I almost killed my pup last night... :-(

[Epilogue]

We were playing in the yard and I was running and letting him chase me. He got under my feet and I kicked him, rolling him over, I stumbled and my other foot came down on his side. 175 lbs crushing him. He let out the most awful noise and tried to walk, dragging his back feet. My heart just SANK! I had thought I paralyzed him. Once his other feet started to move I felt a little better. I picked him up and heard this clicking, popping noise. Again, my heart just SANK! I was in a certain mode of panic. I took him in and layed him on the futon. He started gagging and breathing really funny. I called my vet ASAP and got the machine. The machine directed me to Rockford (IL) animal hospital. Thats about 45 mins from here. I had to hurry and get MAPQUEST directions and jump on the tollway. My girlfriend came with and he was still breathing funny and passing a lot of gas. Of course it was a Saturday night and the tollway was jammed and the city traffic was terrible. We got to the clinic and had to wait 30 mins to be seen. They took him away and tested his oxygen. It was too low. So, again I had to wait another 30 mins for them to come back in. The put him in a oxygen tank to get the O2 back in to his blood. They took x-rays and nothing was broken. I crushed his lung and it was leaking under his skin. They kept him overnight (and as of now is still there) and they keep sucking the air out from under his skin. I called as soon as I woke this morning. He is doing better but still not out of the woods. I feel sooooo guilty and miserable. He is not even 10 weeks old yet and this is a crucial time in his life. Im sooo afraid this will damage his psyche for life.
The moral here to anyone who reads this is to be very careful and to do research AHEAD OF TIME regarding local emergency hospitals and to have the number at all times in your phone. Thanks for reading, it feels better to lay it out there...

 

[Sugarcain]

I am so sorry you and your pup have to go thru this. At least you got him help as soon as possible. I hope he is ok. I guess the moral that you have obviously learned is be prepared for any emergency, and be aware of where he is at all times when playing. That being said, it was an accident and accidents, no matter how bad do happen.

 

[KWilson]

I am so sorry about what happened! I hope your pup will be okay I will be thinking about you guys! Let us know how everything turns out.

 

[Epilogue]

Thanks, I just called for an update and they're lowing the oxygen in his chamber and is still getting better. So thats a good sign. They said he just wants to play and get out of the tank. His tail was (as always) wagging at a million RPM. So, perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It looks like they're going to keep him for another night though.
Last night before we left they had asked if we wanted to visit before we left. Of course, we did. He got really excited and started moving a lot. I made the choice to leave the room quickly so he didnt get too worked up. It seems like something that he should be laying low on, so I didnt want to possibly make him worse. I really want to go back down there and be with him for a while but I think that may slow his healing. I dont know tho! Perhaps he'd enjoy that, but he cant come out of the tank for anything but diagnostics. So I dont want to tease him either. Man I feel so awful!. Thanks for the replies....I was cautious before...i hate to see how im going to be from now on. I suppose as long as im vigilant things will be ok.

 

[porterscota]

I am so sorry to hear about your experience and the pain and suffering you both are going through. We are keeping the good thoughts for your dear little one.

Having just gone through an emergency situation with Porter, I completely echo what you are saying about being prepared ahead of time. We went 10 years without an incident with Porter and it was only due to his surgery that I finally had the card in my wallet for an emergency clinic in the city. Though the night that his stomach flipped I did not have the information for the place where we were staying for the summer. It was a miracle that I looked in the phone book and that a local vet answered the phone in the middle of the night. Porter did not survive but I am grateful for the help that we received to gain extra time with him to say goodbye.

The lesson that I took away is what you are saying:you need to know where your local emergency clinic is but also if you do travel with your Boxers, to find out where the emergency clinic is in that area as well.

Please keep us posted.

Lissa
Porter 4/26/99 to 7/14/09
Scota born 6/29/00

 

[gmacleod]

I'm sorry to hear of your accident :( Accidents do happen though, and I'm glad to hear that he seems to be doing a bit better now.

The moral here to anyone who reads this is to be very careful and to do research AHEAD OF TIME regarding local emergency hospitals and to have the number at all times in your phone.

That is very true, and unfortunately something we all often forget. Thanks for posting the reminder. An actual emergency is really not the best time to be trying to find where to get help.

 

[Caney Creek]

How awful! :( That must have been so scary. Don't beat yourself up about it; accidents happen. It's a good thing you were able to get him to an emergency clinic in time. I hope that he makes a full recovery.

I don't think that visiting him would be a good idea. It will only get him excited, which probably wouldn't be good for him right now, and also he would be very distraught when you have to leave him again. I know it is hard but probably best if you wait until you're able to bring him home.

Sending lots healing (((vibes))) and wishing him a speedy recovery!

 

[Cami]

Oh my goodness! How scary.
I am glad that you had the foresight to seek medical attention ASAP. So many times people DON'T... thinking that the injury/accident isn't that bad. KUDOS to you for knowing that it might be serious.
I am sure that he will be fine very soon and back home with you and ready for more play.

 

[Epilogue]

Thanks a lot everybody. I really appreciate the kind words...I will update when I hear more...He will spend at least another night there...i am (now) optimistic that it will be ok. He's in good hands down there. I call and the guilt starts back up while im asking questions and can hardly finish the call through my shaky jaw...They seem to think he's making a quick recovery...

 

[Murp.mm]

Oh your poor baby!! Don't be too hard on yourself. It was an accident and you got him treatment right away. I know you're blaming yourself but you were playing with him and never meant to hurt him. Sending him lots of healing vibes. Pls. keep us updated on his progress. Stay strong little guy!!