BILLY'S SURGERY 5 MAY 2014
Bob writes: I dropped Billy off this morning to Riverbend Animal Hospital in Hadley, Massachusetts for Dr. David S. Thomson could do Billy's much-needed and long-overdue surgery. Billy getting weighed in before surgery: Oh, oh . . . this doesn't bode well! Vet tech Jasmine taking Billy back for his surgery. I KNEW IT! SOMETHING'S GONNA HAPPEN TO ME!! Later that day, Linda writes: Bob called me this evening to let me know that Billy is out of surgery and doing very well according to the vet. The fractured and malformed head and neck were excised. They had to remove more then they had anticipated.
On 6 May, Bob writes: Billy is doing very well. He is in good spirits. He's eating his food & treats. He's not bothering with his incision. He's being kept quiet on his leash so that he doesn't forget himself when the gang is bursting out the back door to do its business. He's hopping around handily on his other leg quite well, but not too much. He's been peeing but not pooping yet. The doc said Billy may be a little constipated for a day or so, but not to worry. He goes back for a follow-up on Thursday. It all looks good.	Jasmine holding Billy while Bob is checking him out of the hospital.
And THIS is what I think of this place! I'm going home to get something to eat and rest after my surgery. Dr. David S. Thomson faxed to Linda: Charming little Billy returned for surgery on Monday, May 5th, to deal with that fractured left hip. This surgery is challenging one. With the femoral head deeply embedded in the fractured pelvis, it is always difficult to dislocate that hip. In the end everything went well. I performed a left femoral head and neck excision and transposed a portion of the biceps femoris through the joint area. Billy woke up very nicely an will be going home on Tuesday, May 6th with a fentanyl patch, Metacom, and tramadol. We'll be seeing Billy back here in four days for a first rehab session and I'll be rechecking the doggy another week after that. We'll keep you posted. I expect Billy to do just fine. On 9 May, Linda writes: Billy & Bob waiting for Billy to get his post-op laser therapy. Looks like they are waiting to catch a plane to go to the Caribbean.

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