Katie Had Her Cast Removed!!

[RobiLee]

We went to the big vet hospital in the big city yesterday and Katie had her cast removed. Xrays were done and her leg has healed perfectly and the vet said we did a good job. Whew! I am so relieved. Now...the bad news is that we still have 4 MORE WEEKS of down time!!!! OMG...I think I will go insane. I guess I just thought that she would have her cast removed and that would be that...all done! Nope, now we have to slowly build the strength back up in her leg. The first two weeks she has to have 2-3, ten minute walks a day on a short leash and slowly build up that time. The third week she can take longer walks on a longer leash so that she can trot back and forth. The fourth week she can start to enjoy mild off leash activity around the yard. No ball or frisbee chasing and NO TORI!!! She doesn't have the support and protection of the cast anymore so we have to make sure we follow the guidelines for the next four weeks so we can get the leg strong again.

She is so sad looking right now. She will not walk on that leg at all. She is hobbling around on three legs again. So weird, she was walking just fine and even trying to run with the cast on. The dr. says this is normal. She was so use to the cast that now it feels really strange to her and she isn't use to it. I sure do hope that is the case. I thought by this morning she would start using it a bit but she still won't put it down. She really babies it also. If I someone walks by her she will pull her leg in like she is telling you to be careful and don't touch it. Yesterday she would curl up and lay her head across the leg like she was trying to protect it. I feel so bad for her. Its just the mommy thing kicking in. I just want to make it all better for her. I'm trying. :)

Oh goodness, I forgot about the smell. When they took that cast off and brought my big girl back to us you could smell her coming. Whew, that was some nasty smell!! It was one stinky, sweaty disgusting mess! Yuck!! We definitely rode home with the windows down...lol.

I would like to thank everyone for all of your support and just for being here to let me talk about it. Please keep Katie in your thoughts while we are going through our therapy month and lets hope it goes quickly. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Now of course I have some pics to show...

I know its kind of hard to tell but the brown spot towards the end of her foot was where the cast was rubbing and starting to make a sore it had started to bleed the day before she had the cast off. Its going to be ok though. If you look towards where the bend is you can kind of see the curvy line where the staples were.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid141/pc21f23e1cdebb779403e79140553917c/f6d1001c.jpg

Here is the sore spot. Her toes had gotten like that also and our vet had to cut that part away to relieve the pressure on her toes
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid141/p01ee983eff89e57463f00354dbe836a1/f6d1000a.jpg

Here you can kind of see how the toes got a bit yucky also.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid141/pd02444fd34b93989b079cbcc5ff0ca9f/f6d0ffed.jpg

My gorgeous girl
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid141/pf7638b861309de19714d3c09ac0e473c/f6d100dd.jpg

Here she is curled up with her head laying acrossed her leg to protect it.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid141/p4cb1eb0d3c1be81e9fd58eba7e5d0aad/f6d10044.jpg

Thanks for letting me ramble on and thanks again for all the support.

Robin :)

[Logan]

Yeah, Katie!!!!! :) One more month, girlie, then you will be healed and ready to run!!!!!

Robin, did they mention swimming as an alternative for strengthening the leg? Will she even swim? I just wonder if there is a hydrotherapy place in your area where you could take her. That would be wonderful, low impact, exercise for her.

Whatever you do, hug her for me, and tell her I can't wait to hear that she is 100%!!!!

Logan

[pitc9]

OUCH that sore spot looks like it hurts!!!

The last picture is to cute!!!

Robin, you have done a wonderful job!!
You did everything the Dr. told you to!!! You knew that in doing so, it would ensure Katie a 100% recovery!

Just a few more weeks.... and she'll be back to normal!!
I'm sure Tori will be all ready to play play play!!!!!!

[lovemyshiba]

Good job Robin and Tori!!!!!
:D :D

She healed perfectly, that's wonderful news--only one more month, and it's PLAYTIME!!!!!!!!:D

[anna_66]

Oh Robin, I just know that your Katie girl is going to be fine and using that leg in no time.
I know how hard it's going to be on all of you trying to keep her down for another month, but you know it will all be worth it in the end.
Many, many hugs and kisses for that gorgeous girl of yours!

[dukedogsmom]

Oh no! I thought she would just be able to get back to normal, too. She and you are going to be so frustrated. I feel so bad for her, trying to protect her leg. I know it must feel really different. Maybe, while she's laying down, you could sort of massage the leg and move it back and forth so she could know that it's ok to use it now. Please give her hugs and kisses from me and Duke. I can't wait to get all their pics together.

[Albea]

Robin, it's great news that Katie's surgery was successful and she's healing well.:) It looks like she knows how to protect her leg and she'll feel more secure every day.
Hugs to her and Tori, who will have to wait just a bit longer to play with her sister again. You are still in my thoughts.

[bsherman]

I saw the beautiful face on dog general and had to check out health, she is gourgeos. She probably hasn't any strenght in her leg yet, depending on the cast, but with the short walks I'm sure the muscle will rebound. When Tawny had the crutiate legimants repaired it was a long haul for such and active dog. She had both done a year apart. I was hard as her mommy not letting her do what she wanted. They say doggies are like 2-4 year olds and are so dependent on us, you can't help but want to mother them. She has a great mom who cares which is special. Keep up the good work and she'll be right as rain soon. :)

[snappy]

I know that when you take a cast off of us two legged family members it takes a while for it to feel 'right' and also it almost always STINKS! So it sounds to me like Katie is going to be just fine. Remember that her leg hurt her and then was really stable with that cast - even though it started hurting her as well. :(

Nothing but good thoughts for you all from my family to yours!

She will be fine - patience.......:)

[Holly's mom]

I'm so glad that Katie's leg has healed up like it should. You've come this far, hopefully the next month will fly by and everything will be back to normal. Hugs and kisses to your beautiful girl! Keep up the good work!:)

[Cinder & Smoke]

:)

Glad Katie "got her leg back" ;) ~
Too Bad she's still not allowed to use it much. :(

Be "sympathetic" - but don't "overdo it" like I did (with
a LOT of help from my friends)...

Years ago my (RB :( ) Shepherd/Husky - Shadow - managed to
BREAK the outside toe on her back foot - and was "wrapped" from her
toes up to her knee for over a month.
Doc said it would "hurt" for a while, and she'd "favor it" -
which would hasten the healing...

"FAVOR it"!!?? :rolleyes:
You'd have thought they cut the whole LEG OFF!

I swear the ONLY time that paw touched the ground was when she
had been outfitted with a protective "baggie" to go outside for a walk
or potty trip... SOMEHOW it didn't "hurt" so much when there
was no one around to exclaim "Oh you POOR Baby!"

She VERY Quickly learned that the more she *hobbled* & *limped* -
the More Attention and Sympathy she got...
"WE" created a *monster*!

Suddenly she couldn't *jump* into the car ~
"Dad, I need a *boost up*, please."

After a week of *practicing the hobble & limp* ~
she decided she just couldn't manage to *hop* up the stairs from
the basement and garage to the first floor ~
"Dad, kuld you *carry* me up??"

I did that ONCE - but she *blew it* a hour later after I "bagged her up"
for an outie - and watched her TROTT AROUND on ALL Fours for an
hour when she thought I wasn't watching...
Called her in and she suddenly couldn't manage the three front steps!

I smelled a rat!
It was dinner time - called her again to come in...
*WHINE* ... *WHIMPER* ... :(

(Dinner was "served" on the front porch -
with me "peeking" out the window...)
I'd hardly closed the front door before she had her head burried
in the moments before "unreachable bowl"!

Hmmmmm... I bagan to taper off on the "POOR Baby" routine.

But alas;
my "Friends" continued to lavish gobs of *sympathy* on "Poor Shadow" -
and no amount of my telling them that she REALLY wasn't "hurting"
had any effect towards reducing the *sympathetic
support* she enjoyed.

LONG after (MONTHS after) the "wrapper" came off,
and the Doc pronounced her FULLY Healed...
she finally "gave up" on trying to use the *hpbble* & *limp*
routine with ME ~ but
EVERY Time we'd visit the Fire Station or a customer would come into
the Shop ~
Poor ol' Shadow would suffer a sudden "relapse" of
"WOE iz me - my paw'z jest KILLIN me!" and
begin the *hobble* & *limp* routine, basking in the outpouring
of fresh *sympathy*! :rolleyes:

The only "flaw" in her routine was her downfall -
she began to forget WHICH paw was the SORE Paw! :D
Friends would *notice* and began asking me:
"Which paw did she hurt??"
The correct answer was RIGHT - REAR...

"Uhhhh... she just "LIMPED" over to me holding up her LEFT Rear leg!"

It got SOOOO Bad she was often observed to try a few "limps" with
EACH of all FOUR legs being "tried out" to see if ANY of them
would generate a "POOR Baby" response. :p

Moral of the Story -
Be *sympathetic* with Katie - but don't *overdo it* -
you don't want to create another "Monster"!

Rest In Peace, Dear Shadow -
Dad really *misses* :( you!!

/s/ Phred

[snappy]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
:)

Years ago my (RB :( ) Shepherd/Husky - Shadow - managed to
BREAK the outside toe on her back foot - and was "wrapped" from her
toes up to her knee for over a month.
Doc said it would "hurt" for a while, and she'd "favor it" -
which would hasten the healing...

"FAVOR it"!!?? :rolleyes:
You'd have thought they cut the whole LEG OFF!

I swear the ONLY time that paw touched the ground was when she
had been outfitted with a protective "baggie" to go outside for a walk
or potty trip... SOMEHOW it didn't "hurt" so much when there
was no one around to exclaim "Oh you POOR Baby!"

She VERY Quickly learned that the more she *hobbled* & *limped* -
the More Attention and Sympathy she got...
"WE" created a *monster*!

Suddenly she couldn't *jump* into the car ~
"Dad, I need a *boost up*, please."

After a week of *practicing the hobble & limp* ~
she decided she just couldn't manage to *hop* up the stairs from
the basement and garage to the first floor ~
"Dad, kuld you *carry* me up??"

I did that ONCE - but she *blew it* a hour later after I "bagged her up"
for an outie - and watched her TROTT AROUND on ALL Fours for an
hour when she thought I wasn't watching...
Called her in and she suddenly couldn't manage the three front steps!

I smelled a rat!
It was dinner time - called her again to come in...
*WHINE* ... *WHIMPER* ... :(

(Dinner was "served" on the front porch -
with me "peeking" out the window...)
I'd hardly closed the front door before she had her head burried
in the moments before "unreachable bowl"!

Hmmmmm... I bagan to taper off on the "POOR Baby" routine.

But alas;
my "Friends" continued to lavish gobs of *sympathy* on "Poor Shadow" -
and no amount of my telling them that she REALLY wasn't "hurting"
had any effect towards reducing the *sympathetic
support* she enjoyed.

LONG after (MONTHS after) the "wrapper" came off,
and the Doc pronounced her FULLY Healed...
she finally "gave up" on trying to use the *hpbble* & *limp*
routine with ME ~ but
EVERY Time we'd visit the Fire Station or a customer would come into
the Shop ~
Poor ol' Shadow would suffer a sudden "relapse" of
"WOE iz me - my paw'z jest KILLIN me!" and
begin the *hobble* & *limp* routine, basking in the outpouring
of fresh *sympathy*! :rolleyes:

The only "flaw" in her routine was her downfall -
she began to forget WHICH paw was the SORE Paw! :D
Friends would *notice* and began asking me:
"Which paw did she hurt??"
The correct answer was RIGHT - REAR...

"Uhhhh... she just "LIMPED" over to me holding up her LEFT Rear leg!"

It got SOOOO Bad she was often observed to try a few "limps" with
EACH of all FOUR legs being "tried out" to see if ANY of them
would generate a "POOR Baby" response. :p

Moral of the Story -
Be *sympathetic* with Katie - but don't *overdo it* -
you don't want to create another "Monster"!

Rest In Peace, Dear Shadow -
Dad really *misses* :( you!!

/s/ Phred
.

And we call them 'dumb animals'??!!! :D

[Karen]

Congratulations, Katie. Now you can be a click-click-click-clicker again instead of a click-click-THUMP-clicker. And you look so much prettier without that nasty cast, and I am sure you'll feel better in no time!

[Cincy'sMom]

Yeah Katie!! The leg is healing!! It has to seem like such along time that the girls can't play, but they will go nuts when they can, I'm sure! Good luck until then ;)

[tatsxxx11]

Yea Katie!!! Not much longer and you'll be good as new!:D I had a casted arm once ( the plaster kind) and know how nasty that apre cast smell can be:D I'm sure for you mommy it was a most welcome smell though:) Lots of love and hugs to you beautiful Katie girl! Love, Sandra, Cody and Star:)

[KYS]

Yaaa! for the surgery and you guys dong your recovery job. Nothing can be better than PERFECT!

What a bummer that she still has down time.

[lizbud]

I'm so glad Katie's had her case taken off. Hope the time
goes by quickly as she works to regain strength in her leg.

Take it easy Katie & you'll be as good as new in no time.:)

[chocolatepuppy]

Glad to hear the good news! Hopefully Katie will be running around soon! :)

[shais_mom]

aaww poor Katie!! I wonder if she is favoring it b/c her toes hurt?
If she will swim that would be great for her.
Kisses to Katie!

[4 Dog Mother]

Yeah, Katie, It won't be long now until you are out romping and playing with Tori! Until then enjoy all the sympathy you can milk from this.

[kingrattus]

I know Katies Situation is different them RB Max's was, but a friend gave me a great idea to help with the sore, stiff leg.

Max was stabbed many many years ago, just above the left hid paw. He had the dewclaw removed & to balance things out my dad said to remove the other one too. Max couldn't walk for days. I had to carry him around. I had to lay him down after I walked a few blocks& would do my best to get him to sit & then hold him they way he needs to poop. & then a neighbour told me dogs love to pee on his bush, so he got me to carry Max 2 blocks away to pee on his bush several times aday. Max refused to potty in his own yard for some reason & word got out that I could carry Max to their bush to use I wouldn't be scolded.

ok so a few weeks went by & his tendents started to get a bit stonger (one of his tendents was cut 3/4 way through). A neighbour who use to be a vet told me to lay him on his good side & rub his bad leg. So I spent hours a day rubbing his leg, gently stretching his leg & he got better in no time & that leg never became a problem :D

Try to see if she'll let u rub it. I know it'll make her feel better, Max would mone a bit because I had no idea where the stab wound was, I wasn't there for it. But he seemed to enjoy the rub enough to stay still & fall asleep.

[wolf_Q]

You've done such a great job caring for Katie! I bet it's so hard to keep her from using her leg too much. I hope she'll be feeling 100% soon! :)

[cloverfdx]

That is great news Robin and only one more month to go. :) You and your family have done a great job with Katie, you should be very proud of yourselves.

[K9soul]

Bless her sweet heart, I know it has been a long ordeal for her. She'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, I know you worry about her. I think it's a good sign that she's protective of it too, hopefully she'll also have the instincts not to push herself too much. I can only imagine how elated everyone will be when she can run and jump again freely :)

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

I'm a few days late, but I wanted you to know that I've been thinking of your sweet Katie. Her leg looks really good, and the picture of her head resting on it is precious. I wish you continued good luck with her rehab--it sounds like you have a good plan in place. Continue to get well, Katie!

[RobiLee]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Katie is doing very well. As a matter of fact she is driving me crazy this evening wanting to go, go, gooooooo! Her little sister, Tori does not help matters!

For the fist couple of days Katie hardly ever used the "bad" leg. I of course did what Phred suggested not to do and babied her...lol. I couldn't help it. She was pitiful, hobbling around on three legs acting like she didn't know what to do. She wouldn't put it down at all. Well this eveing she is in major hyper mode and when we went for our walk she was really wanting to go. Using her leg pretty well and putting almost all of her weight on it and really had the whole strut routine going!...lol ;) I loved it! This is the first that I have seen that whole attitude since the incident. She sure is such a gorgeous girl:p We'll keep up with the recovery process and I'm sure all is going to be fine.

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions, thoughts and prayers. We really appreciate it.

Robin and Katie :)

[captain]

At last, at last!!!! the cast is OFF.

Hugs to you Robin, and good luck getting her to "stay calm":p

[GoldenRetrieverLover_01]

Oh I am so happy for you both! I'm glad that she got her cast of and that she is getting better know. She ought to know that her mommy loves her very much *( meaning you are a great owner). I hope she gets better as soon as she can and will be the happy, full of energy dog that she once was! I'll keep her in mind. Congrats Katie! :)