day two of post-op cruciate repair

Well, if I hadn't been an avid reader of blogs I wouldn't have been prepared for how stressful this period of recovery from cruciate surgery can be. But I figure if all those other dogs made it through their cruciate repairs, Penny can also.

Today has been dominated by the Great Saga of the Wee. We've carried her in and out about five times, worrying about why she won't urinate. I'd love to have had a camera when human male was crouched on the nature strip in the street holding up an umbrella, protecting Penny from the pouring rain, as he and I stood with water pouring off us, waiting for her to wee. She didn't.

By late afternoon we were really worrying. No urination since yesterday morning. And she was lying on her mat, shivering all over and panting. We scooped her up and hurried out to the street again. (Can't go out to our own garden, because of the steps.) She wriggled free and raced off three-legged tugging us along. Then sat. Then raced along again, three-legged. Then sat.

One of our neighbours drove past and saw us gathered around Penny, holding a sling under her belly to support her. She parked her car and hurried to our rescue, racing home to phone her daughter who is a vet nurse. Message - Penny must wee. We'd better go to animal emergency if it didn't happen soon. Sometimes after an operation the kidneys just freeze up (I think that was what we were told.)

And then Penny did it! She let it all out! General jubiliation.

We realised how much it must have hurt her each time today when we scooped her up and carried her outside, if her bladder was full to bursting but she couldn't urinate.

Now we have the delightful wait to see if she can manage to defecate with such a sore leg.

Poor Penny! But at least now she's curled up comfortably sleeping in her little corner of the room.