Rut-roh

It’s only been about 24 hours since Flippy found out she probably needs to have some sort of surgery on her back, but the fun never stops around here.  A few hours ago, Cricket starting holding up her rear right leg and limping, showing the exact same signs she had in March when she needed an ACL repair on her rear left leg.  Considering that she’s been on daily Cosequin since March, had a series of very expensive Adequan injections, and hasn’t been allowed to climb any stairs since her last surgery, it’s just stunning that she might have somehow injured herself again.  She hasn’t even left the house in the past 24 hours because of the torrential rain we’ve been having (she uses “puppy pads” on the bathroom floor), so this injury has happened during a time when she’s been least active.  Right now we’ve just given her some Rimadyl and are keeping an eye on her, but all the tell-tale signs are there—holding the leg out behind her, stretching it out behind her, and locking it stiffly and using it like a peg-leg.  Is there some makeshift, temporary surgery we can do to buy us some time before the big, expensive surgery?  Can we just knock her out with some vodka and thread a rubber band through her knee for a few months?  We haven’t even started to pay for the last surgery, and it’s so disheartening to see Cricket’s movements confined and restricted.  It’s also a major testament to the “pedigree” of a puppy mill dog.  Cricket was a sort of “puppy mill rescue”—not a purebred, and sick, she was given to us by the owner of a local pet store because he couldn’t put her up for sale.  She came to us with a severe case of kennel cough (and of course, parasites), and also had problems with an infection after her spay surgery.  She had surgery on both legs for luxating patella in 2004, and then the ACL surgery earlier this year.  She just turned 5 years old.  I guess I’ll try to get her into the vet on Thursday, and we’ll take Phoenix as well, as she’s due for a urinalysis and some bloodwork to check her liver.  If you’re interested in ACL surgery, here’s a great website featuring ACL surgery photos.

As for the aforementioned Flippy, I’m just going to take her out behind the shed and shoot her.  Shhh, don’t tell… I want it to be a surprise.

Posted by Leigh-Ann on 10/18 at 09:18 PM

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  1. Hmmm, you spoiled the “behind the shed” surprise when you told me to read the last bit of your blog.  So now, I’m expecting to be hit over the head in bed or something.  As we both know, there’s only about six inches between the shed and the wall.  I’ve had girthitis in the past year, so I won’t fit back there.  Uh, and we don’t have a gun.  You know, I am not going to fall for the trick of, “Will you take me to Wal-Mart?  I hear they’ll sell a gun, I mean gum, to anyone.”

    Uh oh, the captcha doesn’t bode well - “defense68”

    Posted by Flippy  on  10/18  at  10:01 PM

  2. How deliciously cruel. cheese  LOL

    Nothing like posting something mean about the significant other and then telling them to read it.  Been there, done that, laughed my butt off in the process!  *evil laugh*

    I hope that things get sorted out with Cricket.  Is it possible that she has a bit of arthritis in the joint and that the wet weather is causing it to flare up?

    Posted by Expat  on  10/19  at  10:26 AM
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