I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is Ruffin is officially the healthiest person in my house. And I came in a distant second. The bad news is all about Bessie.
Bessie has been limping for the past week and because of her penchant for jumping up and catching the ball when I throw it to her outside, I suspected she may have sprained her ankle or her foot. Those things usually work themselves out with nothing more than a few days rest. But not his time. I became concerned when the limp didn't go away so I took her to the Vet this afternoon and got a physical exam and some x-rays.
Bessie has a partially torn ACL in her left rear leg but the x-rays showed she has Hip Dysplasia in her both hips and her right hip is in the worst shape. In the words of the Vet, Bessie's hips are a mess.
Bessie will be placed on pain medication for as long as necessary but I won't put her through surgery for the ACL with her hips in such bad shape. She may be able to go on for a few more years until her quality of life becomes the most important issue.
This also changes all of my plans, too. Even though he is blind and has just survived major surgery, Ruffin is in very good shape. I am hoping to have him around for 3 or 4 more years. Now it doesn't look like Bessie will last that long so my plan to adopt an adult Rottweiler to keep Bess company has no purpose. I will notify all the rescue groups that have been looking to discontinue their efforts immediately.
You know what they say, when it rains it pours. Right now that is both a literal and figurative description of my life. But you know what, my two Rottweilers know how to deal with it. So while the weather outside is lousy they go take a nap. Daddy will take care of everything.
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This past week I've been watching old man Ruffin. He has been taking naps during the day, after breakfast, after lunch and after dinner and he has been laying in the most awkward positions. I started thinking he was falling off the bed except that its only 3-inches high to start with. But actually, this is how he has been plopping himself down when he goes to sleep.
I love this big lug and as far as I'm concerned he can sleep anywhere he wants, any way he wants.
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And finally, I gotta mention the weather because three days after the first day of Spring we got the biggest snowstorm of the entire Winter. Six inches of the sloppiest, wettest snow you can imagine. The backyard looked prettier than the front yard so I took these photos from the kitchen window. Bessie went out and found an old yellow ball and managed to play by herself.
That's it for now. I need to do mores research on getting Bessie's legs fixed.
I'm so sorry to hear about Bess. Sending good thoughts and prayers that the meds can keep her comfortable!
ReplyDeleteDo not do the ACL surgery! My 4 year old rottie was never the same after they put a metal rod into her leg! She lasted 5 years after that, but she was never the same. I believe she was in pain the rest of her life. They are altering a bone to fix a muscle, it doesn't make sense. Now they tell me that my "new" rottweiler needs the exact same surgery. I think it is a conspiracy to make another $5K. I have friends with big dogs who also supposedly had the torn ACL, some dogs are fine, some faired like mine. I wouldn't do it again, just my two cents. I will pray for Bess & Ruff & you too! Take care Mr. A : )
ReplyDeleteI am not worrying about the ACL at the moment. I am concentrating on having Bessie's Hip Dysplasia repaired. I have not choice as her limp has become much worse. I have an appointment with an Orthopedic specialist next week.
DeleteBTW, I know exactly what you mean. 10 years ago my other Rottie girl Sassy had both torn ACLs repaired and she had a very bad time afterward. Sassy had to take pain medication for the rest of her life.
DeleteI was so sad to read your news about Bessie. I took some time to do some research of my own, as hip dysplasia has always been explained to me as almost a death sentence. And, it probably was in the past. I was pleasantly surprised to read that veterinary medicine has come so far in recent years that dogs with hip dysplasia can have long, happy lives with minimal pain. Don't think the worst yet, Mr. Nelson. Keep your chin up!
ReplyDeleteAs a side note, a friend of mine was talking about how his dog suffers from severe seizures and takes a very strong medicine for treatment. He had done a little research of his own about "alternative" treatments to help with the management of the seizures, and was thinking of talking to his veterinarian about using cannabis, in whatever form. I first want to say that I'm really not like, a person who pushes marijuana on people...and I'm not necessarily sure it should be legalized. And this certainly isn't a conversation for the comment section of your Rottweiler blog...BUT, I would like to say that my friend was certainly feeling positive about what the alternative treatment could do to help his dog. Im not sayimg its either rigbt or wrong, its Just a thought.
Again, don't give up hope on Miss Bessie just yet.
Cinny, there has been a major change in plans regarding Bessie. Please go read the new newer posts. And regarding you comment on cannabis, there is a product called CBD Oil that is made from the seeds of the Hemp plant - not the Marijuana plant - and it has the cannabis without the THC.
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