Vet Training

 Homeschooling has taken an interesting turn at our house.  Veterinarian training has been mandatory this week.  Catheters, cones and crates . . . life at our house has been centered on the patient.  When to administer the meds, monitoring the urine output, mixing up the enticing entrees to induce eating – it’s all about Bentley. 

He came home from the vet on Tuesday; less than 24 hours after having emergency back surgery for a herniated disc.  The problems began about a week beforehand when poor poochie started acting strangely.  After two visits to our vet and $400 later, x-rays revealed that he had some “narrowing between discs in his back.”  After two days of rest, Prednisone, Tramadol, and Sucrulfate  the condition worsened and hubby and I were reduced to laying on the floor beside our pained pooch all night watching him suffer (it was a Sunday night and not much could be done) until daylight when we could get him into the car and back to the vet’s office and then off to the Emergency Center for surgery. 

At an additional cost of $3200 and an estimated 6-12 week recovery, during which time we’d have to support his hind end everywhere he went, some discussion ensued before going forward.  He’s a fabulous pet, is only 4.5 years old and is an integral part of our family. Besides, who needs vacations (or food and gas) or sanity?  It’s all overrated!

Anyway, he’s home.  We’re on day 4.  Pooch is regaining some power over his hind quarters – enough to stand for a few seconds, and is following doctor’s orders (and mom’s and dad’s).  He’s such a good boy!  It’s been quite comical at times - trying to manage a leash, catheter, and towel support all at one time while he’s leading his front part out of the crate and we’re trying to get his back part to follow closely behind (so to speak).  Scott has taken the night duty, sleeping downstairs beside the patient while me and the kids are doing school work in the kitchen where we can keep an eye on him at all times during the day.  Of course we're praying for a full recovery but nothing is guaranteed. We're committed either way.

It remains to be seen how we will manage the days when we all need to be out of the house.  Grandma is on standby for babysitting. . . It’ll be much easier once the catheter is out (which might be tonight judging on how much of it has worked its way out all ready and I’ve talked to the surgeon about just pulling it out the rest of the way – Ick!). But I'm sure we'll find a way to manage.  2011 has gotten off to an interesting start.