Surgery and Such,........

Pip had her surgery yesterday to remove the cyst on her wrist.  During the visit and subsequent conversation with the ortho I found out that her knee/cruciate is fully torn but she is doing okay on it.  I did not realize that, perhaps he said it and I did not hear the words.  I thought it was arthritis and a partial tear that had healed.  He did also say it was just a matter of time before she "blew" the back leg. 

Guess I don't really understand much of this.  Will continue discussions with Wendy/trusty vet as we move forward and with Deb/trust PT lady.  Pip must go for bandage changes once a week for 3 to 4 weeks so I'll start those conversations next week.  In the meantime very restricted activity, splint and bandage up to her elbow and cone on head at times to keep her from picking at the wrist.  Today she is still pretty mellow but I see the spark in her eyes coming back, most likely some long weeks. 

the cyst, I don't remember the name of it, but it was "communicating" with the joint and partially calcified.  And I believe more involved then originally thought. 

She was a good girl thru out though,....

PT for Pip

Pip's Physical Therapy for her arthritic knee is now on a schedule, at least the stuff at home is.  I'm somewhat confused by all of this and will have to ask folks who I know have experienced this questions. 

She is having some chiropractic work done every 4 to 6 weeks.  Our visit last week was positive.  The vet said the knee felt better, less inflammed and her overall alignment of her pelvis was better.  The first time I went to her she was very off because of compensating for the knee.  The physical therapist also said that the knee felt better the week before.  I am sure this is because of her being on Metacam the antinflammatory and dasequin and hyaflex.  

Our exercise routine consists of daily work on the disk to strengthen the muscles around both of her back knees so that the injured one stays strong and that the good one stays strong as well and doesn't also break down.  Probably not quite the right words but you get the picture.  We also work on "tail pulling" that the chiro suggested.  Basically using traction by pulling her tail down gently in line with her spine to keep her pelvis even.  She seems to like that a lot.  Getting usesd to the disc work, it was a little challenging at first.  A video of it for your enjoyment. 

I'm somewhat confused as to what needs to occur going forward.  I've been told that swimming will help keep her tone and strengthened.  However a call into Riverview Rehab or whatever it is called in Windsor was not successful so I am going to try another place in East Longmeadow.  The folks were in Windsor were a little snotty frankly and kind of condenscending.  I'm told that the place in EL actually has a basic swimming program so I am going to look into that. 

What I am trying to prevent is surgery down the road if possible.  I don't think that agility is an option anymore.  The orthopedic surgeon said that jumping/projecting off of that knee could lead to further injury.  I realize that it is a maybe but it bothers her enough know that she swings it out when she sits and lays down.  At 8 1/2 I am not looking to cause her further injury.  But I do want to continue to keep her active.  Hiking is an option but tends to be stressful with her as she really takes off and is kind of darty after things.  And not always great with other dogs but much better then she used to be.  I actually think she is way better then I give her credit for so maybe I should just give that thought up. 

Walking, like leash walking would also be good, however I have not resolved the issue on her right front wrist yet.  It is some type of cyst or something sitting on her wrist joint and when I have walked her she ends up lame on that leg.  AHHHHHHHHHH, I need to get that resolved first I think.  My vet wants to consult with the ortho guy first before opening her wrist up,.

Sidney, Zenny and Lucy are doing well.  Took Sidney swimmming at a new boat launch area that a friend told me about.  I think she had fun, hard to tell with Sidney sometimes.  No pictures though, I screwed up there.  Zenny loving his therapy work at the library and this Friday we are entered at Fitchburg for her first Advanced Leg in Rally, gulp, off leash,......  And Lucy Lu and I are working on heeling, tricks.  I am also going to hopefully get her certified to be a therapy dog, classes start in September. 

and we move forward

Our house is not the same without Sarah but we are moving forward.  Yesterday was the first day I started to feel human.  It is has been 2 weeks.  Al is away in Alaska this week and it was probably for the best.  I needed to work thru this on my own somewhat I think.  It seems to go in waves my feelings,.....

I got a new tattoo in honor of Sarah and what she ment to me.  I did it yesterday on the 2 week anniversary.  I purposefully went back to the place where I had my ankle paw prints done because I knew the woman there liked dogs and had one, we talked about it a lot the last time I was there and yesterday. 

I had been talking about doing this for a while anyway so hopefully it won't be to much of a surprise to Al when he returns home on Sunday.  I felt better when it was done, sort of complete.  Its not like I don't have already have a few,..

                                         Some pictures, of us, the 3 girls and 1 boy,.....