Neck Brace--Oh My!

I wish I could have put the x-rays up on his blog -- WOW -- you could see how rounded off Bu's vertebrae were. Yes, indeed, it was what causes Wobblers. There was NO doubt in Dr. Durkes' mind. (Nor in mine after the x-rays....which I am glad that it was pretty obvious that something was going wrong. The ambiguity was pretty far removed.)

We (Bu, Myself, My Mom) arrived in Marion at about 8:30 and met with Dr. Durkes -- and in an instant Bu was whisked away. *sniffle* Okay, probably for the best that I didn't have time to have an emotional good bye! We looked at the xrays and then talked about the procedure. Then, my mom and I had to waste time till about 1:30. There isn't that much shopping in Marion -- but we found some things!

Great News: Bu did very well...there was a lot of involvement on his right side, and lower neck -- but, the blood wasn't black there. (The darker the blood, the worse it is in that muscle.) He was shaved all the way down to his shoulders...but that's cause the skin moves so much. So, where we see the last needle holes, is not where the gold beads are!

Bu got up completely on his own. This is REALLY good. It sometimes takes getting the owners back there and trying to encourage the dogs to stand up -- who wants to be wearing a neck brace and trying to swing yourself up!? But, he was up and ready to go when we came to pick him up.

BUT -- what he REALLY REALLY wanted -- was to go OUTSIDE! My poor boy was being so noble and held his bladder. We got to the grass outside, and I swear he pee'd for about 5 minutes! Honestly! HE HAD TO GO!!!

We hopped into the car and drove the 2.5 hours home. I rode in the back of the car with him. I figured he'd be more uncomfortable than he was...but he did just great. We've been home for awhile. You can see his big huge neck brace that he'll have to wear for 3-6 weeks.

Dr. Durkes seemed very hopeful for a good recovery. We will know more progress in about 2 weeks....Then he'll be back to "normal" (hopefully) in about 2 months or so...BUT, it will take about a year for all of the internal structures to be healed. Because Bu's still growing, this should hopefully help so that his vertebrae will re-structure the way they should be (not as rounded off so that they don't wiggle) and hopefully his ligaments will shrink back to the length that they should be.

All this -- not a problem. I'm feeling more relieved that it seems very hopeful and that Bu isn't going to rapidly deteriorate into a place where it would be more humane to put him to sleep. I want my boy around for a LONG number of years!!!

Again, more information -- See Dr. Durkes' Webpage: http://www.durkesanimalhospital.com/