bored pup

Mushka continues to improve and be totally bored with his situation. We've taken him to the end of the drive way and back but he wants a full walk around the block. Poor pup.

futon Friday

Mushka seemed restless Friday as we watched him on the webcam but when we got home he relaxed. He just wants to go back to his daily walks and being able to roam around the whole house. It will have to be small steps until he is back to his normal routine. He has been wanting to get on his futon to nap but we've been blocking it during the day for fear he'd jump off too fast. Tonight we helped him get up and he snoozed for hours.

bionic dog

We returned our den to mostly normal with cage sides blocking the exits but the new arrangement seems to make him happier. Since he won't need to wear a cone we hope he won't try to escape this new area.
We took Mushka to ECVR for his first post surgery follow up appointment. It was hot as hades here today so the ride in a car without good A/C wasn't fun for any of us. Dr. Stoll was waiting for us when we arrived and took Moo back for an exam. Within a few minutes she was back and said he looked great. They took his staples out sooner than planned because the incision is healing so well. We asked about the loss of appetite and she said the antibiotic, Cephalexin, could be to blame. She suggested we continue to give him one Pepcid a day. She is very happy with his progress and wants to see him back in three weeks.
We got copies of his x-rays - the before & after are amazing to see.

determined dog

We tried leaving Mushka in the cage without his cone. Around 11:30am Steve noticed on the Dog Cam that Moo was still trying to escape and had unlatched part of the cage. We'd setup our Skype account to auto answer at home so he could talk to Mushka over our stereo speakers but that didn't stop Houdini Dog. When he came home at lunch Steve had to reinforce these cage area but did give Mushka more space. We have a stubborn dog on our hands and have to be creative to contain him and not make him miserable while keeping him safe. Not easy. SamDog sat in the same cage area for months and never even touched the cage. Two very different dogs. Luckily, it doesn't appear he is bothering his incision. After work we took Moo out and noticed he seemed more limpy. We have a follow up appointed with Dr. Stoll Thursday afternoon & are anxious to hear how she thinks he is doing.

trying Tuesday

I worked from home ½ the day but when I left at noon I put Mushka in his cage and put the cone on. When I got to work & checked the dog camera he seemed to be resting comfortably but that was short lived. I sat & watched in horror has he tried to get out of the cage area. He pushed on one side and move the whole cage! I was terrified he would push it down and then fall and dislocate his hip while I watched unable to help or stop him. I called Steve & he left a meeting at work to come home. Once out of the cone and with an expanded cage area Mushka slept the rest of the day. We know the cone changes things for him so we plan to try Wednesday morning without the cone and hope he will leave his incision alone. He is eating better today than yesterday but still needs a bit of hand feeding to get him started.

Below are images from our dog camera - the bottom one is where the cage has been moved toward the right away from the glass door on the left.

mopy Monday

I worked from home today so Mushka wouldn't have to be alone and wear the cone in his cage today. We were thinking another day for him to get used to his new hip before we make him wear the cone would be good. He seems depressed & isn't eating normally. Moo has never been a pup to give up a chance to eat so it worries us. If we hand feed him the first few bites he starts to eat but isn't finishing his kibble or beans. Maybe the antibiotic, Cephalexin, is causing him to lose his appetite but we haven't found that to be a side effect online. He enjoys time outside and walks so missing both of these can't be helping his mood. Poor Moo.

restful Sunday

Moo seems to rest better Saturday night. We only got up with him once. We didn't make him wear his cone since he hasn't seemed like he'd lick his incision. The warm compresses and massages relax him and should help his muscles around his new hip.

sleepy Saturday

Moo didn't rest very well Friday night. We got up with him several times. He seemed restless and couldn't seem to get comfortable. Steve built a ramp for him out the back door today so he wouldn't have to use the steps. We had a thunderstorm this afternoon which worried him but he was able to sleep some and seems to understand he has to stay in his caged area.

Mushka home from hip surgery

Dawn from ECVR called this morning & said Mushka was doing so well he could come home today! We scheduled a discharge apt for 3:30pm. We met with Dawn for the details post surgery and got to see very cool xrays of his new hip. She offered to burn a disk for us so I'll post when we have them. We went outside to back the car to ECVR's side door & Dr. Stoll came out to make sure we didn't have any questions. She explained that Moo's surgery was text book & he is recovery nicely. A Vet tech brought Moo out and loaded him into the car. We brought him home and he is taking some power naps in the peace & quiet. Soooo good to have him home!

Post Surgery Day 1

Steve took some kibble by ECVR early today so Mushka would have his own food. Mid morning, Dawn from ECVR called Steve today & gave an update. Moo is putting weight on his new hip, eating & drinking all good signs.
We visited him at ECVR tonight after work. Odd to be back there after hours. It brought back lots of memories of our nights visits to see Sam. Moo is being kept in what was was Sam's old cage. :( We waited for a Vet Tech to bring him into a visiting room. He was happy to see us but seemed stressed and cried most of the time we were there. His incision is about 7-8" long on the mid thigh. We hope to bring bring him home Saturday and visit again Friday night.

Mushka Hip Surgery

This morning we took Mushka to ECVR for hip surgery. It was the first time I'd been back there since we picked up Sam on Feb 13th. Steve had taken Mushka to be evaluated for his surgery last Wednesday. It is hard to belive four months have passed since we lost SamDog.
Dawn called at 10am to explain that after both Dr. Stoll & Dr. Williams evaluated Moo they both agree his left hip is the side that needs the surgery more. They took him into surgery at 10am and called back at 1:30pm to let us know the surgery went well & he was in recovery.
We couldn't visit him tonight but plan to see him tomorrow. Poor Moo Pup - we know he doesn't understand why he is there but hope he'll feel better soon & the new hip will allow him to take LONG walks without pain.