Month: August 2013

Sat pm we went back to the ER for a little visit because Oscar has a sore on his left front leg; it’s in the front where his leg joins to his chest and it’s rather large. There is a whiteish center and a red area that surrounds it and it’s about as wide as his leg. I noticed it for the first time late friday aft and called the soft tissue team basically to ask if they had noticed this before he went home but they hadn’t. He had been licking it which of course made it worse. They were unable to determine what had caused this “wound” or “puncture” but they cultured it. I had also asked for a demonstration of how to administer pills when I have to “shove them down his throat” but they were unable to succeed, so they said “well, good luck. You need to keep trying.”

He’s doing pretty well; still doesn’t seem like himself at times. I have to check the side effects of this antibiotic. He’s hopping well and his suture line looks good. Appetite is on and off–doesn’t trust a lot of stuff I give him. After an episode of shoving down his throat, he has started taking meds in peanut butter again. He gets his staples out next week and we will also need to see oncology at the same time. So for now we are holding steady.

It’s so sad how many new comer’s join this site. I try to read the new sites and keep up with the other ones, but it’s impossible for me. I just can’t keep up and do everything I need to. I don’t understand what causes cancer (besides the obvious-smoking etc). Almost every animal I’ve had in the last 20 years has died from cancer; 5 cats and 3 dogs. No one smokes in our house?? G-R-R-R-R

As for how Oscar got the infection: h-m-m-m; wish I knew. They say staph is everywhere and Oscar’s immune system was/is compromised. I know he’s lost some weight; when he was discharged his med student said something about weighing in the high 130’s, and I gasped and the student said he almost weighed 140 lbs. He used to weigh 177lbs and I think he weighed about 155 lbs as this was all starting. My truck is dirty, I’m a bad housekeeper, he was in the hospital 3 days??? What worries me is his antibiotic “Chloramphenicol” can cause anemia and I hope he’ll be able to have the chemo.

He’s eating most of what I’m giving him: loves cottage cheese-had never had it before (I don’t like it) and we’re having hamburger and steak this weekend. Did turn his nose up at can dog food last night, so he’s going on a strictly people food diet. Still taking those big antibiotics in peanut butter.

Today I noticed a sore on his left front leg right in the joint. Called the U and asked if he had that at the hosp and they hadn’t noticed it. It looks like an old IV site, it’s bruised and looks like there’s a needle hole. They suggested I clip the hair around it, put triple antibiotic cream on and put a t-shirt on him so he stops licking it.

Last eve I saw a “spark” of the old Oscar; he ran; “hopped” across the yard to bark at someone.

I think things are going about as well as they can; wish he’d eat better and that he didn’t have that sore but as I told Nevada’s family: every day is a gift with him–that’s how I look at our situation. One day at a time.

Lora, Gus and Oscar

To quickly recap: Oscar had his R front leg amputated on July 24th, wasn’t acting like himself etc and went back to the hospital on August 1st for a major infection. Had surgery and a drain placed on friday aug 2nd and came home on tuesday aug 6th. Basically they called me because he wasn’t eating and they were concerned because he was losing weight.

Oscar has an infection “like MRSA” but not. It’s a multi drug resistant form of staph and the only antibiotic he can take is Chloramphenicol which can cause aplastic anemia in both the patient and the person handling the med, so I have to wear gloves. So far he is still taking them in peanut butter, but this am he started to try and chew through it, looking for the pill. Luckily of course peanut butter has the consistency of glue, so we’re still good.

So far, he has not cried, doesn’t appear to be in pain, and he has eaten everything I’ve given him, other than can dog food though, it’s all people food. He tires easily and after peeing in the house x2 without warning tuesday pm, he’s gone outside every time. He’s becoming a little more himself (growls at his brother over dominance issues) but still seems anxious at times.

Will try to take pictures and post them, but……. The other day I was late picking Oscar up but couldn’t figure out how to call the vet, then they were calling me, but I didn’t know how to answer the phone so it’s a crap shoot whether or not I can do it. (Had to get a smart phone because normally I dog rescue on the weekends and the first time I did it, got lost and didn’t have a phone and they wondered if I stole the dogs. Also our coordinator emails us sometimes when we’re on the road). But I’m pretty much clueless. LOL

UW .Vet Hosp called this am and said he’s not eating and they think the best place for him is home with his mom. His drain is out and he’s off all IV stuff; he’s on oral antibiotics and they don’t think he’s in any pain but I’m requesting pain meds to take home just in case.

Thank you everyone for all of your encouragement this past (almost) week. He has a nice new bed (they both do) and his harness is ordered.

I’ll keep you posted. I try to keep up with everyone and sadly this club keeps growing and growing.

Blessings to all; Lora, Gus and Oscar

Oscar’s doing well after surgery yesterday to clean out his wound. They flushed it well and he has a drain in. He’s off IV fluids and antibiotics and is on oral antibiotics now.

I’m a nurse and I know these things happen; it’s just annoying when it happens to you. Well, at least we’ll be on the road to recovery soon.

Lora, Gus and Oscar

Oscar needs to go back to surgery to have his wound flushed and cleaned out. He’ll have a drain in for a few days. I’m wondering how that happened because I don’t think it was on my end. My poor boy.

Oscar’s mom (Lora), Gus and Oscar