My Graham had an accident...

[Iditarodfan]

Leslie,a veterinarian specialist is just what Graham needs. GO FOR IT! When Molly got glaucoma it was an opthamalogist vet. who saved her one eye. He also did a procedure so that the other eye didn't have to be removed or sewn shut. Graham will be in Good hands. We will keep our fingers & paws crossed. You and Graham are not alone. We are all pulling for you both. Stay strong Mom. Scratches behing the ear for Graham.

[Stenograsaurus]

Oh, Leslie, I am so sorry that the news was not better. I know it's scary to hear the words "needs to see a specialist". We always think that it's so bad. I hope you take some comfort in knowing that a specialist usually specializes in one thing. They know what they're doing and they're good at it. I will keep sweet Graham in my prayers and hope everything turns out fine.

[Albea]

Poor sweet Graham I'm so sorry his leg did not heal with the cast. But the specialist (and our prayers) will make him well in no time. Hang in there both of you. You know you have our love and support to help you through this bad experience. When are you going to see the orthopedic surgeon?

[Sudilar]

So very sorry about the news. I know how discouraging things can be when our pups are sick or hurt. I know how you feel. Don't give up hope. Graham will get better. My prayers are with you and Graham.

[KYS]

Sorry to hear about Graham,
but he will be in good hands with
the Ortho Specialist.
Let us know what happens.

Wishing Graham the very best.

[AdoreMyDogs]

Originally posted by Albea:
<STRONG>You know you have our love and support to help you through this bad experience. When are you going to see the orthopedic surgeon?</STRONG>

Thank you so much everyone. I am trying to help Graham as much as I can, but he keeps doing not so smart stuff. He jumped the baby fence again ...so now he is crated during the day and when I can't watch him. I am beginning to wish I had never put him through agility, because he seemes to have very little common sence when it comes to his limits. He learns tricks and obedience and agility quickly, but he seems to not know right from wrong. It's frustrating. He's miserable in his crate. He has not been in a crate since I first got him (with exception to when I would take him to our performance shows). He has seperation anxiety when he is locked in his crate, but I am so fed up with him doing dumb stuff and hurting himself. Depending on the outcome of the ortho surgeon appointment, I will maybe lock Graham in a room so he does not have to be in his crate.

His appointment with the ortho surgeon specialist is tomorrow (Saturday) and I will let you all know how that goes. I know it's going to be very expensive, but as long as Graham dosen't mess up the work that the doc does by pulling any more foolish stunts, I don't mind paying. Graham is worth it. Even thought he is making me worry beyond belief, he's still my best friend

[Logan]

Oh, Leslie, I had no idea!! I was gone for a couple of days, and if you hadn't responded this morning, no telling when I would have seen the most recent news on Graham.

I hope you can get some good indications from the specialist tomorrow. I know you are worried, but something tells me that your baby is going to be just fine.

Chin up!! Kiss Graham for me too!

[lizbud]

AdoreMyDogs,
I am so very sorry that Graham's injury will
require more treatment before he's better.
Maybe you could ask the Vet Specialist of
a better way to keep Graham "confined" until
his healing can start.I ended up tieing two
leashes together and anchoring Buddy to the
dining room table to keep him from roaming
the house when I was not home.Using the baby gate in the kitchen or shutting him up in the bedroom, would have made him miserable.

Graham & Family are in my thoughts and
prayers.Please give him a hug from me & Bud.

[Sudilar]

Good luck at the vet and please let us know what he thinks. Get better, Graham!

[RachelJ]

A special prayer this morning and our thoughts are with Graham as he has his appointment with his specialist. Don't be downhearted, Mom, Graham is going to get the expert care he needs so you both can live your lives to the fullest. I know this hasn't been easy but eventually this ordeal will be but a thing of the past.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Oh Leslie, I just caught up with this post, I am so sorry to hear the bad news about Graham. I know how hard it has been for you and Graham, you trying to keep him quiet and him frustrated because he couldn't do what he wanted to do. I will be so anxious to hear what the Specialist says. We will think positive thoughts and say a little prayer for Graham and you. He gets hugs and kisses from Perry, Daisy and me and some for you too.
Jackie

[sammi]

Special vibes for our Graham today.

[tatsxxx11]

Hang in there Graham and Leslie. Can't wait to hear what the specialist said. We are praying SO hard that you come home with some encouraging news. Try not to get discouraged Leslie, what with all of Graham's antics. After all, he is SUPER GRAHAM and is just doing what comes naturally to him! I know how frustrated you must feel, doing your best to help him get well. Remember, we're all here to support you and offer any suggestions that might be helpful! Love ya, Graham

[AdoreMyDogs]

An update:

The Orthopedic surgeon specialist was wonderful. A very caring, dear man. He gave me few options for Graham, we could either try to keep splinting him, which is obviously not working, or we could do the surgery. The surgery is the only option, because his leg is in very bad pain and it will not stay alligned.

First of all, the injury is in his "ankle" or their technical term is a carpal hyperextention injury. The surgery is what they call carpal arthrodesis which means they are going to fuse together his bones, ligaments, muscles in that ankle. The bad news is that he will never be able to move that joint again, it is permenantely going to be straight and he will not be able to bend it for the rest of his life. Doc said that dogs really adjust well to the change in their ability to move, and that his gate will be slightly different, but not so bad that he makes people do a double take when they see him walking.

Bad news:

·Agility is over with for good. I have already called his agility school, and through tears, said my goodbyes.

·He will never be able to jump more then half of his height again.


·He will have to learn to maneuver with a permanently stiff leg.

.It is a very long recovery.

·And of all the joints that he could have dislocated, this is the most complicated and complex to fuse together (not to mention, the most expensive)

Good news:

·Of all the joints that he could have dislocated, this is the easiest for Graham to adjust to the fusing of his bones. Dogs do not bend that ankle joint nearly as much as they bend (and need to bend) all of the other joints.

·Graham will heal.

·Graham will not lose his leg.

·We have our house savings to help with the cost. Without our house savings I don’t know what we would do…we just don’t make that much money to pay for this surgery.

I am not complaining, Graham is worth every penny in the world, but with the 3 vet appointments that I have had sofar, the cost has been $800, and when they gave me the quote for the surgery I was shocked. I expected it to be around $1000 or $1500 tops....I was wrong They gave me a worst case scenario. Worst case scenario will be a total of $3700 for the surgery, and best case scenario is $2200 for the surgery, and they need an $1800 deposit on surgical drop off, with the rest due at pick up. If I did not have my house savings, I don't know what I would do. That is a huge sum of money, and it's all due so soon. I wouldn't have any way to raise that amount. As much as I hate to take out our already small house savings, my God am I happy that I had it.

Graham is going to have his surgery this coming Friday. He will be at the hospital for at least an over night stay. He will have his leg in a cast for 8-12 more weeks, and he will have 1-2 extra incesions for a bone graph needed for the surgery.

I will update you on his post surgery healing. Graham and I thank you for your prayers, and we both love you all bunches.

[sammi]

WELL GANG WHAT DO YOU THINK- CAN WE HELP HER & GRAHAM OUT? If AdoreMyDogs has a legitimate add. for her vets office and anyone wanted to send (even a couple of bucks) to be put on Grahams bill we could help her out that way. I would be willing to send a few dollars to the vets. office - if you guys think its a good idea and of course AdoreMyDogs would approve.