Ian and I went to NYC for about 5 days, so Chili and Bridgett got to spend some time at my in-laws' house, and play with their 2 Boston Terriers! Both dogs behaved well, to our relief!
Chili didn't get to go on the normal walks my in-laws usually take him on (vet's orders). Poor little guy did get to spend some quality time outside in the yard though, which I think he enjoyed. Overall, I think both pups had a ton of fun and got totally spoiled, but like us, enjoyed coming home, too!
Being away from Chili for almost a week, I got to have a fresh look at how he's acting with his leg. Sadly, there was no incredible miracle, and he still has the luxating patellas (hey- I can hope, right?) He wasn't wimpering at all while we were gone, so he didn't need any pain pills, which is a good thing. He's still a little tender around the leg, though. He did whine a little when I touched it, and he frequently looks back at it and licks it. We have 8 more days until his surgery. He's sleeping well in a crate at night now (in preparation) and we cut down on his food, since he isn't getting any exercise, and I don't want him overweight before or after the surgery (I still worry about anesthesia complications, and I also don't want any extra weight on his joints that he doesn't need). He is, of course, completely clueless about what is going on, and is probably wondering why mommy and daddy yell at him whenever he tries to jump or climb stairs.
I'll post another update in about a week, just before the surgery. I'm also making an online gallery, so we have some pre and post surgery pictures available.
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surgery. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Update
There hasn't been much of a change regarding Chili's rear right leg. He seems to do ok with it, but there are times when he is in pain. This past weekend, he started whimpering and hopping on it again, so I gave him a little Rimadyl in some peanut butter, and he was feeling fine about 20 minutes later (was it the pill or the peanut butter?)
I think Chili's sister, Bridgett, is glad for the break. He plays with her a little less, and she doesn't seem to mind. We're headed up to their "grandparents" (my in-laws) tonight and dropping them off there for our trip to NYC. Chili isn't allowed to have any walks, and I know he'll miss going with my in-laws and their 2 adorable Boston Terriers. It should be a fun vacation for both Chili and Bridgett though.
After we get back from NYC, there will only be about 1 week to prepare for the surgery. I'm still so nervous about it and hope nothing goes wrong! (of course Chili is totally clueless!) We're re-training him to sleep in his crate in preparation for the surgery, and it seems to be going well, he hasn't woken us up yet!
On another note- we'll be dogsitting our friends chihuahua, Desiree Sky, for a little over a week in early May, which is so exciting! Chili adores her, and she's such an easy keeper. I'm hoping he won't want to play with her too much, but that she'll be a good distraction for him after surgery!
I'll post another update in about a week, although I don't expect any change on how he's doing. I'm hoping that in 6 months, he'll have had both legs done and will be a happy, pain-free chihuahua!
I think Chili's sister, Bridgett, is glad for the break. He plays with her a little less, and she doesn't seem to mind. We're headed up to their "grandparents" (my in-laws) tonight and dropping them off there for our trip to NYC. Chili isn't allowed to have any walks, and I know he'll miss going with my in-laws and their 2 adorable Boston Terriers. It should be a fun vacation for both Chili and Bridgett though.
After we get back from NYC, there will only be about 1 week to prepare for the surgery. I'm still so nervous about it and hope nothing goes wrong! (of course Chili is totally clueless!) We're re-training him to sleep in his crate in preparation for the surgery, and it seems to be going well, he hasn't woken us up yet!
On another note- we'll be dogsitting our friends chihuahua, Desiree Sky, for a little over a week in early May, which is so exciting! Chili adores her, and she's such an easy keeper. I'm hoping he won't want to play with her too much, but that she'll be a good distraction for him after surgery!
I'll post another update in about a week, although I don't expect any change on how he's doing. I'm hoping that in 6 months, he'll have had both legs done and will be a happy, pain-free chihuahua!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A Date Change
Chili's surgery has officially been scheduled! He will be having his operation on Thursday, April 30, 2009. I'm dropping him off at the vet early in the morning (about 7:30). He cannot have eaten any later than 8pm the night before, and is only supposed to have limited water intake after that. I'm bringing a towel from home for him, hopefully it will be a small comfort. He'll be staying at the hospital overnight, and I go to pick him up in the afternoon of May 1st. They also told me I could bring him some food from home, but they also have medicated food he can eat so it doesn't mess with his stomach. Not sure which is best for him. We'll be spending the next few weeks mentally preparing (although Chili is absolutely clueless!) At least he'll have a nice break at my in-laws next week while we're on vacation in New York. Perhaps we'll get a little stroller for him, since he won't be able to go on walks for most of the summer!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Estimate
Here is a quick post regarding Chili and the estimate we received from the vet clinic.
Chili is no longer taking his prescribed steroids or his painkiller (Rimadyl). He couldn't keep either one down, so we decided it was pointless to try and keep giving them to him. (Although he misses the peanut butter!).
He is limping and holding up his hind right leg more frequently now. My in-laws came down and brought their Boston Terriers, so he had some low-key indoor playing, which may have aggravated things. Its beautiful weather here, and we're sad we can't take poor Chili for evening walks. I think we may buy a little wagon and strap him to it, so at least he can come on walks with Bridgett.
As some of you may know, Chili was featured on a website (that his mommy loves) called famous chihuahua (on Nov. 18th 2008). (www.famouschihuahua.com) Famous chihuahua has recently posted an article about the Luxating Patella, featuring Teaka the Famous Chihuahua. The article is located here: http://www.famouschihuahua.com/chihuahua-health-concerns/patellar-luxation-a-knee-problem-in-chihuahuas/
I was going to try and post photographs of his xrays. However, it costs $25 per xray scan, and at this time I just can't see justifying the cost. We did get the final estimate from the vet for his surgery. Here is what the estimate entails (this is the estimate from our vet clinic and the surgeon. Each clinic in different areas will have varying fees and items. I'm not posting this as a comparison of cost to any other facilities, I just want people to know where the money goes in a surgery. If you think this is complex, you should see one for a person!):
Charges Estimation
Biohazard Disposal Fee $3.25
Fluid Therapy (IV) $72.oo
Catheterization-Intravenous $39.00
Pre Op Blood Panel $52.25
Anesthesia- Induction $16.25
Isoflurance Anesthesia $87.50
Analgesia (Pain Medication) $25.00 - $48.75
Ortho- Patella Lux Repair $1050.00
Surgical Monitoring $15.50
Injection- Single $18.00 - $36.00
Surgery Room Fee $68.00
Bandaging- Routine $18.00
Radiology- Additional View $51.75
Radiology Interpretation $30.50
Cephalexin 250mg Capsules $9.10
E-Collar Tie On $13.00
TOTAL COST: $1569.10 - $1610.85
Is it worth it? I think so. I love the people at our vet clinic and have complete trust in them. Little Chili is totally worth it. They did mention some things may not be needed, such as the E-collar, and we may need more of some things, such as the pain meds. Luckily, we are able to save up for it. We also know enough that we need to save for his other leg in a few months. Some people may not understand spending so much on a dog, but he is our family! It may cost thousands to get him feeling good- but having a happy healthy dog will be priceless!
**NOTE: The estimate posted is put up as an example and to further education only. Constructive questions will be entertained, but any comments judging the estimate will be abruptly deleted. I did not post the estimate to enduce criticism to our vet clinic or surgeon. Every facility has different charges, and after doing my research, I feel the charges in our estimate are justified. I encourage people who get estimates from their vet clinics to ask questions if they do not understand the need for a certain charge.
Chili is no longer taking his prescribed steroids or his painkiller (Rimadyl). He couldn't keep either one down, so we decided it was pointless to try and keep giving them to him. (Although he misses the peanut butter!).
He is limping and holding up his hind right leg more frequently now. My in-laws came down and brought their Boston Terriers, so he had some low-key indoor playing, which may have aggravated things. Its beautiful weather here, and we're sad we can't take poor Chili for evening walks. I think we may buy a little wagon and strap him to it, so at least he can come on walks with Bridgett.
As some of you may know, Chili was featured on a website (that his mommy loves) called famous chihuahua (on Nov. 18th 2008). (www.famouschihuahua.com) Famous chihuahua has recently posted an article about the Luxating Patella, featuring Teaka the Famous Chihuahua. The article is located here: http://www.famouschihuahua.com/chihuahua-health-concerns/patellar-luxation-a-knee-problem-in-chihuahuas/
I was going to try and post photographs of his xrays. However, it costs $25 per xray scan, and at this time I just can't see justifying the cost. We did get the final estimate from the vet for his surgery. Here is what the estimate entails (this is the estimate from our vet clinic and the surgeon. Each clinic in different areas will have varying fees and items. I'm not posting this as a comparison of cost to any other facilities, I just want people to know where the money goes in a surgery. If you think this is complex, you should see one for a person!):
Charges Estimation
Biohazard Disposal Fee $3.25
Fluid Therapy (IV) $72.oo
Catheterization-Intravenous $39.00
Pre Op Blood Panel $52.25
Anesthesia- Induction $16.25
Isoflurance Anesthesia $87.50
Analgesia (Pain Medication) $25.00 - $48.75
Ortho- Patella Lux Repair $1050.00
Surgical Monitoring $15.50
Injection- Single $18.00 - $36.00
Surgery Room Fee $68.00
Bandaging- Routine $18.00
Radiology- Additional View $51.75
Radiology Interpretation $30.50
Cephalexin 250mg Capsules $9.10
E-Collar Tie On $13.00
TOTAL COST: $1569.10 - $1610.85
Is it worth it? I think so. I love the people at our vet clinic and have complete trust in them. Little Chili is totally worth it. They did mention some things may not be needed, such as the E-collar, and we may need more of some things, such as the pain meds. Luckily, we are able to save up for it. We also know enough that we need to save for his other leg in a few months. Some people may not understand spending so much on a dog, but he is our family! It may cost thousands to get him feeling good- but having a happy healthy dog will be priceless!
**NOTE: The estimate posted is put up as an example and to further education only. Constructive questions will be entertained, but any comments judging the estimate will be abruptly deleted. I did not post the estimate to enduce criticism to our vet clinic or surgeon. Every facility has different charges, and after doing my research, I feel the charges in our estimate are justified. I encourage people who get estimates from their vet clinics to ask questions if they do not understand the need for a certain charge.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The X Rays
I waited over the weekend, and saw no improvement in my little Chili. Even with the medicine, he limped and didn't want to put weight on his leg. I called the vet back, and we made an appointment for xrays on the following Monday, March 30, 2009.
I brought Chili in to the vet at 7:30 in the morning so they could keep him for the day while I was at work. They needed to sedate him (through an IV, not general anesthesia) to take the xrays and make sure they came out clean. I got a call just before noon from Dr. Rodriguez letting me know that Chili was waking up and doing fine.
I went into the clinic at 4:30 to pick up Chili and speak to Dr. Rodriguez. She was very patient with me, and thoroughly walked me through the 3 xrays they took of Chili (I had no clue that dogs had a penal bone, for example). They took 2 xrays of Chili on his side, and 1 of him on his back. It was then that I realized the extent of the problem.
Chili's kneecaps were nowhere near where they should have been. Both were severly pulled to the inside of the leg, the right a little more than the left. Dr. Rodriguez diagnosed him with grade 4 in the right leg, and grade 3 in the left. The answer? I knew it had been coming, but was hoping we could hold off for another year or two. Surgery. Both legs.
The clinic uses a specific surgeon that was very experienced in the surgery. We made an appointment for a consult.
Cost for the day: $264
Total so far: $332
I brought Chili in to the vet at 7:30 in the morning so they could keep him for the day while I was at work. They needed to sedate him (through an IV, not general anesthesia) to take the xrays and make sure they came out clean. I got a call just before noon from Dr. Rodriguez letting me know that Chili was waking up and doing fine.
I went into the clinic at 4:30 to pick up Chili and speak to Dr. Rodriguez. She was very patient with me, and thoroughly walked me through the 3 xrays they took of Chili (I had no clue that dogs had a penal bone, for example). They took 2 xrays of Chili on his side, and 1 of him on his back. It was then that I realized the extent of the problem.
Chili's kneecaps were nowhere near where they should have been. Both were severly pulled to the inside of the leg, the right a little more than the left. Dr. Rodriguez diagnosed him with grade 4 in the right leg, and grade 3 in the left. The answer? I knew it had been coming, but was hoping we could hold off for another year or two. Surgery. Both legs.
The clinic uses a specific surgeon that was very experienced in the surgery. We made an appointment for a consult.
Cost for the day: $264
Total so far: $332
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