Not a good day today, Mabel has a swollen elbow. I've spoken to the specialist via phone and he is not unduly worried as the swelling is on the inside of the elbow between the 2 incisions. Apparently it's not common for this to happen but it does occasionally. He wants our local vet to take a look at her in the next few days. We have an appointment tomorrow at 11am. If she was limping or showing any signs of discomfort she would have been admitted back into hospital. She seems absolutely fine trying to keep her calm is now a major challenge. This mornings walk was a visit to Pets At Home, she has 2 new kongs. Such a spoilt girl . Fingers crossed for tomorrow it can't come quick enough trying not to dwell on it so It looks like I can't put that ironing off any longer. Need to keep busy.
Ah, sorry to hear that. I hope all is well, let us know. Mabel has been a bit naughty time to time in illegal butt tucks, and nicking sandwiches! That is not going to help, tell her. As though she would listen..... Have you considered a waist lead? I have a training lead - one of those that are 2m long with two hooks and several rings - and I can fasten it round my waist and it's an easy way to keep Charlie on lead in the house.
That's a good idea, I'll get one. Some new chew toys arrived in the post today and her reading is coming on a little better. So all quiet for now.
Oh poor Mabel, I hope the swelling is nothing serious. Get stuck into the ironing - I can send you some more if you'd like?
Hoping all is OK with Mabel's elbow, I would say try and relax and not worry but know it's not worth the effort. If the specialist doesn't seem particularly bothered I'm sure it's not too bad, as you say if they had any doubts they would have her back in the hospital. Will be thinking of you and wishing you well while waiting for the appointment with the vet, which although tomorrow will seem such a long wait. Juno says Mabel deserves new toys , she got quite a lot of new toys after her surgery so she didn't get too bored . Juno also sends lots of licks to Mabel
No thank you I've just got my son to look at the swollen elbow, he thinks it's always looked like that and I'm to seriously stop worrying. It hasn't, I'm sure We are just back from our 2 minutes walk as there were two uncontrollable dogs luckily on leads their owners said they had just arrived from the Dogs Trust. We then saw a really lovely lady who makes such a fuss of Mabel but only when she's still. As she wouldn't be still Mabel and I got back in the car. Shortest walk on record I think .
It is easy for us all to say don't worry, it doesn't change the situation and just makes you feel awful. But we all probably would be doing the same in your position! Do try though
Better to be safe than sorry one shorter walk isn't going to make too much difference. It's so hard when they are excited to see people even if they normally sit quiet to be fussed when recovering from surgery that training seems to be lost.
We are back from the vets. There is nothing to worry about the swelling is the scar tissue which happens sometimes it can take about 6 weeks to disappear. The joints aren't warm to touch which is a good thing. He did manipulate them slightly and she cried. Which I thought was really cruel. I'm not sure it was necessary but anyway she's my baby and if I'm honest I don't like anyone near here at the moment . I haven't seen any increased lameness and if anything she is 10 times better than before the operation. I'm to carry on with the recovery plan she's doing very well and to try not to worry. Famous last words
So good to hear that all is OK, even if Mabel did cry when her elbows were manipulated, poor little girl. It probably wasn't that necessary to manipulate so soon after the operation, bound to be sore where it's all healing. Anyway, onwards and upwards Mabel is doing well and you can keep on with the recovery plan. Juno sends little licks and says she thinks Mabel should have a new toy for being made to cry at the vets this morning . Nasty man made her hurt when she was trying to be a brave girl
thank you, her afternoon walk was across the car park to the pet shop to see the nice ladies and have 2 new toys. She's had a nice little sleep so I've been reading some old threads posted about ED, one of which was yours back in February. It's really comforting to know I've had all the same worries and emotions as everyone else. Love the forum it's a blessing. Mabel sends Juno Labrador licks. Xx
I've just gone back to read some of the old threads as well including mine from February and it's just hit me as to how close to the surface all those feelings still are. Perhaps I'll always be more protective of Juno because of her ED but at the same time I'm working hard at not being over-protective so she can have as normal a life as possible. I don't know what I would have done without the forum though for the support and advice. I'm just so glad I found the forum. Juno says she's going to start getting jealous of Mabel - 2 new toys. She's says Mabel is a very lucky girl , and she hasn't had a new toy since her birthday, and she is taking antibiotics at the moment .............hint, hint This evening she's walking a bit stiffly, and completely crashed in her bed, because we've been on one of our doggy walks with our trainer this afternoon. Four dogs plus Juno running riot down a path between fields in the French countryside together with some paddling in the stream. Total madness with dogs running backwards and forwards and playing together - she's just had so much fun being with her best friend (our trainer's chocolate Labrador girl) who is a month younger than her that I now consider a bit of stiffness as worth the fun for her particularly as it's only once a week. Tomorrow we'll stay quieter and have shorter walks and not so much running around. One day at a time gets us through
Reading this made me realise how similar we are in our emotions about ED and how we handle it. One day at a time is the best policy. I think a bit of stiffness the following day is the way to be. I'm already working out a very flexible life plan for Mabel so she can enjoy other dogs. She is just so very friendly. Poor Juno not having any new toys Mabel says she deserves 3. . I bet you'll really miss your friends and trainer when you leave France. Do you know people in Lincolnshire? We have friends that live in Bourne. Its only a few hours away we could meet up once you are settled in your new home if you would like. We had lovely walks today as it rained so much, really pleased. One milestone over we start 7 minutes walks tomorrow
Now don't give Juno ideas about needing 3 new toys although I need to order a toy for Jen, her bestest friend, who is having a doggy birthday party in a couple of weeks so perhaps I could smuggle a couple of new toys for Juno as well - makes the delivery charge from the UK worthwhile . I don't think I've ever been to Lincolnshire in my life, I haven't even seen the house we're buying except on Rightmove - just putting a lot of faith in my husband but I did all the research and shortlisting . My daughter is in Nottingham so I'll get to see a lot more of her than I have in the last few years and my son is in Milton Keynes, where we living before the move. Meeting up sounds a lovely idea . Isn't it strange when you're actually grateful for rain so there aren't many people about for your dog walks . Juno loves walking in the rain, not at all bothered about getting wet . Fantastic that you start 7 minutes tomorrow, real progress and then another couple of minutes next week, slowly slowly does it. I actually stopped timing walks and actually started managing them by distance so would aim to get to a certain point and then turn around - I found it easier than keep checking my watch and I could never decide whether I should include sniffing time or not . You will see a difference in Mabel as well as her exercise slowly increases and once you start hydrotherapy as well.
Ty . I decided this was the best tactic this morning I'm fed up with clock watching. I'm not including standing still sniffing by hedges. I have 7 locations now for walks and have set little milestones e.g walk to the dustbin or next lamp post. It's easier to visualise and I feel like we can begin to make progress. Last night she was super lively. We practiced the 2 minute stay and other little games. Didn't really work she just wants to play. There is a massive difference in the use of her front limbs she really is like a different dog. I always thought she was calm and serene now I know it was her joints that were making her like that . I can't imagine what she is going to be off lead, I don't think she'll have any recall. (I'll be reading Pippa's total Recall again). This morning she saw 5 dogs oh boy did she want to play. At least she's not losing her confidence. Mabel said to tell Juno while she had a good sniff in the hedge she found a rolled up pair of socks.
It does get hard as they start feeling better and want to bounce around. I got a couple of the activity games for Juno and hid treats in them. She loved playing those games although wasn't so happy having less food to allow for the treats . I also used to play "Find" with, hiding one of her toys and then making her go and find it although you do have to watch that they don't start running around, finding treats planted around the room is also quite good to keep them occupied without using too much energy. Really any activity you can think of that makes them use their brain, and nose, is good. Don't worry too much about recall, I was convinced that Juno wouldn't have any recall by the time she was allowed off lead. Just plan to take her to a quiet spot and have high value treats with you. I only allowed Juno off for a couple of minutes at first and gradually built up. I also used my long lead as her walks got longer and started by putting her into a sit and walking away and then recalling her. One step at a time to build back confidence - it goes with the one day at a time . Juno says it's not fair she never finds anything interesting like socks in the hedges , she's says to tell Mabel though that I'm really mean and always call her away from anything that might be interesting . Strange things people leave behind
I'm going to have to start my training plan in earnest now she's getting better, I've been working on leave it. I'm following Snowbunny's recommendations from a different topic. Challenging is the word that springs to mind.
"Leave it" is so good to train, easy to do with a dog on restricted exercise and can be used in so many different situations . Not many days go by when we don't either practice our leave it or use it in the garden or on walks .
Big milestone today, Mabel started hydrotherapy. She was such an absolute star, she was super excited showering the therapist with loads of kisses and running about doing massive body wriggles. She choose a black and white panda like thing from the toy box. I've gone all controversial (well according to my neighbour) I'm taking Mabel to a hydrotherapy centre that has a good sized swimming pool rather than somewhere that has a treadmill and tub with water jets. Mabel did two 3 mins swims beautifully she's an absolute natural. We will be building up to 5 minute swims over the coming weeks. Once she is completely confident and fully recovered from surgery we are going to continue with swimming for fun. By then she won't need a life jacket, and she can do activities such as water retrieves. The therapist was wonderful, really knowledge and kind. I'd spoken to her in depth on the phone previously and wasn't disappointed in my choice. Only problem is PetPlan won't cover Mabel's Hydrotherapy. They gave me a list of ones that are covered in my area I just think the place I have chosen suits my girl a lot better. A very happy end to a mixed week. Thursday Mabel was an absolute menace resulting in her being extremely excited by a smooth concrete floor, sliding and then limping so badly. OH took one look and said right I'm fetching the car let's find something else to do. So off we drove and found a nice cafe on the sea front. Coffee and cake and a kong for Mabel. There doesn't appear to be any lasting damage done. X-rays on Wednesday can't wait.
