Tails End: Animal Wellness
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Ben, the author's Rottweiler, recently had his third ACL surgery in five years. The author shares lessons he has learned from Ben's recovery. First, dogs will try to convince their owners they are healed to resume normal activities right away, so it's important to follow the vet's instructions on restricting activity. Second, the copious shedding from Ben's short coat during his recovery meant the author needed to stock up heavily on vacuum bags. Finally, the author advises pet owners to establish clear post-operative communication with their vet in case any issues arise, as some vets are difficult to contact after surgery. With the help of a vet who is accessible by email and phone, Ben has nearly recovered after
Tails End: Animal Wellness
- 1. Ben’s Post-Op /TailEnd Section /Animal Wellness Magazine Tom Lloyd Did you think the worst was over when you picked your dog up after surgery? Silly pet parent! The toughest part of any animal operation is the recovery. My Rottweler, Gentle Ben, recently went through his third ACL operation in five years. I thought I’d share what I’ve learned. First, be aware that your dog is perfectly willing to lie to you. It will look you in the face - or lick you in the face - and try to convince you that it is ready to resume its normal Tasmanian devil approach to dealing with squirrels, UPS trucks and about a dozen other real or imagined threats within 30 minutes of getting home. Don’t believe the dog! You might feel like Simon Legree keeping your canine in a crate, but following your veterinary’s instructions, (including restricting off-leash activities), is the only way to get your hound back to health. In the meantime, however, you should probably buy stock in a vacuum cleaner bag manufacturer. Like all rotties, Ben’s short, glistening black and brown coat is a thing of beauty. It is also a never-ending source of extraneous fur. Even under normal circumstances, the boy leaves more hair on the floor in one day than you’d find in a month’s worth of Camp Lejeune barbershop sweepings. Add the stress of surgery and the weeks of post- surgical in-home confinement and it’s safe to say you can expect a minimum of 3,279 metric tons of hair to be left on your carpets and floors. Do the math. Since most vacuum bags fill up with less than a pound, you’re going to need a boatload of bags. Buy the stock. At least you’ll get a dividend. Finally, you need to “vet” your vet. Long before the first incision is made, you need to ask your vet how to contact him or her with any post-surgical questions. The sad fact is that some vets will go to great lengths to avoid returning phone calls from paranoid pet owners once the slicing and dicing is done. You never want to have to play “Where’s Waldo” with your veterinary surgeon Five years ago Ben’s first surgeon never returned a single phone call and swore she didn’t use email. This time I asked Ben’s (new) surgeon how I could contact him and his answer was music to my ears. He said he checks his email every morning and replies to each one at that time. He also pointed out that his home phone number is on his business card. That may not have made Ben feel any better but it certainly made me feel good. Anyway, it has now been six weeks since Ben’s surgery and he is very nearly back to being his old self again. The local squirrels aren’t happy, but I certainly am. -30-
- 2. 469 words Tom Lloyd spent the past 35 years writing for newspapers and magazines in Maryland, New York and Washington, D.C. He is now living in Florida with his Rottweiler, Gentle Ben. Tom Lloyd (Thomas B. Lloyd) Chipshot410@yahoo.com 2811 Ruleme Street Apt. 806 Eustis, FL 32726 352-272-0949