Chasing Charley

Cutting back on the Tramadol has created a furiously licking dog!!  In about 5 minutes, Charley chewed through his t-shirt and TWO vet wrap bandages.  Normally we just use 1 vet wrap, but this one had shifted so far forward (blue) when he scratches the incision site w/ his back leg, that I just added another pad and wrap on top of it (red).

I had just changed the bandage on his front leg (also red) and he’s already going to town on that site because it was a little raw from the first IV shaving (I think).  So now we’re back on track with a long sleeved t-shirt (I hope).

Oh — and another thing!  I drove home from work at lunch to let Charley out to pee.  Pre-accident, I didn’t have to do this.  But since he got hurt, I’ve been coming home to check on him.  Anyway, so I came home today and Charley didn’t want to come out of his crate!  I even bribed him with American cheese!  He edged forward and grabbed it and then went right back in!  I went to coax him out by holding his collar and he GROWLED at me!  What?!  So I decided to just forget about it, closed the crate door & he barked at me like a crazy dog!!

Charley got scolded pretty good then – so hopefully this isn’t a new habit.  Trying to give him the benefit of the doubt — his pain meds have been lowered, he’s crabby.  We’ll see how tomorrow goes to know whether I’ve possibly cut back too much already….

P.S.  He just chewed through ANOTHER t-shirt.  We need to get this under control or he’s going to get the Cone of Shame.

And by “I”, I mean Becky.  Charley’s mom.

Charley had 100 mg Tramadol at 7 a.m.  It’s just past 11 a.m. and he’s whimpering/whining with every breath.  He’s not due for another dose for at least 4 hours!  He wags his tail when I pet him.  Stops whining when I talk to him.  But otherwise it’s (breathe in), huuuuuuuuuuuhhhh, (breathe in), huuuuuuuuhhhh.

He seems interested in food, as long as it’s nothing related to dog food.  I made him 2 eggs this morning and he’ll gladly accept cheese and hot dogs.  That causes a break in the whining.  But as soon as he’s licked the plate clean, he’s back to whimpering.

I know the vet doesn’t want to totally zonk him out with pain meds, but I hate to hear him in pain.  Or maybe he’s depressed.  Did you know that I obsessively worry about my human kids like this sometimes?!?  I’m such a softie.  I wish there was something I could do for him to make him more comfortable and/or happier.

Every day gets a little better, right?  Little by little.  And in 2-3 weeks, I’ll see a big improvement in his abilities and comfort level.  Right?  You all have been such a great source of encouragement….  I would literally be pulling my hair out by now if I hadn’t found you!

P.S.  Bear with me!  I haven’t figured out the “friends” thing yet & I hope to start commenting on your blogs (and forums?) one of these days soon.

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday & we’re home!  Two days post amp.

Charley wasn’t moving much at the vet, but I visited early this morning & we got him to get up, hop outside, pee & poop.  Hooray!  Now that we’re home, he’s whimpering and whining.  I just gave him a dose of Tramadol and hopefully he’ll be more comfortable soon.

The weather is beautiful outside and I’m enjoying a couple of hours at home w/ my baby before my kids come home from school.  They’re 7 and 9 years old (a girl and a boy) — SO excited to see their pup!

For the next few days, Charley will be corralled in the kitchen area behind a kid fence we borrowed from the neighbors.  This helps to give him his own space and prevents him from wandering off too far.  Half of the main floor of the house is slippery floors, which have always been his nemesis anyway.  So we’ll keep him off those unless I can hang on to his collar.

God bless the vet, Dr. Jim.  He just called to make sure we made it home alright and to answer the questions I already had!  The bandage slipped a bit (I added more padding & wrap on top of it) and we’ll hopefully keep it looking healthy & clean until the sutures are removed in 2 weeks.

Off to bake him some homemade dog treats.  Thank you SO MUCH for all of your kind words and support in just the past day!  I really needed the encouragement and I feel like I’m capable of being a *good mom* to Charley as he continues to recover.  Bless you all!