The Unexpected Happened

We woke up yesterday morning – all three of us in our bed.

Mum didn’t give George any breakfast as we had instructions to stop feeding him after 8pm the night before. Poor little George was confused why he was denied food.

We all bundled into Belinda’s car who drove us to the Royal Vet Hospital in Potter’s Barn. We are finally going to find an answer as to why after a fluke accident he has been limping.

Finally we got called and went with the Vet trainee to a consultation room.

Then the Vet came in to see George

The Vet reported there were no obvious signs of anything wrong but had a few suspicions and suggested that x-rays to be taken. And while he was sedated, they could investigate better when he is not all tensed up. Mum agreed – in the hope that we will find out what was wrong with his leg.

It would be at least three hours plus before he would be ready to go home. We headed out for lunch at the Harvester which is dog-friendly in the bar area.

We went for a walk in the park – to kill time …

We finally returned to the hospital to collect George.

We waited in the dog-waiting area for the Vet and George.

Hello! Is that the Vet coming to see us …

The Vet suggested we go into a consultation room so she could draw a diagram to show us what she suspects was happening with George’s leg.

The x-rays showed that his patella was in no way loose, only very slight movement – so it wasn’t that. His left ankle has more of a flex than his right. But there was nothing they could see from the x-rays. She suggested that they do a diagnostic incision to see the state of his cruciate ligaments.

Mum asked if we could see George – and she went to get him.

Mum showed George to explain to him what they think might be wrong with his leg.

Mum told him he would have to stay the night as they continue to determine why he’s been limping, not using his hind left leg.

George still looked dazed … and I told him he will be alright. We’ll wait to hear what happens tomorrow and we’ll be back to take him home.

And off he went – spending the night in the hospital and being prepared for surgery tomorrow.

May’s comment: After three vet consultations who were perplexed by his condition (eight weeks since he was crushed by a goldendoodle the size of a human) we took him to see the orthopaedic specialist at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals Royal Veterinary College – and after examining and feeling his limbs, they said he hides his injury well. George felt discomfort in some instances but on the whole he was stoic and patient. He was ever the best patient. 

They suggested sedating him for the X-rays and while under they would manipulate his limbs to see what could be wrong. After all that, he remains an enigma and they suspect it is a cruciate disease – that is typical of small breeds. It isn’t caused by trauma but it can definitely exacerbate it’s situation. He’s always limped a little for as long as he’s been with me – and everyone just thought it’s a luxating patella.  But the x-rays and their examination of him under sedation confirmed that his patella movement is slight and it wasn’t his ankle which had seemed a bit loose.

They couldn’t determine any of the soft tissue degeneration unless they go in to have a look – so they suggested a diagnostic procedure which involves a small incision to look at what is going on in there. If they see that there is quite a bit of degeneration – we could decide to leave it and let him limp the rest of his life, or they will do a proper job on him and he would walk properly again.  As it is now he has muscle wastage on his left side as he isn’t using his leg.

So I guess the decision was obvious and wasn’t difficult – except for me leaving the hospital with his collar and lead in my bag and the thought of him going under.  Whenever I have seen other dog owners walk out of animal hospitals with just their leads and collars – my heart would sink. I felt a little weirded out doing that myself. 🙁

We were impressed by the vet and there will be a proper anaesthetist who will make sure he’s ok. I couldn’t help but kept thinking of Ghost 🙁

Anyway, I wanted you to know about the state of affairs at our household. He will be operated on today. 🙁

His recovery will be long, he will need to be crated for eight weeks (awfully long time) and only taken out for his toilet needs.

Prayers for full recovery without complications.