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.

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

Smokey, I'm glad that your knee is feeling better when you take your medicine. I hope that it continues to improve. And Phred, I'll be praying that Dr B can fix Smokey's knee. Take care!