Back home at last!
22nd December 2014 to 23rd January 2015; four weeks and a day in hospital (& a five-figure bill!), but wonders have been achieved and Mack is now about to embark on a completely new life, picking up on the old where possible, but experiencing a great deal new too.
22nd December 2014 to 23rd January 2015; four weeks and a day in hospital (& a five-figure bill!), but wonders have been achieved and Mack is now about to embark on a completely new life, picking up on the old where possible, but experiencing a great deal new too.
Back home – and reclining on the largest bed ever!
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Getting used to being back home. And like the 'princess and the pea':
New bed inside waterproof cover, thick towel, new fleece, Mack, blanket.
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Saturday 24th January
Mack slept well, eat enthusiastically this morning, had two runs in his cart (we're getting better in fitting him to the cart, and he's walking more confidently as well), and had a visit to the duty vet (Leonard) at Fitzpatrick's to check all was OK. Day One at home then, successful.
Mack slept well, eat enthusiastically this morning, had two runs in his cart (we're getting better in fitting him to the cart, and he's walking more confidently as well), and had a visit to the duty vet (Leonard) at Fitzpatrick's to check all was OK. Day One at home then, successful.
In the garden this morning.
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... and this afternoon. You can clearly see the amount of hair that needs to regrow. He's covered with a rug most of the time.
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Mack fell off his bed last night. You remember the pile of mattress, towels, fleece? We didn't think he'd move, but in the morning we found him lying on the floor boards looking very uncomfortable ('Tut-Tut' to oneself!). Now he's pretty much barricaded in with a cot mattress to extend his sleeping area, and a child's adjustable stair gate to ensure he doesn't get any further (those grand children are more useful still).
Mack's had three walks in his wheels so far (two today). It's getting much slicker and he's cooperating beautifully. Here's a video from this Sunday afternoon. We need to see some ears though; he's obviously not terribly happy yet, which is hardly surprising.
Mack's had three walks in his wheels so far (two today). It's getting much slicker and he's cooperating beautifully. Here's a video from this Sunday afternoon. We need to see some ears though; he's obviously not terribly happy yet, which is hardly surprising.
Tuesday 27th January
Here's a little 'catch-up'. I've got pictures and videos of Mack's recent swims and walks. He's picking up really well on both counts. There was a BIG step (rather than all those 'little' steps) in his fourth swim on Monday the 26th when he actually swam completely unaided, on his own, with his legs trailing behind him, his front legs sweeping powerfully through the water... and yes, there was a ball involved! Amy gave us a 40-minute session this time which was well used (despite yet another poo which she skilfully caught in time) (thank you Amy).
Here's a little 'catch-up'. I've got pictures and videos of Mack's recent swims and walks. He's picking up really well on both counts. There was a BIG step (rather than all those 'little' steps) in his fourth swim on Monday the 26th when he actually swam completely unaided, on his own, with his legs trailing behind him, his front legs sweeping powerfully through the water... and yes, there was a ball involved! Amy gave us a 40-minute session this time which was well used (despite yet another poo which she skilfully caught in time) (thank you Amy).
Look at those eyes! And can you see his right front leg (which is generally rather weak) on a powerful down stroke? He's being held back for a few seconds to encourage his swimming.
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Amy giving a full 'shampoo and set' after his swim.
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Here is the video of Mack's unaided swim. The thing with animals is that they don't know nor care what their problem is (unlike us humans), they just get on with life using whatever abilities they still have. This is a great bonus.
Mack on Tuesday morning's 5-minute walk. My 'Time's up!' timer had just rung but I whispered "Cat!" to him and he nearly shot off across the lawn. Plenty of energy and enthusiasm there!
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Mack with Gillian. This is an important photo. Note he is actually standing on all four legs. This only lasted for five seconds, but was really significant all the same. We think he's beginning to get a tiny bit of tone in his rear legs.
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Thursday 29th January 2015
Mack had three runs today – and loved them all. He's becoming quite an expert and nothing fazes him fortunately, even though he tipped over twice. Here are a couple of pictures. I also took two videos which show how enthusiastic and agile he's becoming. This First one was in the morning, and the Second one was late in the afternoon just as it was getting dark (& after a hailstorm).
Mack had three runs today – and loved them all. He's becoming quite an expert and nothing fazes him fortunately, even though he tipped over twice. Here are a couple of pictures. I also took two videos which show how enthusiastic and agile he's becoming. This First one was in the morning, and the Second one was late in the afternoon just as it was getting dark (& after a hailstorm).
Mack on Thursday morning, 29th January. I'd taken out a ball for the first time. You can see on his back where the hair has regrown along the spine. This is as a result of the laser treatment he received. It clearly does help cells to grow faster.
It hailed this evening, but Mack did not care.
Sunday 1st February 2015
Mack trying out a 40-year old pram. But his new mode of transport was irrelevant to him. There was just one question in his mind – "Where's my ball?"
Mack trying out a 40-year old pram. But his new mode of transport was irrelevant to him. There was just one question in his mind – "Where's my ball?"
Ball please...
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Thank you!
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Go on, throw it!
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2nd February 2015
Mack had his 7th swim today. Amy was happy for him to do nine laps today (he'd be happy to do twenty!). He really enjoys the water and swims very strongly – especially if a ball is in sight. All the time, Amy and Alice are exercising his rear legs as much as possible. It's a good time.
Mack had his 7th swim today. Amy was happy for him to do nine laps today (he'd be happy to do twenty!). He really enjoys the water and swims very strongly – especially if a ball is in sight. All the time, Amy and Alice are exercising his rear legs as much as possible. It's a good time.
Mack returning to the 'Pod', the underwater platform where he stands for leg massage.
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Mack receiving a wash and shampoo after his swim in the chlorinated water. Gillian, Amy & Alice. Blow dry next.
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Here's a video of today's swim – real progression. He's so enthusiastic!
3rd February 2015
Snow this morning. Mack found that it is more difficult to move in the snow, but he tried very manfully all the same. In this picture he's waiting for the ball (of course!). The lead, tucked under his shoulder harness and clipped to the rear bar, is to control his speed when going back down the slope to the house; he doesn't really have any brakes.
A video of Mack in the snow is Here
Snow this morning. Mack found that it is more difficult to move in the snow, but he tried very manfully all the same. In this picture he's waiting for the ball (of course!). The lead, tucked under his shoulder harness and clipped to the rear bar, is to control his speed when going back down the slope to the house; he doesn't really have any brakes.
A video of Mack in the snow is Here
Ball please...
Friday 6th February 2015
Mack is brighter than ever. He is completely back to normal now regarding his responsiveness. As of this morning, he's started to sit up from a right-hand side lie down. He wouldn't do so previously because his front right leg wasn't strong enough. This is a real bonus.
I've felt that there has been too much weight on his front legs when he's in his cart (apparently there would normally be about 60%). So I've swung his wheels forward one notch. I'll see what difference that makes (I had tried three notches and he was like a car with a heavy load in the boot and the front wheels not able to steer!). One of these visits to Fitzpatrick I'll put him in his cart and stand his front legs on a weighing machine and then his wheels and we'll see. We weighed him today, just prior to his 9th swim and he's now 21.2 kg (he was 20 when he came home), so he's putting on weight well, although is close to the maximum desirable.
Here are a couple of pictures of today's swim
Mack is brighter than ever. He is completely back to normal now regarding his responsiveness. As of this morning, he's started to sit up from a right-hand side lie down. He wouldn't do so previously because his front right leg wasn't strong enough. This is a real bonus.
I've felt that there has been too much weight on his front legs when he's in his cart (apparently there would normally be about 60%). So I've swung his wheels forward one notch. I'll see what difference that makes (I had tried three notches and he was like a car with a heavy load in the boot and the front wheels not able to steer!). One of these visits to Fitzpatrick I'll put him in his cart and stand his front legs on a weighing machine and then his wheels and we'll see. We weighed him today, just prior to his 9th swim and he's now 21.2 kg (he was 20 when he came home), so he's putting on weight well, although is close to the maximum desirable.
Here are a couple of pictures of today's swim
Mack being held against the hot water inlet for the pool for stimulation, but he's only interested in one thing!
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... and again. Note his front legs resting on Amy's leg – all very relaxed and comfortable.
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Thursday 12th February
Rehabilitation continues... Mack has just come in from his midday walk (ball chasing actually) and it's lunch time. This seems to be the ideal opportunity to feed him. The more he gets used to being upright on two feet (the back legs are not contributing to the stance I'm afraid), the better. He's allowed seven minutes at a time this week; eight minutes next week etc. I do leave him standing for some extra time in the garden which he's quite content to do. 11 swims completed so far, and he does 18 laps each time this week; it will be 21 next week. He never shows any sign of tiring.
Post-operation and recovery assessment and X-Rays are booked for Wednesday 25th February. This is to check that all the 'ironmongery' is still in place and the bones and muscles are healing well. Mack certainly shows no signs at all of any problem in these areas.
Rehabilitation continues... Mack has just come in from his midday walk (ball chasing actually) and it's lunch time. This seems to be the ideal opportunity to feed him. The more he gets used to being upright on two feet (the back legs are not contributing to the stance I'm afraid), the better. He's allowed seven minutes at a time this week; eight minutes next week etc. I do leave him standing for some extra time in the garden which he's quite content to do. 11 swims completed so far, and he does 18 laps each time this week; it will be 21 next week. He never shows any sign of tiring.
Post-operation and recovery assessment and X-Rays are booked for Wednesday 25th February. This is to check that all the 'ironmongery' is still in place and the bones and muscles are healing well. Mack certainly shows no signs at all of any problem in these areas.
This is how a dog is meant to eat his food! He's now on Dr WellBeloved's 'Lamb & Vegetable' biscuits. These are much more expensive than other foods, but do help to keep his stools more solid which is rather important since we never know when or where 'it' will happen.
Monday 16th February
Here's a fascinating underwater video taken by Gillian during Mack's 12th swim on Friday. What a beautiful motion a dog has in the water. The two staff with him are guiding him and not supporting him at all. One can see his back legs just trailing behind. It impresses me that Mack can stay afloat perfectly well just through the paddling of his front legs. The jacket he's wearing is just for a handhold if necessary – it doesn't provide any buoyancy. Today, Monday, he was surging through the water at a good speed. He did 20 laps this time in sessions of four. He is certainly getting stronger each day.
Here's a fascinating underwater video taken by Gillian during Mack's 12th swim on Friday. What a beautiful motion a dog has in the water. The two staff with him are guiding him and not supporting him at all. One can see his back legs just trailing behind. It impresses me that Mack can stay afloat perfectly well just through the paddling of his front legs. The jacket he's wearing is just for a handhold if necessary – it doesn't provide any buoyancy. Today, Monday, he was surging through the water at a good speed. He did 20 laps this time in sessions of four. He is certainly getting stronger each day.
This is a screenshot of the video of Mack swimming
17th February 2015
We took Mack to Puttenham today. It was a fabulous blue day – almost springlike even though it's mid-February. Puttenham Common is a 15-minute drive West of Guildford and much loved by dog walkers especially. Mack has been there with me many, many times over the years. There is a large flat grassy area adjacent to the car park and Amanda and I thought it would be ideal for a short 'walk' for Mack, before we went for a longer walk, leaving him in the car. It worked out fine, although he's not been quite so enthusiastic today. Anyway, this was a change for him which worked very well. A video is Here.
We took Mack to Puttenham today. It was a fabulous blue day – almost springlike even though it's mid-February. Puttenham Common is a 15-minute drive West of Guildford and much loved by dog walkers especially. Mack has been there with me many, many times over the years. There is a large flat grassy area adjacent to the car park and Amanda and I thought it would be ideal for a short 'walk' for Mack, before we went for a longer walk, leaving him in the car. It worked out fine, although he's not been quite so enthusiastic today. Anyway, this was a change for him which worked very well. A video is Here.
Tuesday 3rd March 2015
Here are a couple of pictures of Mack taken recently...
Here are a couple of pictures of Mack taken recently...
Mack being blow dried after a swim – very relaxed and comfortable.
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Mack and his new Thermatex coat which insulates, and wicks moisture away from the skin.
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3rd March 2015
Here is Mack's final X-Ray. Note that Sarah wasn't able to completely bring the bones in his sternum completely into alignment because of the muscle tension which had developed over the previous two weeks. But the plate and screws are still in place, and there is the beginnings of bone growth filling the cavity below the angled section of bone in his sternum. What does impress me in the picture, is the size of his heart!
Here is Mack's final X-Ray. Note that Sarah wasn't able to completely bring the bones in his sternum completely into alignment because of the muscle tension which had developed over the previous two weeks. But the plate and screws are still in place, and there is the beginnings of bone growth filling the cavity below the angled section of bone in his sternum. What does impress me in the picture, is the size of his heart!
Tuesday 10th March 2015
Mack on his first 20-minute walk.
HERE's a video of him. You can clearly see his comfortable gait – and of course, he's carrying his ball!
Mack on his first 20-minute walk.
HERE's a video of him. You can clearly see his comfortable gait – and of course, he's carrying his ball!
Mack halfway round 'the circuit' – a 20 minute walk round our house.
I left Mack standing after his walk while I got him some food. I didn't know he could lie down while in his wheels, but he obviously can!
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Mack at home at the end of his walk. He dropped his ball which ran down the drive to the road. He's waiting for me to return it to him
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On Friday 13th March, Mack had his first go in the Underwater Treadmill (UWT). He was an excellent patient as always. Time will tell as to whether this has any effect. There are two videos; the first is a compilation of videos I took at the time which is HERE, and the second was taken by Lucy with the physiotherapist camera and is HERE. There's no sound to this video.
Great concentration from Lucy, Amy, Annick & Gillian as Mack is held steady in the UWT while the water starts to flow in.
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Annick working Mack's back legs
The usual single-minded focus from Mack as Gillian persuades him to move forward using the unfailing 'carrot'
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11th May 2015 Here are some pictures to update Mack's progress over the last six weeks.
12th March out on the field
22nd March –Things can go wrong very quickly!
16th April.
The huge scabs sloughed off leaving raw flesh. This has fortunately healed well over the last three weeks.
Since he's paralysed beyond his shoulders this gave him no pain or irritation.
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18th March 2015 "Here's my ball, are you coming?"
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9th May 2015
Half way through a 45-minute walk at Winkworth Arboretum to see the Fuchsias, Rhododendrons and bluebells.
9th May
Mack with the family at Winkworth – you'd hardly guess he's in wheels!
20th May 2015
Mack did an hour's walk with me this afternoon – and was ready for more! Here are some pictures and a couple of videos.
Mack did an hour's walk with me this afternoon – and was ready for more! Here are some pictures and a couple of videos.
These wheels go anywhere!
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Through the meadow sweet and then onto the field.
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HERE'S a video of him powering up our road.
... and THIS one shows him coming down the edge of the field of winter barley
... and THIS one shows him coming down the edge of the field of winter barley
15th July 2015. Here are some pictures taken over the last couple of months showing a very content dog who is increasingly able to join in with daily visits and other activities.
Mack at Petworth Park. This was quite a long walk, well over an hour, but he coped fine.
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Mack at West Wittering beach. Lots of firm, smooth sand at low tide. He ran quite a few miles then. In this picture he's waiting for his ball to be thrown.
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Mack and his ball...
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Out for a walk in the local field. Other dogs are very inquisitive about a dog in wheels and have to investigate. Mack cares not in the slightest.
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One-year old Eva with the best cuddly toy ever! But guess what Mack's interest is?