Good Grief

[Sandy]

I heard Toby crashing around in the night (it's 3:30 in the morning here), and got up to check, only to find he has pulled his entire bandage off his paw. There are blood spots on the carpet, which I have cleaned up, I think, blood spots on the bathroom floor, etc. I really, really hope he doesn't need stitches put back in. Just when I thought there might be some end in sight to this whole ordeal he goes and does this. I am beyond frustrated, exhausted, and can't see and end to this mess. :(

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Oh my goodness, I can feel your frustration here.  It sounds like he has pulled some stitches out Ok.  Does he have a cone on?  If not then I think that this is what you are going to need.  I think there are soft ones that are not quite so bad as the hard ones so he can't reach his paw.  I do hope you get this sorted soon and that this saga is near the end... for your own sanity as well as Toby's health.

[Sandy]

He has had a cone on for a week now.  Surgery was a week ago yesterday.  I am just so sleep deprived and exhausted.  I am currently making out a top ten list why I do not want another dog.....ever.  Maybe it's just the exhaustion talking....

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Things always look terribly bleak in the middle of the night when you are sleep deprived.  Do try to get some sleep and then review in the cold light of day... Dogs can be a pain in the you know what sometimes...  Have you taken a close look at the wound site?  Perhaps it isn't as bad as you  think.  Perhaps he managed to lift a scab around the stitches rather than the sutures themselves.  It doesn't sound like there is a lot of blood?

[Sandy]

You are right.  There was not a lot of blood - mostly smears.  I did, however, have to crawl around on my hands and knees, spray carpet cleaner in hand to get spots out in the middle of the night.  I have not looked at the wound closely - I haven't even been watching the vet change the bandages because I am a little queasy with that kind of thing.  :)  

 

Thank you for your voice of reason.  :)

[BG and Gavin]

Awww so sorry Sandy.  Nicky is right though, sleep loss brings poor perspective.  I am sure everything will turn out fine and you will be able to look back on your rough week and laugh...okay maybe not laugh...but shrug?

[Sandy]

Well, the wound is now bigger than is was originally, so we get to wear the cone for at least another week, unless it heals supernaturally fast.  Also, we got a bigger cone - 30 cm instead of 25 cm.  I have to take him in Saturday, Monday and Wednesday for a dressing change. He's on another week of antibiotics.  I just feel....defeated.  Being really overtired does not help.

[BG and Gavin]

Oh Sandy, this really sucks! Gavin and I are sending you and Toby hugs.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh goodness! I send you all my sympathy. We had a Golden who had lots of medical "issues" in his 12 years, and opening wounds was the worst! Hoping these days ahead go much more smoothly for you and poor Toby.

[Sandy]

The worst part is - the wound was down to 1 mm, and now it is bigger than it was originally.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm sorry to hear your tough news. Hang in there. Wishing Toby a speedy recovery from here on out.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sorry you and Toby are having such a rough time. Hang in there, it will get better!

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Sorry to hear that thing are not going well for you and tobyn, hopefullyin the morning it will all look a little brighter..
Our love and best wishes.