tuck update as of Sunday

I appreciate all the kind wishes for Tuck. This is his update

The vet called. Tuck wants to eat, and dives into food as of this morning.
But after two bites, spits it out.
He's much brighter, and stronger today, but some troubling complications
are setting in.
Complications were expected with this surgery at the outset. it doesn't
make them any less troubling. it's these expected complications that make
his prognosis so very poor.

He recommends transferring him to VetMed specialists in Columbus. That's
where Danny went for his surgery, and it cost $38,000 4 years ago for 5
days hospitalization.
Tuck's hospitalization would be expected to be even longer ..expected 2
weeks . I just am not in a position to commit to that kind of expense. I
don't have the resources that I had, when Danny was in that position.
It's not that I don't want to. I just can't.
His protein levels are still very low. If they can't get him to eat today
they will insert a esophageal tube threw behind his jaw tomorrow, and force
feed him. they are force feeding him now. But he's not getting enough. This
evening, I get to go feed him myself.

With low protein levels, he can't heal, and there is risk that with no
healing, his suture areas start falling apart in a day or so spilling his

diddy...

Yes, he wants to eat, but finds it painful and after a couple of
mouthfuls, he stops. I fed him this evening, and found him bright, I
thought he was going to wag himself to death. Since he's to be kept
absolutely quiet, I can see why they don't want me present. i did feed
him this evening, and he ate half a can of food. If you take that * 3
times a day, he's eating more (even allowing for moist food) than he eats
normally. The vet seems to think he MUST get 5 cans of food down him a
day. He's an elkhound. You just don't feed elkhounds like you would
huskies, or GSD's or brittanies. I find his can and a half of food a day
very acceptable and encouraging.
My vet feels his reluctance to eat is due to adhesions reforming. he did
pass stool, so something is moving all the way through. Good news! And
he's urinating.
I see a lot of progress isn the past 24 hours. The vet sees little and is
dissappointed in his progress.

Amy Dahl...

I hope this is one of those cases where the owner's knowledge of her
dog is more reliable than that of the professional, who has specialized
knowledge but lacks familiarity with the individual. IOW I hope your

Rocky...

BTDT, and I'll bet on diddy.

feeling about Tuck's having improved is the accurate one!

Rocky...

I'm sure of it.

Will be thinking of you and Tuck tonight.

Amy Dahl

There are still some troubling signs, but I do not see the the dark side
of every cloud the way my vet does. I think he's painting such a dark
picture, because he wants me to be prepared if something goes wrong and
he doesn't make it. I'm prepared for that, and well aware of how touch
and go this is. But I could just smack him for scaring me to death.. I
worry enough as it is.
Tonight, I saw more encouraging signs than I saw discouraging ones. Yes..
there are troubling indications.
No matter how painful the procedures are, he endures them with a tail
wag and friendly demeanor. he's not withdrawing from anyone, just
because they hurt him.

guts literally.