A visit from Grandma Coffee and Yam dinner
Today is Bubbles’ one week ampuversary. I don’t know if that counts, but its incredible it has already been a whopping 7 days. Her incision continues to look wonderful. Nice and dry, no redness apart from some slight pink areas in between the staples, and we havent had any leaking or goopy stuff. By the time Tuesday rolled around, 1/22/13, Bubs hadn’t been eating her food or drinking nearly as much water. Being the worry wart I am, I drizzled some tuna juice over her kibble by Wednesday 1/23/13 when I couldn’t take it anymore, and got a good cup of food down the hatch. Today we were back to square one, and it wasn’t sitting well with me. To top it off, she had been letting out a whimper and occasional cry while trying to get comfortable over the last couple days and mama didn’t like it. Apparently the fentanyl patch was doing a much better job than the codeine. Argh.
I ended up calling her vet by early afternoon when the last time she had eaten was 24 hours prior, and her doctor came on the line suggesting we give the carprofen a break and up her codeine by a half tablet. He also suggested getting 10mg of generic over the counter pepcid ac and giving that in place of the carprofen for the next couple days. He’s assuming its upsetting her stomach, so the pepcid should do the trick.
By the evening I still couldn’t manage to get anything down. She hardly cared to go potty, and water was out of the question. Again, I was beginning to worry, but I wanted to give it some time and hoping after the pepcid kicks in, she’d feel better. My mom, Bubs’ Grandma Coffee, (her nickname is a whole ‘nother story), was really reluctant to come see her. Up until Bubs was 4 years old, we lived with her, and my mom adores Bubs, so I knew this whole scenario had really upset her. She had been telling me she needed to mentally prepare to see Bubs on three limbs, and as old fashioned as I know she is, I had to give her time. Finally today she came knocking on our door, said hi to the kids, and made her way to the little gated corner Bubs has been resting in. She got emotional, but I made conversation to keep her from really losing it.
After talking a bit about everything, I updated her on how Bubs had lost her appetite, that I was worrying and really trying to get her to eat and drink some water. I had even boiled yams and mushed it up into her kibble, but she still refused it. So eagerly, Grandma Coffee stepped into Bubs’ little area kneeled down on both knees and scooped up a handful of wet yammy dog food. I dont know what she was saying, but I gave them their space and snapped the picture above. Yes, Grandma Coffee hand fed nearly all the yam and kibble in Bubs’ bowl to her, and got her to drink a good amount of water. It was such a heart warming sight to see.
I hope tomorrow is a better day for my bear. She loves to eat, and thankfully hasn’t turned her mug up from her cheese ball meds, but I know she needs to get some food in her belly for those to really take effect. Can’t wait til the hard part is over.
January 25th, 2013 at 5:40 am
First of all, of course a one-week ampuversary counts! It’s the most important first one we celebrate! If we celebrate first pees, don’t you think we do a special dance for the first week? Holy cow! Happy one-week ampuversary, dear Bubbles!
And second, yay for Grandma Coffee! Not everyone manages well when they see a dog “modified” into a tripawd. However, if they can get past the first look and see that the spirit and the personality are still there, things are usually fine. Of course spirit and personality are a bit off due to drugs, etc., but Bubbles is still Bubbles! So yay for grandmas who get their fuzzy granddogs to eat!
Have you tried sardines? Mmmm. Sardines.
Shari
January 25th, 2013 at 6:41 am
Congrats to Bubs and her family for making it to the one-week mark! Sounds like Grandma Coffee came visiting at just the right moment. Following Bub’ journey helps me remember that Cassie and us are not alone in our travails. Thank you for sharing, and hope Bubs keeps eatin’ good!
January 25th, 2013 at 2:17 pm
Hoppy 1 week! It’s amazing how far we’ve all come in a week, huh? I know Bubs is having some eating and drinking issues, but you may be on to something – her pain management. I hope this modification helps! If not, keep having Grandman over to cajole Bubs into her food. We’ve been mixing in lots of tasty things into Jackson’s kibble to keep him interested, too. Things like: sweet potatoes, rice, ground beef, ground chicken, boiled chicken breasts, boiled liver, and a slew of veggies like purple potatoes, broc, brussel spouts, carrots, parsnips. I hear sardines have magical powers! Try those. Oh, come on, Bubs. Eat for yourself and mom!
January 25th, 2013 at 6:47 pm
A week is a big milestone! Yay for Grandma Coffee. I’m glad she got Bubs to eat and hope things will get easier.
January 26th, 2013 at 3:45 am
Congrats on your one week Bubs! You have lots of people who love you and will do what ever it takes to make you better. I once had a dog that had a staph infection and it was horrible. But she was such a fighter and survived it. It took lots of hand feeding and trips to go potty where I had to literally hold her up but she knew we were in it for the long haul with her. Bubs it sounds like you have an amazing family who is in it for the long haul with you as well!