‘Dog Under Construction’

Hello my dear followers, old and new!

This post is a bit unusual, especially for a blog about this gorgeous part of the world but hey we’re all human, or should I say ‘bestial’ in case of our pets, and thus also in Provence something can happen with your beloved cat or dog. And that is exactly the reason why you haven’t heard from me for a while because our little patient and sweetheart Diesel has had the necessity of being taken care of 24/24 for the last few weeks…and still!
Result : no outings, no photographs, no new stories 🙁

What happened ?

Well, beginning of August our Diesel started limping a bit. Since we found out last year here in France that he had the first signs of arthrosis, we thought we simply needed to higher the dosis of his chronic medication. That being done, after a few days of rest he started walking normal again and we were so relieved. Yeeeuuuh! Let’s go for a wonderful walk, as usual, the three of us in the beautiful outdoors of Provence. Sometimes with, sometimes without a ‘baguette’… 🙂

On this crucial 10th of August 2016, he suddenly saw something in the vineyards, took off with enormous power and tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…his left backhand ligament was torn! One big horrible scream and we knew something definitely went wrong. We carried him back home and immediately phoned the veterinary clinic here in Mazan called ‘Clinique Vétérinaire des Chênes’ and we could come over right away.

Clinique Vétérinaire des Chênes

This was the shortest visit ever to the vet! Right away, the veterinary on duty that day, Pierre CAMAGNA, noticed that the ligament was 100% torn and thus needed an operation ASAP.  One BIG thumbs up for this doctor because normally Diesel is afraid of basically anyone ‘in uniform’ but somehow he trusted Dr Camagna immediately. That being said, Diesel went in for his surgery the next morning, 11th August 2016, on our wedding anniversary. No need to explain we did not go out for lunch or dinner to celebrate but waited nervously till 6.30pm that evening to go and pick him up…

What will he be like ?

Still half numb from his surgery we were quite nervous about what to expect but hey, our little sweetheart walked into the reception and immediately waggled his tail. As much pain or inconvenience he felt, he waggled his tail!!!! Tears in our eyes…literally! However, trying to lift him into the car was another ordeal.
Just operated and having to lift him up, let alone, the small and very bumpy roads afterwards heading home. In my mind I was visualizing a sign on the back of our car saying ‘Dog just operated, drive slowely and have some patience!!!!!’ but it was too late for that. People were passing us, giving us a dirty look and some hand gestures I don’t have to explain to you I guess…But we made it home and there he was…with a large bandage on his knee and a VERY big dog collar. This to avoid him from licking or biting the bandage.
Well, mission accomplished! 🙂

One week later

We were quite happy with the way Diesel was (and is) handling the situation and how calm he was / is etc. etc. but suddenly we notice him doing something unusual with his front paws. We actually thought his paws were itching but a few days later (wish they could talk so we would have known earlier!!!!!!!!!!) we discovered he tried to scratch the side of his right lip! By the time we realized this, we saw what they call a ‘hot spot’!

Hot spots are one of those less than desirable skin irritations seen in dogs and other pets. Often, you’ll hear your vet refer to them as moist dermatitis, but you … well, you can call them hot spots. Hot spots (also known as Summer Sores or Moist Dermatitis) can seemingly appear spontaneously anywhere on a dog’s body; the surrounding area can rapidly deterioriate too. This moist, raw skin disorder has a variety of causes but the most consistent factor is bacteria…and stress (from the surgery in Diesel’s case). Another round of antibiotics for the little fella (second one in two weeks) and three times per day cleansing with a specialized shampoo.
So far so good.

Current situation : 7th September 2016

We’re about an entire month further down the road but we are very satisfied. Diesel is learning how to walk on four paws again. On the leash he is doing fine but from the moment we let him loose, he’s on three paws again. We guess he got used to walking on three paws and for him it simply is the easiest way out. That’s why we practice morning and evening (due to the heat) and it is still very tiring for him but it’s looking very promising!  By the end of October he should be completely recovered.
Swimming however, is something he LOVES and which helps the healing process to make his muscles strong again so for now he is simply HAPPY again!
And so are we!!!!!!!!! ♥

I hope you will all understand that it is still not that simple for us to get out of the house for longer than a few hours and go explore new sites, restaurants or other interesting places but hey, it’s for a good cause, our Sunshine Diesel!

Catch you next time dear followers! When? No idea, but I’ll be back!!! ♥

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