Very unpleasant day #7
Well, today totally sucked… there is just no other way to put it. Don’t worry, there wasn’t any crisis, but both Lyn and I are upset and tired.
It started this morning when I got up from bed to use the bathroom. Lyndon was sleeping so soundly, and I didn’t want to disturb him by putting on the cone of shame (besides he was doing so well without it). So I went to the bathroom and let him sleep. I came back into my room a few minutes later to find him sucking on his stitches like a pacifier. He had loosened a couple of the stitches on the very tip of the incision and made them really red. I called the vet right away and they said that they needed to see him asap. My surgeon was doing surgeries today so they asked if I could come in before 8:30 for him to see if the stitches were okay still.
red on the back tip from naughty licking
So I got Lyn and I in the car (after blocking off 90% of the back seat so he would have to stay on the passenger side floor in the back). We were heading to the vet when some idiot pulled out of a shoppette and sideswiped me. No one was hurt, but my poor Lyndi and I were stuck there talking to the cop about what had happened for an hour (the other driver didn’t have current insurance and didn’t speak a word of English). My car was damaged and my tire was destroyed, but I was so glad that I had the foresight to block Lyndon on the floor or he could have been hurt.
So I went home to trade cars (because there was no way that the doughnut I had to put on my car would have made it all the way to the vet’s office). I had to rearrange everything into the other car and put Lyndon in with him still a bit shaken up from the first car ride. We finally got to the vet around 10:00. Luckily the stitches were okay, but the vet said a couple more licks and Lyndon would have to be restitched in that area and be at great risk for infection… so the cone of shame is now a permanent addition to Lyndon’s wardrobe. I hate doing it to him, but I’d rather have him a bit uncomfortable than unsafe.
The end result... another full week in the cone of shame
At the moment Lyndon is starting to adapt to the cone being on. He whimpers and wanders till he gets tired and then falls asleep. I feel so bad, but I can’t have him prolonging his recovery or making this whole thing worse with an infection. So far we’ve been pretty lucky… considering, and I don’t want to ruin that when he’s so close.
Here’s hoping tomorrow will be a bit better….
November 17th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
oh poor baby Lyndon. I am so sorry.
When we were about 8 days or so into recovery, grandmother dropped Mousie from 3.5 ft tall (she was standing, Mousie jumped) and she landed on her wound. Then, to make it worse, Mousie was lethargic for the next 10 hours. I was panicking!!! Luckily vet said she was okay, although her wound was so aggrevated and swole up big time.
Thank goodness y’all are okay from the accident. to think how much worse (eeeeekkkkkk)
November 17th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
sorry to hear about all that excitement.
We call that the Cone of Silence in our house & someone (in Kenmore’s fanclub) suggested we just pour the treats down it to his mouth! Another fan club member has called it the “Mantle of Courage.”
Luckily, since Kenmore is so big- his is a flexible, fabric cone.
Glad Lyndi is ok & you & wife are ok too! I dont think I would have kept my cool….
November 17th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
first, thank goodness nobody got hurt in the accident. of course, having your car smashed and loosing all that time because some ‘goomer’ had to stop for smokes and coffee and wasn’t paying attention….ugh!!! but you and lyndon aren’t hurt, that’s the most important thing. they make ‘donut’ looking cones that fit around necks to keep from licking at the rear, but allow for seeing out better…i know i’ve seen them at fetchdog.com, but i’m thinking they are available elsewhere too. it won’t be too long, and lyndon will be all healed up, this is a good chance for him to learn patience, right??? good luck!
charon & gayle
November 17th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
We used a large x-pen the first two weeks. 4ftx4ft it was really great. Kess had enough room to move around and get comfortable, but couldn’t get into trouble. I also made it round so the cone couldn’t get stuck in the corner.
I’ve heard dogs really like the donut cones, they still have peripheral vision, and they don’t get caught on things.
November 17th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Awwww I’m sorry your day went like that. Atleast evryone’s ok. Duke’s finaly stopped going after his stitches (I think it’s my reaction that’s freaked him out enough to leave them alone). Lyndon looks very unhappy in that cone, but it’s only temporary. Not too long from now you’ll be looking back on today and thanking everything that it is finally over. Recovery time is no fun, but it’s almost over. Hang in there.
November 18th, 2010 at 1:24 am
Oh dear, just what you didn’t need. And the dude who hit you didn’t even have current insurance? I’m very sorry this happened but glad no one was hurt.
Also glad you got to the vet and everything is okay.
Mousie’s story reminded me of the day Catie got home from the vet hospital and unexpected visitors came to the door. Riley and Catie have longstanding greeting disorders and crowd the doorway because they believe anyone who comes to the door is here to see them. In the ensuing jostling, Catie got rammed into the door frame on her wound site. I’d never heard her cry out like that before. Panic? My heart was in my throat. I told everyone I knew not to come over without phoning first and we used a wire cage for Catie when we weren’t on the main floor to watch her.
As much as Lyndon might not like the cone, just remind yourself it’s for his own healing good and, as Ashley said, it’s temporary at best. He’ll be okay.
Sending good wishes!
November 18th, 2010 at 3:39 am
Oh – we’re so sorry for what was an awful day for all of you! But we’re relieved that the vet said Lyndon’s stitches were still ok. We’re keeping fingers and paws crossed that all goes well with the rest of his recovery!
Hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan