Guide Dog Injury

One of the most damning things you can do to yourself is beat youself up for a guide dog you put so much faith and trust into, gets injured.

It begian with a walk up to Maverik, a 1.5 mile one way trek) on asphalt trails. The weather seemed fine, inspite the hot weather we have had. Winds were cool. It never dauwned to me that the asphalt would damage his pads. 

Wednesday moringing (Fourth of July) I looked at him and saw just how much pain he was in. What I didn't realize was that his pads were burned and blistered. My heart sank and a knot tied in my somach.  The purpose of going to Maverik was to inquire of the possibility to do a car wash fo rthe fundraiser. It turned out that they could also no longer have a donation jar up due to corporate rules (at least not without corporate approval). I felt bummed but determined to continue my efforts to raise funds.

We got home and Archer just flopped down. He was exhausted. A tired dog is a good thing. However, I didn't realize he was in pain until the next day. 

As I quickly searched the internet for some home remedies to see what I can do to help him, at least until Friday when he has his annual Well Pet Exam. I found that washing with an anti-bacterial soap and using ansomething like Betadine will help sooth things over. So I went to Walgreens in search of First Aid for a dog kit.  Got back home, got him cleaned up and wrapped up, he seemed better. He wasn't limping as much. I placed him in his crate to keep him down and prevent any walking.I also recieved a reply from one of his trainers at GEB and she indicated I was doing all the right things to take care of his injury. 

That, however, was not enough. He was hot, he was not drinking or relieving himself. All he did was flop on the floor in front of the water dish or when taking him outside. This greatly concerned me. So once again, I searched to see what type of pain medication I could help him. He was in pain, he was groaning a bit. Yet, he never complained, never made a peep and was obedient to everything I tried to do to get him comfortable. 

Finding they had OTC pain releif at pet stores, I jumped in with some friends to run to PetSmart. While we were there, I noticed that Banfield was open. I was surprised and went over to talk to them and see if I could get them to look at Archer and seek input. They had an opening, so I ran home and picke dup Archer and brought him back. 

The Vet said he was one of the most healthy dogs he's ever examined. He knew I was taking care of him. We discussed options. The best recommendation was to get the cone and Rimadyl for pain releif. Pads are difficult to treat and heal. They eventually fall off and regrow, much like blisters on our own hands and feet. But the pain med was MUCH better.  If any infection was going to show up, that can be addressed at my Well Pet Exam on Friday as it would take a couple of days for any sign s of infection to show up even with an open blister on the pad. 

They waived the exam fee, only charging me for the medication and the cone. 

Once we got home, I fed and wtered him and he finally drank! He wouldn't all day and would take a few drops of water from a trukey baster.  He also was able to releive himself too.

Today, Archer is MUCH better, much more comfortable. Heslept very well last night. He is more himself. 

I am grateful that Banfield was open on a holiday (much to my surprise I'll add).  The Rimadyl helps him, kinda knocks him out or makes him drowsy so he's very comfortable. I think that is what helped him relax a bit from all that pain so he could eat, drink and do his business.

 I don't know what I'd do without him. I worry about him like I worry about my own kids when they are sick or not feeling well. I know I can't beat myself up because of this too. I mean it was my fault for that walk and not taking the precautions I did. So ya, I blame myself for this one. He knows I took car eof him as he started to lick my face and tell me he was feeling better! Made me feel better, but it doesn't remove just how painful it was for me to watch him go through all of that.

Love you Archer! Thank you for everything you do for me!