we go on.
Although I don't anticipate that Reilly will be able to be a mobility dog, that doesn't mean he can't work. He can still be taught to pick up things I drop, bring me things I indicate, and some other non-weight-bearing chores. And he'll still get his CGC and probably his Therapy Dog certification. His temperament is perfect for that. I couldn't handle both Jake as a mobility dog and Reilly as Therapy, But Chris could take him when he visits soldiers in the hospital, where allowed. Even if he never uses the training though, just the training itself will keep him occupied. I may continue with obedience classes, leaving out anything that involves jumping. He needs occupation.
Oh...I've had a couple people ask, for different reasons, but no, Reilly is not going to be given back/gotten rid of/anything of the sort. (In case you hadn't figured that out already!) Reilly is part of our family. The family didn't throw me out on my ear when we found out I was broke, and we aren't doing it to any other family member, either.
So, between the two doggies, this blog will continue, but it will be about training both of them from here on out, not just Reilly. His coming into our house is still a wonderful thing for us, but I must expand to include Jake at this point.
I'll keep you updated on how he heals!
Meg, Reilly and Jake
Friday, December 16, 2011
I forgot the funny part....
I forgot to tell you the funny part about our initial meeting with Dr. Marcellin.
We we got there, he began by directing his conversation to my husband. About halfway through the physical, he wanted Reilly to lie back down on the floor. I was seated in the only chair in the room with arms, kinda in the corner. Chris was in another chair, off to my right. The student was standing on the other side of the room. Dr. M. was on the floor in front of me, with Reilly sitting in front of me, facing towards Susan. Yeah, kinda crowded right in front of me.
Dr. M. tried to get Reilly to lie down. Susan added her voice. Chris did also. Reilly sat there. I got up, despite the Dr. telling me they'd manage and to stay seated. I walked in front of them so Reilly could focus on me, and simply told him, "Reilly, Down." He did. (All the lovely hours at obedience school paid off nicely there.) They all stared at me, although Chris chuckled and and commented that Reilly knew who the boss was.
After that point, all Dr. M's comments were directed at me.
I guess he assumed that a mastiff was a guy dog, and didn't realize that Reilly was MY dog. Once he did, he immediately changed his approach. I must applaud him for paying attention to such details. But it was funny!
We we got there, he began by directing his conversation to my husband. About halfway through the physical, he wanted Reilly to lie back down on the floor. I was seated in the only chair in the room with arms, kinda in the corner. Chris was in another chair, off to my right. The student was standing on the other side of the room. Dr. M. was on the floor in front of me, with Reilly sitting in front of me, facing towards Susan. Yeah, kinda crowded right in front of me.
Dr. M. tried to get Reilly to lie down. Susan added her voice. Chris did also. Reilly sat there. I got up, despite the Dr. telling me they'd manage and to stay seated. I walked in front of them so Reilly could focus on me, and simply told him, "Reilly, Down." He did. (All the lovely hours at obedience school paid off nicely there.) They all stared at me, although Chris chuckled and and commented that Reilly knew who the boss was.
After that point, all Dr. M's comments were directed at me.
I guess he assumed that a mastiff was a guy dog, and didn't realize that Reilly was MY dog. Once he did, he immediately changed his approach. I must applaud him for paying attention to such details. But it was funny!
Home again, home again.....
Yay! Our sweet boy is home again!
Twenty-four hours after surgery, on fewer meds than he was before, and he's showing far less pain. I'm so pleased for him!
On our request, they saved the cartilage flaps they removed from his joints. One side had a flap that measured about 8 x 10 mm. Huge. Think of having something like that in your joint! It was loose from the main cartilage, but had not yet moved. There was cartilage and bone inflammation and some of both had to be removed, but not much. Dr. Marcellin said on more severe cases they sometimes actually have to drill into the bone to get the healing blood flow needed, but Reilly needed only scraping out the damaged bone and cartilage to reach healthy tissue. On the other knee the flap was smaller, but the surrounding tissue looked like it had caved in, like a sinkhole. He ended up with an area of removal about the same size as the first knee.
Reilly will be on leash walk for potty breaks only until the stitches are out in two weeks. After that, another two weeks of limited activity. We've set the mudroom back up as his holding pen when we aren't home. He's allowed house freedom when we're there to prevent rough-housing or jumping. He's never been much on either of those, so he should be fine inside. We picked up a carpet for the mudroom floor so he has sufficient traction, installed his favorite of the orthopedic dog beds, and a pillow (he likes pillows) plus food and water and toys, and he's good to go!
Dr. Marcellin had a big discussion about genetic diseases with us. Although there is still lots of older material on the internet, the research in the last ten-fifteen years shows that OCD is a poly genetic disease with sex-linked characteristics...it's seen in more males, but carried by females. However, since it's poly genetic, there is more than one gene involved, so it's not that simple. And obviously it's not a dominant trait...neither of Reilly's parents has it. It has been shown in research that it is more heritable than hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. But there's still no test for it. Someone needs to work on that!
For those interested, the articles referenced are:
Padgett GA, Mostosky UV, Probst CW, et al. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1995; 31:327-30. The inheritance of osteochondritis dissecans and fragmented coronoid process of the elbow joint in Labrador Retrievers.
Hartmann P, Stock KF, Distl O. [Multivarigate genetic analysis of canine hip and elbow dysplasia as well as humeral osteochondrosis in the Bernese mountain dog]. BerlMunch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2010; 123:488-95
Dr. Marcellin had high compliments for Reilly's socialization, his manners, his wonderful temperament, and his overall condition. He requested that we continue the diet he's on, of course making sure that he never becomes overweight.
I'll have to think on it to see if there's anything else I'm leaving out. I don't think so. Right now, things are looking up. :)
Meg, Reilly, Jake, Murphy...and Chris.
Twenty-four hours after surgery, on fewer meds than he was before, and he's showing far less pain. I'm so pleased for him!
On our request, they saved the cartilage flaps they removed from his joints. One side had a flap that measured about 8 x 10 mm. Huge. Think of having something like that in your joint! It was loose from the main cartilage, but had not yet moved. There was cartilage and bone inflammation and some of both had to be removed, but not much. Dr. Marcellin said on more severe cases they sometimes actually have to drill into the bone to get the healing blood flow needed, but Reilly needed only scraping out the damaged bone and cartilage to reach healthy tissue. On the other knee the flap was smaller, but the surrounding tissue looked like it had caved in, like a sinkhole. He ended up with an area of removal about the same size as the first knee.
Reilly will be on leash walk for potty breaks only until the stitches are out in two weeks. After that, another two weeks of limited activity. We've set the mudroom back up as his holding pen when we aren't home. He's allowed house freedom when we're there to prevent rough-housing or jumping. He's never been much on either of those, so he should be fine inside. We picked up a carpet for the mudroom floor so he has sufficient traction, installed his favorite of the orthopedic dog beds, and a pillow (he likes pillows) plus food and water and toys, and he's good to go!
Dr. Marcellin had a big discussion about genetic diseases with us. Although there is still lots of older material on the internet, the research in the last ten-fifteen years shows that OCD is a poly genetic disease with sex-linked characteristics...it's seen in more males, but carried by females. However, since it's poly genetic, there is more than one gene involved, so it's not that simple. And obviously it's not a dominant trait...neither of Reilly's parents has it. It has been shown in research that it is more heritable than hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. But there's still no test for it. Someone needs to work on that!
For those interested, the articles referenced are:
Padgett GA, Mostosky UV, Probst CW, et al. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1995; 31:327-30. The inheritance of osteochondritis dissecans and fragmented coronoid process of the elbow joint in Labrador Retrievers.
Hartmann P, Stock KF, Distl O. [Multivarigate genetic analysis of canine hip and elbow dysplasia as well as humeral osteochondrosis in the Bernese mountain dog]. BerlMunch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2010; 123:488-95
Dr. Marcellin had high compliments for Reilly's socialization, his manners, his wonderful temperament, and his overall condition. He requested that we continue the diet he's on, of course making sure that he never becomes overweight.
I'll have to think on it to see if there's anything else I'm leaving out. I don't think so. Right now, things are looking up. :)
Meg, Reilly, Jake, Murphy...and Chris.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Post-surgical check
Okay, they didn't get out of surgery until after 5:00, but I now have news. Reilly did fine with the anaesthesia. The cartilage flaps in his knees were larger than anticipated and the damage to the cartilage worse than anticipated, which is why it took so long. They removed the flaps and smoothed the cartilage so the joints could articulate properly. He woke without complications. And, they had called this morning and asked if I wanted to go ahead and check his elbows while he was under, so he wouldn't have to do another bout of anaesthesia later, so they did a CT scan on his elbows too. The person who called me this evening was not the surgeon nor the student, who was still with Reilly, but she said that a quick glance showed nothing that jumped out. They'll give it a closer review tomorrow, but it may well be that the elbow pain was simply a result of him carrying his weight awkwardly. I'll sleep with my fingers crossed tonight that it reads well on close examination tomorrow.
So, Chris and I will be heading back to Raleigh tomorrow afternoon to pick him up. I'm glad that we are now between semesters, so I can spend most of my time home with him. We'll have to rearrange some holiday plans, but that's no problem at all.
Meg, Reilly, Jake, Murphy...and Chris. Might as well put us all in there!
So, Chris and I will be heading back to Raleigh tomorrow afternoon to pick him up. I'm glad that we are now between semesters, so I can spend most of my time home with him. We'll have to rearrange some holiday plans, but that's no problem at all.
Meg, Reilly, Jake, Murphy...and Chris. Might as well put us all in there!
Surgery
First, thanks for the well-wishes for Reilly. We appreciate them.
Reilly managed to stay off the pain meds for a couple days, but Sunday and Monday nights he had to have them again. Tuesday night he was taken off food and not allowed meds, and Wednesday morning we were off to Raleigh to NC State Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Our appointment wasn't until 11:30, but we were there by 11:00.
We first saw a fourth-year vet student named Sue, who took a very thorough history and did a physical. Then she went off to discuss with the orthopedist, Dr. Marcellin, whom you can see here. His research area is in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Dr. M. came in, repeated the physical, with additions such as measuring joint flexure. Pain response was noted for hips, knees and elbows. Some physical abnormalities were noted in knees.
He mentioned that Reilly did have the "normal" growth issues associated with giant breed dogs, but he had other issues. Hips are more common than knees or elbows, so he wanted to start there, with x-rays. Since Reilly had been off food since the night before, they sedated him and took both lateral and dorsal views of hips. And he used a large enough plate to get his knees too.
His hips were good. Nice, sound hips, which was a relief. His knees? Not so good. He has a genetic disease called Osteochonditis Dissecans, or OCD. Not something that can be genetically tested for yet. It can only be diagnosed individually. He showed me where Great Dane breeders are compiling a genetic list for it, such as Mastiff breeders are currently doing for Cystinuria, but was unaware if there was such a list for mastiffs yet. I'll have to check on that, even though Reilly was never meant to be be bred and was not sold as a potential breeder.
At any rate, after going over possibilities, alternatives and the risks they have, and reviewing his x-rays showing large flaps of cartilage interfering with joint movement, his recommendation was surgery to remove them and smooth that cartilage.
Even with surgery, Reilly will never be 100% sound. He will never be a working dog. He will, however, remain a member of our family and be a much loved pet.
Today, Reilly is having surgery. Tomorrow, we pick him up. He'll be on limited exercise and leash-walk only for at least a month, and perhaps six weeks. Then we'll get to see how much improvement the surgery brought him. I hope he'll be out of pain by then, and able to run and play like a puppy should be able to. But at that time they'll do an assessment of his elbows, which were also showing signs. Hopefully we will not need to do further surgery on those.
I wish that I had requested a referral earlier. I wish my vet had suggested it. The "wait and see" and "we've got time" and "just rest him" attitudes caused him more pain in the long run.
Speaking of which....when he was still thinking hips were a higher possibility, he told me that giant breeds should be screened by four months for hip dysplasia, particularly if they show any signs whatsoever of gait issues. We have gotten so used to OFA tests at 24 months that we forget that the purpose of OFA is to show healthy dogs. But hip dysplasia discovered by four months old can be surgically corrected...with a surgery that cannot be done on an older puppy such as Reilly is, at seven months. We did not discuss it further since his hips were sound, but I will bear it in mind for future large breed pups. Sometimes doing surgery young is a much better plan than doing the "wait and see", especially in something degenerative, such as hip dysplasia or OCD.
Chris asked me if I wanted to get another puppy and try again. No. It took months to find Reilly, with his perfect temperament. I doubt I'll ever be so lucky again. I'll keep working with Jake and see how his potential is. He still has some shyness issues to overcome, but he is working on them. If it hadn't been for Reilly, I would never have seen the potential in Jake. Perhaps that's how Reilly is my Knight in Shining Armor.
I'll post again when I know how Reilly did through surgery.
Meg, Reilly, and Jake
Reilly managed to stay off the pain meds for a couple days, but Sunday and Monday nights he had to have them again. Tuesday night he was taken off food and not allowed meds, and Wednesday morning we were off to Raleigh to NC State Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Our appointment wasn't until 11:30, but we were there by 11:00.
We first saw a fourth-year vet student named Sue, who took a very thorough history and did a physical. Then she went off to discuss with the orthopedist, Dr. Marcellin, whom you can see here. His research area is in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Dr. M. came in, repeated the physical, with additions such as measuring joint flexure. Pain response was noted for hips, knees and elbows. Some physical abnormalities were noted in knees.
He mentioned that Reilly did have the "normal" growth issues associated with giant breed dogs, but he had other issues. Hips are more common than knees or elbows, so he wanted to start there, with x-rays. Since Reilly had been off food since the night before, they sedated him and took both lateral and dorsal views of hips. And he used a large enough plate to get his knees too.
His hips were good. Nice, sound hips, which was a relief. His knees? Not so good. He has a genetic disease called Osteochonditis Dissecans, or OCD. Not something that can be genetically tested for yet. It can only be diagnosed individually. He showed me where Great Dane breeders are compiling a genetic list for it, such as Mastiff breeders are currently doing for Cystinuria, but was unaware if there was such a list for mastiffs yet. I'll have to check on that, even though Reilly was never meant to be be bred and was not sold as a potential breeder.
At any rate, after going over possibilities, alternatives and the risks they have, and reviewing his x-rays showing large flaps of cartilage interfering with joint movement, his recommendation was surgery to remove them and smooth that cartilage.
Even with surgery, Reilly will never be 100% sound. He will never be a working dog. He will, however, remain a member of our family and be a much loved pet.
Today, Reilly is having surgery. Tomorrow, we pick him up. He'll be on limited exercise and leash-walk only for at least a month, and perhaps six weeks. Then we'll get to see how much improvement the surgery brought him. I hope he'll be out of pain by then, and able to run and play like a puppy should be able to. But at that time they'll do an assessment of his elbows, which were also showing signs. Hopefully we will not need to do further surgery on those.
I wish that I had requested a referral earlier. I wish my vet had suggested it. The "wait and see" and "we've got time" and "just rest him" attitudes caused him more pain in the long run.
Speaking of which....when he was still thinking hips were a higher possibility, he told me that giant breeds should be screened by four months for hip dysplasia, particularly if they show any signs whatsoever of gait issues. We have gotten so used to OFA tests at 24 months that we forget that the purpose of OFA is to show healthy dogs. But hip dysplasia discovered by four months old can be surgically corrected...with a surgery that cannot be done on an older puppy such as Reilly is, at seven months. We did not discuss it further since his hips were sound, but I will bear it in mind for future large breed pups. Sometimes doing surgery young is a much better plan than doing the "wait and see", especially in something degenerative, such as hip dysplasia or OCD.
Chris asked me if I wanted to get another puppy and try again. No. It took months to find Reilly, with his perfect temperament. I doubt I'll ever be so lucky again. I'll keep working with Jake and see how his potential is. He still has some shyness issues to overcome, but he is working on them. If it hadn't been for Reilly, I would never have seen the potential in Jake. Perhaps that's how Reilly is my Knight in Shining Armor.
I'll post again when I know how Reilly did through surgery.
Meg, Reilly, and Jake
Friday, December 9, 2011
Reilly update
First, Reilly and I thank you for the well-wishes. They are appreciated.
I believe he's through the worst of this growth spurt. His pain levels are down, as evidenced by his reduced crying and increased activity. He's still smart enough not to try to run with the other dogs, or climb the carport steps, but last night for the first time in a couple weeks he got his front end on the bed and stretched across to stick his just-came-from-the-water-bowl muzzle in my face. I had been sound asleep! I got up and helped him on the bed, then went back to sleep. When Jake and I came home today, he also stepped up his front end into the car. I have a new Element with side steps on it so it's easier for him, but he hasn't tried in a couple weeks so him spontaneously doing that is good evidence of decreased pain.
So at least he will neither be in pain nor living on drugs until his appointment next week. That's a plus! He's such a sweetheart of a doggie, it's hard to see him in pain.
In the meantime, Jake went to work with me today. It's the last day of finals week. My finals are over and the campus has far fewer people than usual, so a good test. The elevator did make him nervous, but that was overcome by the treats in my pocket. He surprised me by settling down in my office and napping while I worked. I was afraid he would fret. We walked across campus to take his shot records to the disability office. They do not ask it of me as by law they cannot, but the students have to file theirs, so I figure it's only fair. Since Jake has done some counterbalance work for me at home, I opted not to carry anything aside from my back-sling purse, so my balance wouldn't be terribly off...and did not carry a stick at all! They finally got my brace fixed a couple weeks ago, and with a working leg brace and Jake, I did just fine! And actually was far more comfortable than with the sticks! It was wonderful. Jake still has a lot to learn, but we went slowly so he could look around him and get used to things like doors that open on their own and different types of floors, and I had no balance issues today at all.
I can not wait until I have properly trained dogs! (note the plural there)
Meg, Reilly ...and Jake
I believe he's through the worst of this growth spurt. His pain levels are down, as evidenced by his reduced crying and increased activity. He's still smart enough not to try to run with the other dogs, or climb the carport steps, but last night for the first time in a couple weeks he got his front end on the bed and stretched across to stick his just-came-from-the-water-bowl muzzle in my face. I had been sound asleep! I got up and helped him on the bed, then went back to sleep. When Jake and I came home today, he also stepped up his front end into the car. I have a new Element with side steps on it so it's easier for him, but he hasn't tried in a couple weeks so him spontaneously doing that is good evidence of decreased pain.
So at least he will neither be in pain nor living on drugs until his appointment next week. That's a plus! He's such a sweetheart of a doggie, it's hard to see him in pain.
In the meantime, Jake went to work with me today. It's the last day of finals week. My finals are over and the campus has far fewer people than usual, so a good test. The elevator did make him nervous, but that was overcome by the treats in my pocket. He surprised me by settling down in my office and napping while I worked. I was afraid he would fret. We walked across campus to take his shot records to the disability office. They do not ask it of me as by law they cannot, but the students have to file theirs, so I figure it's only fair. Since Jake has done some counterbalance work for me at home, I opted not to carry anything aside from my back-sling purse, so my balance wouldn't be terribly off...and did not carry a stick at all! They finally got my brace fixed a couple weeks ago, and with a working leg brace and Jake, I did just fine! And actually was far more comfortable than with the sticks! It was wonderful. Jake still has a lot to learn, but we went slowly so he could look around him and get used to things like doors that open on their own and different types of floors, and I had no balance issues today at all.
I can not wait until I have properly trained dogs! (note the plural there)
Meg, Reilly ...and Jake
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