Squirt - my Queen has crossed The Bridge

Thanks, ya'll! I increased the herbs she's taking for the arthritis, have been carrying her as much as possible, and giving Tramadol when she is really hurting - which a FIGHT, let me tell you! That stuff must taste absolutely horrid! :eek: She really has trouble when she first gets up from lying down, that leg just swinging above the floor, but as she gets going she puts a bit more weight on it and is putting more weight this morning than she has the last few days. Her overall mood is better this morning as well - the tail a bit higher, eyes a bit brighter so I hope this is mending.

Sharlene, both her back legs are pinned and screwed together. She had luxating patellas on both knees plus deformities in the right leg that required basically cutting it off and resetting it from the knee down. That leg was set something like 25 degrees off center and had to be turned. :eek: She was so cute in her bright red casts, tho! :D

Hugs,
Leslie and the Queen of Dogdom

Leslie, so glad to read that Squirt's leg seems a bit better today. That is tough with hardware in both back legs, you worry about one or the other carrying all the weight. My Angel Dakota was that way after she had the second ACL repair. I hope things continue to improve for your sweet baby.

Hugs,
Tina and Jasper

Oh I am sure she was adorable in bright red!
Hoping that the leg continues to get better and nothing to do with the pins occurred. It doesn't sound like it did if she is using it more now. That Squirt has a strong spirit. :)
Gosh Dakota had pins in both legs too! Thats tough, you have to watching out for both legs all the time I guess.

Take care, more good days ahead I hope
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

Daisy had luxating patella surgery on one leg. I'll never forget it! I slept on the floor with her for days as she cried constantly if I wasn't right there.

Happy that Squirt is improving!

Glad to hear Squirt's wee leg is improving Leslie. I am not sure what strengths you get the Tramadol in over there but here we only have 50mg capsules. It was a real pain splitting them up. But I found a product that has been a huge benefit for me and I told my vet about them and he ordered it in for me. They are Tramadol drops, a human product. 5 drops = 12.5mg and it comes in a special little bottle with inbuilt dropper. I pop his drops in his dinner and he does not even know it is there! Really good for the small doses. xx

Sure hoping today Squirt's leg is even better.

Leslie: Squirt is a wonder dog. She just keeps going, what a sweet little dog. So glad she is getting some better. You are a wonderful person with all you do for these precious dogs. I know you have kept so many up and moving and I know you love them dearly. Hope Squirt keeps improving every hour of every day. Love, JoAnne

Yeah, my Sweet Bebe is one strong tough little gal! I had all but given up on her a few months ago and the whole time she was wondering what was wrong with me! :o:) She's never given up, never stopped fighting. She's amazing to me! ;)

Squirt has always loved to have her face and head rubbed really hard. This morning I woke up to vigorous rubbing on my pillow under my head. When I opened my eyes, there was Squirty eye-ball to eye-ball and she responded to the view with a loud, high YIP! Which plainly said, "Get up, Mom!" When I put her on the floor, she took off down the hall toward the front door with weight on her left back leg. :cool: Not full weight bearing by any means but weight nonetheless. She drank and ate with that leg on the floor, not swinging in the air like it has the last few days! :cool: I carried her down the ramp after eating to potty and while they were about their business I was looking around the yard. I turned around to carry her back up the ramp only to find her on the porch already! She went up by herself. Since the seizure, Squirt has gotten very good at allowing me to help her when needed - when NEEDED. She's a life-long card-carrying member of the "leave me alone, I'll do it myself" crowd. ;) The fact she went up on her own says the leg feels much better as well as seeming to be functioning better. All of which is lessening the fear of damage with the hardware in the leg. ~~whew~~ (I wish I was half as tough as Squirt.)

Trish, I've never heard of a liquid Tramadol but that would be wonderful! So much easier to get in her! We have 50mg pills which aren't hard to cut...unless you need an 1/8 or less...which is what I typically give Squirt. I had two really good pill cutters that would hold the pill in place and cut precisely but they both wore slap out and I haven't found any as good as those - they came from her surgeon in TN. Yesterday I finally remembered a baby feeder I have that is like a big syringe with a large opening for food. So I smashed some of her feed with the med in it along with some water, put it in the feeder and squirted it down her throat. I used 1/2 pill and am guessing with the amount she flung out of her mouth onto the walls, floor, herself, bystanders, and me the amount she ingested is about 1/8! :p Yeah, liquids are Blessings in this house! :D

Thanks again! Ya'll are just amazing!
Hugs,
Leslie and Squirty

I am so glad Squirt is better. Nothing brightens your day more than a happy almost back to herself dog. I can just see the tramadol and food flying. Love, JoAnne

Leslie:
Wonderful news, Tipper and I are rejoicing for Squirty, and doing the happy dance. She is tough as nails that girl. I know what you mean about the I'll do it myself club, as Tipper belongs to that also. This makes my day knowing your girl is able to walk ok. It is the small victories that can make your heart so happy. God Bless you for all you do, and for little Squirt who is quite the character. Blessings
Patti