Bad News

 

Willie's appointment was yesterday afternoon and thank heavens we had an appointment.  As we pulled up to the hospital, there was a sign outside of the ER that said the present waiting time was 8 hours.  Anyway, Willie was examined and as I feared, he has a torn ACL.  This means surgery which means that life as we know it stops for the next 3 months.  We are devoted to The W's so this also means not taking our eyes off of him for 24/7.  Surgery is next Tuesday so we have one week to get ready.  For the first 2  months post op, all he can do is be helped outside to pee and pooh on a leash and using a sling to support him.  Then he gets x-rayed  and if things look good, he can very slowly start walking.  We've been through this twice with Freddy and once with Teddy so we know what to expect, but this time, we have Winnie too which is going to make this much more complicated.  Lots of things are going to be different around here for a while but my only concern is to get this little boy 100% better.  If anyone is looking for me, I will be laying on the basement floor until Xmas. Oh, and he has a 50% chance of this happening to his other leg.  C'est la vie!

Comments

Valerie said…
Sorry to hear about the ACL. I hope the surgery goes well and he heals quickly.
Dee said…
Been there, done that and it is not fun. Sorry.
Marcia LaRue said…
So sorry to read this! What exactly do the dogs do to cause the acl to tear? Do they just get way too exuberant in their playtime?
I certainly hope all goes well with the surgery and I know you will keep us apprised of his progress?
I hope you have a wonderful air mattress to sleep on in the basement!
Mary V said…
Oh no, sorry to hear . Is this breed specific since both your other chows had this?
jaz@octoberfarm said…
this is the most common surgery in dogs. some breeds are prone to acl tears and chows are one of them. surgery is quite state of the art and has a very high success rate. it wouldn't be all that bad if it wasn't for the very lengthy recovery period. but willie just turned 3 and i want to give him the best chance for a total recovery and being as good as new.
My Welsh Terrier tore his right ACL chasing a cat and a year later tore the left ACL chasing a cat (not the same one!). Fortunately, he did not require surgery.
bobbie said…
Poor Willie, and poor you guys! I hope all goes well; keep us posted as you can.
Hugs to you; belly rubs to Willie ~
Yikes! But you will be a devoted and experienced nurse, so I'm sure all will be well. Best wishes to Willie and you!
Leanna said…
I'm sure Willie will be fine. He has a devoted loving mommy who will help him get better. It will be hard on you, it's always like that for us fur baby moms.
Sorry to hear about the problem. Will people bring you food as you lie on the basement floor? Would he go in a litter box/dirt box indoors? You could plant grass in it. Since you have experienced this before, I suppose you know exactly what to do. Be careful lifting him?
So he has the same as my Nova but she's too old for surgery so we have the brace instead. Not as good but the best we can do for her. So far so good though.

At least You already know what the future will be like and as You say the success rate is really high :-)

Christer.
Susan said…
Poor Willy. You are so right - the recovery period is the worst part of the surgery. Trying to keep a puppy from bouncing around, not to mention explaining it to his sister.
Megs said…
Oh, Willie! Get better!
Guillaume said…
Sorry to read this. I hope he gets well soon.
Mike said…
Good luck with the recovery. But look at it this way, three months will seem like six. So you'll get some extra time out of this.
Unknown said…
So sorry to hear this about Willie. But I am quite sure he has devoted parents who will take good care of him and see him through this, so I know in the end he will be just fine.
Laura said…
oh my...
i hope the surgery goes well and that he heals well and quickly.
~*~

ps...hugs to the pups