Love them dogs

[eddiememphis]

Popcorn got her annual shots today. Her bottom is sore and she's pretty stoned. I just tossed the sleepy bag on her, she was shivering.

[Gman]

"What'd I do to deserve this?"

Poor Popcorn. Hopefully she'll be harassing squirrels again tomorrow.

[Gman]

Holey Moley...

Took the pup to the vet tonight for a check-up. He's not even 6 months old...and he weighs 65.6 lbs.

He's gonna' be a big boy.


Had a training class with the breeder last Sat. and there were 2 other pups from a litter about a month behind his with a different mom. Duke was about twice the size of their pups and you could see the panic in their eyes wondering if their pups were going to get that big (probably won't). He's solid muscle and appears to be going through another spurt growing his frame. He gets longer, taller, and leaner...fills out...gets longer, taller, and leaner...repeat.

[Bailey Guns]

Every time I (try to) sit at my desk:

[Gman]

Gotta' stay close to papa! So cute.

[buffalobo]

Really bummed, was back at the vet Tuesday to have Reba checked out and it sucked. She hates going to vet and gets pretty cranky about it. Muzzle cranky and dad is the only who can handle her there until the muzzle comes out and she just sighs and gives up. 110#'s of dead weight GSD.

We took her in about 3-4 weeks ago for lameness in front left leg. Diagnosed as ligament/tendon strain in elbow. Treatment - steriod/anti inflammatory and rest until swelling down and pain gone. Pretty much back to normal about week ago, we started back to play/work out very slowly watching for signs of pain/discomfort. All seemed good until Tuesday morning and she could barely get out of her kennel.

Vet got us in late Tuesday and this time I insisted we do xray. Turns out she has a Ununited Anconeal Process and it requires surgery to correct. Most common in large/giant breeds. Burmese Mtn dogs, GSD, Labs, GR.

Turns out I noticed a symptom/indicator between 4-6 mos and we and the vet flew right by it. Would have been ideal to fix at younger age.

Have appt for consult/exam next week with Colorado Canine Orthopedics in COS. Going to be expensive and suck. Large young GSD's make crappy patients.

Of course Reba doesn't get it, she just knows that dad won't run, jump and wrestle like he's supposed to and the eyes shame me. Even injured she would still go all out.

[Gman]

OUCH!!! Poor girl. Yeah, they don't understand taking it easy for healing. We had a GSD that just wouldn't quit even when he was about 12. He would try to keep up with us on camping trips and would just go-go-go...until he couldn't. He so wanted to be with us and was always willing to please.

110# is really big for a female. I hope queen Reba heals well and this is just a bump in the road to a long and healthy life in your pack.

[buffalobo]

So we had surgery done yesterday.

Only good things to say so far about Colorado Canine Orthopedics. We went down for CT scan and consult with surgeon last week. Afterwards the surgeon called us at home for discussion of results so we would not have to make the trip to Springs just for discussion. Very through, scanned right leg as well, found similar issue to left but not immediate problem and can be addressed after full recovery of left leg.

The clinic itself is great. Very efficient checking in and out, nice, comfortable, private consult/waiting rooms, lots of space, well layed out. They have put alot of thought into keeping everyone comfortable and at ease. Made a great difference in our experience, Reba doesn't like going to the vet and is not shy about letting everyone know it. She showed some reluctance in our two trips to the clinic but was completely compliant and cooperative with the techs and docs. The staff does a great job handling the dogs and the dogs respond to it.

When we picked Reba up after surgery they had a go bag ready with everything we might need to care for her after getting home. A personalized(They put Reba name and pic on front) discharge instructions folder, layed out in outline/time line format. Again it is very through with explanations of surgery, do/don'ts, tips/hacks, includes all meds for first two weeks, fancy boot for outside(we used an IV bag with top cut open and gauze threaded through for boot on heeler), ice packs if needed, contact numbers for info, techs, surgeon, everybody. Surgeon called us at home about 8PM to check on how she was doing and if we had any questions or concerns.

IMO, the service and care matches any I, myself would expect receive at a quality hospital.

Bottom line, we feel we are getting great service and value for the large bill we paid and if the level of service and care continues throughout Rebas recovery we will have the other elbow done at CCO if it becomes necessary.

[Gman]

Thanks for the thorough description of your experience. Hoping everything goes well with your princess.

[Bailey Guns]

That's great. Hope your girl heals up quickly!