Smokey, Phred's lil grey FurPup, needs PT Prayers for his bum knee

[Cinder & Smoke]

Please, don't EVER *ignore* the FurKids when they try to tell you "Sumpin's wrong" ...

My lil grey PrayerPup needs his Pet Talk Buddies to send up some really *strong*
Prayers to The Big Guy Upstairs ... we got some bad news on Wednesday that
just has no good twist to it at all. Smokey's Bum Knee has returned.

Way back when - when Cinder 'dopted him from the front porch (with a lil PT Help) -
[Jan 21, 2001 = http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=3850 ]
he developed a "trick knee" (Luxating Patella) in his right, hind, knee.
Doc Mike sent us to his buddy, Doc B, at the Fancee Klinik.
Doc B advised SmokeMutt "should" have the knee operated on and stabilized.
And he'd be on 'no steps & leashed WALKS only' for months while it healed.
OK ... BUTT Smokey had been introduced to Findlay Gathurins ... and missing the whole
summer of Gathurins and Swimmin seemed a cruel punishment ... can we wait till Fall?

Smokey was already on Glucosamine and Aspirin ... by fall he was NOT having much
trouble with his knee *popping out* ... Doc Mike said it might be OK to wait a while
before doing the Sir Jury - to see if the knee was actually *fixing itself*.

That was FIVE years ago ... we've gone Five Years without Smokey yelping in pain
or running up to Dad and holding out his knee for a *fix*. He RUNS like a deer!

Till Monday ...

Actually, he's had trouble for a month or more - he'd give a soft *YIPP* when he
ruff-housed with Cinder or when he had to get up quickly from behind the 'puter chair.
I'm ashamed to say I actually *scolded* him and gave him a *bopp* on the head
a few times because he startled me with his *YIPPS*.

Monday he spent too much time "layin down" and "walkin slow".
Tuesday he slept, and did everything in slow motion.
Tuesday night ...
* He didn't really want dinner - but ate when I hand fed him
* Had trouble going down the front steps
* Wouldn't jump up on the BigBed
* *Yelped* when I picked him up and put him on the BigBed
* Was sleeping on the floor by morning

Wednesday I was calling Doc B at 8:30 am ... Bring him in at 5:00 pm.
Doc B came in, watched him walk (a bit stiff-legged) and palpated his hip, knee, and leg.

"His knee's FROZEN and he's in pain! We'll take some X-rays."
Smokey walked off with the Tech and was returned with a "He was a GOOD Boy" report
in about 20 minutes. Doc B came in with two X-ray films and put them on the viewer box ...

"This doesn't look good ... see this? The center of this (right) knee is like a Black Hole.
It's one of two things -
* A joint worn out beyond surgical repair - we'll manage his pain for that
* OR
* It's a tumor - and we'll have to take his leg ...

I was crying like a baby ... and still am. HOW could I be so neglectful?
We got 30 - 75 mg Chewable RIMADYL - 1/2 pill every 12 hours, and told to
be back for another X-ray in 30 days.

By the second Pill, SmokeMutt's almost back in full stride ... he puts some weight on
the Bum Leg, and hasn't cried out in pain since he got the first pill.
He was back to *jumping* into his spot beside me on the BigBed Friday night.

So, now the neglectful FurrParent is asking one and all to PRAY for my Dear Smokey ...
Pray that we can somehow get this *fixed* so the lil Guy can once again be the
Happie Kampur that many of you have seen romping around for years.

Smokey, Cinder, and I will deeply appreciate your Prayers.

/s/ Phred

[K9karen]

Aw, Phred..ya can't be too hard on yerself. We're probably all guilty (*waves hand with head down*) of not noticing an ouchie until we feel guilty as he$$.

The Smokemeister was doing so good for so long..who wudda thought?

I'm glad the Rimydal is working for the pain. Are you gonna do the sirjury for his tricky knee? Mr RB Codster had 2 ACL sirjuries and did really well (much better than me )

I'll be doin' a gatrillion prayers for our major sweet gray boy. Sending lots of hugs to everyone. Stay Cool Phred. Call me if you need anything.

[Catty1]

Hugs and prayers for the Smokey boy!

When the vet said 'beyond surgical repair' - well, I wonder if they do knee replacements on puppers? It it's a bit pricey, we can contact iMom, and Lord knows, Phred, that Smokey would get EVERY bit of $ help from PTrs that is possible. Now, the boy might have to take it easy for a few weeks - but if that would fix the problem, might be worth it, and he'd be back in fine form for the next Findlay!

So glad he is feeling better and his owies are less.

Give him a hug for me, ok?

[krazyaboutkatz]

Phred, I'm so sorry to hear this but please don't beat yourself up about it. I'm glad that he's painfree right now and if surgery is the way to go then I hope it's successful and that he makes a speedy recovery. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Smokey's way. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Freedom]

Phred, don't be harsh on yourself. All this time, Smoke has been "smokin'!" as he motored around. You can't do something when you don't know there is an issue. Prayers are a given from RI for Smoke, and for you as well, to get through this scary time.

First, I wonder if a second opinion, or a specialist, may have a different take of this situation?

Second, I don't like this "beyond surgical repair" one bit. But the second option is wa-ay too scary and that needs to be ruled out, it seems to me. Who is gonna do that, this vet or is he referring to a specialist? What tests will do that for the Smoke man?

How old is Smokey, anyhow? There was something called the "senior dog project," which recommends NOT using Rimadyl for dogs over 7 years of age. I only know this from the rescue group I am with. We foster parents don't get reimbursed if the vet gives Rimadyl. There are 2 other pain relievers which do not pose issues, and that is what we must always get for the foster dogs. I just automatically do that for all my pets, now. This may be something to think about, if Smoke has to keep on the pain meds for any length of time (pending tests, surgery and recovery etc.) It is easy to switch off to one of the other pain meds.

[RockyRoad]

Oh no, this doesn`t sound fun at all. Glad to hear that at least the meds are keeping him free of pain. Big prayers on the way to you and Smokey that they`ll be able to fix his knee and not have to take the leg.

[Karen]

You know, even if the news is that they have to take the leg, I have a gut feeling that the Smoke-mutt would adjust lickety split. He's such a skinny little thing anyway, I bet he'd be boppin' around in no time. There was a three-legged dog in my neighborhood growing up, and he moved like nothing was at all different.

He'll be in our prayers that, whatever it turns out to be, it's fixable.

[joycenalex]

lots of prayers going up. phred, don't beat yourself up. smokey is already jumping up on the bed after just a bit of rimydal, that's hopeful. kindest regards, joyce

[Randi]

Phred, I'm SO sorry to hear this. I hope somehow the doc will be able to fix Smokey's knee, so he doesn't have to lose his leg.

Would a bandage help until you find out what can done? Perhaps it's not good he's running around too much. I'm glad Smokey is painfree at least, and I really hope he'll get better! Please give him some scritchies from me!

Sending lots and lots of positve thoughts to Smokey - and big (((hugs))) to you! Take care! And please, don't beat your self up over this, you're the best doggy dad there is!

[Ginger's Mom]

Lots of prayers going out for our Smokey, and lots of hugs going out for both you and the furkids. Sometimes I really wish they could just come out and tell me what is wrong, I never was very good at charades. {{{Hugs}}}

[Pam]

Phred I can understand the guilt you feel but please don't let it get you down. Our pupsters can handle a lot of pain (much more than us humans) so Smokey appeared to you, who, after all, are only human, to be doing well. I had a toy poodle with a luxating patella and the vet showed me how to slide it back into place if I wanted to postpone surgery. I could hardly maintain the presence of mind (dog yelping....human freaking) to do that while he was crying out so we went with surgery almost right away.

Since Smokey has responded so well to the medicine maybe that is all he will need. We will fold our hands and cross our paws here that it is not a tumor. ((((Big Hugs)))) and prayers for you and Smokey both.

[4 Dog Mother]

Ah, geez, Phred, I can't believe this is happening. You know how much we love your pups and will do anything to help. First, don't feel guilty! We are humans, they are dogs, and they can't tell us what is wrong. I think almost every pet owner has missed something that could have been treated earlier or we would have understand and not been upset with the pet for his behaviors. Knowing my dogs histories you know I have missed a lot with mine, especially Snoopy and Jack.

As for it being a tumor and having to take his leg, many animals get along fine with 3 legs. Does your Dr. Mike ever give you his take on what the specialist says? I am so pleased with our vets because they always talk to me after the dogs have seen a specialist - when the other vet saw Jack's ultra sound, she was right away, we have to do surgery. When I talked to my vets, they gave me information on what his chances were if we took his kidney, if we didn't, even if we did the biopsy. And if you remember, the specialists in Columbus would have had us spending thousands of dollars to do a test (boy has my memory gone) I think a liver biopsy and the only thing it would have told us was how badly the liver was damaged.

Don't rush into anything. Nothing important is going to change with that knee in the next few days/week. Find out all you can about other options even if that means seeing another vet. I have a feeling Jack would be gone know if we had gone ahead with the surgery. Another vet may feel there is a way to save his leg.

We love you and Smokey. Be sure to let us know what is going on. We will be keeping him and you in our prayers.

Love ya, Diana

[Kfamr]

Poor SmokeMutt! I'll be thinkin' of ya!

[Bengalz]

Phred,

I'm so sorry to hear that Smokey is having such difficulty with his knee but hopeful that he has responded to medication and feeling a little more comfortable. Give that boy a hug for being such a trooper

Your feelings of guilt are more than understandable - we all feel that way whenever our furkids are ailing no matter what the circumstances. We all think there is something we should have done better and sooner. You are not at fault; in fact, you are an amazing Dad always putting yourself out and above for any creature on 4 furry legs. (or two hooman legs, for that matter) !!

Try to stay positive and focus on what the problem really is and finding the best possible solution. If in fact Smokey has to lose his leg, the little fella is so spirited he will adjust (as others have said) - don't lose hope, please. You know that Cinder will "help" him in any way possible as well - she loves her little brother and wouldn't have it any other way.

Lots of healing thoughts, major hugs and love to you, Smokey and Cinder You will all get through this and the people at PetTalk will help along the way

Betty

[Grace]

I'm so sorry to hear this news. You all have my prayers for as long as necessary.

Here are some treats for the critters. If you need more, just holler.