Well, that was exciting

[ksmith]

Came home from work. Later day than usual. Tired.



Pups are out. I look. I see Gaby limping and licking her rear left leg. Then I see blood. Lotsa blood. I phone vet. It's 20 minutes to closing, but they tell me to come in.

Drag coat back on. Leash Gaby. Lure King into back yard. Close door. Grab towels. Get limping Gaby out front door and into car. Get her to sit on towels. Yes, there is that much blood.

Back to house. Lock front door. Lure King, who is yelping because Gaby is in the car and he's not, back into the house. Lock him inside, then take off.

I thought Gaby might have torn a dewclaw. It turned out to be a cut on the lower part of her left leg, a perfectly straight gash about an inch long. A vein was cut--hence the blood--and a nerve nicked. Vet anesthetized Gaby. Tech applied a tourniquet to staunch the blood flow.

I watched them shave and prep Gaby, and I saw the cut, which was a deep one. I then left while Vet stitched it up. Heard Gaby cry a few minutes later. I thought it was because she was coming around, but Vet told me that it was likely pain given the nerve injury. They bandaged her up. We waited for Gaby to come around a little more, then lifted her off the table. She walked a little, limped a little. Very groggy. But Vet was glad to see her straighten the leg and put a little weight on it.

We debated a satellite dish, but one of the techs had cared for Gaby after she was spayed and recalled that the collar upset her. So, I need to keep an eye on her and make sure that she doesn't pull off the bandages. She had pain meds. Antibiotic to prevent any infection. I take her in Friday for follow-up.

She's sleeping now. Vet said that she might cry or whimper, but she's been quiet so far.

I'll be working from home tomorrow so I can watch her. I also need to get outside and try to find where she cut herself. I hope it's something I can fix.

Comments

[affinity8.livejournal.com]

How scary! And upsetting. I'm glad you were able to get her to the vet and they could take care of it.

Our animals like to give us heart attacks, don't they? :-)

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Me too. Of course I hit every blasted red light on the way. Got there at ten minutes to closing, and left about an hour later.

She's whimpered a couple of times. Vet said she might do so as she comes around thanks to the disorienting effects of the anesthetic. I fuzzle her ears, and she quiets. She's sleeping now.

[michaeldthomas.livejournal.com]

I am so sorry. We'll keep Gaby and you in our thoughts.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Thanks. She should be fine--even if the nerve is damaged, there are other nerves to take up the slack. Vet is more concerned about her going after the bandage and ripping the stitches. The tech rigged a waterproof bootie from an an IV bag with a gauze bandage as a tie. Gaby can wear it when she goes outside, but indoors it needs to come off.

It was sadly funny. The tech tied the boot on Gaby's leg. Gaby walked a little bit, and the hard plastic bag bottom made a tapping sound with every stride. Like a little peg leg.

[mindyklasky.livejournal.com]

So sorry that you're dealing with this. I'm sure that your presence is a great comfort to Gaby as she reorients.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

We just had a little excitement. The nerves must have ganged up on her system, because she got up and hurried to her corner and pooped before I realized what was happening. Then she stopped and went to the door and waited--I tied on her bootie and took her outside, where she finished the job. Then she led me right back to the door. She wanted back inside.

I'll be glad when the anesthetic wears off.

[slave2tehtink.livejournal.com]

Coming out of anesthetic they often have that sudden urge to go; it's something I've had to deal with from La Diva Tinkerbella. Fingers crossed and good thinky thoughts for you and Gaby!

[nlbarber]

Poor Gaby! And poor Kris! Hope her recovery is smooth.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Me, too. Also.

[affreca.livejournal.com]

Poor puppy. I hope she heals quickly and leaves it alone.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

Oh no! Here's hoping she heals up quickly and cleanly.

[thebluerose.livejournal.com]

Oh no! thats terrible, but so good you caught it and got it sorted in time

***Hugs for you both**** and best wishes for fast clean healing.

[jemck.livejournal.com]

Oh lor', all sympathies to all involved.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Oh no! Hope she's feeling better today.