Staffyluv Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 He is quite flat again tonight and I went up to see the vet this afternoon to get more antibiotics and he wants to see him and do the xray on Tuesday morning, just to be sure. He said that he thought Ollie would be a bit further along than he is, so is still concerned that there could be something wrong with his spine. I have seen the improvement in him since this all started last Tuesday and I think he is doing really well, considering he could not even move to begin with. I think the antibiotics are making him better, just slower because he is not as healthy as the average dog (because of the cancer etc). We will have the xrays on Tuesday and make sure - I think he said there is only a 50% chance that anything will show up anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooper Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Gosh, this is so hard on you all. Sending positive thoughts to you and Ollie dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RottnBullies Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Lots of for gorgeous Ollie, You did make me laugh when you talked about playing tug with a stationary staffy, I could just picture him, so sweet he is Best of luck for Tuesday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Well we got to the vets this morning and the girls at the reception desk had lots of lovely treats for the fat boy and he decided that he was going to do his best not to limp. The vet and I think there has been much improvement that we are just going to keep in on the antibiotics for another three weeks (apparently 4 weeks is average for a joint infection) and see how he is then. He is not sure that his back leg is actually the same issue as the front legs - he thinks it may be a cruxiate (sp?) problem, but wants to wait... He is doing so much better. He can walk with a waddle, much to the amusement of the girls at the vets this morning. The local ranger bought in a little kitten (only about 10 weeks old) and the poor little thing was crying in the cage it was in. Ollie laid on the floor with his nose against the cage and sooked back at it - the ranger thought it was funny.. Big tough boofer! So apart from being a bit flat - I think because he has not been to the park for over a week (and the vet said not to exercise him at all yet), he is much improved - thank Dog! Once again I would just like to thank everyone who pops in to see how he is (the moral support when you have an ill dog is worth more than any words can descibe). Thanks Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Great news to hear he's improving Jodie. He sure is a little fighter. I guess you didn't have the xrays done due to his improved condition. Always thinking of you and Ollie and sending healing thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpette Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Jodie, I am so very glad that Ollie dog is improving now that he is on antibiotics, and that the pain in his joints is subsiding. A bugger about the possible cruciate though Both of you are remarkable and a true inspiration. Take great care and give Ollie a big hug and tummy scratch from us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog_Horse_Girl Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Jodie, Ruby had an infected hock joint twice in the past year. It was very painful both times and she has some lingering joint pain today. We put her on a course of Cartrophen injections that did help enormously and she's currently getting fish oil caps and glucosamine tabs as supplements every day. Give Ollie another cuddle from me and a few ear scritches too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Thanks for thinking of us. Jodie, Ruby had an infected hock joint twice in the past year. It was very painful both times and she has some lingering joint pain today. We put her on a course of Cartrophen injections that did help enormously and she's currently getting fish oil caps and glucosamine tabs as supplements every day. Give Ollie another cuddle from me and a few ear scritches too. He has had two lots of cartrophen and he has been having fish oil and glucosamine for years now - it is just unfortunate that he tends to catch infections so easy these days (I think most of it is caught at the park because it really is the only place he goes except to work with me or OH)... What do I do - If I kept him locked up, he would be miserable or do I take the risk and see a happy smiling stafford at the park everyday. As much as I love him and want to keep him safe from everything, I just can't take his walk away from him - it is the one thing that he looks forward to every day. He can't go at the moment (and it shows, he is miserable - every time he gets in the car to go somewhere, he acts like he does when we are going to the park) as the vet wants him to rest and not overuse his joints but as soon as we get the all clear, he will be going back to the park everyday. He is improving so much, I think we should be able to go for little walks next week, hopefully. Cheers Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 .... He is doing so much better. He can walk with a waddle, much to the amusement of the girls at the vets this morning.The local ranger bought in a little kitten (only about 10 weeks old) and the poor little thing was crying in the cage it was in. Ollie laid on the floor with his nose against the cage and sooked back at it - the ranger thought it was funny.. Big tough boofer! ..... The things you see when you haven't got a camera :rolleyes: But even without having met Ollie dog, Icould just imagine this. Fingers crossed and all good wishes for you and your family, and of course the famous Ollie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog_Horse_Girl Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Jodie, you know you have to take him to the park...it's his quality of life that's important just as much as it is yours. You know he's better off being a little unwell and happy in himself than well but miserable. Nothing worse than a sad stafford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Glad to hear that Ollie is on the mend and I agree about his park visits, it is about quality of life not quantity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Jodie I'm in the same boat as you with the park and the walking. Because Sophie's liver is suspect I've been told not to take her out until we find out what's going on. Her immune system is low and I won't risk it. I'll take the advice of the oncolgist and won't put my dog in danger. An infection would kill Sophie and that's not quality of life. Quality of life is certainly important but it's not quality if it's going to cause in Ollie's case severe pain due to his joints and in Sophie's case something that will kill her. When they are in good enough condition to go out then is the time for quality of life. Both our dogs love to get out but what if Ollie and Sophie picked up another infection? There would probably be no life let alone quality of life. I'm taking vet advice. Sophie plays fetch in the yard where she's safe. The park can wait. With Ollie he is sore in the joints as it is...maybe he needs to rest a bit longer. He could sure do without another infection. Peibe and lillysmum I'm not trying to argue with you but if you had a dog with cancer and an infection could kill them. The vets told you NOT to take them to the park would you take you own advice and take your dogs out knowing it might kill them? For the sake of quality of life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 21, 2008 Author Share Posted March 21, 2008 Ollie has improved so much and is almost back to normal. The joint infection is almost gone but he still needs the antibiotics for another two weeks - just to be sure. Unfortunately they think that his back leg injury is different to the front legs. The vet thinks that he has a cruxiate (sp?) ligament injury in his back leg. He thinks he sustained it from trying to walk when his front legs were so bad - to much pressure. So it is rest, rest and more rest for the time being. Ollie is heavier due to some of the drugs he takes (by about 3-4kg) and that does not help his joints at all. So I am going to try to get a couple of kgs off him (he won't like that at all) and hopefully we can avoid surgery on his knee... But overall, he is happy and does not appear to have any pain unless he uses his back leg too much. He is desperate to go for a walk, he cries when we pick up the car keys and follows us around until we leave - I feel so bad that he can't do what he wants but I know it is for the best at the moment... If I thought that I could take him to the park and he would just go for a casual walk, I would take him for 10-15 minutes but I know he will go nuts and hurt himself - it is just not worth it yet... Thanks Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog_Horse_Girl Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 Peibe and lillysmum I'm not trying to argue with you but if you had a dog with cancer and an infection could kill them. The vets told you NOT to take them to the park would you take you own advice and take your dogs out knowing it might kill them? For the sake of quality of life? That's a fair question. I don't know what I'd do faced with the same situation with one of mine. I know Jodie goes above and beyond for Ollie and seeing their bond is amazing. He's a great dog and she's a great 'mum' to him. I know he's miserable when he can't go for walks and if I thought the occasional stroll around the block would be more beneficial than detrimental, I'd probably 'risk' it in her shoes. But that's academic isn't it b/c I'm not her and it's not my dog with MCT and all the issues that Ollie has faced over the past few years. Jodie, stay strong and enjoy Ollie's presence. Whether the silly boy gets to the park or not isn't the only issue...he's a great lad with such a zest for life even when he's unwell...hang onto that thought as much as you can when the bad days come. Enjoy the good days no matter how fleeting they may feel. Hugs to you both. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 My poor old man is booked in next Tuesday to have his cruciate ligament repaired. I never wanted to put him under again - I swore I wouldn't and now I am feeling so guilty but how do I just let him keep going with his leg like it is? Mind you the cancer is still in remission and the joint infection is under control, so he is very well... Apart from his back leg. How long does it take to heal after this sort of operation? Why does he seem to get everything going, it seems so unfair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schnauzer Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Hi Staffyluv, Not fair at all for poor Ollie dog. One of my dogs had cruciate surgery (both hind legs one after the other :rolleyes: ) and unless it has changed in the past few years, the recovery was approx. 4-6 weeks rest per leg. Have you had an orthopaedic surgeon look at the cruciate? Clutching at straws here. Hope all goes well for Ollie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula- Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 staffyluv, it's a number of months for full recovery - starting with very little exercise and slowly building up. Stella's been through two, if you want any info :rolleyes: The local ortho specialist (in Gungahlin) did her second leg, and fixed up her first one after there were problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog_Horse_Girl Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 My poor old man is booked in next Tuesday to have his cruciate ligament repaired.I never wanted to put him under again - I swore I wouldn't and now I am feeling so guilty but how do I just let him keep going with his leg like it is? Mind you the cancer is still in remission and the joint infection is under control, so he is very well... Apart from his back leg. How long does it take to heal after this sort of operation? Why does he seem to get everything going, it seems so unfair. Jodie, that must have been a difficult decision for you. I suppose you need to think about the pro's and con's of the surgery and about how it will benefit Ollie vs the situation if you do nothing. He's still got his energy and zest for life, so I imagine having a bad knee would be frustrating for the lad - knowing that he loves his outings as he does. Tough call really. But Hamish wouldn't go ahead with something he thought too risky...is it Hamish doing the surgery or the specialist at Gungahlin? Sending you all the pawsitive thoughts in the world and many many hugs! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 Hamish is doing it. They are going to put him under, do some test and xray the leg it to make sure they are doing the right thing - but they are pretty sure that is what it is. It is a tough call, but he is well and I cannot justify not fixing his leg and he is certainly not at a point where he needs to be given his wings (which still astounds his vet and oncologist - they did not think he would be here 2 years later and we are heading at 2.5 years now, let alone be so well).. We have been through the wringer with this lad but he keeps bouncing back, so I have to do what I think is right give him every opportunity to live a full and happy life. Fingers crossed for us for next Tuesday, I will update after we have been and done it all... Thanks Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springdog Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Best of luck Ollie dog and Jodie, i hope all the results are good ones, will be thinking of you on Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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