I need to start this post by thanking all the Veterans, for the selfless committment to our country. Veteran’s Day is not merely another bank/post-office holiday. Thank you.
Elgin’s infected callous is doing well. He is having laser treatments three times a week and is on antibiotics twice a day.
Here is some more information on the laser the vet is using to help accelerate healing:
It is called “The Companion Therapy Laser” by LiteCure. It is an FDA-cleared, deep-penetrating light, which allows relief of pain through the release of endorphins and stimulates the injured cells to heal at a faster rate. It is a type of cold laser, which promotes blood flow to the affected area. Following treatment, swelling and pain is reduced to allow the medication to reach the affected area.
You can investigate for yourself at www.companiontherapy.com
This week we have Elgin’s 4th chemotherapy treatment on Wednesday, and on Thursday, I will bake a doggy cake and we will celebrate Elgin’s 5th birthday. I’ve never been quite that foofy about my pets’ birthdays (altho I have been known to put silly hats and things on Elgin for the holidays and share the pictures online), but this year has been a doozy, and we think it merits a special birthday celebration.
We are so thankful we made the decision to amputate, as we still have him with us to celebrate this year. Had we not, in all probability he would be in heaven, or at the best, drugged up on pain meds and on restricted physical activity. Not what we consider good quality of life. Not for him, not for us.
On a funnier note, this morning when I brought Elgin to the vet for the laser treatment, I could hear the staff laughing in the back room, where the treatment was being done. One by one the staff would go back there, look in the room, and start to chuckle. The vet, a very quiet, no-nonsense, reserved man, came up to the front desk where I was waiting, and said “I know what to get Elgin for Christmas…”
“What?” I said.
“A cat.”
Evidently, a cat had just been neutered and was still out cold, in a cage in the back room, at eye-level with Elgin. Elgin has a very high prey drive and he had fixated on the sleeping kitty and stood there frozen, oblivious to everything else going on.
Have a great week, everyone.
That’s a pretty great update! Happy 5th Birthday Elgin!! With Thanksgiving coming up, I’d say the family has a lot to be thankful for, and Elgin should be getting some pretty good doggy meals!!
Our Max was amputated the Sunday before Thanksgiving in 2008; he came home the day before Thanksgiving. Having your boy with you when you thought maybe he wouldn’t be, really gives a whole new meaning to Thanksgiving. I hope your family has a wonderful holiday, and a great birthday celebration for your handsome boy. If you need a cat, let me know; we have four!!
Hoppy Birthday Elgin! I’d definitely say this year was a doozy for your pack, but look at how you all pulled through. Congratulations to all of you for taking life by the paws and going full steam ahead! May your celebration be joyous and full of love (and lots of treats!).
Thanks for sharing the cold laser therapy information, I’m going to link to that in the Forums. Really appreciate your passing that along to the community. I’m so glad that it’s working for you, I’m sure it will help others!
Happy Birthday Elgin! Good luck with the doggie cake! I had one of Ann’s “cakes” on my visit in July. Hopefully yours won’t go in the sink/garbage!…LOL…
Ha ha, bro. Careful, I’m learning how they use that laser… it has many applications! You better sleep with one eye open!
Happy Birthday Elgin. I am so happy to get to know you as I am a fellow tripawd Dogue de Bordeaux. In my case my right front leg was amputated just a week ago, so I am still in the begining of my recovery process.
My mummy and me read your blog with much intrest and are so happy that you are doing so good. Your progress is giving us a lot of hope for the time to come.
My birthday is coming up on december 1st, but I will become 7 years, so I am a little bit older & my first week was one with ups & downs. I will be checking on you buddy,
Keep up the good spirits.
Zambor & mummy Christine
Thanks all, for the nice comments. Zambor, have you seen the blog about Rosie, the DDB who has only one front leg? It was very inspiring for us to see her doing so well. What caused you to amputate? Cancer?
Hi Elgins family. Zambor was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in end October. The annoucement comes as a real shock, because Zambor is like a son & brother for us. DDB are the sweetest dogs on earth 🙂
Even almost 7 years old we didn’t want to give up on him. He was in perfect health and full of life before we had the devastating news. Now we are patiently awaiting his recovery. He shows no signs of pain, but he isn’t yet his “old” self.
We really want to read Rosie’s story, but couldn’t find it in the blog. Can you tell me the members name?
I do think there could be a difference for a large dog having is front or rear leg amputated, balance-wise, so I am really interested in Rosie’s story.
Take care Elgin, we are looking out for your next post.
Zambor & Christine
Hi Zambor, it took me a while, but I finally found it! It was under “Hurricane Rosie”. You will really enjoy reading it, and I encourage you go back through all of them. She’s really remarkable. Here is the link: http://hurricanerosie.tripawds.com/
Krizzy, just re-read your post. It’s only been a week. Zambor has alot of healing to do. I slept downstairs for a month with Elgin, just in case he got up and got stuck somewhere or fell or something. Don’t worry too much tho. He may suprise you, Elgin sure suprised us, by doing way more than we thought he could. Caution, tho, it is easy for them to overdo it, and then be droopy the next day or two. I wish I had more time, I’d like to catch up on all the blogs I read in the beginning. I plan on reading yours soon. Hang in there.
Hi again. I have 1 important question: I read that you also bought the Ruffwear Web Master harness for Elgin. I bought one for Zambor too, but it is still to painful for him to try it on with the incision on his chest as the schoulderbone was also removed.
When did Elgin start to wear it and how much did he weighed before the amputation. Zambor was 130lb and I hope the harness fits him.
Thanks.
Zambor & Christine
He wore the harness only for the first week, and after that he didn’t really need it unless it was for our peace of mind whne he was going up his ramp to get into the vehicle. If my memory serves, there is another harness more suitable for front leg amputees, but I’m not certain. Elgin weighed 140 give or take a few lbs before amputation, and now is around 128. Don’t be discouraged… the next week or two will still be a little rough on Zambor, but once he turns that corner, he’ll feel so much better! In all honesty, I think the worst part of the actual amputation, for Elgin, was the horrible razor burn he got while he was in hospital. I couldn’t believe how extensive it was! And crusty and gross! Once that healed, after about 10 days, he was much better to look at, and seemed to feel a whole lot better, too.
Good luck!