Andrea & April
On 6 January, Tim Sheffer writes:
Thistle had her surgery today, and per the vet is doing well.
The surgery had been delayed at the recommendation of the vet.
Hugh adds:
Here are images from the Surgery Theater,
as Dr. Lockwood & Dr. Cahill attend to Thistle's damaged hip.
The operation was a complete success,
with recuperation going as predicted
and the milestone events occurring as if on a schedule.
We are very grateful for the extraordinary skills
we have found in Dr. Cahill & Dr. Lockwood;
for determining Thistle's heretofore unknown condition
and effecting its prompt remedy.
Thistle, truly, has been given a new, happier and more productive life,
which is the more visible each day of her recovery.
Hip, hip, hurrah!
Hip, hip, hurrah!
Hip, hip, hurrah!
(no pun intended!)
On 8 January, Hugh writes: VEWY, VEWY QUIET
Thistle spent a quiet night, attended throughout.
This morning she is calm, seems a bit sedated,
if not a touch depressed.
Thistle & Hugh
However, she allowed ice to be applied without protest
(not so yesterday), has had water,
pain medication via "pill pocket",
ate most of her morning dish (in bed),
was carried outside to poop,
during which she touched her fourth leg to the ground,
and is now resting quietly.
The tops of the Lidocaine patches have come free
and been re-secured with adhesive bandage strips.
There has been no seepage from the incision,
and the dressing looks to be in good order.
She is a bit unsteady on her pegs and perhaps a bit weak,
but is now following us with her eyes and attempting brief tail wags,
now and again. She can, however, muster the strength
to lift her head for her favorite treats, which we like to see.
In general, she appears like she has been through
something fairly major; though she chooses to lie
on the incision to protect it most of the time,
she is not vocally or otherwise alerting us to any distress.
On 9 January, Hugh writes:
Our great appreciation for Dr. Cahill's visit!
The new dressing is in perfect form this morning
and the patient is quite comfortable.
She is DETERMINED to walk and is already using
her right rear leg sparingly to help steady herself (Day Four).
Doesn't like ice much,
but I'm sure this will improve.
Even partially sedated, she is a very Game Girl!
Thank you to Dr. Lockwood and to you
for your extraordinary work & attentions to Thistle.
We feel so very fortunate to have SeaPort Veterinary
handling this complicated & demanding situation.
Thistle will be forever the better for it.
LISA ASHTON:
Ahh as it should be, quiet is a good thing. Sending pats & best wishes from Schenectady.
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