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Post by Thérèse on Dec 29, 2012 4:48:09 GMT -5
Thanks all. I know Sumo is a very lucky boy but the dog isn't an aggressive dog, despite the breed, and was really just telling him off for entering her yard rather than going for the kill. My kitchen window looks out over their yard and both dogs really are big softies. But he is lucky because ferret/dog encounters do so often end in tragedy and I know that. I really thought they couldn't get through to the neighbours (have been building a barrier in the double fence for ages and I think the recent rain must have loosened the compacted earth enough). He obviously couldn't get back past the barrier and was stuck in the double fence until I found a way to hoist him out. Today has been h*ll and the next 4 and a half days are going to be slow torture. I do think the nerve is dead, which is good in that it means he isn't in any pain (so probably doesn't need the metacam really) but bad in that it means the likelihood of saving the leg is much lower. katt I appreciate the alternative perspective and actually think that the vet really believes that there is no hope of saving his leg anyway but just wasn't saying so outright because I think he thought I would be too upset and needed time to come to terms with the idea, so the decision may not need to be made. Last nigh not long after I posted Sumo had oozed his way out of the bandage. The vet, knowing that was probable with a ferret, had given me the rest of the roll just in case. So I restrapped him. As it took him less than 10 hours to do that I figured I would need way more bandage (there is only about enough to restrap him once more, if that, on the original roll) so got some at the chemist (being Sat the vet is only open for a short time), sadly it is just plain and not brightly coloured with cheery patterns. However last check he still had on the one I did last night but I think there is no way that will last til Thurs. Anyway thanks again for all the support, we just have to get through the next 4 and 1/2 days and then things can move forward in whichever way they must.
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Post by katt on Dec 29, 2012 5:28:20 GMT -5
I have a friend (my ex boss actually lol) from the clinic. Her cat went through a similar surgery, I think it was the femur that broke in her as well actually (I'd have to double check but I swear I remember her mentioning the curvature of the bone making pins difficult). She opted for pins and saving the leg, and very much regretted it in hindsight. The surgery was a big deal, high risk, much muh higher risk of infection, and the cat was not happy with being kept as quiet and still as possible for the long recovery afterwards. My friend says she wishes she had chose amputation. One clean suture site, lower infection risk back up in days, and almost normal in weeks. They never even miss the leg. I know I'm basically restating what I said before but if the nerve is dead (which it sounds like it is) and surgery can't happen for 4 days, as you said the chances of saving the leg aren't good. Hopefully hearing some stories will help ease your stress a little. Remember, YOU are more attached to the leg than he is. He doesn't and won't feel any remorse over losing it, he just wants to be up and into trouble again - which he will be faster than you know. Right now time will drag, but in a month or two or three, when he is raising a ruckus and causing trouble, you will look back and say wow, was it really that long ago already? Another story if it helps. Cat was hit by a car and had his leg amputated. When I saw him it was only a few weeks after the surgery and he was running and jumping and playing like he never even realized he was supposed to have one more leg. Keep your chin up! I know it is stressful but you will both get through this. Stay still little Sumo - you're worrying your mom even more with that bandage silly boy! I'm glad he doesn't seem to be in much pain, though that will make it harder to keep him still haha Keep him nice and bored so he sleeps a lot. Please keep us posted, I worry about the little guy too! *hugs*
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Post by Thérèse on Dec 29, 2012 5:55:42 GMT -5
He's actually being very quiet and sleeping mostly (Diablo being the sensitive boy he is, is keeping him company). I think it is because while he is strapped he is finding it hard to move around and also his confidence is a little shattered.
I do consider confinment when thinking about medical options. Years ago my mum accidentally ran over her cat, breaking it's hip. It was over 10yo (13yo Maybe?) and so the vet said surgery would not be good but keep the cat as immobile as possible for x amount of time. The cat wasn't very good at that so the vet lent Ma a huge dog carrier for the cat to be in during the confinement. Back after the time and the hip wasn't healed enough yet. So the time was lengthened. This went on for a while til after about 6 months of this cat living in a dog carrier the vet decided the bone wasn't going to knit and just said let the cat be. It died less than a week later (kidney problems) and Ma felt awful that she had listened to the vet and kept the cat confined for what turned out to be the last 6 months of it's life and that the cat was miserable for all that time. PS this is not my vet. That along with some other bad experiences has led me to consider a variety of things when deciding what is best to do, including being aware that I know my animal best and that the vet is giving advice (albeit based on training & experience but still advice only not absolutes) and it is ultimately up to me to make the decisions that affect my animals.
and yes stories do help to give more perspective to the process, so thanks. If it was Rocket the decision would be a lot harder. I consider a front right leg will mainly impact climbing and maybe dancing, Rocket is my mountain goat ferret and climbs everything including me, he would be so less himself if he couldn't do that.
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Post by katt on Dec 29, 2012 12:11:55 GMT -5
Oh no, poor kitty! Unfortunately, you can just never predict what will happen. As you said the vet's advice is advice - in the end the final decision on what to do is entirely up to you, and sometimes Mom just knows best! I know that whatever you choose, and whatever the outcome is, Sumo is in the best hands he could ask for and will have no end of love.
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Post by Thérèse on Dec 30, 2012 4:30:08 GMT -5
Down to 3 and 1/2 days to go. Today was better. Once again he slipped the bandage. He hoed into giblets, soupies and steaky mince (even though Diablo had brought him a mouse earlier to eat, which he did). I then rebandaged him, which he was not happy with. He lay by the door watching the outside for a while but scrambled off when Jelly and I came back in.
He really is happier without the bandage but I don't want him to injure it any more than it already is, so keep restrapping him when he slips the bandage. He then goes into that 'my legs don't work' thing some ferrets do when first you try a harness on them. It really is making me very seriously consider just going straight for amputation. He is in what I think of as a ferrets prime and I would hate for him to miss it with a long convalescence. When we go in on Thurs I will discuss how long his convalescence would be if a pin is possible vs how long for amputation. I am pretty sure he will adapt easily to 3 legs the way he scampered off when Jelly and I came in.
Except for the strapping which he hates he seems in better spirits today anyway, which means I'm in better spirits.
3 and 1/2 days...the waiting is very hard. At least Thurs things will be moving, whichever direction that may be. Just knowing he's got an owie and that nothing is being done is very distressing
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Post by Sherry on Dec 30, 2012 10:44:44 GMT -5
The wait would be hard. And definitely harder on you right now than him!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2012 13:07:41 GMT -5
Sending healing thoughts your way....glad to hear that time is passing and things are improving. -jennifer
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Post by crazylady on Dec 30, 2012 15:25:50 GMT -5
Sending healing thoughts his way think positive ! if it does come down to him loosing his leg he will manage fine he is young and will learn to adapt you will find he will probably get into more trouble on three legs than he did on four! I know this is going off topic but I wanted to share it with you regarding pins my nephew ( who is now 36 ) was born with one leg shorter than the other his mom decided to go for pioneering surgery at the time which lengthened his leg ( poor kid had a device fitted that broke his leg time and time again so bone grew into the space slowly lengthening it) this went on for most of his childhood up to the age of 18 when he fell off a tiny step and the bone shattered yet again and he was stuck in devices and plaster and he was in constant pain he decided at 20 enough was enough and had his leg amputated he swears to this day its the best thing he ever did he doesn't walk he runs feels no more pain and lives a full and happy life ( he has five kids and two dogs who he walks for miles lol ) so why should it be diffrent for a ferret ! if his leg must be amputated at least you know he isn't feeling any pain and with a mom like he has I am sure he will know he is even more special ( if thats possible lol ) sending hugs and healing thoughts your way take care bye for now Bev
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Post by Thérèse on Dec 31, 2012 7:12:35 GMT -5
Down to 2 and a 1/2 days to go (as an aside it is nearly 2013 here, in 1 hour, so happy new year all). Sorry if my countdown is tedious but it's kind of stopping me freak out.
Today no restrapping was required, the bandage was still on! Also Sumo was feeling a bit more confident and spent the day in one of the quilted cat domes I have about the place. I call them cat domes but most aren't dome shaped, this one is like a little house, peaked roof etc. It sits near the doorway to my room and is on the upper part of the house. I live on a hill and that means my house is 2 levels kind of, the hall and all the rooms to the right of the hall are one level and then all the rooms to the left are down about 3 steps. Sumo has mostly been in the lower rooms the last few days but he managed the 3 steps by himself and all the way down the hall to this dome thing, where he slept even though both Jelly and I passs by and knock it over, he was calm about it all and happy to be more in the thick of things. I guess it was probably also helped by me bringing him down some milkies to have in there, special hand feeding cause he's got an owie (well in a bowl but held by me). Even when Jelly said howdy to him, he was calm and confident. He's adapting all ready, which does make the 3 leg thing seem more appropriate but will see what the vet says about convalescence (and also future probs like athritus, which I think would be probable when he aged if the leg could and was pinned but will not be a prob with amputation).
Anyway feeling like it's not so far away now, although still wish it was Thurs NOW.
Thanks for all the stories and well wishes they do help.
and Bev, I think animals adapt even better to things like amputation, people tend to have a lot of emotional issues with it while animals just get on with it.
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Post by Sherry on Dec 31, 2012 10:08:37 GMT -5
Keep your countdown going if it helps Therese- not a problem We are all pulling for the wee lad here! I imagine it must help you as well, seeing how quickly he'll adapt to being a tri-leg.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2012 11:15:18 GMT -5
I would have had a heart attack. I hope your Sumo heals up nicely.
Poor brave little boy (hugs to your fert)
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Post by katt on Dec 31, 2012 12:52:55 GMT -5
In a way it is good his leg is pinned now as he is getting a lot of practice with 3 legs. By the time he has surgery if amputation is the route taken, he'll wake up and not even notice it's gone! I am glad he is feeling a bit cheerier - it is tough to see them not feeling well. Halfway there little Sumo!
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Post by Heather on Dec 31, 2012 16:16:50 GMT -5
Good luck wee boy, your healing candle still burns brightly ciao
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Post by crazylady on Dec 31, 2012 19:10:39 GMT -5
good luck and happy new year ! take care bye for now Bev
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Post by manda on Dec 31, 2012 22:35:56 GMT -5
Awe poor little guy I hope he heals okay!
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