Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 7:05 am Post subject: September's 'Lab Of The Month'
Hi Everyone,
This month, i think there is one lab that totally deserves to win this worthy title after all he has been through it can only be the lovely Pudsey. Here his owner Denise, tells us his story.
Denise writes:
Here is his story
Last December we had a phone call from Irish Retriever Rescue asking for us to foster a yellow lab called Pudsey who had mild hip dysplasia. His owner was said not to able to cope with Pudsey as he wasn''t insured and could no longer afford his treatment.
So with help from LF members we transported Puds from Lancashire down to us in Rugby. He had an eventful journey, where the little minx slipped his collar on the M6 services and darted north on the southbound carriage way. Anyway to cut a very frightening story short the wonderful west mids highway agency found Puds unhurt but very frightened.
After a few days in our care IRR asked us to take him to our local vet to be neutered and also to see how severe his HD was. When we went to pick Puds up later that evening and saw his x rays we was horrified, the vets said it was one of the worst case of HD he has seen in his career.
Hugh our vet said Puds best option would be a complete hip replacement, but the problem was that Pudsey was not insured so we ( the IRR) would need to raise the money to have his operation he so desperately needed.
So we set to work.
Pudsey was soon in every local newspaper and on the local radio stations. As per usual the LF members was brilliant and help raise money and also dipped into their own pocket.
In May this year Pudsey had his first Hip replacement, and in Pudsey''s true style he was so brave. The vet was so impressed with his attitude to the whole experience. The next day after his op Puds was on his feet eager to greet Hugh, but this is just typical of Puds. I also got married to Phil on the 26th may and Lorraine ( irr co-ordinator ) gave Pudsey to us a wedding gift, i was so happy, i could never imagine giving him up for adoption, he is such a super dog and always happy!
About mid June, i was sitting in the dining room ( on lf) Puds was laying down by my feet and rose to go into the front room. My hubby Phil called out to me that Puds was limping. I wasn''t to alarmed as he sometimes would get stiff, so i took him for a stroll to stretch his legs, but he semed in a great deal of pain. I rang the vets and he said to fetch him in in the morning but not to worry as the chances of failure at six weeks in is rare.
So the next morning Puds was at his second home, the vets. The vet still wasn''t to concerned and thought it was a pulled muscle. A week later Puds was still showing pain and not bearing weight, so the vet x rayed him again. We got the news we so didn''t want to hear, the cup had slipped as the cement had cracked, so he would need his operation again. He was in so much pain as the cup had slipped and was resting on his nerve. To say we was gutted for poor puds was an understatement.
On he 11th July Puds went in for his second operation on his hip. When we brought him home this time, it was apparent that this operation was more painful than the last, due to scar tissue. He was quite upset and crying in pain for a few days. But till this didnt get Pudsey down, he was still delighted to go for short walks, visit the vets ect... Nothing ever gets my boy down for long. His recovery was slow, but Puds still carried on, he even enjoyed his weekend at the LF GT. But at this point i was worried as puds still seemed in discomfort and still finding it hard to put weight on his leg. Hugh ( the vet) was also worried so decided to x ray him again.
Once again the news was terrible, poor pudsey operation had failed again! The cup had moved, we saw the Xray and the amount of cement holding it place was amazing, why it cracked we have no idea. This time the vet didn''t think it was wise to do the operation again decided to speak to other vets whom had had experience in failed hip replacements. Between them they decided that Puds hip implant would need to come out and they would leave the cup in place and let the muscle build up and take place of the ball that was implanted in his femur.
Pudsey had this third operation last Thursday. He is home and in lots of pain. It breaks my heart to see him like this, but Puds can still wag his tail, and hopefully will be fighting strong in a few weeks. Its hard at the moment, it only 48 hours post op, so he is in pain and crying as i type, Phil and I take turns of lying with him to keep him calm. But as i say knowing our Puds in a few days he will be fine!
So far Puds has been on crate rest since May, he has had his fur shaved 3 times, he has suffered far more than any dog should, but this boy is still happy.
Phil and I have decided that this has to be the last operation for our Puds, there is only so much any dog can go through. We are praying so hard this last operation works.
Every one who meets Pudsey always mentions what a happy chappie he is, and never lets his painful life get him down.
Here's a pic of the lovely boy himself:
Thank you Denise, what can we say Pudsey you are one in a million we hope and pray for a quick recovery for you, and send you loads of love, you special boy. All the best to you and your family. Xxx
A much deserved award and gift will be with you soon. xxx
If you would like to put forward your Labrador/s to be ''Lab of the Month'' please email your story to julie@labradorforums.co.uk. Thank you.
Last edited by bradleysmum on Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:38 pm; edited 1 time in total
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