Captain needs some DK love!

[Libby D.]

Captain needs all the prayers & happy thoughts he can get right now!

Late last week, we noticed that his top paw pad on his front left leg was very swollen. We took him into the vet, and she put him on antibiotics and an ant inflammatory with the hopes that it was some kind of infection. However, the paw pad didn't seem to be hurting him at all (she said he was very stoic during the exam), which made her think it could possibly be a tumor. She said that if the swelling didn't go down after the round of antibiotics, they may need to do a biopsy.

Well, the swelling seemed to go down and a sore that was on that paw pad started oozing, which was a good sign that perhaps it was an infection and not a tumor. However, today when I got home for lunch, I noticed that his whole foot was swollen and irritated looking. It still wasn't hurting him, but obviously something is wrong. I ended up bringing him back to the vet's office, and they kept him to do an examination and x-ray.

When I heard back from the vet this afternoon, she said that the x-ray didn’t show any change in his bones except for possibly a "very slight change" by the first paw pad that was swollen – nothing of note really. She shaved his leg, and it is very swollen, purple, oozing, and painful looking, but amazingly, he still doesn’t act like he is in any pain.

They are keeping him overnight. She put a wrap on his leg which will hopefully help bring down the swelling tonight, but if the swelling isn’t down significantly in the morning, they will have to do a biopsy.

She is hoping for the best, but she wants us to be prepared for the worst.

The best thing would be for the swelling to go down significantly tonight – so that's my main prayer right now. If it doesn't and they need to do the biopsy, the hope would be it is something like cellulitis rather than cancer (worst case).

Anyway, poor Captain is stuck at the vet tonight – which probably stinks more for his momma than for him – so prayers and happy thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Update – Thursday morning

All the wonderful thoughts & prayers worked! When the vet checked his leg this morning, the swelling had gone down a lot! There is still a little blood & fluid coming out of the wound on the paw pad, but overall, she is really pleased with how it is looking. His temperature even went down a little.

She said we could do a biopsy if we wanted, or we could wait and see how it progresses over the weekend. I chose to wait and see. Hopefully, with this new antibiotic and the wrap that she uses, it will keep getting better and better.

Thank you so much for all the DK love! You guys rock!

I'll keep you updated, and I'll be sure to take a picture of him with his leg all wrapped up.

Update - Saturday

We're pretty sure that it was a snake bite that started this whole mess, but I think we're past the roughest part now. Captain is doing really well!

The swelling keeps going down more & more each day. It almost looks like it is back to normal now, although the top paw pad is still a little swollen and he still has a sore on it. We'll keep watching it to make sure it doesn't start swelling again or doesn't start hurting him.

He's been pouting because we won't let him outside to do much more than go potty. He's such an outdoor boy normally -- but we've got to wait until the sore heals a little more before he can go back to his usual romping. Hopefully, that won't be too much longer though!

Thanks again for all your thoughts & prayers!

Captain & his bunny

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Poor Captain. I hope it improves and isn't too serious. Sending our prayers your way.

[Jennifer]

I hope it's nothing serious. Happy to hear it looked better this morning and he got to come home where he belongs. :-) :-)

[Christine & Shelby]

Libby.... Just read the whole post... Thank goodness things are looking better. Poor Captain! Was Guiness lost without him? Miss you guys... Can't wait until the Saturday morning dog park trips begin.... Shelby wants to go swimming. Keep us updated on the Captain!

[Libby D.]

Guinness didn't miss a beat without Captain...little stinker! I'm sure he did miss him, but I think he was enjoying the time alone!

As soon as Captain is healed, we'll definitely be up for some dog park trips! It has been way too long!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Glad Captain is better. I hope it continues this way!

[Libby D.]

Another update!

We're pretty sure that it was a snake bite that started this whole mess, but I think we're past the roughest part now. Captain is doing really well!

The swelling keeps going down more & more each day. It almost looks like it is back to normal now, although the top paw pad is still a little swollen and he still has a sore on it. We'll keep watching it to make sure it doesn't start swelling again or doesn't start hurting him.

He's been pouting because we won't let him outside to do much more than go potty. He's such an outdoor boy normally -- but we've got to wait until the sore heals a little more before he can go back to his usual romping. Hopefully, that won't be too much longer though!

Thanks again for all your thoughts & prayers!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Scary thought. I guess Captain must get some romping in the woods. Whatever the cause I am glad things are continuing to get better.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

OMD!! That is so scary!! It's great to hear that he has improved so much! Hope he is back to romping soon!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

A snake bite.....my worst fear....yikes. I am glad Captain is getting better. Do they know what kind of snake? Just curious. He looks pretty darn cute with that bunny.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Libby, I'm so sorry to hear what you all have been going through! I'm glad Captain is on the mend now, and Cosmo is hoping to see y'all soon! Take care!

[Bonnie and Kona]

So happy to hear The Captain is doing better. Such a gorgeous boy.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Glad to hear things are getting better. Captain we hope you are back to your oldself and can get outside to play soon.