I finally got a call-back from the vet's office but I won't be able to go see Leo or talk to the surgeon until tomorrow afternoon. However, the lady said that Leo is currently curled up in a ball and looking at her. I assume he will sleep a lot and be very quiet for awhile. I'm so happy he's fine - I can't wait to hear the details so I have a better idea about recovery time.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Dropped Leo off at TVEH this morning
I cannot believe how this morning started. I take the dogs on a good walk because I wanted Leo to get about since he will be inactive for awhile after today. I come back and want to turn on the radio but can't only to discover that my husband had put the dog food on top of the TV stand so Leo wouldn't get it (had to fast overnight) and the MOUSE that is living in our walls chewed through at least 4 wires to maneouver its way to the top and make a mess - not to mention destroy connection to our media devices!
I tied 3 pairs of loose ends back together so I will buy replacements before my husband gets home. I told him about it but how frustrating! This really is war now! Anyway, I cleaned up some then managed to get Leo to the TVEH by 8am. He was curious as always but was nervous once the lady put a leash around his neck and he had to stay while I walked away.
I will probably have to leave him overnight but if I don't hear back, I need to call after 3pm to see how he made out and if he can possibly come home tonight.
Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital (TVEH)
I tied 3 pairs of loose ends back together so I will buy replacements before my husband gets home. I told him about it but how frustrating! This really is war now! Anyway, I cleaned up some then managed to get Leo to the TVEH by 8am. He was curious as always but was nervous once the lady put a leash around his neck and he had to stay while I walked away.
I will probably have to leave him overnight but if I don't hear back, I need to call after 3pm to see how he made out and if he can possibly come home tonight.
Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital (TVEH)
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Bailey is better, Leo not so much
I am happy to note that Bailey has healed but still aggressive with
bigger dogs. He is 10 years old and still my little Poodle baby. He
regained the weight he lost from the trauma/surgeries and is a healthy
18 pounds again.
Bailey the Poodle
So last month, I took all 3 dogs for their annual check-ups, to get flea and heart-worm medication and vaccinations. For a measly $530, they all got a clean bill of health!
All 3 dogs
Not so fast! Did you think I'd get away with no extra vet bills this year? Let's go big, shall we?
Leo, the Shih-tzu (Looking rather innocent, wouldn't you say?)
On Sunday evening, May 29th, 2011 less than a week after his check-up, we notice Leo is hopping around the living room. I see that there is a small puncture in the back of his leg. I clean the blood, apply antibiotic ointment and within 4-5 days it has essentially completely healed.... however, Leo is still not using his hind right leg!
I wait about a week then see my DVM on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. He says that his Achilles tendon is torn and that he'd need to refer to a specialist in order to examine further and/or fix it. If it were a simple $800 ACL surgery, he'd do it no problem. Instead, this is a rare injury where the tendon is torn, cut or otherwise hindered from use. Leo does put weight on that foot but it drops to the elbow. Basically the tendon in his calf is cut.
I wait a couple more weeks to see how it plays out since the adhoc quote for surgeries ended up being $3-4000! Yes, I should probably wait a week or two to ponder this. So I do. The leg is no worse, but no better and it's extremely sad to see him quieter than usual (although it hasn't seem to stop him from running at high speeds. He can still keep up with the poodle!).
A couple of days ago I called my DVM friend Dr. Regan Morris, who has her own veterinary clinic now Bayview Wellington Veterinary Clinic, to ask for her professional opinion. She basically explains what my DVM said and told me what the specialist will probably say. Thanks to her, I have more knowledge and the confidence to go see a specialist.
I called the Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital (TVEH) that both she and my DVM Dr. Luc Lavoie at Cedarbrae Veterinary Clinic had recommended. There are not a whole lot of specialists in the GTA! In fact, once I got there, it occurred to me that I didn't even realize that there were specialists for veterinary medicine yet it makes a whole lot of sense. I just have never needed one. :)
American College of Veterinary Surgeons This fascinates me. I'll have to share with Brittany. I told Dr. Carl D. Porter, DVM, MVSc, DACVS, that my daughter is just beginning her B.Sc this fall and wants to become a veterinarian. The "DACVS" refers to being a "Diplomate" of the ACVS.
This requires 4-8 years of specialized veterinary education including at least 3 years of surgery residency on top of the veterinary college degree! After reading the information on the wall, I told the DACVS that that is a lot of school! I then calculated in my head that it is about 16 years of POST-secondary education. For instance, if Brittany were to go that route, starting her B.Sc this fall somebody could also be starting grade 1 at the same time then complete their high school and Baccalaureate degrees to finish at the same time she would be a DACVS! WOW! Obviously, a person would be in the mid-30s before practicing outside of academia. Awesome. :)
One little perk that I like about requiring a specialist (and having to pay outrageous fees for surgery) is that the doctor gives me his business card. :) I don't know about you, but I don't often get business cards of somebody with so much education and expertise. He also called me personally to set up what will happen going forward.
Leo's Appointments
Drop off Leo by 08:00am Monday, June 27th for day surgery Temporary cast will be applied at no additional charge. Whew! This is because the prosthetic person prefers to wait until the swelling from surgery goes down.
Pick-up Leo Tuesday, June 28th
Return to TVEH at 17:30 Thursday, June 30th so the canine prosthetic specialist can take a mold of his leg for a custom prosthetic device (brace). This should take only half an hour.
Tuesday, July 5 go to Paws Ability to get the custom brace put on.
Estimate for Calcanean tendon repair
Here's the fun part! I'm glad my DVM gave me a heads up. I was prepared to hear and see these numbers by the time I saw the specialist.
There is a complete 20+ line item break-down but basically the low-end price estimate (for surgery only) is $2405 and the high-end price estimate is $3175. I just paid $186.45 for the consultation to find this out. I should get a business card!
The custom brace will be $500-700.
I'll post an update of Leo's surgical recovery....
Bailey the Poodle
So last month, I took all 3 dogs for their annual check-ups, to get flea and heart-worm medication and vaccinations. For a measly $530, they all got a clean bill of health!
All 3 dogs
Not so fast! Did you think I'd get away with no extra vet bills this year? Let's go big, shall we?
Leo, the Shih-tzu (Looking rather innocent, wouldn't you say?)
On Sunday evening, May 29th, 2011 less than a week after his check-up, we notice Leo is hopping around the living room. I see that there is a small puncture in the back of his leg. I clean the blood, apply antibiotic ointment and within 4-5 days it has essentially completely healed.... however, Leo is still not using his hind right leg!
I wait about a week then see my DVM on Tuesday, June 7, 2011. He says that his Achilles tendon is torn and that he'd need to refer to a specialist in order to examine further and/or fix it. If it were a simple $800 ACL surgery, he'd do it no problem. Instead, this is a rare injury where the tendon is torn, cut or otherwise hindered from use. Leo does put weight on that foot but it drops to the elbow. Basically the tendon in his calf is cut.
I wait a couple more weeks to see how it plays out since the adhoc quote for surgeries ended up being $3-4000! Yes, I should probably wait a week or two to ponder this. So I do. The leg is no worse, but no better and it's extremely sad to see him quieter than usual (although it hasn't seem to stop him from running at high speeds. He can still keep up with the poodle!).
A couple of days ago I called my DVM friend Dr. Regan Morris, who has her own veterinary clinic now Bayview Wellington Veterinary Clinic, to ask for her professional opinion. She basically explains what my DVM said and told me what the specialist will probably say. Thanks to her, I have more knowledge and the confidence to go see a specialist.
I called the Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital (TVEH) that both she and my DVM Dr. Luc Lavoie at Cedarbrae Veterinary Clinic had recommended. There are not a whole lot of specialists in the GTA! In fact, once I got there, it occurred to me that I didn't even realize that there were specialists for veterinary medicine yet it makes a whole lot of sense. I just have never needed one. :)
American College of Veterinary Surgeons This fascinates me. I'll have to share with Brittany. I told Dr. Carl D. Porter, DVM, MVSc, DACVS, that my daughter is just beginning her B.Sc this fall and wants to become a veterinarian. The "DACVS" refers to being a "Diplomate" of the ACVS.
This requires 4-8 years of specialized veterinary education including at least 3 years of surgery residency on top of the veterinary college degree! After reading the information on the wall, I told the DACVS that that is a lot of school! I then calculated in my head that it is about 16 years of POST-secondary education. For instance, if Brittany were to go that route, starting her B.Sc this fall somebody could also be starting grade 1 at the same time then complete their high school and Baccalaureate degrees to finish at the same time she would be a DACVS! WOW! Obviously, a person would be in the mid-30s before practicing outside of academia. Awesome. :)
One little perk that I like about requiring a specialist (and having to pay outrageous fees for surgery) is that the doctor gives me his business card. :) I don't know about you, but I don't often get business cards of somebody with so much education and expertise. He also called me personally to set up what will happen going forward.
Leo's Appointments
Drop off Leo by 08:00am Monday, June 27th for day surgery Temporary cast will be applied at no additional charge. Whew! This is because the prosthetic person prefers to wait until the swelling from surgery goes down.
Pick-up Leo Tuesday, June 28th
Return to TVEH at 17:30 Thursday, June 30th so the canine prosthetic specialist can take a mold of his leg for a custom prosthetic device (brace). This should take only half an hour.
Tuesday, July 5 go to Paws Ability to get the custom brace put on.
Estimate for Calcanean tendon repair
Here's the fun part! I'm glad my DVM gave me a heads up. I was prepared to hear and see these numbers by the time I saw the specialist.
There is a complete 20+ line item break-down but basically the low-end price estimate (for surgery only) is $2405 and the high-end price estimate is $3175. I just paid $186.45 for the consultation to find this out. I should get a business card!
The custom brace will be $500-700.
I'll post an update of Leo's surgical recovery....
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day 2011
My niece had to return to NB after having lived with us for a couple months in Ontario so a road trip was in order. I'd be solo on the return trip so I brought Bailey and Leo.
Here are the 2 small dogs at a pit stop on a New Brunswick road trip on the Mother's Day weekend:
Going in May meant I got to meet Jackie's family's new addition - before he gets too big. They got a puppy and named him Fraz! Here is is on Mom's cat Rufus' cat bed - already too big for his britches. :) He was tuckered out running around after kids and cats and dogs all afternoon.
Here are the 2 small dogs at a pit stop on a New Brunswick road trip on the Mother's Day weekend:
Going in May meant I got to meet Jackie's family's new addition - before he gets too big. They got a puppy and named him Fraz! Here is is on Mom's cat Rufus' cat bed - already too big for his britches. :) He was tuckered out running around after kids and cats and dogs all afternoon.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Visitor from New Brunswick: Keyla!
April 2011 - Easter
Tammy, Allan and Sydney came to visit Allana and of course brought Keyla with.
Keyla after Easter dinner :)
Keyla standing up straight and tall! What a wiener dog trick!
Tammy, Allan and Sydney came to visit Allana and of course brought Keyla with.
Keyla after Easter dinner :)
Keyla standing up straight and tall! What a wiener dog trick!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas, Doggies!
We decided to have a Christmas Tree at the last minute (purchased at 2am December 25th) so here are some family photos to share of the Holiday Season:
Leo is just too curious for his own good.
Rex, Bailey and Leo posing in front of the Christmas Tree. Leo is showing off his bone. :)
Rex rescued the bone and is keeping a watchful eye on it... all the while sporting a festive Santa hat.
The whole family! Ben in yellow, Brittany in front with Rex. Leo is front and centre; Roz is beside Bailey with Lorne in back.
Happy New Year 2011!
Leo is just too curious for his own good.
Rex, Bailey and Leo posing in front of the Christmas Tree. Leo is showing off his bone. :)
Rex rescued the bone and is keeping a watchful eye on it... all the while sporting a festive Santa hat.
The whole family! Ben in yellow, Brittany in front with Rex. Leo is front and centre; Roz is beside Bailey with Lorne in back.
Happy New Year 2011!
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