Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Harnesses.


Bob is being really rather grown up. He knows there's a problem with his sister but is leaving it to us to sort out. He is the beneficiary of long walks and serious Mano a Mano conversations.


Sophie heads off to the hospital in Toulouse for an X-ray on the other leg. The specialist doesn't bother with the X-ray. '' Clear as day the ligament has completely gone " he says matter of factly.  No power in either leg. She can sit but she can't stand. It can safely be said that she is not a 'good' patient. We feel much better now we know what the problem is. Fears of spinal injuries have been dispelled.

New pain killers prescribed. One operation on Tuesday a second operation two months later on the other leg. Four months of enforced idleness await her. What awaits her owners is something rather different.


These harnesses have been ordered and dispatched from Yorkshire. They can't get here a moment too soon. We'll think about the exercise contraption with wheels after the operation(s). : https://www.dogmobile-online.com/product/dogharness



25 comments:

Sarah Carey said...

I am not sure I have ever commented previously — absolutely adore the blog and check in every day, though. Like all of your readers, I have been anxiously awaiting Sophie news. So pleased to learn it is a direct cause with an operational plan; less pleased to consider what the next few months will be like for you and The Font! Sending much love from DC. Wish you could be here on election night. I will be crying either way, for vastly different reasons!

Lisa in Tokyo said...

I'm sure the diagnosis comes as a great relief, but you and the Font will certainly be ready for a long vacation once you get through all of this. I hope the harness is to Sophie's liking - I suppose it is small comfort, but I don't recall these kinds of things even existing until a few years ago. People also use a lot of pram-type contraptions for their elderly dogs here in Tokyo, if perhaps Sophie would like to be promenaded around the village while she recuperates.

Best of luck (and patience) to you all.

alfiemag said...

My Cairn Terrier had this op on one of his legs. We discovered we had an aquatherapy pool for dogs locally. Great excercise and good for keeping the limb strong after the operation.

Coppa's girl said...

Sympathy all round - for poor Sophie who will have to endure four months of idleness - no good for a girl's waistline at all. Sympathy for you, Angus, 'The Font' and Bob, too - you'll all need so much patience.
Hope the harnesses provide a short term solution.

Anonymous said...

Poor Sophie, first one knee, now two. At least there's good clarity regarding the condition and the necessary treatment. I hope the operation will go smoothly and that everyone will adjust quickly to the new regimen. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Kittypup said...

A relief with the diagnosis although a long op and post op period lies ahead for everyone. Our thoughts are with you all. In agreement with Alfiemag - I've read that aquatherapy has a great success rate in these type of situations.

WFT Nobby said...

Yes, It always helps to have a clear diagnosis. An aquatherapy pool sounds like a good idea. And maybe lay in a few additional bottles of stress-relieving Pomerol for Angus?

Taste of France said...

It's really too bad they can't operate on both at once--one anesthesia, one recovery period.
Do you know the NPR radio show Fresh Air? Wonderful interviews. I download the podcasts. There was an excellent one on dogs with the John Bradshaw, the author of "Dog Sense": http://www.npr.org/2011/05/26/136497064/the-new-science-of-understanding-dog-behavior

Anonymous said...

Love her, she looks so sorry for herself. It is shame that she will have to go through this twice. I suppose a double procedure is just too much in one go for her to cope with. She has youth and general good health on her side so hopefully she will recover well and swiftly for all your sakes. That nose still looks as lustrous as ever. x

Angus said...

Angus and 'The Font ' are already on the stress relieving tincture . By the end of 4 months we'll be back to Gods amber nectar.

BaileyBobSouthernDog said...

I am so proud of Bob, but not surprised. He is such a sweet boy. Sophie has a long road to recovery, as do each of you in helping her. Now the specialist knows who his patient is, and can devise a post op plan taking her personality in to consideration. I am so very sorry all these events have happened. Please know each of you are in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you every day.

Virginia said...

I had hoped-against-hope that there would be some miracle... Poor Sophie... And poor you. It's going to be a long recouperation. Our son's Goldie had a ligament surgery a year or two ago, and the need to keep her quiet afterwards was a strain. Aqua therapy (paid for by the insurance, Thank goodness) was helpful, and now they monitor her weight (excellent) to keep the pressure off. They were told there was a 50% likelihood that she'd snap the other one, but it's been ok... Touch wood.

Fi from Four Paws and Whiskers said...

So sorry to hear this confirmed after yesterday's question.... Great you can get the sling.... And hydrotherapy is a great idea, although a regularly wet shaggy dog heading into winter might not be ideal either....rescue remedy, adaptil diffuser or collar are the other best options. And amber liquid/ sleeping pills for yourselves...

VirginiaC said...

Oh dear, my poor Sophie.
Glad to hear that the diagnosis is confirmed and is operable.
I can't imagine how we will all get through this ordeal, but together we will.
Give her a big hug from me and Brownie.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

So relieved it's nothing worse. And I'm glad you have Bob to talk to. Good old Bob, he's a sweetheart. Our hearts go out to all of you, especially Sophie.

Kari said...

Relieved to know there is no injury to the spine but the surgical picture becomes more intense with a second surgery now on the schedule. Glad that Sophie was not a "good" patient. As an above poster said, now everyone knows what they are dealing with. Comfort and control in the post operative period will be of utmost importance.
Please hug Sophie for us. She'll remain in our prayers.
May we suggest you lay in a stock of disposable incontinence bed pads. They're available at pharm and big box stores, if you have them. It is a large square or rectangle ( 24" x36") of plastic backed absorbent padding. A multi use product to be sure.

10NISNE1 said...

Sophie is very blessed to have such a loving family.

mhgardendogs said...

So sorry to hear about Sophie's double injury - and wishing you a quick four months! From my dogs' experience with ACL surgery, if one side gets done, it is a strong likelihood that the other will need to be done. That happened with our Sofie, and we are waiting for Ada to develop problems with her unfixed leg. Your Sophie just moved the timetable up - seems just like something she would do.

One of the most important things we learned was to start tapering off on the food bowl.Recovery will be a lot smoother with less weight to move.

As always - head scratches for Sophie.

Swan said...

Her sad face just breaks my heart. I've come to love these doggies. Having a diagnosis must be a relief, now you can focus on getting her well. I'm just wondering how she managed to do this? Isn't she a little young for this? I know about ligament issues in horses but not dogs. Sending you all positive energy.

Juliet said...

Our Westie, Ewan McGregor, has also ruptured both his ACLs, although not at the same time. We were also told by the vet that a rupture on one side will almost always mean that the other side will eventually rupture as well. Keeping your Sophie quiet and contained whilst the repair heals will seem like an impossible task, but it really makes all the difference in how effective the repair turns out. Wishing you good luck and much patience

Bentley said...

Sending Prayers for all of you. 4 months can't go by fast enough.

Unknown said...

I hope Sophie will feel much better soon and those 4 months will past fast. Big hugs for all of you.
Rachel

rottrover said...

Oh Sophie....At least you travel in style!

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Let's hope this all finds an end and Sophie is in tip top shape before we all know it!!

dustbunny8 said...

Sending healing thoughts from CA. It hurts to see our furry friends like this.So lucky to have owners like you with the resources to cope with this.Hope for a swift recovery for Sophie and for the two of you!