Let me fill you in on my big four legged sister:
In September of the past year Leena began to limp a little whenever she would get up from laying down. Momma didn't think much about it because it could have just been a pulled muscle. Or even because Leena was a little over weight- her joints might be hurting.
Momma really didn't think much about it since it was only every once in a while. Well- once in a while turned into every time she got up. Leena would limp on her rear left leg for a few steps and then walk normal again.
After a few weeks momma and papa began to notice Leena limping more and more until she began to just lift up her hide leg when walking.
It was time to go see the vet.
Momma and Leena went and the vet told her that it may be a torn acl ligament. They wanted to give Leena medicines for pain and steroids to help heal and told momma that Leena is to be on bed rest for a few weeks. This meant she was not allowed to run, not allowed to jump, not allowed to play. Basically Leena had to stay in her crate unless she needed to go to the potty or she would sit with Momma on the couch (momma would pick her up and put her on the couch next to her). AND Leena was 48 pounds. The vet said she really needed to be under 40 pounds. Momma said that her weight was causing it to be more of a problem, so it was time to put Leena on a diet.
After a few weeks, Leena seemed to be getting better. So momma did not confine her as much. And sure enough the limp came back. SO we went back to the vet for more meds and more rest for Leena. Leena had also lost some weight was was down to 46 pounds. At that time the vet said that Leena should get xrays. Momma took Leena to the SPCA for a second opinion and xrays (the SPCA is a bit cheaper than our normal vet). The xray confirmed a tear and so we went for one last round of medication and resting and crossed our fingers that this time it would heal.
September, October, November, December, and January came and went. Leena was on bed rest most of that time along with pain medicine and steroids. In the end nothing was working and in fact it seems to be getting worse. However- Leena was down to 42 pounds!
It was time to bite the bullet and get the referral for surgery. Momma went through the paperwork and got the estimate for the surgery... $1,500-$2,500!
Wow... that was a lot of money. Momma and papa knew Leena was worth it! The guilt of spending their savings on re-doing the kitchen and remodeling started to get to them, but they started saving, for they knew Leena would be worth every penny.
It was time for the consult for Leena's surgery. Momma took Leena into the local animal hospital and sure enough her ligament tear was worse and the Dr insisted Leena have the surgery as soon as they could. Momma also was given the actual price for Leena's up and coming surgery- around $3,300.00! WOW! That was the cost for Small/Medium sized doggies. Since Leena was down to 38 pounds, she was no longer over weight and so was not in the "large" category anymore. (Thank goodness for that!)
As much shock as momma and papa are in, there was no other choice. We called around for different prices and quotes and did the needed research on torn acl in dogs.
SO surgery took place last Tuesday. Momma and I sat by the phone for the call to say she made it out just fine, and sure enough right before 2pm on Tuesday we got the call that Leena was in recovery and resting. Of course momma kept calling every few hours to check up on her baby.
The next day around lunch time we all went (Fenton stayed home) to pick up my big sister. We were more than happy to see her wagging tail! I went right up to her and gave her a soft rub on her side.
Momma said she was overwhelmed with the amount of medicines Leena was going to need. She was also upset that there were, of course, more fees that were not included in the surgery bill. Such as the over night stay, the medicines given after surgery, and of course all the medications Leena was going to need in the next few weeks. Momma said we will be eating crust for the next few months! I hate crust, but I'll do it for my Little Bear.
*******WARNING- graphic images below**********
Leena was home. Momma and papa realized very quickly that Leena would not fit in her crate with the new cone she had to wear around her neck. So a fluffy blanket was laid out in the living room and Leena laid on that.
After a few hours momma and papa tried too get Leena up to go to the bathroom with no luck. Later they tried again and Leena wouldn't put her foot down to walk. The doctor said that Leena needs to put her foot down with every step and if she didn't- we would need to go back to get her checked out.
The vet's office was closed so Momma called the emergency clinic and spoke the with lady there. Momma decided to keep Leena home and take her first thing in the morning.
Momma is so silly. She camped out with Lee Lee right on the living room floor. Needless to say she didn't sleep much....
First thing this morning my mema came over to watch me, and momma took Leena to the vet. Momma also realized that some of her stitches were pulled open (maybe from laying on the wound) and Leena was bleeding.
So off they went to the vet. Momma said the ride was stressful, as Leena does not enjoy car rides and kept trying to pull off her cone collar and was moving around.
By the time they pulled up at the vet, Leena's stitched were opened more and blood was dripping out of her hide leg.
Momma hates seeing blood. Momma gets emotional about the people she loves. Momma picked up Leena and carried her to the door and went inside.
Momma said she "lost it" in front of some patients. Leena was whimpering, bleeding, and not herself (of course), and momma was pretty much in the same condition as Leena (except for the bleeding part) with the added lack of sleep.
The vet took her back, cleaned and fixed her leg and gave her a quick exam. They reassured momma that Leena would not be herself because of the drugs. That things would get easier as she heals.
Momma informed the doctor that Leena wont go to the potty outside and will not drink water. They were concerned and so momma is going to see how it goes and if Leena still isn't drinking she will need to bring her back in.
The rest of the day included lots of love. Momma, Fenton, and I sat next to Leena as she laid in her small area and we read some books to her. We sang some songs and gave lots of rubs and love.
Fenton is very distant right now with Leena. Momma said that is because Fenton knows Leena has a boo boo and doesn't want to hurt her. I call her boo boo leg a turkey leg! Momma said it looks a lot like a skinned turkey leg. OH Leena's turkey leg does look silly!
Leena is still not "willingly" drinking water. Momma is using my medicine dropper to put water in her mouth. Hopefully Leena will start drinking water very soon.
Leena is also not using the bathroom outside. Momma told me I should give her one of my diapers to wear since she is still going to the bathroom, just not moving to do so. Oh what a mess! I told momma that Leena was too big for diapers- and then momma informed me that I was also getting too big for them too. :P
For the surgery, momma explained to me that the doctors had to cut off part of Leena's leg bone and reposition it so that more of the ligaments would be securely attached. There is also a metal plate with screws in her bone now to hold the pieces of bones together so they can become strong and heal into one complete bone.
When I first saw Leena's turkey leg- I didn't really see much besides swelling and bruising. But when Leena leans on her other side I saw there the doctors needed to cut her open to get the the bone and why I need to be so careful around Leena.
Oh my goodness, that looks like it hurts! :( poor Leena Bear!
I am going to keep everyone updated with my blog. I don't mind sharing it with Leena every once in a while. Momma said she will post the blog as well- to keep those who are keeping us in their thoughts up to date.
Thank you all for your kind words, prayers, and sweet gestures to help. It means a lot to me that so many people love my four legged sister as much as I do.
****UPDATE Monday, February 27 2012****
After lowering the sedatives, Leena is starting to behave a little more like herself.
I enjoyed helping momma hand feed Leena, but since Sunday she has been eating on her own, and even better- she has been drinking on her own too!
Leena seems much more alert now, still calm and careful when she steps- but I enjoy watching Leena wag her tail again! :)
Momma is doing better too! She has been sleeping with Leena at night on the floor and wasnt sleeping much because of Leena's care. Papa took a few 12 hour shifts on Friday and Saturday, so by the time papa arrived home- momma was ready for bed! Papa took care of Leena on Saturday night. Momma was in bed right after 9pm and she said she hasnt been that excited in a long time to sleep!
Fenton is still very unsure of the whole situation and he rarely comes over to Leena. I pet him and tell him that Leena has a boo boo- and I think that makes him feel a lot better!
Today is the last day for pain medication- momma is worried that Leena may still be in pain after today, but the doctor said she should only need it until the medication is gone. So fingers crossed that she is healing well and her pain is minimum!
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