Kona has an owie

[Bonnie and Kona]

Yesterday, Kona was limping on his left hind leg. I searched his paw for any obstruction, but nothing was there. He limped through the day by evening was doing better. Late last night he started licking his "knee". Upon further inspection I found a 3/8 inch gash. Because of the wisdom on Doodle Kisses I knew exactly what to do. I cleaned it with Betadyne, put Neosporin on it and wrapped it in a strip of gauze (I didn't have the breathable stick-to-itself-tape. I put a t shirt on him with his hind legs through the arm holes and his tail through the neck opening, then I tied the shirt tighter around his waist. I slept on the couch because he cannot get up the stairs or at least isn't trying. He is being very pitiful soaking up as much tender care as he can... leaning on us, gazing longingly into our eyes, resting his head on our laps. He seemed to rest well but wants nothing to do with his brother, Owen, this morning and didn't even check to see if DH was going for a run (he didn't go so that Kona wouldn't feel badly). I just want all of you to know that this site is a gift. This week I read about how to care for this kind of wound from someone else's post and felt confident in what to do for my boy. Before that I would definitely have cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide and wondered how to possibly cover it. 

Thank you all for posting so much helpful and wise information about our beloved dogs from food to toys to brushes to wounds. This site has changed the way I care for my dogs in many amazing ways. I'm so grateful.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is the down side to loving these guys, they can just worry us to death. I'm going to hope for a big improvement in Kona tomorrow!

[Bonnie and Kona]

You bring up good points, Karen. I could see clearly into the wound and it certainly didn't appear to be anything in there. I am wondering if when he hit what ever opened up the flesh, it also bruised the bone. It was right on his "knee" or where a human has a knee on the back leg. The round part in the front of the leg that is just bone. Does that make any sense? He is running every day with my DH, but I know dogs will do that whether they are in pain or not. He is not limping and hasn't since the first day. Thanks for caring enough to ask. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Bonnie, do you have any idea what it was that caused the gash? Could there be something in there? I don't want to add to your worries, please forgive me, just a thought and probably wrong.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you sweet Tara and wonderful JD. He sops up all the lovin' he can get.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It's so hard to read them isn't it? He is definitely giving you mixed messages! I had a dog once that would do whatever my DH asked him to do no matter how badly it hurt him. I'm not sure the DH's don't have some sort of power over them!  Maybe he just had a bad bruise with his owie. I hope he continues to improve. Please keep us posted!  Tara sends him a mini doodle kiss!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Karen. It's so hard to figure out. He's fine 98% of the time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Poor Kona, I'm sorry he isn't feeling so well. I think it's a good idea to have the vet take a look at him if he isn't better by then. But I hope he is! Hugs from JD & me!

[Bonnie and Kona]

@Ricki, Thank you for asking. He is not just fine. He still licks his wound although it is clearly healing and he is no longer wearing clothes. He still does not want to jump up onto the bed though and that has me wondering if he is hurting or just liked getting the boost. He can jump up there because he has when my DH told him to. When I'm calling him he gives me the most pathetic look and then goes to lie down on his bed. Owen has an appointment next week and if Kona isn't better I may schedule him, too. He isn't limping and still can run with my DH, so I don't know. He probably just has my number. ;o) He is humping Owen right now (It's the after dinner hump-fest) which leads me to believe he is not in much pain!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

How is Kona doing Bonnie? Is he still improving? I hope your sweet boy is back to his old self again!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Susan. Kona's wound seems to be doing okay but he is still not jumping up onto the bed. I don't know if he is milking it and begging to be lifted (85 pounds) up or if something else is wrong. He is running with my DH in the mornings but he seems a little pitiful. It's time for Owen to get shots so maybe I will make a double appointment to have a vet look at him. I hate to do that if he is just trying to get attention with the help up onto the bed. He is such a complete love-boy, and I hate to see him so wimpy.