Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Ach, His Achin' Back

So, after a final diagnosis by Pet PT Dude and SIL that The Boy was suffering from a torn ligament (the equivalent of a torn ACL in humans), we scheduled The Boy for surgery this morning. The diagnosis was followed by a practice session of hydrotherapy (read doggie underwater treadmill. I hope to get pics soon). So, we woke up early to see The Boy off to surgery and a hospital stay. Wait a sec -- plot twist!

The Boy went in for surgery this morning, but did not have it as radiographs indicated no tear in the ligament and that The Boy was merely suffering from a bad back. Prescription was given for anti-inflammatories, a muscle relaxer and strict instructions that The Boy not be allowed to go up/down stairs, climb onto or down from furniture and should just generally take it easy. Hopefully, The Boy will be able to go back to daycare soon (he's able to just lay around there, so it shouldn't be a problem).

I will be investigating the virtues of dog crates vs. dog play pens tonight at Petco. Any recommendations/thoughts?

9 comments:

HereWeGoAJen said...

Hmm...I would go with the dog play pen if he has never been in a crate before. My dogs were both crate trained as babies, but it took a while before they liked it in there and were calm and relaxed. (Now, it's no problem, they love their crates.) But if The Boy is supposed to be just chilling out, he will probably be more relaxed in a pen.

Any chance that the daycare would be able to take him but restrict his activity? Maybe keep him in a pen somewhere?

Meghan said...

Poor little pup, glad he didn't need surgery though.

Io said...

Aw, poor baby. I'm glad he didn't have to have surgery though. Give him a rub on the ears for me.

JJ said...

Poor thing! What an ordeal....
We have always used a crate, so I dont have many recommendations otherwise.
Hope he's back in full swing soon!

AwkwardMoments said...

Oh poor Boy .. Good luck deciding on crate/playpen

Antigone said...

Where are the pictures???

I just keep mine in the bedroom when we're at work. Compact space but nothing new to adjust to.

Ms Heathen said...

Here's hoping that the Boy starts to feel more comfortable on his new medication. Does this also mean he needs to be carried up and down the stairs, and lifted onto the sofa? How big is he?!?

Unknown said...

Poor Baby, but I'm glad he didn't end up having surgery. I would also say a play-pen instead of a crate, if he's not used to a crate. Poor guy, poor you. It's hard (and expensive) to deal with a sick pet.

Mamacita said...

Thanks for stopping by - glad your dog didn't have to have surgery. :)