Bummer Time--I'm Sick and Nikki's Got Bad Knees & Hips...

Posted by Dan on Jul 6, 2005 @ 11:48 AM

The last 48 hours have been a real bummer. Sunday night started feeling the onset of a cold comming on. My 14 year cousin Quintin spent the night Sunday—he's here from Denver with his Mom and Dad. That was great and I'm glad I got to spend some time with him, since I don't get to see him nearly as much as I'd like. We stayed up until about 2am playing XBox, but I was feeling pretty crappy by the time I went to bed.

On Monday, I woke up and went to Giant Eagle and picked up the fruit for the Fruit Salad we were to bring to a family pickup. I also went ahead and picked up a bunch of juice and other stuff to try to fight off my cold.

Anyway, since I was trying to keep Quinitin occupied, we took the dogs to a park so they could run for a bit. I had taken the dogs to the same park a couple of weeks ago and they really had fun. However, Nikki (our youngest Lab) began limping a few hours after we had left the park. She limped for a few days and then it basically went away. I thought she probably just tweaked a muscle or something since she never really seemed to be in pain (i.e. she wasn't whining and she never stopped her normal activities.)

Anyway, I was carefully monitoring Nikki when we at the park on Monday looking for any signs of her being in pain. She looked fine and was having a great time. However, later that night she was really limping badly—especially after getting up from a nap. She was moving like she was in a lot of pain.

So, I made a Vet appointment for her yesterday at 4pm and took her in to the Vet for an exam. My greatest fear was that she had Hip Dysplasia. After a series of X-rays, not only does she have sever Hip Dysplasia, but she also has a partial tear in a ligment in her knee. The Vet doesn't think she needs to see an Orthopaedic Surgeon—at least not right now, so that's good. Unfortunately, Nikki's going to have to be confined to her crate for the next 3 weeks. The Vet doesn't want her climbing stairs, jumping, running or doing anything else that can cause more stress on the sprain.

The Vet did give us permission to let her sleep upstairs, so we took on of our kennels up to the master bedroom so she wouldn't be alone at night. Unfortunately, she just cried all night. She really didn't get any sleep at all (and neither did anyone else in the house.) The Vet told us she popped her hips in and out of place while she was under anthestic getting the XRays, so I think that's why so was in so much discomfort last night (either that or she was still dazed from being put under earlier.)

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I was supposed to be enjoying myself at King's Island today w/a bunch of my family. However, between being sick and the dog being hurt, I wasn't in the mood to go. It's really bumming me out I haven't been able to spend more time w/my Aunt, Uncle & Cousin. I don't get to see them much and it's been 2 years since they been to town.

Anyhoots, that's what's going on with me in the past 48 hours or so.

Categories: Personal

2 Comments

  • Sorry to hear about your dog, My own ACD who competes in flyball and agility did a partial tear on his acl about 2 months ago. Just yesterday we took him to the vet for a check up and a follow up shot of Cartrophen (retards the progression of arthritis). Afet 2 months locked in a crate and only coming out on lead he apears to be making recovery. I enjoy looking at the pics of your puupies on your site, I hope Nikki gets well soon.

    Another geek that that has dogs
  • Sorry to hear about your dog--glad she's getting better. My little one miserable not being able to play w/her older sister. The one thing they'll both be happy about though, is that part of the therapy after the bed rest is over is to take them swimming.

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