A bit worried

First topic message reminder :

Flo has had a sore paw so we took her to the vets last week and he prescribe some antibiotics. I also mentioned that she seemed to have slowed up on walks and was wondering if it was arthritis causing her discomfort. the vet (one Flo hadn't seen before) said straight away that it was, a rather rapid diagnosis considering he hadn't actually touched her I felt, anyway he prescribed something for that too. He went on to say she had little back leg muscle but to be honest she's always been like that.

Yesterday Flo couldn't keep her footing on the smooth kitchen floor and then I noticed she has a very weak back left leg ( the one that has always looked the weaker since her TTA on the other side )
Having seen that, we booked an appointment with the vets for tonight and I'm hoping she gets to see her usual vet but I'm still worried for her. The vet didn't think it could be a side effect of the meds he's given her but I think it may well be that, at least I'm hoping it's that.

Even though she is in obvious discomfort the brave little lady managed to climb two flights of stairs before the wife realised, just to have a cuddle with me this morning. I have to confess I am worried

Thanks guys, I'm hoping she'll be back on all 4 paws before too long but dreading next Wednesday

It's very worrying for you. We will be here if you need a chat. Spoil Flo and be positive, I think waiting is the worst

thoughts are with you and Flo Ian,i know the thought of any surgery is horrible but if the vets are saying its a less risky op sounds like its the way to go,big hugs to you and Flo

Thanks Stella & Laura.

Our thoughts & love are with you

Thanks Jen.

Now why am I watching SuperVet tonight

I know, I've just watched it! When my hubby had major surgery all that was on telly was hospital programmes for the whole time he was in!!! Cruel

I'll have my fingers crossed for Flo on Wednesday and Frankie and Benny will have their paws crossed too, hope everything goes well.

Thanks Ian, your good wishes are appreciated.

Thinking of you today.

Good luck for today x

Thinking of Flo & you today, good luck

Thank you all for your kind wishes

Flo arrived early and wasn't very happy about being there at all bless her. I got a call from the vet at about 2:30 this afternoon saying that all went well though he did have to remove some bone and insert some screws. I'm not sure exactly what he had to do as I'm one of those people that needs to see a picture or diagram to really understand.

Anyway, the upshot is he is pleased with how it all went, she's comfortable and the pressure is released from the cord and it has good room to do what it should do. He did say that she will need to build up some muscle before she's good as new but he is very hopeful. He'll call again in the morning with an update and an idea of when we can go get her

That sounds very positive. Hopefully you hear Flo can come home soon when you get an update tomorrow

It does sound positive Laura but he did advise that she could be with them for 3 days or so, depending on how the recovery goes.

This place is just not the same without her

Fingers crossed she recovers well. I think staffies are strong & Flo will recuperate quickly

Very pleased to hear it went well. I do feel for you, the next few days are going to be empty. Keep the updates coming, I'm thinking about you all the time.

Oh that's fantastic news. Well done for being So brave little Flo. Hurry up and get well and back home where you belong xx

That's great news Ian, sounds like Flo is doing well & will be home soon

I can't wait to see her and hear her give me a right good telling off to be honest.

Thanks for all your kind messages

Hope the recovery goes well, please keep us updated.

Today's update from the vet isn't so good unfortunately

He warned us before the op that there was a chance that she will get worse before any improvement but he is disappointed at present. Flo is showing a lot less movement than he expected. He explained that most do get a little worse while things adjust, some significantly, some only slightly so. Though he is disappointed he has said that as long as she continues to have feeling in her paws (which she does) then there is every expectation that she will still make a good recovery.

She is now expected to stay with the vet for longer than hoped originally but fingers are crossed that this is just part of the recovery

I wish I was good with words Ian, I'm very sorry to hear this. It does sound like Flo will get better, she will be sore after the op but I'm sure she will improve soon

At least he's being straight with you so you know. Did he give you any indication of how long it might be before she improves or is it one of those things that they just can't say?

We're all hoping so Laura it's just the thought of her being there for so long too.

He didn't say Liz, I don't think they really know what the outcome will be yet as it's still too soon.

It's good that she still has feeling, hopefully she is just sorry after the op and will heal quickly. Thinking of you x

I know it's not the same but are you able to go in too visit Flo

Thanks Emma

We probably could visit Laura but I think that would only benefit us humans and not Flo, she would want to come home and we wouldn't be able to take her which I think would cause her more stress. Having said that, I guess it depends on how long they keep her.

I know what you mean, she would expect to leave with you. Maybe they will let Flo recuperate at home soon, resting in a crate perhaps

They haven't said as much but I suspect she will be there until at least next weds if not longer. Again, they did warn us that it could be more than a few days. I think I'm expecting too much but I really want her home even though I know she's in the best place

I would want my dogs home as well but it's very early days yet. The vet will want to be sure Flo is on the mend before she comes home

Thinking of you both and hoping for a full recovery soon.

Thank you for your thoughts

*Latest news*

Flo was looked after by an intern over the weekend who was very nice and loved Flo to bits, well who wouldn't eh. There was no real progress according to the intern but no deterioration either.

The vet that is looking after her spoke to me on Friday and thought that although no major improvement he thought that Flo might be having him on somewhat. He thought she was being a little lazy and could probably do a bit more than she was doing, does sound a bit like her if I'm honest.

Today he gave an update after not seeing her all weekend and has seen some improvement but is still worse than when we took her in. The upside is that she has feeling in her paws and is able to go to the toilet all ok so really there is no reason for her not to make a full recovery. He added that at the moment it's looking like its going to be a long haul which will mean a longer stay with them so that she gets 3 physio sessions a day.

He also mentioned the M (money) word and said it will be considerably more than what he originally quoted unless there is a dramatic turn around. The thing I have to keep reminding myself is that it's not even been a week yet, she's had major spinal surgery and there's bound to be swelling etc

I think all we can do is go by his advice for now but at least it's not all doom and gloom, even though I miss her so much (I know, I'm a big softy)

I imagine us humans wouldn't be moving around much less than a week after spinal surgery. I know you are missing her. I can't wait to hear Flo is coming home

Come on, Flo, do your exercises like a good girl and get home quickly.

Yippee! Great news Flo, stop being a little lazy bum and get well soon xx

Id have sold my body to pay for mia as i know you will get well soon flo

Good news....

Vet called lunchtime today and has said that Flo has turned a corner and made a big improvement. He went in to see her this morning and she was wagging her tail and wanting to get out of the kennel, she is also putting more strength through her legs

We had a long chat about the next steps and will see how she goes Thursday & Friday but he said that these things are normally linear and we should see good improvement day on day now. Even better news is that she might be home this weekend, either way we will be popping in to see her and hopefully she'll be coming home to huge cuddles and treats

Fantastic news

Well done Flo. I'm so happy for you Ian

Great news! So pleased for you both!

Thanks all

Not much news today, small improvement which is good.

For those of you that aren't squeamish, tonight's SuperVet shows an op on a Burmese dog which is similar to what has happened to Flo but without the puss

I'm glad there is a small improvement,every small positive change is great. Thanks, I'll catch that on on demand when the kids are asleep

Flo is home

Collected her at midday today to lots of noise and tail wagging. One of her legs is working well, the other isn't but she can just about stand with a little bit of leg adjustment from us. She is on only 5 min walks with aid from a sling and the usual no climbing etc.

Flo is desperate to get to the kitchen and bright as a button but has now decided it's all too much and is currently snuggled in her corner of the sofa. It's going to be a long haul before she is walking unaided but the vet is very confident.

I did take a pic of her back home but it turned out rubbish so will get one later when she's completely settled.

That's great that Flo is home Ian, I'm sure she will show improvement now she is back with her family

Wonderful news!

Fantastic news! I'm so pleased

Thanks all, very pleased to have her home

Now we have the long haul of getting her back on those paws so she can herd the squirrels back up their trees.

Oh ian im so glad flo back with you what a relief she may now recuperate quickly at home heres hoping and climbing her stairs and chasing all the squirrels before long.