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Vesna's Progress Reports on Bonzo .......
(Keep looking out
for more updates)
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Monday 16th October 2000
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Bonzo
was brought back to quarantine late in the afternoon and my heart
went out to him. Here is hoping that with each passing day he will
be in less pain and able to get around more comfortably.
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| Tuesday
17th October: |
 Today
he looked much happier, the sparkle in his eyes and the happy 'smile'
were back. Of course getting around with his 'contraption' is a
bit awkward, but he manages. He was cheerful and playful, but I
didn't encourage him to be too active, as he really should rest
his leg as much as possible for the first two weeks or so. His
right leg will be operated on in 5 to 6 weeks time.
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| Friday 3rd November: |
 He
was taken to the veterinary hospital to have the cast changed, because
he managed to 'crack' it, by jumping around too much. The ankle and
metal plate remained intact and the surgeon told me he was pleased
with the healing process... Bonzo's second leg is likely to be operated
on in 3 weeks time, when hopefully, the cast on his other leg can
be removed. I can't imagine him moping around even if both his hind
legs were in cast - he would find a way of getting around, that's
for sure. This picture was taken last Saturday - with Carly, GAR's
youngest supporter. |
| Friday 10th November |
Bonzo's plaster was 'modified'
yesterday, because the edges were rubbing against his thigh and causing
soreness. He was still groggy when I saw him, but much happier with
the modified cast. |
| Saturday
18th November |
| Vesna told me that on her visit
with Dianne she had found a pressure sore on Bonzo's leg caused
by the plaster. The vet decided that the plaster had got to
be removed prematurely and replaced with a splint but was hopeful
that sufficient time had elapsed for the healing process to
be well advanced. Nevertheless it was a worrying development.
(Webmaster) |
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| Tuesday 21st
November |
 Bonzo
was brought back to quarantine today, still groggy from yesterday's
anaesthetic. I was already there waiting and worrying ... what a
relief to see him bouncing out of the sky kennel with a big grin
on his face!!! Can you believe that he was actually happy to be back
in quarantine?!
What joy to see him 'smiling' once more. They've done a good job with the
splint, which is heavily bandaged but allows more movement. The pressure
sore on his hock is now not rubbing against the plaster, but it's still
'open', and the dressing will have to be changed in 3 days time.
Bonzo is now getting around much better, but I wish he didn't jump around
like a puppy!! He's not so bad when the kennel girls are doing their chores,
but during visiting hours he's much more active.
Bonzo was very clingy today and he kept rubbing his face against my cheek,
as if to say 'sorry' for being in a 'bad mood' on Saturday, not that we
could blame him, the poor boy... |
| Sunday 10th December |
 Bonzo
is to have his second surgery on Wednesday ... another 13th, can
you believe it?
Overall he's doing very well, though at times he can get a bit stroppy
if he gets a 'twinge' of pain, which is understandable. He must be getting
pretty bored in his kennel as well, but he 'keeps on smiling', as you can
see. We still don't know how successful the first surgery has been but
the quarantine vet says the 'ankle' looks strong, so we're hoping for the
best. Another update will follow a few days after his surgery; he should
be back in his quarantine kennel by Saturday... |
| Thursday 14th
December |
Bonzo had his second surgery yesterday
and apparently all went well and he will be taken back to quarantine
tomorrow. For the next week or two, he will not be 'smiling' much
... with a plaster cast on one hind leg and heavy bandaging on the
other [the latter is to be removed in 2 weeks time], he certainly
won't be very 'mobile' and will still feel some discomfort. My heart
goes out to him and yes, I feel quite apprehensive...... |
| Later on 14th
December |
....the more I thought about Bonzo
and how he would cope in quarantine initially, the more apprehensive
I became about him going back there tomorrow. I felt it was far too
soon after such a serious surgery.
I phoned quarantine and spoke with Ray - the manager. I was relieved to
hear that he felt the same as I did, i.e., that Bonzo would be better off
staying in hospital - at least till Monday, because in hospital he'll be
under 24 hour care. The vet comes to quarantine for 2 hours a day, but
not on Sunday, it seems only sensible to keep Bonzo in hospital till after
the week-end. Ray will go to the hospital himself tomorrow morning and
speak with the chief vet ... Poor Bonzo! I wish I could hug him and tell
him that soon everything will be alright, to explain that we don't mean
to hurt him, that all this is 'for his own good' ... I know that he will
'bounce back' before long and overcome this last and the biggest hurdle
... |
| Tuesday, 19th
December |
 Well,
I saw Bonzo for the first time since his surgery last Wednesday
and I must confess, I was 'a bag of nerves'. It's difficult to
describe how I felt at seeing Bonzo. He didn't look as bad as I
had dreaded, but not as good as I had hoped either ... does this
make sense?
Whilst I was surprised to see how 'mobile' he was, I was also concerned
that his left paw/ankle appeared to be 'twisted inward', making it awkward
for him to walk. Even with the pressure sore still looking quite ugly
[he removed the bandage as soon as he was placed in his kennel!], his
'new leg' was holding his weight surprisingly well.
The muscles in that left leg are quite weak, but with special supplements
[herbal and homoeopathic], we are bound to see an improvement as the
days go by and the pressure sore is likely to heal quicker with the air
getting to it.
While Bonzo couldn't have been feeling 'on top of the world', he didn't
appear miserable or even very grumpy, but I didn't want him to get over
playful - he should take it easy & rest as much as possible for the next
few days. I'll be seeing Bonzo again tomorrow and the following day and
on Saturday [no visiting for 3 days over the Christmas hols].
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| Saturday 23rd
December |
Last update of the year ...
Bonzo continues to improve as each day goes by, the pressure sore
now almost gone ... he's using his left leg all the time and although
it's still weak, he gets around with ease. It's quite incredible
how 'straight' he stands now ... he looks so much taller all of a
sudden! Here is hoping his 'new legs' will 'serve him well' for many
years to come ... |
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