It’s been a difficult weekend and first part of the week thus far. Foster, our part Basset Hound, had four Grand Mal Seizures Saturday evening and Sunday which required hours of carpet cleaning and dog bed washing — only #1 thank goodness. He’s also been favoring his left hind leg for about a week so I took him to our veterinarian yesterday to have it looked at. The vet believes there may be some ligament (ACL) damage to his knee. The X-rays today however didn’t confirm a tear but did show something is going on and it may even be happening in both hind legs.
The most common solution for ligament damage is surgery — thousands of dollars per knee and a long 12 week recovery period. Foster’s on anti-imflamitory medicine at the moment and we’re going to wait and see how he does plus get more opinions on what the x-rays are telling us. At some point we will probably have to decide about the next step.
Some decisions come down to a battle between the head and the heart.
Note: This photo is one of three churches added for photographing after the deadline — so I guess it wasn’t a deadline after all. I’ll add them to my book as I have time.
One of our popular TV soap operas has just run a story line on the same topic and the “head and heart” issues were very apparent. The young chap in question had quite a hard time reaching his “head” decision!
Colin, I’ve not decided which will rule in this case, head or heart, and the inconclusive x-rays gave us a bit more time before that decision will have to be made.
Dear, dear lilltle Foster. These decisions rip at our hearts and leave scars regardless of the decision we reach. Your pup is fortunate to have his future in the hands of loving caretakers who will carefully consider options and come from love when deciding on a course of action. My heart goes out to you.
Anita, I appreciate your thoughts. We don’t want him suffering or in pain. I’m not sure with his seizures he’d recovery very well from evasive knee surgery. I’m hoping this anti-inflammitory drug will help him — so for now we’ll wait and see.
Let me echo Anita’s sentiments on this subject, Earl. You’ll know what to do when the time comes.
Thanks, Ken, I appreciate it. As I commented above, I don’t know that knee surgery is really an option (head talking). We’ll just going to wait a while, let the drugs do what they can and see what the results are.
It’s always a tough call. Here’s hoping for the best Earl.
Thanks, PJ.
Have been in Germany all week and just catching up on my blog reading Earl… Foster is so fortunate to have such loving parents. I hope the medication works out really well for him. Surgery is nothing to rush into for sure.
Welcome back from Germany. I don’t know that surgery for Foster is really an option in any case. We’re hoping he can at least get along without being in much pain.
Just catching up on my blog reading and sorry to hear about Foster. I also echo Anita’s words as she seems to have a gift with words. Head and heart choices are tough so I will pray for your decisions.
Monte, we’ve decided to forgo the surgery but we’ve restricted his daily walks to see how much natural healing he can do. Some owners in similar situations have reported good results. So far so good.