Get Well Wishes

Thanks so much for all your get-well wishes.

Harrison especially enjoys reading his cards!

The first one says, "What do you call a surgeon who's really cool? A smooth operator. Best wishes for a quick recovery." From the Gandy team.

This one reads, "Please get well soon. Tigger hopes it won't be long until you can bounce right out of bed." From my Mom and Ed.

A busy week

Hi all,


Harrison has had a very busy week. On Monday, we went to see Dr. Gillick to have his drain removed and on Thursday we went back to have most of his stitches removed. He still has a bandage on his right side covering one sore. The hope is that it heals quickly so we can start hydrotherapy as soon as possible. Here is Harrison with Dr. Gillick, the surgeon who performed H.B.'s back surgery and saved his life! Thanks, Dr. Gillick!









On Tuesday, we took Harrison to his second physiotherapy appointment. In the picture, lasers are being used to help speed the healing of Harrison's back and bed sores. They also used some electro-therapy to stimulate his muscles. We have another appointment this evening.

Overall, there has been no nuerological change in Harrison yet, but he has shown improved muscle tone in his hind legs and his tail. In addition, he is also showing signs of improvement in his reflexes. Best of all, he is gaining more control over his pee and poop and has had only a few piddles in his crate.

We are not out of the woods yet, but are encouraged by small improvements that we see every day. Last night, he was dreaming of running and his front legs were twitching away as usual. I noticed some flexing in his hind legs and an ever so slight toe twitch. My new Beagle song is "these legs are made for walkin'...and that's just what they'll do...one of these days these legs are gonna walk all over here.."

More later!

Getting back into the old routine

Saturday and Sunday, October 23 & 24, 2010



Our weekend was a typical one here at home. I have dance class on Saturdays and Rob does a lot of planning for the week. On Sundays, we attend mass at OLPH and then sometimes go shopping. We usually take Harrison to the park or on extra long walks on Sundays, too. Sounds boring, I know, but after a week of interacting with people all day, it's just the perfect way to recharge our batteries and get ready for another work week.

On this Saturday, just as I was about to leave for my class, Katie, our dog-walker, stopped by to visit H.B. (Visit her website: http://www.kspetcare.com/services.asp) When he heard the knock at the door, he started barking a little. His barks are softer and quieter since the surgery. Once he recognized her, he was so excited that he started 'talking' in his usual way- like he's telling a story. He loves seeing his friends! Thanks for stopping by, Katie! It really lifted his spirits.

On Sunday, we took Harrison outside in his wagon for some fresh air. We were careful when moving him around because he still had his drain with one long tube in and some stitches. We used a sling under his belly to hold up his back end while he sniffed around in the grass. He is still unable to poop and pee on his own but he hasn't had many accidents in his crate. He seems to hold it until we move him out of his den. He does move himself into different positions when he is sleeping and sits up and moves around a lot if he has to go. That he has this kind of awareness of himself is a good sign and a step in the right direction, especially considering he has very little feeling in his lower half as of yet.

All in all, a typical weekend here with no real news. This week, Harrison has two doctors appointments and two physiotherapist appointments, so stay tuned!

Thanks again to everyone for your support, encouragement, and prayers. I know a lot of you have tried to post a comment and can't. (I've reset the settings so that anyone should be able to leave a comment, so keep trying!) Since this blog started, there have been over 500 page views from Canada, the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, and Singapore! Cool!

First Physio Appointment

Friday, October 22, 2010

Today I took Harrison to his first physiotherapy appointment at Canine Wellness Centre in Toronto. (http://caninewellness.com/). We met Tania Costa, the owner of the centre, and a few other people who work there with her. They were all very happy to meet Harrison and he enjoyed having four girls fawn all over him, telling him how handsome he is!

The first thing we did was fill out some forms and answer some questions about Harrion's injury and surgeries. Then, Tania did some laser therapy on Harrison. She said this will speed his healing from both of his surgeries. Almost immediately I noticed some movement in his back thigh muscles, and we all noticed him pushing with his back feet when we held him up. I almost burst into tears when Tania said that she thought he would be standing on his own within a week and that he might not ever need wheels! I am so grateful for the Canine Wellness Centre and for Tania. I have always had faith that Harrison will make a complete recovery, and it is more than encouraging to have a professional who works with dogs like H.B. all the time agree!

The major obstacle to all of this are his stitched up bed sores and the drain that is still in. (I will not post any pictures of that stuff. Yuck!) Once we can get those healed and under control, Harrison will recovery quickly. One of Tania's clients recommended Johnson & Johnson's Advanced Healing Adhesive Pads because they protect the skin while healing it. I have to wait until the stitches are taken out first and then I will try them.

The doctors and Tania also recommended that Harrison sleep on wool fleece as it is natural and it stays dry. The two fleece blankets Tania sold me work amazingly! Harrison is so comfortable and dry! I put some pee pads underneath the fleece just in case and then put some towels and foam pads underneath that. And I thought Harrison was a spoiled dog before all this!!

We have two physio appointments next week. All of us are really looking forward to them! Hopefully, Rob can come to the first one if his schedule allows. I have taken another week off of my morning classes so that I can be here for Harrison.

Let's hope all goes well this week and I may even have some videos to post!

Oh where, oh where has my little dog gone?

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Kitty is wondering where his brother is. I caught him checking out the blog this morning. He probably wanted to post a comment.

Below is the Toronto Vet Emergency Hospital where we have been taking Harrison for his recent surgeries. The doctors and staff there are just amazing. Harrison has come to really like it there.

For me, it was another frustrating day of waiting, waiting, waiting. The doctor called this morning to report that Harrison had managed to pull out one of his drains. Fortunately it was the one they wanted to change anyways, and they were able to sew up the other one.


Finally, after I finished work and we had dinner, Rob and went and picked up Harrison and brought him home. His staples down his back have been removed. He now has a drain in his right side, a few stitched up areas, and a cone he has to wear to keep him from ripping the other two out! It's a good thing Halloween is coming. Poor Harrison! Doesn't he just look mortified! (Don't tell him I posted this picture!) We are glad to have him home again. After some snuggles and a baby wipe bath, it was time for bed. Tomorrow we have an appointment with the physiotherapist at Canine Wellness. Her name is Tania and I can't wait to meet her!

Still at the vet

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Harrison's surgery went well. The doctors put in two tubes to drain H.B.'s pressure sores. He had a slight fever so they wanted to keep him overnight to monitor that and the amount of drainage.

Today was Rob's birthday, so we went out to Swiss Chalet for dinner. There's one right around the corner from the vet hospital. Then we went to visit Harrison. He looked very good and was moving his tail more than before. He had a cone on so that he couldn't do any damage to the tubes coming out of him.

He has had his staples removed from his back surgery and the fur on his back is growing in. It's so cute that you can still see his white spot even when the hair is shaved! He looked alert and gobbled down most of his dinner during our visit. I can see some improvement in the way he is trying to move around.

Tomorrow afternoon if all goes well, we will bring him home. Hopefully Friday he will start his physiotherapy. The doctor recommended he get his wheels as soon as possible to prevent any further complications from his pressure sores. It was good to see him. He seemed very comfortable there and not in any pain, but the three of us miss him here. The cat has been looking around everywhere for him!

I'll post more pictures tomorrow!

Another Surgery

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Today at noon, Harrison had another operation to help clean out his pressure sores. He went through the surgery ok and has a good appetite. He's at the vet again tonight for observation, but we should be able to pick him up tomorrow. Rob believes that once this heals, he will start to recover in great strides. I have a good feeling about it, too. We'll keep you posted.

A bump in the road

Monday, October 18, 2010

Rob and I got up at 6:00 am for Harrison's morning routine. We both had to go to work that morning, but we were ready to go. This was our trial run of a normal day, as I want to start back to work next week full time. H.B. had a normal poop and pee, but when we took off his diaper to change it, there was a lot of gooey pink discharge, presumably from his bed sores. We tried to clean rinse him off, but we couldn't really find the source of it. It seemed odd to me so I immediately called in to work and told them I couldn't make it and then I called the vet.

As soon as I could, I got myself and Harrison ready and went to the vet once more. On the way, Harrison was calm and relaxed, which is amazing because I was a wreck! He even laid down on the back seat. When we arrived, he wasn't anxious at all and even tried to climb out of the car by himself when I opened the door! The vet tech came and took him back to examine him and I waited until the doctor had time to see me. Dr. Cotter assured me that I had done the right thing in bringing Harrison in and he commented that Rob and I were obviously taking good care of Harrison. (We worry a lot about that, given he is recovering from a major surgery in his back and neither of us have much experience with this kind of stuff.) He seemed happy to hear about Harrison moving his tail and he mentioned that he detected some reaction when he touched one of Harrison's back paws.


He recommended that I leave Harrison there for the day so that both he and Dr. Gillick could examine him. I have to say that I was pretty devastated by this development. He is improving so much: moving his tail, holding his poop, taking his medicine, eating and drinking, enjoying his outside walks. But he seemed so happy to be going to the vet again. The doctor called last night and said that he was resting comfortably and was not anxious at all. They packed his sores and are monitoring him closely. We left him there for observation overnight.




Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Dr. Nelson called from the hospital. Harrison is doing fine. She recommended doing another surgery to put in a drain for Harrison's sores and to help them heal as fast and as well as possible. His surgery is scheduled for around noon. Once these sores heal, there is nothing holding him back! He's just so full of life!

A trip to the Vet

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Saturday routine: 4:30 am: pee, poop, change diaper, water, back to bed. At 7:00 am, H.B. was snoozing away, so I waited for him to wake up around 8:30 am. Then it was time for breakfast and a bath. The bath had rinsed away the gunk in his sores and left some open holes, so I became really concerned and called the doctor and left a message. In the meantime, I took Harrison out for his afternoon walk. We met some new and old friends and did some tail walking.

After his afternoon walk around 12:00 the doctor called back. He suggested I bring him in for a a check up. As I was cleaning him up, H.B. was lying on his side on the kitchen floor. When I went to put some diaper cream on him....he moved his tail! I gently moved his tail back where it had been before and touched him again and ...he moved his tail! I tried it a third time and he did it again!

In the end, I decided to take Harrison to the vet by myself. They cleaned up the area and discovered that what looked like two sores was actually one that was connected. They gave us some antibiotics and some medicine drops to give him and also recommended some epsom salt baths to help keep the sores clean. (I had actually just bought some epsom salts for myself after going to the chiropractor on Friday! What a lucky dog! First daily massages and now daily epsom salt baths!) The doctor also confirmed that Harrison did in fact move his tail! Go H.B.!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

We were all really tired and Harrison slept through the night for the first time in a week. When we got up, we gave Harrison a nice bath around 7:30 am and he had his normal morning routine: pee, poop, medicine, breakfast, a nap in the crate. Rob and I are getting to be quite a team helping each other lift, move and hold Harrison still while we take care of his needs. He seems to be trying to hold his pee and poop and has not had many accidents in his crate. It could be a sign that he is regaining some control in his lower body.

Later in the day, we noticed that his left hind knee was swollen, probably from lying on it all night long. We applied a cold compress, stretched and massaged him and did some bicycle exercises with him.

That night, we gave him a nice bath and got him ready for bed.

Outside?

Friday, October 15, 2010

At 4:30 am, H.B. was awake sitting up in his crate, him in one corner and his diaper in the other. He gave me a look like 'get this dirty thing out of here!' I have no idea how he wiggled out of it. I cleaned him up, put on a new one, and gave him a little massage before putting him back in his crate for a nap.At 8:00 am, Rob gave him his breakfast and medicine and then it was outside for some fresh air. In the afternoon, we gave him another outdoor walk since the weather was so nice. The tail walking works well, but it's hard on our arms and backs. We are picking up a sling this week.

The rest of the day was more of the same: food, water, diaper change, medicine, walks, etc. Harrison's bed sores began to concern me so I called the doctor and they said to watch them closely.

first check-up with the doctor

Thursday, October 14, 2010


9:00 am: Today we took Harrison to see Dr. Gillick, the surgeon who performed the operation on his spine. Harrison's back is healing well and he will get his staples out next Friday. The doctor said that there is improvement in Harrison's tail tone and the reflexes on his left side have improved. Considering that before the operation he had no reflex response on either side, this is great news!

He also suggested keeping Harrison more confined so that he doesn't hurt himself dragging himself all over the place so we have set up his crate again. He showed us how to walk Harrison by lifting his back end by his tail. It works, but it's hard on our backs!


11:45 pm: After the doctor's appointment, Rob went to work and I gave Harrison a bath and attempted to put a dog diaper on him. Then he had lunch and a walk in the rain.

5:00 pm: I stepped out to the chirpractor for my back while Harrison took a long, well-deserved nap!

The rest of the evening involved diaper changes, medicine, and more snoring! Music to our ears!

Ups and Downs

Wednesday October 13, 2010

12:00 am: Exhausted, we crawled into bed after changing H.B.'s bedding, knowing we'd have to get up in a few hours to 'express his bladder'. Suddenly, in the dark, I could hear Harrison drinking his water, which is a few feet from his bed. He pulled himself over to it and then put himself back to his bed!

3:30 am: Up to check on H.B., get him to pee, and give him his pain medicine. Also, we had to change his towel again. He can't control when he poops, so he has had several 'accidents'. The biggest challenge for us is keeping him clean and keeping up with the laundry!

7:15 am: Breakfast and medicine. Then, we went outside in the new wagon, across the street to the beltline. We met a new dog named Cloud, who is a beautiful 2 1/2 year old Collie, and little Maggie, the dog with big cute bat ears, came running up to H.B. to say hi. Then, H.B. took off down the hill, dragging his hind legs behind him. He's feeling more energetic!

10:30 am: I decided to take a bath. Harrison usually comes in to investigate while the water is running, and he actually tried to pull himself into the bathroom. I put him back in bed and told him to stay. After I came out of the bathroom, I found him near the front door! The little bug had pulled himself all the way down the hall! Of course, when I moved him, he pooped and when I lifted him up to clean him, he peed all over the place! I think he knew he had to go, and he didn't want to soil his bed.

11:30 am: After cleaning him up and cleaning up the hall, it was time for more medicine. Then he was lying down, trying to sleep but not really getting anywhere.

The rest of the day was kind of like that. Him trying to pull himself along and peeing and pooping all over the place at home! Later I called the doctor to ask about Harrison's increased energy and his medication and the problems we were having. I was worried that he shouldn't be pulling himself around like that as his back is still healing so the doctor recommended limiting his movement for awhile.

It was a long and tiring day. I don't think any of us slept well. Both Rob and I were worried about Harrison's progress. It's hard to deal with all this chaos not knowing if or when it will end. Fortunately, he's not in any pain anymore and his back is healing. And, most importantly, he's alive! A few emails really cheered me up. Thanks Sharon and Bert (my sisters), Norma (Big's human mommy), and to everyone who has been encouraging us. Your words of love and encouragement give us strength for those trying times. I know Harrison will recover fully. I can see it in his eyes!

Thursday was a much better day, but I am tired now, so it's off to bed. I'll post today's post tomorrow with some cute pictures.

our 'new' wagon

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 (continued)


3:30 pm: trip outside across the street. I think he actually waited to poop outside. Good boy! We met Margaret from OLPH and Suzy (dog) and Julie from the neighborhood. Harrison was happy to see some familiar friendly faces, both human and canine. Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts. We can feel them working already!

4:55 pm: went shopping. Picked up: puppy pads, doggie diapers, puppy wipes, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer (for us!), and a gently used wagon from 'Once Upon A Child' on Merton and Bayview. (The wagon is so we can safely and cleanly take H.B. outside to walk him. We live in a condo and have to cross a busy street. He's really heavy- 40 pounds! When we walk him, we raise his hind legs using a towel as a sling and he walks on his front legs.)

5:45 pm: Rob returned and took the Beagle outside to the beltline. H.B. met a few dogs, peed and pooed. He even played with a stick and tried to come when Rob called him. Once inside, Rob washed and dried H.B.'s parts.

7:30 pm: I got home with all my loot. I gave H.B. a good massage on his legs and sang some Beagle songs to him. The latest one is about how the brain sends messages down his spine to the tip of his tail and the tips his toes on his hind legs.

8:30 pm: We had dinner and prepared to take H.B. for his first trip outside in his wagon! We met Craig and Chloe (dog) on the way out. H.B. gave Craig a little story. That's when Harrison whines, but it sounds like he's telling a story. Only very special people and dogs, especially puppies, get a story! H.B. loves Craig!

That's all for now. Stay tuned!

Home from the vet

October12, 2010

We picked up H.B. at Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital yesterday around 3:30 pm. Apparently he was quite anxious there. We brought him home and he seemed to calm down right away, being in familiar surroundings. He had his dinner, some medicine, and a few trips outside before settling down to sleep.

At 4:30 am, Rob and I gave him another pee break and some medicine. At 6:00 am he was lying on his side sleeping comfortably, so I decided not to wake him.

At 7:30 am, it was time for more medicine, breakfast and a trip outside. We put a pillow case inside a garbage bag as a makeshift diaper while carrying him through the building.

Around 9:00 am, I read all Harrison's cards from the kids to him. He listened very carefully! Then I posted them all around his den so he can look at them and re-read them. In all the pictures, I noticed Harrison is standing on all fours!

11:30 am: trip outside. I strapped our green bin to our flattened grocery buggy and took H.B. for a little ride across the street. The hardest part was getting down the front step. I am in the market for a wagon!

12:00: lunch and more medicine.

So far so good! Thanks to everyone who's been praying for our little bug's recovery.
Keep checking back for more posts and pictures!

beagle medical emergency

---

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Hi all,

I have some sad news. Our Beagle, Harrison, had to be taken to the vet hospital on Friday afternoon for an emergency operation to his spine. He slipped a disc in his back and is paralyzed from the waist down. (I know it's really sad. We haven't been able to stop crying. Apparently this is very common in Beagles, and the doctors knew just what to do.)

The great news is the doctors were able to locate and repair the damaged disc, and we are hopeful that he will regain full use of his hind legs over the next few weeks/months. Odds are 50% to 60% that he will. We are picking him up on Monday. The situation is certainly manageable, though difficult emotionally. I never knew I could love a dog, especially this much!!

As shocking as sad as all this is, it is Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada and we are truly thankful that we got him to the hospital in time to save his life, though we have to watch him carefully the first 10 days. He stands a very good chance at a full recovery due to his age, his otherwise perfect health, and his strong will. Here's to medical science and miracles!

I will keep you updated if anything changes.

Love,
Melissa