On Friday morning I was letting the dogs out at Widget's House and had just reached Timmy's crate when I noticed drops of blood on the floor outside his crate door. As I opened the crate, I could see the paw on his crippled leg was a bloody mess. He had blood dripping down his mouth and chest, and as he sat there, waiting to spring out of the crate, blood dripped off the paw as he held his leg up in the air.
Hmm.
Once I got him cleaned up, I realized what had happened. He had started chewing on his foot, a case of self-mutilation. This development meant only one thing: That leg was now starting to bother him. Whether he has odd tingling from nerve sensations (our vets were pretty sure he has radial nerve damage), or it was turning painful, we don't know, but clearly -- and quite suddenly -- it got his attention, and not in a good way.
I called our vet clinic in Helena and spoke to Dr. Jennifer Rockwell, who had treated Timmy for his heartworms two weeks ago. We had already planned to have his leg amputated, but because of the heartworm treatment the surgery was postponed for a month or two. Now we were going to have to do the surgery sooner than expected. Fortunately, Timmy has tolerated the heartworm treatment very well, and given his age, energy and overall physical condition, his risk profile is lower than it might otherwise be.
So Jennifer told me what to give him in the way of two different broad-spectrum antibiotics and pain medication, and I explained what I had done to address his wounds and how I bandaged his foot. Basically, we were going to provide the same level of care for him this weekend that the clinic would have done anyway until they could get surgery scheduled for this coming week.
To keep him from pulling the bandage off and gnawing on his foot some more, Timmy also got to wear a cone all weekend long. Now, every time I post a photo of a dog wearing one of these cones, someone always asks whether we know about the soft e-collars and the other assorted ones on the market. Yes, we do. And we have them all. But each type has its purpose and some are more effective than others -- and some don't work at all -- depending on the location of the wound or surgery site. And clever dogs, for instance, can figure out how to manipulate the soft e-collars and bend them back. (Which is why Widget gets a hard plastic cone.) For a highly energetic and intelligent dog like Timmy with a paw wound, the hard plastic e-collar is the best way to keep him from getting to the paw.
The interesting question -- and this is where it would be so helpful if they could talk to us! -- is what changed to cause Timmy to do this? Did it suddenly start feeling weird? Did it start to hurt? I wish we knew.
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Thank you!
Awww...little Timmy.
I can see him holding is paw up to you, showing you his "owie".
Bless his heart.
I know surgery will be soon for him, it will also bring relief.
Posted by: boundforglory | March 29, 2010 at 09:03 AM
Poor little Timmy! I'm glad you are getting your surgery sooner than expected so you can get on with your new life at RDR!!! And, in the words of Tiny Tim from Christmas Carol...God Bless Us Everyone! I'll be praying the surgery goes good & whatever it is that is bugging you will soon be gone!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | March 22, 2010 at 11:43 PM
Timmy is just so adorable...look at that sweet face! So glad that he'll be getting that leg taken care of soon and he'll be well on his way to running and romping with the best of them!
Posted by: Ann | March 22, 2010 at 09:22 PM
Timmy- you wear it all with style, :). Hoping this is all behind you as soon and as well as possible! No shame; hugs!
Posted by: Margaret | March 22, 2010 at 01:09 PM
They "talk" to us in so many ways... but sometimes not in the way you'd like. Hang in there boy!
Posted by: Penny heinrich | March 22, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Perhaps boredom is partly to blame. I can't imagine how difficult it is for both the dog (and the person) to NOT play/run/jump and all that other fun stuff while undergoing heartworm treatment.
One of the many reasons I really admire you guys is how you've learned medical skills, including stocking basic meds, so that all the animals can receive care and comfort immediately. Thank you Steve and Alayne. Please give Timmy a kiss for me.
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | March 22, 2010 at 12:19 PM
Oh Dude, not the Cone of Shame!
Hang in there buddy!
Posted by: Amy A | March 22, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Our animal friends are much more intelligent than we give them credit. Timmy knew that treatment for Heartworms was priority one. Now that the treatment was successful and he's been given the green light, he's ready to face the next phase of getting the party started. I think he's just giving you a friendly reminder, "Excuse me, but this foot, uh, it's a problem and I really think I need to have someone take care of this."
Hang in there Timmy, no one has forgotten. We're just all sending you lots of love and hugs to prepare you for the next treatment.
Big hugs all around,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger, Tobias & Tlingit | March 22, 2010 at 10:34 AM
Hang in there Timmy....it will be better...you are all in our thoughts and prayers...what a sweetie!
Posted by: Brenda | March 22, 2010 at 09:27 AM
Dear Timmy, always bear in mind that three-legged creatures are the best!:-)
I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, wishing you a speedy recovery after your surgery is done, little guy.
A big hug to you all from Italy.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | March 22, 2010 at 03:59 AM
Oh Timmy.. you poor poppet.. let's get that leg of ASAP!
Posted by: Maree in NZ | March 22, 2010 at 02:03 AM
Oh Timmy you look so young and full of life! Sorry for your discomfort but not that much longer!! You are in GREAT hands Timmy!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | March 22, 2010 at 01:08 AM
Poor sweet little guy.....I'm praying for him!
Posted by: Leila - Washington | March 22, 2010 at 12:06 AM
Every since we heard the story of Timmy, I have wanted that leg off but then it got postponed due to the heartworms and I was bummed. I am so excited that he will be FREE of his bum paw and able to run full-speed sooner! Hang in there Timmy boy.....we are all rooting for you!
Posted by: Marla | March 21, 2010 at 10:48 PM
So sorry to hear that your paw is causing you so much discomfort Timmy.
Just hang in there. Soon you will be feeling better and better. And thank you for posing for the sweet picture for us.
Posted by: Chloe | March 21, 2010 at 10:43 PM
Poor little guy told you that it is time for that worthless paw(and attached leg)to go. I believe you read from his actions what he needs. He may not be able to tell you if it itches, tingles or hurts but he sure told you what needs to happen next. Good for you. Good for him. What an awesome team you all are. Best of luck to Mr. Timmy.
Posted by: Ev | March 21, 2010 at 10:24 PM