Stumbling Blocks
Life has a way of throwing in a few stumbling blocks every now and then just to see if we can get past them. This past week has been so chaotic I’m here to report I’m not doing very well. I’m falling over blocks!
My old dog, Bitsy hurt her back leg. She was walking outside and suddenly jumped in pain. She’s been to the vet, had x-rays, medication and they think she pulled something. Nothing shows on the x-ray, but she still won’t walk.
Instead, she barks for me to carry her everywhere. Bark, I want to go outside, I’m thirsty, I’d like a treat, can you fix me dinner? She seems perfectly happy, and even wants to play with her toys. If someone comes to the door that she really wants to see she’ll get up and walk, but otherwise I carry her everywhere and she watches my every move. I can’t believe she could learn that I will carry her if she barks. Have any of you ever heard of something like this? Now I’m worried there might be something else wrong.
Then there’s my husband the absolute animal lover. Our neighbors know how he is, so they tell him if they see any lost or injured animals. He’s heard about a little cat in the neighborhood, dragging it’s back legs and coming around houses looking for food. He’s been watching for it. Yesterday he saw it!
1. The cat showed up in our front yard.
2. My husband grabbed it and ran for a carrier.
3. The cat was biting him all the time.
4. We spent the AM in the emergency room.
5. Animal Control took the cat. Has to be tested for rabies, plus it’s back legs are severely injured.
6. Today hubby went back to the Dr. because of red streaks going up his arm.
7. He now goes to Dr. everyday for 4 days for a antibiotic shot. Guess where?
I’m cooking, cleaning, doing chores I never even knew existed, carrying Bitsy, and anything else you can think of . I’m trying to pick up those stumbling blocks as I go along, but more keep showing up! Ever have one of those weeks? Not much is getting done in the Bunny Hill studio. Life got in the way!
I’ll keep you posted on my patient’s progress.
Hugs,
Nurse Sutton
49 Comments
Vickie E
Anne, I hope Bitsy gets better. It’s tough having a pet under the weather as they can’t tell you what really hurts :(
And your husband…poor guy, I certainly hope that isn’t serious.
Andrea
Hi Anne,
That is so terrible for you and your hubby! I can totally relate to wanting to help a sick pet, however (I am a veterinarian on Vancouver Island). Your hubby sounds like he developed a bacterial infection secondary to the bite wounds. I’ve been bitten many times, and been lucky, but several of my staff have gone through the same thing. I hope the cat is being helped (or at the least, not suffering any longer). As for Bitsy, I’ve seen soft tissue injuries cause tremendous discomfort. They can take longer than a broken bone to heal (6-8wks). Did they check her cruciate ligament? Patella? Something you may want to ask them. A cruciate tear is not visible on x-rays, but can be found on exam. It’s a ligament in the knee. A patellar luxation is unlikely to cause this type of reaction, unless is was fully out of joint, which I’m sure they would have felt. Did they put her on pain meds? The problem with this, however, is that they sometimes feel too good and use their leg too much and further injure it. G’luck with it all!! I’m sure Bitsy will come around! Sounds like she’s a cheeky monkey!!
Andrea
LoriD
Dogs are so smart. I think Bitsy’s pulling one on you and I’m hoping that is all that is wrong with her.
I hope hubby is better soon!!
It can only go uphill from here, right?