HELP . . . Willow Is Not Being A Good Patient Today

[BellaWillow]

We are 10 days into Willow's recovery for her broken leg and the surgery to put a plate and pins in it . . . and this little stinker is becoming more and more fiesty every day. I know I should be happy that my sweet little baby is finally feeling good . . . but we have many weeks yet of her being confined in a cat carrier. It has been a very traumatic two weeks since she was dropped by the boy that came to visit for Christmas . . . and many a sleepless night being sick over what happened . . . but how can I now get with the program and keep my little girl calm and content when she is zipped up in a small carrier so that her leg has the necessary time to completely heal?

Each day that she feels better just gets that much harder to keep her confined. All my little tricks are not working anymore. She wants down on the ground to run and play and that just can't happen. The doctor specifically told us that she has to be confined in that carrier for 6 weeks . . . and we have about four and a half more to go. I let her out of the potty kennel and she bolted from me and ran into the other room and was looking for her toys. I had to run and catch her and just be thankful she didn't hurt that little leg of hers.

For the past few days I have had her out of her carrier and laying on the bed with me and she chewed flossies and sucked on her little "nook". She was very content to lay with me . . . but today . . . she wants to run and play by herself and that can't happen.

I am so thankful that my sweet little baby is okay because it could have been so much worse . . . and then I read about all the sick and injured yorkies out there that are so much worse off than Willow . . . but what can I do to pass the time for Willow and make her time in the kennel not so horrible for both of us? The vet mentioned that we may have to sedate her . . . but that seems so drastic. Then she mentioned baby benadryl as an alternative. What ideas do you have that you may suggest to us. I am forever greatful. Love Pegi and Willow

[LuvMySissy]

Have you seen the front pouch carriers that you wear like a baby snuggle sack? Perhaps if you carry her around with you, she might be more content. Just a thought for when she is extra fiesty.

[LunasMomma]

I'm sorry that I'm no help, but gosh I sure feel for you It must be so hard to keep a feisty Yorkie gal down!

I like the carrier suggestion. Maybe that would work?

[CJCinTX]

You know I'm feeling your pain, Pegi! Muffin's been unbelievably feisty since her surgery, but she only had a large incision & no broken bones. Our vet told us she needed to stay still & calm & Muffin wasn't having any of it from Day One. Have you talked to your vet about any alternatives other than sedatives? Maybe if you explain how good Willow is feeling, they'll be more specific about what she can & cannot do. That's what I ended up doing because I finally told our vet that if he wanted to keep Muffin still & calm he was going to have to come over to our house & demonstrate!

I also agree with pouch carrier idea...that might be a great way to limit her activity & still let her be close. I was at PetSmart yesterday & I saw that they had a couple of types. You can check them out online to get an idea.

In the meantime, be glad Willow has got so much spunk & just think how great it will be when she finally does get to run around & jump & play! You're a really terrific Mommy!

C.J. & Muffin

[YorkieShadow]

A lady I know had the same problem with keeping her little one from playing to much , she also had a broken leg. Heres what she did. She kept her in a human playpen with lots of toys and chews and when she would get bored with that she would take her for walks in the doggie stroller to keep her busy . They get so bored being pinned up and dont understsnd its for their own good. The playpen and stroller seem to keep her baby busy and make the days go by a little faster.

[Tink's Mom]

These are good ideas - a front pack and a stroller. Years ago, when toy my poodle had his leg surgery, I carried him around in a human baby pack. He was very happy about that cause he could snuggle into a little ball against my tummy and lick me when he wanted LOL

[BellaWillow]

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. I will go out tomorrow and see about a front pack and a stroller. I just ended up holding Willow most of the day and that finally seemed to work. It appears that she has caught up on her flossie chewing. I tried the playpen . . . but she wants to stand up on her hind legs in it . . . so I took her out right away. We will try again when the vet says it is okay.

Hugs and kisses to everyone from Willow . . . and prayers to sweet baby Ella and all the other sick and injured yorkies. We love you all

[Connie]

This is so sad. If only they could understand why they can't be up and running around. That's got to be so frustrating to you. If it was a skinkid, one could rent movies, books, games for them to play, but a little furbaby there isn't much to do to occupy their time while being confined. I wish I had some good suggestions, but all I can say is I'm thinking of you and Willow and hope the time goes by quickly. Hugs to you and Willow...Maddie sends kisses!

[BellaWillow]

Willow gets her stitches out this morning and I am so relieved. She got her cone off in the middle of the night and was chewing on it this morning . . . lovely. Her incision looks good though and I hope the vet says we don't have to have the cone anymore because I know she hates it. I hate it too.

I am exhausted . . . I know I shouldn't complain . . . this is what new mothers go through with infants. Up every few hours . . . holding their baby . . . not sleeping soundly for fear that baby will wake up . . . or not wake up. I keep puttin my hand in her carrier and rubbing her back to make sure she is still breathing. I am worried that she is not getting enough to eat, I am worried she is not getting enough to drink, I am worried that the pain meds are too strong. I am a worrier and I need to get over it so I can better care for her. She is just fine and she is going to have to accept that she is stuck in a cat carrier for four to six weeks. Hopefully only four. We are one third of the way there.

Thank you everyone for your support and I am definitely going to try the little carrier today and see if that calms her down. Then I can work at my computer and still hold her close to me.

Love Pegi and Willow

[LuvMySissy]

Peggy - I hope Willow gets her stitches out and doesn't need the cone anymore also. Don't worry about being a worrier. It is a MOM thing. We always worry - it's what we are supposed to do!! Glad to hear that Willow is recovering nicely and hope the front pack and stroller will bring continued ease of mind till she is able to be back on her feet!!

[CJCinTX]

It seems like we've got more than the Minnesota thing in common because I'm a huge worry wart too! Don't feel bad...I'm sure your vet appreciates your concern & they don't mind if you ask a bunch of questions. I think they'd much rather have someone overly concerned than not concerned at all. And most people here at Yorkie Talk can empathize with you, believe me! I'm sure Willow will be relieved just to get the E collar off. We didn't have to use one with Muffin on the first surgery, but we've got it just in case for the second. I know she will be irritated beyond belief with it. It sounds like Willow is recovering well, so cross another day off your calendar & know you're just that much closer to the end result! Plus come on here for a little TLC anytime you need it. I know how you feel & sometimes it just is comforting to know that people are behind you!
C.J.

[ARCHIE]

I am so happy Willow has healed nicely. Not sitting still is a good sign that she is feeling like herself. Good luck with getting the stiches out today.


Carol & Buddy

[BellaWillow]

Thanks to all of you for all your support. Willow and I just got home from our regular vet . . . much closer drive than the University of Minnesota . . . 5 minutes as opposed to 35 minutes. My vet and the tech told me that Willow's incision was absolutely perfect and that I had done a very good job of keeping it dry and it was healing perfectly. They were also very pleased with how she could stand on it and everything. They said to just continue to keep her confined and even when she gives me fits . . . try not to give in to her barking and crying. I needed to run a couple of errands and they had me leave her there for her suture removal and they said that they didn't hear a peep out of her. She only started barking and crying when I got there. I think I have created a very spoiled little girl . . . and I am now going to try really hard to give her the attention she needs while she heals . . . but not give in to her tantrums.

The most important thing for Willow right now is the confinement. The vet told me that they have seen dogs need to have surgery again because the owners did not keep them confined during the necessary recovery time. This has been very costly, not to mention that I have not been able to work as well, and it has been very emotional. We are following the doctor's orders to the letter and I know we can make it through this. On Friday we are half way through our confinement in the cat carrier . . . then it's off to the play pen for another few weeks.

[CJCinTX]

Hip hooray for Willow & Willow's mommy! Didn't it make you feel good to hear that you're doing a great job with her incision? I know the confinement thing has just got to be harder than all get out...but like you said, the time is ticking away & it won't be long 'til Willow's out running around like usual. Keep up your fantastic work!
C.J.

[BellaWillow]

Originally Posted by CJCinTX

Hip hooray for Willow & Willow's mommy! Didn't it make you feel good to hear that you're doing a great job with her incision? I know the confinement thing has just got to be harder than all get out...but like you said, the time is ticking away & it won't be long 'til Willow's out running around like usual. Keep up your fantastic work!
C.J.

C.J. it made me feel great when we left the vet's office today. We can do this. We are doing this. I am getting my work done from home so I still have income coming in and my sweet little Willow is healing. It has really helped me a lot to have found Yorkietalk.com. You and everyone else have been so sweet and supportive to us. I don't think I could have done it without you. I was a wreck the first night I stumbled up on this site and just being able to share everything with other people that love these little yorkies so much has been a life saver to me.

Willow turns 1 year old on April 16th and I am very excited to know that she will be all healed up by then. She is sleeping in her cat carrier as we speak and I am enjoying a few moments of quiet time.

Hugs and kisses from me and Willow to you and Muffin.