Bubba's Trauma

First off, Bubba is doing well or as well as can be expected after having his head shaved, flesh removed and then stitched to look like Frankenstein's dog.  The chest x-ray they did prior to the surgery was clear - had it not been (had there been tumors) we wouldn't have done the surgery.  The blood work they did in the office was crystal clear and "perfect" according to the doctor.  We'll have to wait to see what the results of his buffy coat are - if they got all the cancer.  Bubba's ears are a mess as are his arm pits - so says Dr. Williamson but I knew they were and with his allergies - I don't know what the right "formula" is to get them clear for good.  He ended up giving Bubba a shot of steroids, histamine, and antibiotics.  He sent us home with antibiotics as well as an ear medicine and some sedatives for when he returns for suture removal in two weeks (the fear and stress he goes through when going to the vet has apparently warranted sedation).  He doesn't look nearly as bad as I thought he would but he certainly looks pitiful - as you can see (he did NOT want his picture taken and if he weren't so lethargic and out of it, he would have run from me).

It was a rough night for me and Bubba.  He was so tired and very much suffering form the effects of the sedation (nearly falling over while walking, stumbling over his own 4 paws).  When we went upstairs to bed, I let him get comfortable before putting any preventative devices around his head.  When he finally moved into a sleeping position, I put the inflatable donut thing around his neck.  Well, that made him restless and he couldn't/wouldn't lay down.  I ended up taking it off and letting him get comfy again in his pillow.  When he did and when I started to fall asleep, I ended up putting his e-collar on.  Well, that was horrible.  He walked around and kept bumping into things; getting stuck, whining.  He would go to the top of the stairs where the gate was set up and just stand there and get stuck again.  Jim was no help either as he snored away in bed - oblivious and rude to his baby Bubs!  Finally, I had to get Jim up to help me figure out what to do.  I took Bubba out again (he's supposed to be restricted to potty on a leash for two days) since he seemed to want back downstairs.  He peed for what seemed 10 minutes and then came back upstairs to bed.  I kicked Jim out of our bed to the guest bed (he doesn't snore there and I needed to hear Bubba) put the inflatable around Bubba's neck and just decided to power through.  Bubba walked around for about a 1/2 hour and I let him until he finally got "comfortable" on a dog pillow and slept.  This was at 1AM.  I periodically woke up to check on him and he slept well and through the night.  We got up at 6:00 and he's been great so far: Medicated, fed, pottied and now snoozing.

The biggest irritation to him so far is his ears.  He keeps trying to shake his head - which the doctor said is okay as it shouldn't harm his wound - but I know his head must ache because he can barely move it from side to side.  My biggest worry and the thing I have to watch for most is that he not bump his head on something causing trauma to his wound.  This is where the e-collar would help but it's too big - even after cutting about 2 inches off it - and as low as he is to the ground, he ends up tripping on it.  The inflatable collar is good because it will certainly keep him from being able to itch his head but it doesn't protect from bumping.  I'll only use that when he sleeps.  When awake and in my presence, I let him go "naked". 

So obviously I've stayed home today.  I wasn't sure what to do about tomorrow but Jim offered to stay home with him.  Technically I could stay home and I really don't care in the sense of needing to be at school but I am giving a pretty major test (Hamlet), I have a few things I have to get ready and I think I'll need a break from the worry. 

And that's it.  Today I'll probably watch a movie or two (The Kids Are Alright is On Demand) and quilt.  K - well, later!