Really really really sorry

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  Ok...a long time.  Anyway...Dakoda is doin great!  He is still scared of thunderstorms but he is now kennel trained so I don't have to worry about any more destruction.  His hip is doin good.  You can tell it still bothers him sometimes but he runs around like he is a pup so it can't bother him to bad.  Here are some updated pics of him!

Just Fun

So Dakoda is doin really good.  He is on a new pain med to manage his hip and he seems to be doin better on it than the other one he was on.  He is playin more with me and the other dogs and it really makes me happy to see.  He is startin to act the age he is as opposed to actin like he was 10 like he was doin.  Hopefully I will have some pictures comin soon.

Hehe

bath time

Guarding the steam mop

Bath time again

I know I know

I'm horrible at keepin these things updated...bite me.  Lol!  Dakoda is doin well.  You can tell he still has some pain but it doesn't stop him from runnin and jumpin and playin like a puppy.  So I guess he isn't in that much pain.  He isn't on pain meds anymore but he is still on his supplement and his anti-inflammatory.  I want him back on the pain meds but mom said its good for them, just like humans, to feel alittle pain so they don't over do it and injure themselves.  It makes sense but I still feel bad for him.  But he is just as cuddley as big of an attention hog as always :p

For the Hell of It

Dakoda is doin good!  He was off of his pain meds and anit-inflamatory for about a week so he started limpin again a little bit but he is back on his meds now so it's startin to get better.  We are gonna start goin to the dog park atleast four times a week startin next week along with the rest of the pack.  I wonder how they will all do.  Guess we will see!

Finally an Update

I'm back and can start keepin this up again.  Dakoda is doin so much better!  He really doesn't limp at all anymore!  He has a bad day now and then but it doesn't last long.  He jumps and runs and plays like he is a puppy again...though he is still only 3.  Lol!  We did learn that he is scared to death of thunderstorms.  So now everytime one comes around Mom has to build him his little tent so that he feels safe.  His little tent is a blanket infront of the computor cover the leg cavity area or covering one of the dog beds between the computor desk and the couch.  Its soo cute!

Pics

all doped up after the vet appt

"Taquito!?"

First Specialist Appointment

Ok so now its not an ACL Tear.  Dr. Purnell took more X-rays and we saw that Dakoda does have some degeneration goin on on his femural head so that may be part of our problem.  He thinks we may mostly be lookin at a muscle injury.  Somethin right up by the socket cause there is more laxity goin on that in his right hind leg and the pain is definately comin from his hip area.  He also drew some fluid from Dakoda's joint that did not come back normal.  It is supposed to be a syrupy color but actually came back orangey which shows we may have some bleedin from whatever is damaged goin into his joints.

First step...2 different pain meds multiple times a day until ???.  Glyco-Flex III twice a day for 6 weeks then once a day there after.  Limited activity (no playin, runnin, or jumpin) for 6 weeks.  He has another follow up appointment to see where we stand in four weeks.  Unfortunately I won't be here so my mom is goin to take him and send me copies of all the paperword as well as a detailed letter on what the doctor said and then we will go from there.

Dr. Purnell did mention the S word (surgery) but he thinks that might be premature right now.  So we are takin this first step.  If the 6 weeks of limited activity doesn't work then I am lookin at 3 weeks of in-patient physical therapy which will run me $1,275.00.  Ouch!  So everyone cross your fingers that these next 6 weeks proves to work!  Keep Koda in your prayers (and my sanity if you can spare me a couple seconds) if you would't mind.  I get the feelin we are gonna need alot of support.

Everythin will work out though!  The Gods and Goddesses never give us more than we can handle and everythin is a learnin experience!  Just gotta keep the chin up, chest out, and a smile on the face, and keep marchin!

We're Off to See the Specialist

Well we have an appointment Friday at 1000 hrs to see the specialist and see what all our options are.  Spendin $85.00 that I do not have to my name. :o oh well...we will see what he says and go from there.  I'll come up with the money some how...

Heard From the Vet

Well I heard from the vet and told her that he is doin a little better on the pain meds but he still limps and doens't put all his weight on his leg.  She is recommendin him to a specialist.  The office visit to this specialist is $75.00 and he will tell me whether he thinks surgery will be beneficial, if its our only route, if we have other options, or if it may heal on its own over time.  Surgery is $1000.00 for an ACL tear...so if surgery is our only option...I may have to think about gettin rid of him...I really hope it doesn't come to that though.  Cross your fingers.  I'm about to call the specialist and make an appointment.