HERSCHEL PREPAIRES FOR SURGERY
26 FEBRUARY-2 MARCH 2012
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On 26 February, Sherry writes:
We will set up Herschel's pen in the dog room. complete with new doggy mattress & toy box with lots of chews, etc. He has been very quiet today . . . mostly sleeping, as we had to increase his pain medication.
I keep telling myself that this can't be any worse than the litter a year ago when I had nine puppies on IV fluids/antibiotics/etc. here at my house! They had coccidia!
I have two close friends & a cousin who will be helping me with Herschel; weÕve been working on setting up our schedules. I've taken care of a lot of dogs in my lifetime that have been sick and/or had surgery.
My cousin is building steps to get Herschel in & out of the SUV. I was going to buy a ramp, but I think they are too steep & bouncy and he will try to jump off. |
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Comes the news on 27 February:
Herschel has severe hip dysplasia and needs treatment to make him more comfortable. One hip is worse than the other, but there is no doubt that both hips need to be done. The acetabulum (the socket in the ball and socket joint) on both hips are very shallow.
The treatment options are as follows:
1. None -- With no treatment he will develop severe osteoarthritis fairly quickly and will be constantly uncomfortable to painful.
2. Total Hip Replacement -- This is a viable option and he would benefit from the surgery. The cost would be significantly more.
3. Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO). It is possible that he would be functional for many years, but because both hips have to be done and because of Herschel's size, it would not be the optimum choice.
4. Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO). This is Dr. McKee's choice of procedures because it would render a functional joint for the longest period of time as the most reasonable cost. Because the acetabulum is not of normal depth, the joint will eventually become arthritic, but this time period can be many years. Dr. McKee has done the procedure numerous times with success. They had a Lab client who had it done as a young dog and who boarded with them over the years, so they were able to closely follow his progress. He did develop some arthritis, but was active until he passed away at age 12.
The estimate is about $5,000 for the TPO surgeries on both hips, boarding and two weeks of physical therapy.
The time between the two surgeries could be as little as two weeks, but more likely it will be 4-6 weeks.
On 29 February, Sidney writes:
I just talked to Sally at the clinic. The bone plates are there. They are still waiting for a special bone saw, but expect it to be there tomorrow morning. She has gotten lots of cards for Herschel, which she will give to Sherry on Friday. She said that Sherry was welcome to bring a camera when they start the physical therapy sessions so that we can all share Herschel's progress. Keep those positive thoughts flowing to Herschel . . . they are very important to his successful recovery. Thank you!
Sherry: A little bite to eat before the trip?
On 1 March, Sherry writes:
Okay . . . the saw blade has just arrived! I will be leaving with Herschel in a couple of hours, heading out for Santa Teresa, New Mexico. He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning. I'll pick up his cards & gifts while I'm over there. Aunt Judi & I will "decorate" his recovery "Crib" for his arrival home. Not exactly sure when they are going to discharge him but I'll keep all of you posted! Requesting AireZen and AirePrayers from all of you! I'll post tomorrow right after his surgery for the update.
Maybe just a little nap . . .
. . . while waiting for my trip.
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On 3 March, Sherry writes:
Sally had already left for the day by the time we got there (Sidney asked her to try to get a photo of Sally because she is the one to whom she talks all the time).
Aunt Judi whipped out her checkbook to pay for me to stay through the weekend, as we were a little worried about being so far from the hospital over the weekend. We will get daily updated reports to give to all of you. I will pick Herschel up Monday afternoon. |
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Clinic Entrance
MIKE MILLER:
SHAR SHERMAN:
JOHNITA JONES:
PAT PELZ:
PATTI WEBSTER:
MELINDA COX:
SIDNEY HARDIE:
THERESA CALABRIA:
WAFFLE BENNETT:
JEANETTE PRESS-MEDRANO:
LESLIE APPLE:
MARIA PENAVA:
JOHNITA JONES:
ANNA PELLETIER:
SALLIE MOORE:
JEANETTE PICKARD:
LINDA SHIELDS:
MARY LaPOINTE:
NANCY TRIPP:
PHOEBE ESKENAZI:
PAM VANDER HEYDEN:
LULU HOELLER:
NHI & LOLA FINLEY:
BONNIE BURKETT BALLIET:
JOHNITA JONES:
DEB GRIFFIN:
LELA CRISWELL:
CHRIS WOLF:
DEB JONES:
SUSAN OLSEN:
JEANETTE PICKARD:
VICKI RICHARDS:
ZANDRIA BERALDO:
SUSAN DEMANDER:
ELAINE HU:
NATA SHUBIN:
KATE SITZMAN:
JUDY VERBERNE-HUNT:
BETH GOLDSTEIN:
OZZIE AIREDALE:
CONNIE CARLSON:
PRISCILLA LUNDBLAD:
HEIDE HENNEN:
JUDY DWIGGINS:
ELAINE HU:
ANNA PELLETIER:
SUE FORRESTER:
LIZ WARD:
HELEN GREATREX:
MELINDA COSTA:
TERRI STILES ALKAYALI:
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HERSCHEL'S SURGERY GOES WELL HERE
