scooter update

scootersmom · January 26, 2009, 10:01:40 AM

Scooter had to go into surgery today - the vet said he needed to "stabilize" him - I don't have a prognosis yet, but I may get news later this afternoon. It could be anything from multiple extractions to bone grafts to something involving repairing a "fistula" in his nose...$1200-$3000 and I might be able to pick him up tonight, maybe tomorrow. I hope it's tonight, as we have a major winter storm moving into the area and it's one thing for me to be out on dangerous roadways, but to have him in the car with me when it's icy and dangerous...I just can't let anything happen to him.

I am worried sick right now...if anyone can spare thoughts or prayers for my little guy, I would really appreciate it.

Merion · January 26, 2009, 10:18:13 AM

Sending a ton of HHHHHH's & PPPPP's for Scooter and you.

Hopefully this will turn things around for him.
Merion & the ZZ's

scootersmom · January 26, 2009, 10:38:05 AM

Thank you so much, Merion! I hope this helps him, too.

Kari · January 26, 2009, 11:08:27 AM

Sending mega rays Scooter's way!

scootersmom · January 26, 2009, 11:40:22 AM

Thanks very much, Kari!

Rich · January 26, 2009, 01:41:42 PM

Lots of rays coming. Stormy had a fistula where he had a bad canine pulled. It healed up just fine. I hope the weather holds out for you. When Stormy was at ISU for his original evaluation for his cancer, we had to go get him in one of last winters worst ice storms. 30 miles became a 4 hour round trip. Everyone here is pulling for you and Scooter.

cheryl186 · January 26, 2009, 01:56:11 PM

Many, many prayers coming to you and Scooter. I hope/pray you can pick him up tonight!!

JetEd73 · January 26, 2009, 02:14:46 PM

prayers and rays for Scooter!

AnnieofNJ · January 26, 2009, 02:27:53 PM

Hi Noel,

The Gang is sending Scooter lots of rays for a speedy recovery. Not to worry you, but Trooper also had his fistula repaired. The first time it didn't work so the vet had to operate a second time. The vet told me that closing the fistula is difficult in Dachshunds. The vet must stitch some of the upper skin (above the jaw bone) to cover the hole. After each operation, I was feeding Trooper baby food and then rinsing his mouth out after each meal. He loved the baby food and hated having his mouth rinsed.

Please let us know how he is doing. Hugs to you. Hang in there, these little dogs are tough.

Annie & the New Jersey Doxie Gang

Barb · January 26, 2009, 08:38:31 PM

Mega rays and prayers on the way for Scooter and a few hugs for mom

Please keep us posted !

Roberta · January 26, 2009, 09:52:34 PM

Rays and hugs to you both.........
Roberta

papbouv · January 26, 2009, 11:15:26 PM

Rays & Hugs to you both might be safer if he stays at the vets till it is safer to drive?

scootersmom · January 27, 2009, 01:01:41 PM

Hi all!

Scooter made it through surgery and is resting (un)comfortably at home. It was a rough night - on the bright side, he didn't cry all night; but on the not-so-bright side, that's because he felt too ill to do so. Instead he just lay on the couch, bundled up in blankets, bleeding and shivering. I slept downstairs to be close to him (he wasn't up to being moved) and this morning he actually took a little water and was able to swallow his various meds.

The vet took out twelve teeth, repaired a nasal fistula, and put a bone graft in his lower jaw. He now has no teeth at all in the very front (bottom and top), and only three in the back, on top. His poor little face looks like I beat him with a baseball bat - swollen in places and collapsed in others, where there are no teeth to hold his lips out anymore. But he survived and hopefully the worst is over. The bleeding has stopped and he has begun lifting his head occasionally and being interested in what's going on around him.

I've taken the day off work, which is just as well, because the weather outside is nasty. One of my roommates is home too, and he's taking a turn sitting with Scooter so I can come upstairs to the computer and update you all.

Thank you to everyone who kept Scooter in their thoughts and prayers last night...I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it!! *BIG HUGS*

Kari · January 27, 2009, 02:18:43 PM

Healing rays headed Scooter's way from San Diego!

It is so hard to see our babies hurting!

scootersmom · January 27, 2009, 02:23:38 PM

Thank you so much! And yes, yes it is. If I could wish for anything, it would be that I could take away his pain. Poor baby.

Barb · January 27, 2009, 08:46:36 PM

Mega rays on the way for his recovery !!!! Please keep us posted !

Rich · January 27, 2009, 08:59:52 PM

Glad to hear that Scooter has made it through surgery. Keep us posted on his recovery. We'll be thinking about both of you.

JetEd73 · January 28, 2009, 07:06:16 AM

prayers and rays for scooter

get better scooter your mother needs ya

cheryl186 · January 28, 2009, 11:03:15 AM

Continued rays and prayers on their way to Scooter for a speedy recovery!!!

janetleej · January 28, 2009, 07:22:26 PM

So glad Scooter was able to come home. There truly is no place like home for a sick puppy and a sick puppy's mom. Wishing Scooter a speedy recovery.

Janet

doxielady5569128 · January 29, 2009, 09:34:09 AM

How is Scooter doing today? I'm hoping his pain is much better!

Reading about him just laying on the couch, in too much pain to cry made me want to cry. Poor baby. I'm glad the surgery went well and he was able to come home so quickly. We'll keep praying for both of you.

scootersmom · January 29, 2009, 10:28:17 AM

Hello again! Thank you to everyone who is thinking of and praying for Scooter. It is helping - I can see it! My little boy is up and around, impatiently demanding food he can't have, running to the baby gate near the front door to greet his Uncles when they come home, barking at the snowplows. So, he seems almost normal, save for the fact he seems to tire easily and often seems to be a little cold. And he's licking his nose and lips a LOT (I wonder if his stiches are itchy or just feel strange). Also, he hasn't pooped yet, not since Monday morning, which is a little unsettling, but I'm trying not to be alarmed. He hasn't really eaten that much Tuesday and Wednesday, so maybe everything's still working its way through. Also it is cold and snowy outside so he's not terribly happy about having to go potty in the nasty elements. (Who can blame him?)

His mood really does seem to be better, though. The boys and I were sitting on the floor eating dinner last night at the coffee table, and Scooter was standing on the couch with his front feet on my shoulder, trying to reach around and steal bites of my hamburger on its way to my mouth.

Question: Do you all think it's safe for me to feed him some crumbled up hamburger and rice? We used to feed that to our Sparky when he wasn't feeling well. It's soft, but not a puree like his canned food. I just thought that way he could have a little something special sometimes. Or should I wait the two weeks for him to be on solids again?

He keeps getting his upper lips caught in his bottom canine teeth. It makes him look a little like some snaggle-toothed cartoon character whose name I can't recall right now...

Anyway, again, thanks to you all! I don't know how I'd be getting through this with my sanity if it weren't for you to talk to. *big hugs*

Rich · January 29, 2009, 11:48:39 AM

Wow, Noel, that's really good news. It sounds like he will be 100% in no time. As far as the solid food, one of the reasons they don't want him to have solid food is to give the fistula repair time to heal completely. Burger and rice don't sound very challenging, but when Stormy had his fistula repaired, I didn't take any chances.

scootersmom · January 29, 2009, 01:02:16 PM

Rich, did you have any infection problems associated with the fistula repair? I went home at lunch today to check on Scooter and his little nose is oozing again. I am very worried the meds may be failing, but maybe this is normal and I should wait until he's had the full course (7 days' worth) before I panic...

Also, thank you for the advice! I will keep Scooter on canned food exclusively. Maybe a bit of Braunschweiger for a treat.

m2low · January 29, 2009, 01:08:44 PM

hang in there, these dogs can come out of alot - I had one (my jake) that was down for back problems, not even walking and with time, love and meds he came out of it.... was walking within a month - they are very tough breed and yet fragile - give scooter some kisses from me, and send pics of the snaggle teeth!! it will help bring the mood up to smile about it!