?Infection

[Kelsey]

I’m so sorry Really hope the surgeon comes up with a new plan that helps

 

[Naya]

I'm so sorry. This must be so stressful for you. Is removing the plate an option? (A human friend had a badly broken leg which had a plate put in - months of pain and infection later they decide to remove the plate and now she can walk painfree.)

My vet said that it might be a suggestion from the surgeon, but wouldn’t say for definite as might not be.

This must be so frustrating and upsetting for you, all going well and then back to problems. My thoughts are the same as @Joy, to remove the plate? When I worked for a vet years ago, when he pinned a broken leg, he always removed the pin when the leg was healed. Has the actual infection been tested to see which antibiotic it is sensitive to?

No, the infection hasn’t been tested as they think it’s bacteria that got into the screw which spreads every time the antibiotics are stopped.

In all honesty, I honestly don’t know if I can put her or us through another surgery.

 

[kateincornwall]

Love to you @Naya , I truly feel for you xxxx

 

[Stacia]

So difficult for you having to go through all this, I just pray for the very best outcome for you

 

[Atemas]

Is removing the plate an option? (A human friend had a badly broken leg which had a plate put in - months of pain and infection later they decide to remove the plate and now she can walk painfree.)

I have been wondering this for some time about Harley. I have thought long and hard as to whether I should say this as I don’t know if it’s helpful @Naya. I had a necessary operation on my foot some years ago and it was pinned. I then had 6 months of sheer agony and being told wrongly it would get better. My foot was very swollen and it felt like a permanent iron band around it. I sought a second opinion and the result was another operation to remove the pins. That terrible pain and swelling went straight away. It has left me with permanent nerve damage (from the first operation) but that is preferable to how it was. I hope the vet can do something for Harley - it’s so hard for her and you too

 

[Loraseal]

Oh @Naya I am so sorry to hear that you are on a roller-coaster of feelings and set backs. I really hope the surgeon can help. I completely understand how you feel about putting Harley through another operation. I can only imagine how distressing and worrying it is for all of you. It does sound like the pin is the cause of the infection. I guess you need to talk to the surgeon to understand the consequences and the impact of removing the pin for Harley. Thinking of you xxx

 

[M.F.]

I’m so sorry. The rollercoaster is exhausting and upsetting. I hope things improve. xxx

 

[Lisa]

So sorry poor Harley is struggling. It is really hard to be constantly facing difficult decisions like these. I hope the vet will give you good advice about it all In the meantime, I hope you are able to get some rest.

 

[Jennifer]

@Naya I’m so sorry about Harley. I can appreciate what your going through wanting to do what’s best for Harley but not knowing what that is. It’s just the most agonising position to be in. I know longterm antibiotics could cause other problems and doesn’t sound like a suitable solution but is there a particular reason why the vet wouldn’t recommend this for this condition ? I’ve had two dogs put on longterm antibiotics although it was for very different reasons to Harley. Removing the foreign object that’s causing the infection would presumably be the better solution if that’s possible but if it’s not or you don’t want to put her through another op, which is completely understandable I’d be the same, maybe the risk of the other problems longterm antibiotics may cause is worth it if they work. Maybe a very long course of antibiotics would clear the bacteria ? For example thanks to Scott and Scout I know ecoli in the bladder takes 6 weeks of a specific antibiotic. A normal course of antibiotics, which they kept being prescribed, appears to work but the bacteria starts to multiply again once the antibiotics stop like Harley’s leg. I do hope the surgeon has a solution that your happy with.

 

[Beanwood]

I am so sorry, very, very stressful for you and Harley

 

[Naya]

Just back from the vets - we met with the surgeon. He supports us in our decision to not operate. He said he wouldn’t be comfortable removing it at the minute anyway. We’ve agreed to keep her on painkillers and antibiotics for the time being. If she becomes immune to the antibiotics we will have a decision to make about quality of life.
Yesterday and today she wanted to go for a walk so we have done about 20 min walking each time. She even had a mini splash in a huge puddle which was so amazing to see.
We are taking each day as it comes and deal with things as they happen.
This was her leg about a week ago (right one), it’s now nearly back to how it was before. Apologies for the bum view

 

[kateincornwall]

I am so relieved that the surgeon didnt agree with surgery for now at least , Harley has been through so much, it would be too hard on her ( in my humble opinion ) . Hoping she continues to enjoy her little walks and puddle splashes , dear girl xxx

 

[Joy]

It's good that she's having some enjoyable days. You must have loved seeing her splashing in the puddle. x

 

[MellowYellow]

I had my fingers crossed for you yesterday... I think the surgeon and you have made the right decision. How nice that Harley wants to go for little walks and even enjoyed a splash in a puddle! Big hugs to you xx

 

[edzbird]

I love that Harley is enjoying herself. You must feel a bit happier yourself having had a good, open and honest chat about the way forward xx

 

[Loraseal]

I think you have made the right choice. I would honestly follow the same path you have chosen. I love it that is enjoying puddle splashing

 

[Cath]

I think you have made the right choice. I would honestly follow the same path you have chosen.

So would I

 

[Naya]

Today hasn’t been such a good day. On our walk this morning, she really struggled so I cut it very short. This afternoon was her hydrotherapy assessment. They were absolutely lovely and very reassuring. Harley can’t go in the treadmill or pool yet. When they were doing the physical examination on Harley, they found her whole back was very tight. We decided today would be massage and loosening her muscles. The hydro lady took things at Harleys pace which was amazing. Harley actually led down and let her massage and move her around which was surprising, but really good. Unfortunately Harley’s pain is definitely not under control so I contacted the vets and they have put up some more gabapentin for me to collect.
Hydro are a bit concerned as Harley’s laryngeal paralysis is getting worse and they are concerned the water may push against her lungs too much. We are going back in 2 weeks and will do an assessment to see if we can get her in the treadmill will a shallow amount of water. Our aim is to help her be mobile as long as we can.
It has been an emotional one today as I felt really bad that I hadn’t realised that the meds she is on aren’t helping her enough

 

[Stacia]

So sorry to read this Naya.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Aw, Naya, these dogs of ours are so hard to assess, don't beat yourself up.
You are doing such a good job looking after her. She is such a lovely girl. Everything you do is in her best interests.
We aren't vets and don't have super skills.
I'm glad the staff were able to help guide tou, they sound really helpful.
Look after yourselves xxxxx