Long Road to Recovery, Fortunately.

[Denali's Mama]

On Sat 10/3 our 8 month old Newf pup was run over by an SUV on the street in front of our home. My fiancé (Cale) and I were taking Denali from the front of our home to the side gate that leads to our backyard so he could go potty before we left. I take full responsibility for the fact that we were using his collar to lead him to the backyard and did not have a leash on him (I feel guilty about this nonstop). Just as Cale opened the gate, Denali saw a dog across the street from our house at the school/park. Denali caught us by surprise and bucked out of our grip to jet across the street. A lady who has driving what seemed like over the speed limit, talking on her cell phone (legal in Colorado apparently), and looking at her passenger, ran him over. She stopped because I was screaming in agony, only to yell at me with a "you should have your dog on a leash!" and then she drove off. She was clearly not paying attention since there was no stop or reaction prior to impact. I called the police and animal control. Nothing can be done since I didn't have my dog on a leash. Okay, I get it. I'd just like to say that had she been driving the speed limit in a school zone and paying attention to the road, she may have been able to stop in time. Children play, run across the street, and chase after balls all the time on our street. What if it had been a child? Should a child be on a leash?

Anyways, the good news is that he pulled through with slight bruising on his lungs, a few broken ribs, fractures on his pelvic bone (a plate was surgically attached to the bone on the right side), and scrapes on his head. $7500 later, he came home on Wednesday 10/7 after several nights in the ICU at VCA Alameda East hospital here in Aurora. Despite the challenges of helping him up, helping him walk, and trying to make him comfortable, we are on a slow road to recovery and I am so so grateful! I have been so besides myself about the whole situation and talk about PTSD watching it all happen so quickly in front of you. The doctors believe that he should have a close to 100% recovery and that he'll continue to grow and develop as he should. They said we were lucky he is a big guy (100lbs) and that he is young because he was able to handle the impact and he will heal nicely.

Any suggestions for continued healing from something like this is totally welcomed. Thank you for letting me share my story; it's something I've been struggling with so I appreciate a space to share.

 

[snowdog]

So very sorry to read your painful story ....... could happen to any of us - even with a leash these big dogs can pull away from you in an instant.

I am glad to hear he'll be all right - yikes, that is some vet bill.

What a rotten woman to drive off without trying to help you more....grrrrrr.

I have no advice, just empathy - Tink has taken off after cats in our neighborhood a couple times - we have been lucky that there were no cars speeding by, but it can happen so quickly.
Quick healing to Denali - and I hope you'll forgive yourself soon. So many of us have had our dogs get away from us as well.

 

[lmfoltyn]

Oh I am so glad he is expected to heal well...so darn scary...

 

[shellyk]

I agree that you have to forgive yourself. I think most if not all dog owners have had their hearts jump out of their chest as their dogs have run into the road after a cat, squirrel, or whatever and on a leash! What is really important is that you have gotten him the care that he needs and that he is going to recover. Don't waste any more effort on punishing yourself or the woman in the car...use your efforts to make Denali comfortable and happy and you will be too.

As for healing suggestions - we have a lab that is on his 2nd knee surgery and has steel plates in both knees. We are trying to follow all the suggestions and exercises from the Rehab Vet so he will make the best recovery possible. At our Ortho Vet's office they have an underwater treadmill that allows him to walk and stop muscle atrophy. If you can find a Vet that specializes in rehabilitation that might help you help Denali.

 

[R Taft]

My suggestion is water therapy....sw imming, swimming just help and puts no weight on the initial healing bones. I have got a few of my dogs past injury now and they have all had a lot of swimming, if winter, maybe pools or actual hydrotherapy. in Summer, nice deep water anywhere clean.

I also agree, forgive yourself, hard to do. But you love him and have done everything to make it better.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

So sorry to read this. Too many people put way too much trust in their dogs. I did once, and Snuffles chased a bike rider and nipped her. I learned my lesson and got off really cheap. But way too many people do not, and keep on doing the off lead thing. My next door neighbors are the worst...but then you have to know them. They never learn. Glad the puppy pulled through and hopefully no long term problems.

 

[victoria1140]

Accidents happens despite our best efforts.

Hydrotherapy,antislip rugs.harness if he is a bit stiff.also.padding around him to help him if he is a dreamer.

Supplements may help with the healing process and just good old tlc and care.

Glad he is going to be ok ,perhaps you could talk with a local police officer about speeding signs in your area.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I think what gets me the most is the soulless driver. Gggggrrrrrrr It's a life, and to me all life matters!!!! Whether it be a child, squirrel, or dog. That said, be grateful he's still here to love, don't waste time on feeling guilty put those feelings into his recovery and make that count. I agree with water therapy, I also like sand and hills to build up muscles. I will also mention the help em up harness if you haven't already purchased one.

Wishing and praying that you have the fastest and uneventful recovery! Keep us posted! (and would love to see a picture of your boy!)

 

[Denali's Mama]

Thank you so much everyone for the warm thoughts and encouragement, I really appreciate it! I have been learning to cope with my emotions on this one, but I can say that focusing on Denali has been so therapeutic and humbling. I love him so much and I am just so so grateful to have him. His pelvic surgery was on 10/05 and we brought him home exactly a week ago. He has shown a lot of improvement in such a short time (not rushing it of course). He can now stand up (from laying down) on his own as long as we are next to him to assist with the initial weight on his back leg. I will definitely look into some hydrotherapy for him in our area, thank you!

Today will be the first time he is left unattended for two hours while I go to a meeting I could not reschedule (my fiancé and I have been arranging our schedules so someone is with him at all times). I'm a little anxious about leaving him, but we followed our vet's suggestion and set up a kennel for him (4x4 outdoor kennel that is set up in our living room) and we put a thick comforter down to cushion him when he moves around or should he stand up and fall down. Our vet says that sometimes owners have to go back to work right away and that it is okay for dogs in recovery from this type of surgery to be left in a confined space. Boy am I nervous though!

 

[clara_sophia]

Poor puppy! I am glad to hear he is okay and hope he recovers soon.

 

[mcme]

I just read this. I'm so sorry to hear about Denali's accident, but so glad he is recovering. Please don't beat yourself up. These are very strong dogs. Dublin did the same thing to my husband at about a year old, and he was on a leash. He saw a neighbor child he liked in the street, my husband wasn't holding tightly enough (distracted looking at something in the yard) and he broke free and ran into the street. If a car had been coming, he'd have been hit.
I don't have any rehab advice, but just wanted to send my best wishes. He's lucky to have such devoted people!

 

[Newfs Forever]

So scary! But, I am so glad his prognosis is so good!

 

[Angela]

How is he doing ?

 

[blphome]

Sorry to hear about your accident. Sorry but angry that the driver was so insensitive. SUPER HAPPY TO HEAR THAT DENALI'S GREAT PROGNOSIS!

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

So sorry this happened to your beautiful boy. How careless and insensitive the driver was though!! Best thing to do is try to put it behind you and concentrate on his good progress and move forward. Glad he is recovering so well!

 

[Denali's Mama]

Thank you so much for all the well wishes Denali shows improvement every day! He can now stand up on his own and is able to put more weight on his back leg (we still use the sling to make sure he doesn't fall or anything). He is slowly beginning to eat again (at least 3-4 cups a day), which is awesome because when we first brought him home he wouldn't eat at all. Hopefully we'll get him back up to his 6 cups of food per day again soon. We are going back to the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to have his staples removed, yay! Oh and his hair is slowly growing back! I'll try to post pictures soon Thank you so much again!

 

[Ginny]

Heartbreaking happening. The fact that he's young gives him a better chance at a full recovery. Beating yourself up isn't going help anything. All you can do is live and learn... Wishing daily improvement for your sweet Denali.

 

[Denali's Mama]

Is there a way to upload photos from my desktop? I'd love to share a photo of Denali smiling after his vet appointment yesterday

 

[skoorka]

You MUSTMUSTMUSTMUSTMUST forgive yourself. We have ALL had those moments - me especially when Daisy broke away from me and ran head on into the side of a moving car. Lucky for me she didn't run in front of the car or it would have been grim. I know it's a long, long, road ahead but you're in it together. Your his mom, he will be fine, and you will love eachother for years to come.

 

[NinaA]

Well, I am so happy that he will be okay. It's a hard lesson to learn, and you must let yourself be okay, too. Go with the suggestions above and post to keep us up to date. Good luck to you.