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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 20, 2013 19:03:46 GMT -7
We had a catastrophe today. Al (my dear hubby) left the window behind Polly's crate open, and the blind closed when he put the dogs in their crates after lunch. When he got home at 4, the was blood EVERYWHERE! It looked like a chain saw massacre. Polly is a fearless little dog, except when it comes to unidentified noises. She had freaked out at the clanking noise the blind made when the wind blew, and had chewed her way out of her wire crate, lacerating her tongue and mouth, and breaking or extracting at least 6 teeth, including one canine. She actually broke the welds on two bars, and bent the wires clear back! We can't catch a break with this little dog. Her face is a torn and swollen mess, her tongue is full of holes, and she's on pain meds, antiinflammatories, and antibiotics. She may need extensive dental work. For me, the worst part was that my husband called me at work and said "Polly's hurt badly. Come home NOW!" I raced home, calling the emergency vet to let them know we were coming, bracing myself, believing that she had had another disc episode, knowing that we couldn't afford another surgery, going through everything I've learned here in the past four months.....my adrenalin was really pumping. I was hysterical, but talking myself down, knowing I'd need to be calm for Polly's sake. I was actually relieved to find out what had really happened, but ready to kill my husband.  He feels awful, and I know he didn't do this intentionally. He's just not very good in a crisis. Sigh... Im fixing myself a large gin and tonic. |
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Post by Pauliana on May 20, 2013 19:22:30 GMT -7
Oh my gosh Pollysmom! Sending comforting hugs across the miles. Is Polly home with you now or is she staying at the Vet?
Sending lots of prayers for Polly and for you.
Pauliana
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 20, 2013 19:44:50 GMT -7
OMG Feeling so bad for all of you. Hoping shes not in too much pain. Hugs and healing to both of you.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 20, 2013 20:32:58 GMT -7
She is at home sleeping. Poor thing.
My husband feels dreadful.
Now we have a new dilemma. the vet said he doesn't think it's safe to leave her in a crate alone anymore, given what happened today. The only solution I can think of is to crate our other dog upstairs as usual, and leave Polly downstairs loose. The furniture is all blocked off, so she could just sleep in her bed. I don't know what else to do. I need to protect her back, but she's not safe in the crate.
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 21, 2013 8:16:15 GMT -7
I read this morning the awful events of yesterday. Hoping the pain meds are keeping her in comfort. The crate was to keep her from jumping up or down and separated from another dog. Sounds like you may have a good place for her to stay downstairs. Maybe with time you can reintroduce her to a crate so she will learn to feel safe there again. If there were to be another disc problem the recovery suite is what is needed to provide limited movement of the back that the downstairs solution would not provide. Keep us posted on Polly.
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Post by Linda Stowe on May 21, 2013 16:11:24 GMT -7
How did Polly do today?
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 21, 2013 18:40:31 GMT -7
The swelling is going down, and she's eating softened kibble. She's obviously uncomfortable, so we added tramadol to the mix today. Once I can touch her face without causing more pain, I'll try to get a good look in her mouth. She wouldn't let the vet do it. He said he'd have to anesthetize her to really get a good look, and I didn't want to do that. We have to keep a close eye on how the broken teeth do. When I was cleaning up I found several teeth, two of which had been pulled out roots and all. Unbelievable! You'd think the pain would have stopped her, but clearly it didn't.
Anybody have a sure fire remedy for blood on carpeting? I've tried everything I know to do. I have an enzyme soak on it now.
Good point about the crate. You're right, I can't afford to have her refuse to be crated in case of future back issues. She willingly rode in her car crate on the way to the vet. I'll bring that crate inside and have it downstairs with her favorite bed in it.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 21, 2013 18:58:04 GMT -7
I have a syntheic carpet and had bloody diareah to contend with. A spritz of hydrogen peroxide and blot, repeat works on any synthetic carpet. Organics like wool, cotton would probably bleach out the carpet color.
Also Oxy clean if you can actually soak an area overnight… it takes time.
Hope Polly will be feeling more comfortable soon.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 21, 2013 19:08:41 GMT -7
Thanks for the tips. I'll give that a try. It looks like a murder scene at the moment.
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Post by Pauliana on May 21, 2013 19:29:02 GMT -7
I really don't think it's the crate she is scared of, it was the noise the blinds made flapping in the wind. As long as she doesn't hear a noise like that or one similar, hopefully she won't panic again. It's good to hear she wasn't afraid of the crate in the car.. that is a good sign. Let some time pass and after she recovers try a crate again but not in the same area where the accident happened and do it when you are home the first time, so you can observe her reaction..
Yikes about finding the teeth. I feel so badly for you and Hubby and dear Polly.. Hoping for her comfort as she heals..
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 21, 2013 19:54:01 GMT -7
I adopted Polly at age one. She must have had a MAJOR trauma as a puppy. Noises scare the bejesus out of her. She is such an alpha in every other respect. Poor thing.
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Post by natureluva on May 22, 2013 6:53:12 GMT -7
Hi, just reading about Polly - the poor angel, and poor you, mommy, you must have been petrified. I know my heart would have been beating out of my chest if I got a phone call like that from my hubby.
I can't believe that she pulled teeth out from the root! To think of the terror she must have been feeling to do something like that... Could I suggest you discuss with your vet a calmer (herbal or otherwise) to have on hand in case there comes a time when she absolutely must be crated?
I'm sending healing vibes and good thoughts to Polly (and you and hubby!). Please let us know how she does. ~Lisa
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 22, 2013 11:05:56 GMT -7
Our vet is stymied. We have tried aceprozamine, alprazolam, a combination of the two, Valium, and Benadryl. NOTHING calms her when there are "scary noises". When we first had her, the neighbor boys lit firecrackers one evening. She dragged her bed into the powder room (inside room with no windows) and shut the door herself. She's a smart little dog.
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Post by natureluva on May 22, 2013 17:02:18 GMT -7
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 23, 2013 10:13:40 GMT -7
Frankly, I've been skeptical of those, but I'm willing to try anything.
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Post by Nancy & Polly on May 24, 2013 19:43:50 GMT -7
She's back to happily sleeping in her crate at night. Phew! We had to get a new one, of course, and it doesn't have a top opening section like the old one, darn it. Fortunately, she doesn't seem to associate the crate with "the incident."
She seems much better. No more tramadol, and tomorrow, I'll stop the Rimadyl and see how she does. I still haven't been able to get a good look in her mouth.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,928
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Post by PaulaM on May 24, 2013 20:58:03 GMT -7
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He feels awful, and I know he didn't do this intentionally. He's just not very good in a crisis. 
