'The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because He loves what is behind him.' -G. K. Chesterton

15 March 2013

Angus Update - Cast Is Gone - Pictures (Warning, Kinda Graphic)

We took the boy into see the surgeon in Las Vegas this morning at 0915 local time. As usual they took him back for removal of the soft cast and new X-Rays. A few minutes later the nurse came back being dragged by a black dog sans one soft cast.

It was good to see him without it. We've only seen his leg once in the last 8 weeks and that was two weeks ago when the our Vet changed the cast. It looks....kinda bad but in a good way. The leg is pale and covered with red areas. Some are from the incision but some are from being in a leg cast for 8 weeks. The good news is the surgeon was happy with his progress. His words "I'm pleased." That took a huge load off our minds since we're naturally a little pessimistic and generally expect the worst. Neither of us slept much last night. No more cast but we do still have to deal with an incision that needs final healing without any canine licking therapy. The ankle is stiff though his elbow is moving nicely. He still limps around and tends to carry the leg whenever he's moving faster than a dead slow walk. He stands well and the leg looks straight. Rehab begins immediately. Slow walks and as much swimming as we can fit into our schedules. We do have to go back to intense supervision to keep the running and licking down. We're trying to make a go of it without the collar of shame but it's nearby if (when?) we figure out can't get by without using it. In the meantime it's topical antibiotics and bitter apple for the wounds and lots of supervised activity. Doc says two weeks but we can easily lengthen that out depending on what we're seeing. More on this later. In the meantime  do have photos. I warn you that some are dang hard to look at. Some of them make my heart hurt.

Here's Angus in the parking lot with Lu just after we left the surgeon's office.We hadn't yet had a chance to get his leg cleaned up. He was past ready for everyone to stop touching his leg and just let him go home!

Ok. I got some shots of the X-Rays from the surgeon's computer. Again, they are a little graphic. You can see the breaks and how bad they were. They also show the plate and screws he used to put everything back together again.
By my count he used 10 screws. 8 to attach the plate and 2 more transversely to pull the split bone back together. Poor Angus. I get a sick stomach just thinking about how bad that had to hurt and all the misery he's gone through these last 8 weeks.

A couple of closer looks at that incision site. I was frankly surprised at how jagged and uneven it is. My own incision scars are invariably straight and relatively neat. Still, it's the end results that count.

In spite of everything we have been blessed and we know it. When he got hurt the only thing Lu and I prayed for (as well as a lot of you, my friends) was for him to recover no matter the cost or effort required. We got that miracle. Today was a large step in the recovery process. We couldn't start rehab and physical therapy in earnest until the cast came off for the final time. Whatever challenges come up please know we are both capable and determined to escort him through them.

Thank you all for your prayers. They are gifts that we can never adequately repay. That little man up there with the healing leg is proof of the power of prayer and we are eternally grateful.

I'll update as the rehab and physical therapy progressThank you again my friends.

Six, Lu and Angus.

17 comments:

Rev. Paul said...

That's wonderful news!

Murphy's Law said...

All of us dog people have either been there or will be. We got yer back...and Angus'.

Lois Evensen said...

Wonderful. It's good to know he is doing well!

Six said...

Thanks Rev.!

It's much appreciated ML.

Thank you Lois!

Old NFO said...

That's great news! Glad he's able to start rehab now!

RabidAlien said...

Awesome! Cast off, that's one more step on the road to total recovery!

As for the scar..have you tried mud-n-tape? Just sayin...

hehehehehe

Paladin said...

Gunny says to tell Angus not to worry about the scars. The Chicks dig Dudes with scars. Make's 'em look all dangerous and stuff. :)

Brig said...

Angus is looking great, good on you!
I agree with Paladin, the scars will just give him an opportunity to tell his warrior stories.

instinct said...

That's awesome. Glad to have some good news!

Six said...

Thanks NFO. The pool is filled and he'll be swimming today.

Ha! I love that RabidAlien. You know, now that you mention it....Nah, Lu would never go for it.

Tell Gunny thanks Paladin. Though it may be a little like a scar on a boy band. Can a dog be Goofy and Dangerous at the same time?

Thanks Brighid!

Thank you Instinct. Lu and I wholeheartedly agree!

agirlandhergun said...

Oh good!!! Been a worrisome time:(

The DO said...

We are all glad he's doing so well!! Way to go Angus boy:) As for the jagged scar, the human epidermis and dermis is attached differently than in the canines, and I'm betting the slipperiness of the skin during surgery, and during recovery, account for that. But what do I know, I'm just a history student:)

Six said...

Thanks AGirl. It has been but I think we're seeing the end. I hope.

I didn't know that sweetie but that makes complete sense. See, that's why you're my go to for all things!

Jennifer said...

that's great news. So glad he is on the mend.

Six said...

Thanks Jennifer!

Ruth said...

Athletic dogs can often work around the cone of shame, especially where this is on a front leg. You might want to consider a product like the StopLik or LikShield (I have links if you want them, but blogger tends to get grumpy about links in comments) to help prevent licking.

Six said...

I'll google them and check it out. Thanks for the heads up Ruth. See, this is why blogging rocks!