Holy Crackers! The mutt should definitely have a tinfoil helmet on her head because she is in overdrive right now and seems to be controlled by beings from outer space. Her leg is just fabulous and she has really hit her stride. On our 5:00 am walk this morning she was off to the races and constantly mule kicking and backfiring. Ellie looked like a brown missile flying through lawns and following raccoon and deer tracks. She kept going after fruit from Sweetgum trees that were lying on the ground as they look a lot like tennis balls. It must have been like Christmas for her thinking that the sky had opened up and dumped hundreds of tennis balls all around.
Yesterday afternoon Ellie got her first dose of the Baytril medication for the Proteus bacteria in her urine. I gave her the first pill very reluctantly and just hoped that she would not turn into a big lethargic brown lump. Well now, I gave her the medication at 5:00 pm and at 9:30 pm last night she was doing floppy rolls all over her bed and barking with joy. I think it had some kind of puppy upper effect on her. She is supposed to get one pill every twelve hours for 21 days. That is a lot of pharmaceuticals but Dr. Ahmsberry is very worried about this bacteria and I trust his judgment. He told me that they rarely have any adverse effects with this medication however, every animal is different meaning a reaction is possible. Watching her flop around last night and then seeing her attitude this morning was quite a relief. Dr. Ahmsberry also wants her to come in for a urinalysis on Tuesday so that they can do a culture and see how the old pee looks after four days on the drugs.
I think that tomorrow might be the big day for Ellie’s triumphant return to the Farmers Market. As long as she is feeling good and her Gentle Leader is in place on that slab of chocolate lab head I think she can safely walk around the booths and enjoy the experience. The theme from ‘Rocky’ will probably be playing in her head as she strolls the waterfront tomorrow morning. The crowd will part and all other canines will bow to the ‘Queen of Much Ado.’ We finally made it through four months of recovery and Ellie’s hard work is looking like it has paid off.
Posted by Jim on August 28, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Congrats on the 16 week mark. Turn her loose
I have emailed you once before. My lab Nellie is on week 12 on her left knee, and day 9 on her right. Although the second surgery seemed a little more brutal, based on visual observations and the initial 48 hour recovery, I am proud to say she seems to be now ahead of schedule compared to day 9 of the first surgery. I guess it may have to do with at least having one good knee this time around.
We will miss the updates.
Jim and Nellie
Posted by elliemilstein on September 2, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Hello again!
I am glad to know that Nellie is doing well with her second surgery. It must be a very trying time for her and the both of you. Ellie is doing just fantastic right now and I can only hope that it continues. I am continuing her blog through this week and I appreciate your following along with her. All the best to you and your dog and if I can ever help please feel free to email me. Have a great day.
Regards,
Russ Milstein
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