JulesP Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I assume the delay in treatment was that they were waiting for the break to heal. When it didn't further investigation has commenced. I don't know what the original owner was doing with the dog in this time but Tralee hasn't had the dog that long (from what I can work out). So let's stop giving him a hard time about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I f the dog suffered a fracture 11 weeks ago and it has been left to dangle like that for so long - what are the chances of the leg ever being any good again? I just don't get why the leg was not attended to on the very first visit! My guess is , having a diagnosis and deciding on surgery .. Tralee then had to find the $5000 to pay for said surgery . Not a task I envy. just a thought .. perhaps entirely off the scale ..but would amputation be a consideration in a case like this ? I think it is the owner that is trying to find the money. Tralee has said he doesn't own the dog that it is going home after it has healed. The problem was also originally thought to be a break and it is only recently that it has been found to be a dislocation that needs an expensive surgery. This was discovered on the 6th July. Tralee appears to have been investigating options since then and the owner finding money. There was another thread on the subject. So the dog hasn't just been left for 11 weeks with a dangling leg. Should it have had pain killers? Maybe. I don't always give painkillers as I don't want the animal to do more damage to the limb. Tralee I would probably do bloodwork before giving painkillers anyway as some painkillers are not good with certain conditions. ie I have to be careful what I give my dog with a liver shunt and am very restricted with drugs. Hopefully doggie is just sore and missing his mum and nothing else is going on. Just on that- its unethical for a Veterinarian to use pain as a physical restraint. Yes an animal should be able to feel a small amount of pain but it should be kept comfortable and not exhibiting signs of pain (such as inappetence etc). I agree get medical records forwarded to a new vet and kick up a stink if they are not there. Make sure you check by 3pm so you have two hrs to get it fixed if they are being tardy about it- because its likely they will be. It is quite clear that the relationship that you had with your previous vet is now not working for you and that is not what this dog needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I had a vet not give painkillers after a CL op. I am still traumatized by that. The reason given was something to do with the dogs blood count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aziah Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 All your threads end like this - you always blame the vet. Get the painkillers - don't make excuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 All your threads end like this - you always blame the vet. Get the painkillers - don't make excuses. Hmmmmpff Yeah you know what. Every case of lack of due diligence by the Vet, assisting Vet nurses or reception staff was my fault. Because I used to be a Vet in a passed life and I know everything about Veterinary care. Beggars belief really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 So, how did it go today ? What's the new vet like ? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Well thanks to the assistance of some kind people here on DOL I took my work college, a retired Vet, along to the surgery this afternoon for moral support. The Surgery was expecting me since I had rung this morning and advised them I would be contacting the specialist (arthrodesis surgeon) about the requirement for pain relief. So we collected the X-rays, referral letter, account receipts and the medications I gave them a disdainful Cheerio as we left and I doubt I will return. Further to some concerns that people have about the attentiom I have given this dog: Firstly, the dog IMO is no ordinary Maremma. I extremely like his temperament, conformation (ears, lip, stature, and pedigree). I have known this Kennel since 2004 and have not seen the like of their dogs even at Show. Hence my investment in the dog. The lady was not coping, which happens, but I am certain was not intentional. Its not a perfect world. Consider it as my foray into rescue which is becoming compulsory for breeders. Now, the dog tethered on the terrace was only temporary and I tried lots of combinations in order to find where the dog could be managed and it would be most comfortable. The dog likes to be inside beside my desk. The dog is getting more attention than my own dogs which also includes expenses. I am hopeful that an appointment for surgery can be organised ASAP. Thanks again Regards to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 That sounds like steps in the right direction.... Hope next posts are positive as well :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted July 21, 2012 Author Share Posted July 21, 2012 That sounds like steps in the right direction.... Hope next posts are positive as well :) Just a quick report to let you know that the dog has become more active. This does not mean that he is chasing rabbits, only that he moves around on the floor without trepidation and occassionally stands and walks about a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 Zuess is off to VSS Gold Coast this morning to begin his arthrodesis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Surgery done. Zuess is being kept on morphine overnight. Sweet dreams Tesoro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbreedlover Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Better late than never 21st July was the last post from you and he only had surgery yesterday Hope he makes a good recovery and goes on to be pain free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share Posted August 18, 2012 Better late than never 21st July was the last post from you and he only had surgery yesterday Hope he makes a good recovery and goes on to be pain free. There should not be any confusion. Maybe you need to follow more closely. He is not my dog and there was no money to pay for the surgery. Under these circumstances, given the restraints I faced, I would say the time taken is conservative. Perhaps you could find $5000+ for someone else's dog in less time. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbreedlover Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 Better late than never 21st July was the last post from you and he only had surgery yesterday Hope he makes a good recovery and goes on to be pain free. There should not be any confusion. Maybe you need to follow more closely. He is not my dog and there was no money to pay for the surgery. Under these circumstances, given the restraints I faced, I would say the time taken is conservative. Perhaps you could find $5000+ for someone else's dog in less time. Regards Tralee Why dont you read my post properly. I was referring to the time since the dog was finally placed on pain relief and when you last posted in this thread which was the 21st of July until the time you said the dog ACTUALLY had surgery which was yesterday the 17th of August. In your previous posts you already said the money was available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobbly Posted August 18, 2012 Share Posted August 18, 2012 (edited) Money available vs money available NOW are two very different things. I have money available (if I sell stock, borrow against assets etc) but although it's money that's technically available to me, it's certainly not available NOW. I imagine something like that was probably what was going on. Pet insurance is a fantastic thing. Dogs are more than stoic, some will actively do their utmost to hide pain or injury. In wild dog packs, a severely injured dog is usually killed off by the rest of the pack, lest it hinder the pack's survival chances. So there's an instinct that's driving some dogs to hide pain at all costs. That said there's some real sooky lalas out there too who obviously didn't get that memo. The 2nd day I got my dog she tore her desexing stitches, and went for a full day acting normal till I finally saw blood and raced her to the vets. She was running round all day with a massive open surgical wound It must have been absolutely excruciating for her, and I felt so terrible I wasn't aware of it earlier, but she just hid it so well, and I didn't know her well enough to know her pokerface "tells" then. :/ She's better about not hiding pain now, apparently I've gained some trust, but if she's ever listless I know something really bad is probably going on. If she were off her food at all I would be stopping at nothing to figure out why, because it would take A LOT of pain to make her not eat. But you learnt the hard way I guess, just because a dog doesn't look like it's in pain, it very well might still be in enormous pain. Listlessness and reluctance to eat may be the only real indication you get of it though. Good on you for taking on the dog and paying for his bills, most people would probably opt for euthanasia if confronted with the prospect of a $5000 vet bill. You did a good thing, even if you might have fumbled it a bit at first and the dog may have been in more pain than necessary, at least he got the surgery and will get better now, if he could understand the situation he'd thank you for helping him. It is difficult to find a balance between giving the dog enough medication to not be in agony but not make them feel so pain free they go and exacerbate their injury. My vet actually said those words to me while he was trying to figure out how much pain relief to give my dog when we were there last for a shoulder injury. It's really good to have a good vet that you know you can trust. You definitely need to find one of those by the sound of it. They are out there. Anyway, good on you for helping him, glad to hear he's recovering and it's all going well. Give him a belly scratch from me. Edited August 18, 2012 by Wobbly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 It's really good to have a good vet that you know you can trust. You definitely need to find one of those by the sound of it. They are out there. Anyway, good on you for helping him, glad to hear he's recovering and it's all going well. Give him a belly scratch from me. Have found another Vet (recommended by specialist)and gave the dog a belly scratch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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