CCL

  • Sam Update: Back to the Orthopedic Specialist

    Not too long ago I proclaimed that Sam had gone a full year without a major medical event.  When I made that hesitantly bold (not an oxymoron) statement I then asked that everyone knock on wood in an attempt to not anger the fates that clearly have it in for beagles.  Well, it looks like…

  • Sam’s Week: I’m Insane(er)

    Sam Originally uploaded by Big Blue Mess It finally happened, Sam’s knee went out again and my stomach landed around my ankles. I called the surgeon’s office, had Jay drop her off the next day and then waited and waited to find out what happened. My work day ended with no news so I ended…

  • Day 5: Toe Touches

    Anyone whose had major surgery or knows someone (or some pet) that has had major surgery understands that the days are made up of little victories.  For Sam, that’s toe touches.  Why is it a big deal?  Because Sam went over a week after her last surgery without trying to put her leg down.  The…

  • Day 2: A Look Back at Day 1

    Yesterday, I created a Sam cave, which is one of her favorite things (behind food and food) by throwing a blanket over her crate. Sam finally fell asleep after the harrowing drive from the surgeons office involving pouring rain and a few misjudged hairpin turns. Once things started resembling normal (normal circa mid January), it occurred…

  • Day 1: The Continuing Saga of Sam & Some Bum Knees

    Blinking in the Sun Originally uploaded by Big Blue Mess Deja-extracapsular repair, Beagle-philes! Here we are again. Sam just came home after tearing the CCL on her left knee and is sacked out in her crate, which I parked next to me. Our girl can’t seem to catch a break. Our vet claims that fate…

  • Post CCL Surgery: A Beagle’s Story

    Three months after Sam’s surgery for her torn CCL and I’m here to report that all involved survived.  Sam walks, runs, plays, hops and dances.  She may need to stretch a bit, before bounding out the door, but overall she is looking good. I’m basically going to evangelize a bit to those thinking about surgery for ligament tears,…

  • The Chronicles of Sam: Week Two – Milestones

    I know you’ve been waiting around all week hoping for the latest Sam update and you’re in luck. I know! How exciting! (We all know “shut up about the dog already” is actually just a thinly veiled plea for more beagle news. It’s “code”. I have it on the best authority. Mine.) This week Sam…

  • The Sam Chronicles: Surgery

    As most of you know, today we start the lengthy process of getting our beagle Sam back on track to being the goofy, glad to greet the world, ever-starving, flappy earred mess that we love and adore. Sam recently tore her cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which is a lot like your ACL – it’s one…

  • Sam Update: The Beginning of the CCL Saga

    Well, it’s the crack of dawn and I’m wide awake so instead of tossing and turning or drinking warm milk, I thought “what the hell, I’ll poke the Big Blue Mess”. Plus, warm milk just sounds gross. I mean, does that really make you fall asleep or does your body throw up a white flag…