NOTE: PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATED COMMENTS BY ROBERT! SOME OF MY ORIGINAL INFO IS NO LONGER CORRECT, ROBERT WILL EXPLAIN AND PLEASE CHECK BACK ON OCCASION FOR MORE COMMENTS FROM ROBERT.
I couldn't find anything new news posted so I figured I'd share what I learned today. Please understand I don't know all the details, that would come best straight from Robert, but so many of you have asked since you know I'm in contact with Robert, so I'm doing my best to give you some good news. Robert has said to share as much as I can, so here it is...
I spoke on the phone with Robert around noon. This morning Robert took Streaker to get a 2nd opinion regarding surgery and the results seem quite hopeful. The surgeon assured Robert that the care Streaker has received so far has been good. As far as I know, Streaker will continue to be cared for by the...
Perry Veterinary Clinic
Surgery is not happening at this time because it sppears it would not fascilitate healing. The plans are for Streaker to undergo 6 to 8 weeks of pain management and rehabilitation for the pelvic injuries.
Streaker also has a 'bulla' on her lung. This poses no immediate danger and let's pray it stays this way! Here's the best description I could find for it...
Bulla: A fluid-filled blister more than 5 mm (about 3/16 inch) in diameter with thin walls.
A bulla on the skin is a blister. A bulla on the pleura (the membrane covering the lung) is also called a bleb.
Robert also told me that from the impact, Streaker's heart moved...yes, moved! There's no damage or danger, other than any further physical trauma could be dangerous to her...meaning, no more rock climbin' nor rock slides for Streaker!
There was a follow up story in the newspaper, so here's the link, as well as the first news link...
Dog rescued from gorge may need surgery
Robert seems in good spirits, yet quite concerned. The compassion of friends has surely touched his heart and spirit, so let's keep up the good work Gather friends! I hope I've helped by sharing what I know & hope I haven't forgotten anything important, if so, please forgive me!
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 103
:-)
Call him...well, follow your heart!
With a lot o' tender love 'n' care Streaker should be ok.
(and a lot o' vet bills too :-()
Jennifer, thanks for letting me know it was ok to post this, I sat on the info for hours & had many messaged questions, so decided to post it. And Robert did tell me to post anything I thought would help, so here it is!
I do too :-)
OK, The Orchard Park Orthopedic Surgeon has 35 years as a surgeon and was impressively professional, even brought in a scaled model and charts and spent an hour explaining all the issues which I do not have time tonight, cous needs his laptop. But the highlights of his professional opinions and facts.
Surgery has been deemed uneccessary when weighed against the cost and how he expects her to recover in the long run, given ample pain management, monitoring (exrays and bloodwork) of her lung injury and her low red blood cells, rest, and a conservative rehab and treatment plan. Without surgey she expects her to return to walking on her own and without significant problems in 3-4 months. With surgery he would expect the same results in about 2 months. But the quicker recovery is the only positive, it wouldn't enhance her recovery in the areas of performance. Given her gae, the price tag ($3500+) and the fact that the end results will eventually be the same; surgery has been removed as an option.
Bad news is I heard from Perry Veterinary today (the business manager - the vet wouldn't even talk to me) and they explained they no longer wanted me (Streaker) as a client. They said the vet felt that our relationship was strained. Perhaps so, but all I did waqs question why they saw breaks one day but not the previous day; why Mon night surgery was mentioned so much as to name a price ($1500 - which, ahem, turned out low) and then I went and got a 2nd opinion on the surgery. I thought questioning doctors and getting 2nd opinions wasn't only acceptable, but mandatory. So as of tonight, Streaker is without a vet and her pain meds end on Friday. The vet in Leroy has agreed to look over the xrays and other paperwork including a letter from Orchard Park to see if he can take her as a patient. But I won't know that until tomorrow evening at the latest. If he takes her, I will provide his info. If not, I am going to call the guy at Orchard Park to see if he has someone close to me to recommend. And, if Streaker has no vet by this weekend, I will be irate.
Lung: There is a bulla on her left side which leaked air that had to be removed. This will need to be check repeatedly over the next few weeks, if more air seeps, they'll have to suction the seeping air out as they did on Saturday.
Red Blood Cells: The count is low, and this compounds the fact that she's not eating. She did drink a bowl of water early this morning.
Heart: She hit the water with such force that her heart has moved but all is still intact and functioning properly, it should settle in its new suspended location. This should not pose a problem unless she suffers additional trauma in the future. I told the surgeon that traauma-inducing events (rock climbing, flying, canoeing, etc) were now forever off her itinerary; all I want - and will be blesssed to have - is her company on walks through the park. I joked with the vet that I will now have to get a new puppy for the photographic stunt work.
Those of you who have my current house # can start using ONLY my cell number which will work in my new apt which I move into tomorrow in Leroy. I've rented an upper apt in an old but beautiful farmhouse.
I cannot solicit here on Gather. :+) I'll just say that I know I cannot cover her extended treatment in my present circumstances, so some treatment may have to be skipped. I'll let you know if the Leroy Vet agrees to take her.
I can, however, solitict prayers, so please keep them coming. I am so grateful for all of you. And Streaker loves each and evryone of you.
That's about it for tonight. Ruthi, you can copy this comment and post elsewhere if you wish or share as you wish. I have to get offline now.
HUGS
Streaker likes cards. :+)
I am not happy about the vet issue but will refrain from ranting here other than a loud GRRRRRRRRRRRR!
Please know that we love you both and prayers & anything else we can possibly do we're doing...and this is a collective we...your Gather family!
God bless you and Streaker.
We'll keep praying for you two! *hugs* to you both :)
My puppy girl would probably be available for your stunt photography ... she had a half a year of rally obedience and pre-agility courses :)
Trying day today. Perry Veterinary opted out as Streaker's vet clinic and Leroy Animal Clinic said the kind of intensive treatment/recovery she needs they do not really provide. The prospect of Streaker going through this weekend without pain medication loomed as a high probability, her present pain patch is due to come off tomorrow, Friday.
After enough begging on my part, and reminding them I still had a credit balance of $57.00, Perry agreed to see Streaker tomorrow at 8:30 but only to do a pain anlysis and provide another pain patch or oral pain meds. This will be our last visit there.
Just as I was about to lose my mind since I couldn't fathom vets turning a hurting dog away, Streaker was granted patient status at Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center LLP (3930 N Buffalo Rd., Orchard Park, NY 14127). It was their orthopedic surgeon which gave Streaker a second opinion and so thoroughly explain all of her maladies including what needed fixing, what needed watching and what items will not be fixed or cannot be fixed. Beginning Wed 9/23, Streaker is embarking on a pain management/conservative treatment and rehabilitation program with OPVMC. It will be a costly next few months (but much less than the $4000+ surgery) but the current prognosis, barring setbacks and/or unseen complications, is for Streaker to be walking well within 12-15 weeks. She is going to need more bloodwork for her low red blood counts and repeated exrays of her lungs and occasional new exrays toi monitor healing to her pelvic fracture.
To check them out Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center, please visit www.opvmc.com they are definitely a premier animal care provider and their motto is "Always the Patient's Advocate".
This evening was a lot better than the rest of the day. First, Streaker ate a Slim Jim as we were leaving the grocery store. It's the first food she has eaten since falling off the gorge last Saturday. When we arrived back at the farmhouse (home) she walked along the lawn for a couple of minutes (soft brace on her hind legs will be necessary for the next 2-3 months) and urinated for the first time since yesterday afternoon. Once up in the apt she ate another Slim Jim and drank a little water, her first of the day. I have put some beef broth down for her tonight, perhaps as the night wears on she'll help herself to some of that. One of the worse parts for me is when she's standing up and looking at me; I can tell she's trying to figure out why she can no longer run and play. Maybe someday soon she'll be able to. With a little help from her friends and from OPVMC.
Actually they need to know or donations will go to Perry.
Bless Robert and Streaker. They didn't need this on top of the injuries.
Thanks for the update Ruthi, and thank you Robert! You know she is in my prayers as are you!
I will continue to pray for Streaker and her continued recovery.
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwritng
You're a gem in Robert's life and he's blessed to have you for a sister and I've no doubt that he knows it!
You sound like one very busy lady! And your teaching 3 grades at once sounds quite interesting!
HUGs Randi!
Sending prayers, and hopes for a good vet and for Streaker to not run out of meds.
Blessings,
Marilyn
(I'm sendin' you Gather mail too)
I've been praying for them daily. *smiles*
My thoughts and prayers are with them (you and Streaker and Robert and Randi) and will be until Streaker is out of pain and walking again. HUGS!!!!
and ROBERT thank you for letting us know what's going on.
keeping streaker & robert in my thoughts daily!! :)
Nitey nite HUGs Michelle!
Hello, Streaker did mostly okay this weekend. She is urinating regularly now but though she's had a couple bowel movements, she's still struggling there. She's eating a little in the morning but not much in the evening. I think she may be getting what I would label some diaper rash. Her next appointment is at Orchard Park (www.opvmc.com) on Wednesday. I am hopeful that they will provide me with a suggested treatment schedule/plan so I have a better idea of what they're thinking. She is walking a little each day (about 50 feet) but I have to check with the vet on how much walking is okay and how much is too much. She has not been hyperventilating so I am assuming the bulla on her left lung is done seeping out air for the time being, vet will have to confirm. Last night for a couple of hours, her pain got bad and she was whimpering. I'm thinking she fell asleep in a position that aggravated her pelvic fracture. Once she got settled again, she slept all night.
Just thought of something that helps me without drugs. I strongly suspect it will help her too, so ask on Wednesday. It's called a "TENS Unit." (Not sure how this works on dogs, since I'm a bit less hairy.) It has four sticks-to-your-skin electro-pads, and when it's turned on, it massages/vibrates the area deep enough to penetrate the sore muscles. It loosens the tightness caused when we tense up from the pain, PLUS it releases endorphins, making us relax naturally. (Check out prices online, too. You might be able to get it cheaper online than through therapists, but, of course, you'll have to know that and know how to work it through them, so this is just a preparation idea - just in case.)
Just still thinking and praying.
and eat slim jims... LOL... how cute... i'm praying for Robert and Streaker daily...
God loves all his creatures... hang in there... love and hugs... no comment on jacka.....