just returned from follow-up vet visit. As photos following will testify Gracie’s been licking too much. Most stitches are gone, the photo shows one potential problem area – puffy, swollen. Vet said it’s not awful now but he doesn’t want it to get worse. Since the blow-up collar is worthless she’s now wearing ‘the cone’ (the model she’s wearing is a larger size that they trimmed down a bit for her today). Oh does she hate it. Trying her best to pull it off (successfully once) & now she’s just sitting, panting, looking pitiful. Definitely a time when the saying “It’s for your own good” holds true. We have another follow-up visit this coming Fri (today is Monday) & she’s suppose to wear it till then. We both need reminding time will go by quickly. Hope she doesn’t turn totally neurotic before then… hmmm, people around me might be saying the same thing about me…
otherwise, she’s doing fine. I described her behavior (hates outside, won’t seek out food/water but will eat/drink when it’s taken to her, not moving around much, altho when she wants to get somewhere, ie, inside or on the bed, she’s certainly quick & able) & it all falls into the norm at this point. He suggested starting mid-week I begin to quit spoiling her. I should quit giving the pain meds unless there’s evidence she needs something. I’m not sure I’ll be able to tell if she’s in pain or just itchy. She toppled over this morning as she was trying to poop so of course that caused a quick halt in the ‘action’. She let loose some in her nervousness on the floor at the vet.
Between the time she was diagnosed & the amputation she was prescribed prednisone (prednisolone). Since the operation she’s not been taking it. Vet said this coming Friday we’ll discuss if she should go back on a steroid. I’m sure he’ll tell me “why” then, but until then does anyone know? Why she’s not on it now? And why she would begin again?
Long term use of steroids like Prednisone is not recommended. In our opinion many vets overprescribe Prednisone, because it masks symptoms so quickly and so well, but that’s all it does, it does not address the underlying issue. It can help break the cycle of a persistent issue or allergy, but should not be used long term… perhaps answering why Gracie was taken off it, and may “need” it again.
yikes – tough love!! and, geesh gracie..who among us hasn’t toppled over when they were trying to poop…we blame the pain pills… hope each day shows some improvement and life can get back to ‘normal’ soon.
charon & gayle
Oh my gosh, with that look she’s giving you I feel more sorry for you than for her! Who could withstand that?
Be tough! Tate was (is) obsessed with his incision and we’re still dealing with it. Discipline now will definitely pay off in the long run.
OMG, she is precious! I am so sorry you are having such a hard time with this phase, try to remember it is a phase, it will get better…..
Em had her front leg amputated, so it was much easier to keep her away from the incision site, I tied an old t-shirt of my son’s around her, he even insisted she wear a AAU championship t-shirt since she is the champ, she had absolutely no appreciation for his sentiment! She hated that enough, I can’t imagine the cone of shame, she looks just pitiful and it would be near impossible not to play into it at this time. The first time I went on this site I was in the live chat room and a few people, a few wise and wonderful people, told me to do my best to act as normal as possible and Emma would follow my lead…….it really worked, she was slow to give up on the minute by minute attention and made me it hard for me to do, but she showed a huge difference in her mood and ability once I was able to do it. She loves you so much and the more you act like this is not fun but we will get through it kind of direction, she will hopefully follow your lead. Keep us updated, we will keep you in our thoughts, it is such a difficult time, but you will BOTH rise above all this and just think how wonderful it will be to look back and sigh?!
Poor Gracie! Well, at least you’re almost to the 1-week mark, and it sounds like from others that the worst is at least halfway over by then. Keeping her (and you) in my thoughts and prayers today.