Day 3 – More mobility

Posted on February 10, 2011 by bellona

Bellona is doing well and made more improvements today. When I got home from work guess who was on the couch? Bellona looked like she was happy to be back on one of her top two placed to sleep (the other is our bed).

I hope she’ll let me have the couch back tonight.  It’s going to be a while before we can all sleep upstairs in our room. I’m not sure how long it will take till Bellona can master a flight of stairs but as long as she’s here at home I’m more than happy to camp out on the couch.

Here are a few pictures taken tonight of Bellona. With her standing it’s much easier to see her incision and the healing that’s beginning.

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Day 2 – Somewhat of a quiet evening

Posted on February 9, 2011 by bellona

Bellona is still doing good and made some big improvements today. She can get up an walk around without assistance. No sling was needed – even for the 2 stairs down to get outside to the lawn.

In our attempt to take a bandage off her leg (from the IV) Bellona hopped up, walked away and climbed up on the couch. We got her down from the couch without a peep of protest and got her safely back on her bed. Bellona has always been good with selective hearing so I was glad she listened and got off the couch. Such a silly girl! Her normal personality is coming back already.

She ate all her dinner and drank a good share of water. It was the first whole meal she has eaten in several days.

Hopefully we’ll witness more improvements tomorrow.

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Day 1 – Welcome Home Bellona

Posted on February 8, 2011 by bellona

We safely got Bellona home and she’s sleeping on her makeshift bed of 2couch cushions and a blanket.  It seems to work well since she loves to sleep on the couch.  We didn’t want Bellona to get the urge to climb up on the couch instead.  It took a while to get her in the house and she stopped to lay down a couple of times before we got Bellona to her bed.  She is resting now and doing fine.  Big B ate and drank some water but I suspect she will spend the next several days sleeping.

First day home from surgery 2/8/11

Day after surgery 2/8/11

Side view

 Dr. C and the vet clinic did a great job of taking care of our baby as usual.  They took extra special care of Bellona, answered all of our silly questions and our calls to check up on her while she was in their care.  Big B has a follow up appointment on Sunday to see how she’s doing.

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Day 1 – Coming home today

Posted on February 8, 2011 by bellona

I just talked to Dr. C and Bellona has continued to make improvement and will be coming home tonight. Bellona has been eating and has been up walking around with some help. The clinic has been weening her off the IV she and will be ok on oral meds tonight.

Wish us luck, I’m sure we’ll need it tonight! I wanted to say thank you again. We’ve received so many encouraging words and it helps to know that we’re not alone.

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Day 1 – Early phone call

Posted on February 8, 2011 by bellona

We received a call early this morning from the vet clinic and Bellona is doing great!  She’s been up walking around last night.  It’s possible she will come home today if she continues to do well. More new to come.

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Surgery update #2

Posted on February 7, 2011 by bellona

We just got a call from the vet.  Bellona is awake and has tried to get up and walk around already.  The floors at the clinic are slick so she wasn’t too successful but she’s still drugged up on IV pain meds.  Dr. C says Bellona is doing great and they will switch from IV to oral meds tomorrow.  If all goes well Bellona will be home tomorrow.  *crossing fingers*

Caesar is out of sorts without Bellona

We’ve all been missing Bellona including her little brother Caesar (8-1/2 year old Cane Corso).   Caesar is normally a drama queen but it was over the top tonight.  Nothing would keep the Caesar Man happy.

Sleep well everyone and more updates tomorrow.

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Surgery update

Posted on February 7, 2011 by bellona

Bellona’s surgery went well today.  It was later than expected so we had to wait till late this afternoon for an update.  Bellona will remain sedated till tomorrow morning.  Dr. C will give us another call before she leaves tonight and another update from the overnight vet in the morning. 

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and well wishes for Bellona.  She’s a fighter and will be up on 3 paws soon.  More updates to come in a few hours.

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Surgery Day

Posted on February 7, 2011 by bellona

Today is the day Bellona goes from limping on 4 to hopping on 3.  Although it will take her some time before she will be steady on her feet, but I know she can do it.  We’re taking Bellona to the vet in about an hour.  Wish us all good luck and I will report back later today when we have news from Dr. C later today.  

It was another restless sleep downstairs for my husband and I.  I know it’s sad to say, but I’m excited and guilty about being able to sleep in my bed tonight and maybe tomorrow night too.  Those darn 11 steps getting in the way yet again.  Sleep can wait for now, we’ve got a long day ahead of us.

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Pictures

Posted on February 6, 2011 by bellona

Bellona 2/5/2011

Caesar & Bellona

 

The bone stealer

Winter 2005 (I think)

Relaxing in the recliner 9/2010

Snow & Ice beard 2005 (I think)

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Surgery tomorrow

Posted on February 6, 2011 by bellona

 

Sunday Feb 6th 11:30 am  We made our way to the vet this morning and went over our options for Bellona.  Even though we had already decided to go with amputation we still needed to hear what our vet (Dr. C) had to say.  Dr. C had another Osteosarcoma patient in the clinic for another round of Chemo.  We met the dog and we’re hopeful Bellona will be as fortunate.
Bellona’s Amputation surgery is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.  Bellona needs to be to the clinic by 10 am.  I’m anxious and glad that Bellona will have some relief from her broken leg, which is currently wrapped up from claw to the middle of her rib cage. 
When we got Bellona as a puppy it was shortly after 9/11/01 and we wanted to give her a Roman theme name since Cane Corso are Roman dogs and were used for fighting, protection and working.  We went with Bellona for several reasons and Bellona was the Goddess of war.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellona_(goddess)
I’m confident she will fight as hard as she can and then some as well as our family.  We will fight for her as equally hard to protect our oldest child.
We brought our 3 year old daughter with us to Bellona’s vet appointment today and we’re at a loss for words.  We have yet to explain what will happen tomorrow to her beloved big sister. 
My husband I will need to research the best option for switching Bellona’s food to a low-carb option.  We have several options and are experienced in feeding raw if that’s what we choose to do.
Currently Bellona has been eating Canidae Lamb & Rice.  I know Canidae has some grain free options but they still have more carbs that we want Bellona to have.  Any ideas out there? 
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