I'm a mess tonight

[rob winemaker]

I was unloading firewood from a wagon and the fellas were romping till I heard this God awful yelping and a big lunker had rolled off without me even knowing and also unbeknownst is Keba was right there. I knew it was bad right away and took him to a 24/7 emergency care. Xrays show all 4 metetarsals on the right rear are broken. I left him overnight to stabilize with pain meds and then a surgeon consult tomorrow morning. They suspect he needs pins and the cost is going to be astronomical. I of course have to do it because he is only 2. I'm sick to my stomach. I mean, it was purely an accident. The log just shifted and fell and I thought the boy was out back. My dogs are everything to me and I am of course blaming myself. Just looking for some shoulders to cry on. I won't get him back til Wednesday and of course Rooker is being spoiled rotten tonight. Anyone ever see similar breaks.

[rob winemaker]

Did you see my reply about invisible fence?

[karen chesher]

Really pleased to hear Keba is not as badly injured as you first thought,He really is a handsome boy.im sure he will have you waiting on his every need till hes fit again,just dont let the irish charmer over do it.

[Kimberly Simmons]

I saw one post thanks! Fired off a msg for ya!

[Delia Bryce]

Oh poor Keba what a horrible accident, don't feel bad it was an accident. These dogs are amazing, I know from experience after my boy had his sternum broken in surgery to remove a lung lobe how worrying it is .. But they seem to realise their capabilities then with lots of love and gradually letting them be they recover :-) Murph's chest was wired back together at the time he was 18mth and is now almost 3. Initially I was freaked but its all in the past now.., he runs plays and can be faster than my young year old Irish .., oh and we didn't need to sedate him as such the tramadol likely did it for us, but don't completely discount it as Murphy had other drugs going on too, he recovered the meds were reduced and it balanced out well ..
Being home is one of the best medicines, take care of you all.

[rob winemaker]

Just thought I'd post an update on how Keba is doing. He obviously is not himself of course

( philosophically-who could he be? -oops, I digress ) Anyway, his appetite is fine and with difficulty he is taking care of 'business'. He is very subdued and really doesn't want to come out of his crate, which is fine because my vet is adamant that he be still as possible. He won't put the leg down at all but that's ok too. The question now seems to be that the emergency vet had said something about changing the splint and my vet ( she tells it like it is ) is wondering why in the world would they want to do that. So she is consulting w/ the hospital today so we are all clear on the recovery plan. She is also concerned that we may need a sedative later on because of who and what he is. The issue there being is that this break really should have been pinned for proper healing. That is day by day now.

Once again, I want to offer my thanks to all here who are voicing concern and help.

[Georgina]

Be brave he will be ok.   He is probably in shock too so take each day as it comes.  In many ways it is easier that it is a rear leg and he can "rearrange" his weight distribution which is rather more difficult from the front.  I would have thought that unless it was absolutely imperative the splint is best left alone just for now.  Presumably the vet will xray it to assess placement of bones and the "knitting together" progress within the next few days and you can be guided from there on.   I'm sure other setter lovers will remind me of the calming remedy that used to be available and was very useful but I can't remember what it was called because I am rapidly becoming a fossil!!!!!!

Keba will let you know what he is capable of so keep doing what you feel is right.

[rob winemaker]

Thanks Georgina. If anyone can remember what she is talking about, that would be super.

I bet that rather than a fossil, you are more like a fine wine.

[Georgina]

Hi, it might be called "Remedy" but I can't be sure.   Fine wine?? I wish,  Jacobs Creek for me...........

[Teresa]

In our Vet hospital we also change splints every other week. All the books tell you too keep the same splint as long as possible... But sonce they are usualy alive and moving (even if just a little) the do tend to move the splint a bit! And it's also helpful to take a look at the paw to make sure there is no exessive pressure or skin infection under there. But your vets probably have better and safer materials than we do (VERY limited resources right now) and it won't need as much change as ours.

Good luck with your new "slave life"! I Forgot all about that, but they DO learn to use this in their favor. Romã actually convinced me it was vital to carry her into a field so she could lay in the shadow of a tree everyday... ehehehehe

[rob winemaker]

Those are good points Teresa. I am waiting to hear from my vet to find out what the surgeons told her to settle the confusion. These were not compound fractures so at least the skin was't broken but I see your point.  BTW, you have a lovely website.            

[Georgina]

Hi Rob, Saturday afternoon in Scotland and having just got back from the forest with my 3 I was thinking about you and Keba and wondered how you are all doing?  Be good to hear how you and Keba are coping, as well, of course, his brother.

[rob winemaker]

Thank you Georgina. Hope it is lovely in Scotland today.
Rooker and I just finished a game of frisbee so he's fine. Keba is like a 'caged animal'. He's feeling better and he's acting like an Irish Setter again. He's got new comfy duvet (I'm learning) and chewies and toys. I wish he'd learn crosswords. He stands still to let me put his rubber boot over the splint. One wk down,7 to go. We go for first check up Monday. Thank you for asking and I'll update after vet visit.