Bones Update

It’s been a few months since our last post. Bones is a part of our family now. I have a smile brought to my face every morning when I see how happy he is to be around us. Last week I brought him into the clinic for a glucose curve. He now weighs 85 lbs, which means he has gained almost 30 pounds since animal control brought him to us in November. A few days ago I threw a ball that he was begging me to toss for him and something very interesting happened; my Giant Schnauzer ran the wrong way while Bones followed the flight of the ball perfectly, ran over and scooped it up effortlessly. He really is a joy to be around because of his constant tail wagging and happy-go-lucky attitude.

I would like to thank the army of people that have helped me with him over the past 6 months. The awesome technicians and staff at West Ridge. I could not have made it through without them. I’m sure at this point Bones has had his blood taken over 100 times and the techs do it with great skill and care. The ophthalmology department at CSU and the senior students who took care of him during his cataract surgery. The outcome of his surgery couldn’t have been better. The pharmacy department at Westlake King Soopers in Greeley. Starting with his insulin and continuing with a myriad of ophthalmic drops, the pharmacy staff has been so helpful and always friendly as I call time and time again for an endless amount of medication. Carla for helping me with our Blogs. And my wife Ana who has learned to give Rupert his insulin on nights when I don’t get home from the clinic in time to do it.

Bones BEFORE

Bones (Rupert) NOW


Thank you to everyone-
it has been a crazy 6 months but I’m so glad he’s with us!

Do Dogs Feel Gratitude?

Dr Ebner updates us on Bones:

"Bones is currently one month post cataract surgery. The changes in him have been stunning. He is learning to be a house dog, although his natural enthusiasm is sometimes too much when I am trying to read or watch something on TV. He is my constant shadow. When he first began going into the backyard without a leash he would follow me around until something caught the attention of his nose and off he would go investigating things he could smell before but not see. Then after a few minutes he would come trotting back to me and follow me around until it was time to check something else out. His tail never stops wagging. He seems to thoroughly enjoy life. After what he's been through I guess he would. The other day I took him to the dog park for the first time. Once again he would run around and do his own thing for about 30 seconds and then he would turn around an look to see if I was nearby. If I was close he would keep running, if I was a little too far away he would stop and run back to me. Being a retriever, he loves to play with a ball. He tracks the flight of the ball perfectly and is happy to run back and forth wagging his tail.

He did have an altercation with my Giant Schnauzer two weeks ago. After it was over the big dog who out-weighs Bones by 35 lbs had left his mark on Bones' muzzle and his head but in the end it seems as though it just needed to happen to get a little pecking order reestablished in the house. Since then Bones is giving the Giant a wide birth and everyone seems to be getting along just fine.

He still gets eye drops a few times a day but nowhere near the amount he received after surgery. Bones has gained 16 lbs since he first arrived at the clinic. He is no longer boney. My wife decided that he needed a new name; I had to agree since she has not complained about having a third dog in the house. We decided on Rupert. It has some class but is a little goofy just like him.

The other day I was lifting him into my SUV and he simultaneously jumped out. Lets just say the Lab skull is harder than the human face...



Do dogs feel gratitude? Maybe, but they have a funny way of showing it."

Bones' Surgery

Dr. Ebner describes the days surrounding Bones' cataract surgery:

"It has been an exhausting few days. On Tuesday the 8th I took a half day off from the clinic to take him to CSU for his initial examination by the ophthalmology department as well as an electro retina gram (ERG). Light is pointed into his eyes and his sensory response is measured by probes placed into his head. It is important to make sure that the retina is still functional before such a big surgery. Otherwise it would be a waste of time. His test indicated that the retinas were fine.

Then he had to be examined by the anesthesia department so they could plan the medications that would be used for his procedure. After several hours and three physical examinations as well as the ERG he was deemed good to go for surgery the next day to remove the cataracts. I was sent home with eye drops to begin getting the eyes ready for surgery and was instructed to have him back at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at 7:30 the next morning. The dogs are usually kept at the VTH the night before surgery but it was determined that because of his diabetes (we wanted to keep everything stable) and the fact that in this case the owner is a veterinarian, it would be ok to have him go home for the night.

We left for Ft. Collins at 6:30 AM on Wednesday. Since we arrived quite early I was able to take him for a good long walk. I wondered what it would be like to walk him the next day. When you take an animal to CSU the case is always primarily handled by a fourth year veterinary student who is in turn supervised by a resident or a faculty member. At 7:30 I entered the VTH and met Melanie, the student who had been assigned to our case. She had also been the first one to perform a physical on Bones the previous day. Luckily she had read Bones' Blog so she knew all about him. Melanie took Bones to the anesthesia department where another fourth year student would prepare Bones for his procedure. He was given his premeds, a sedative, a pain medication and something to keep his heart rate steady during the surgery. After several pieces of monitoring equipment were attached he was wheeled into surgery.

At that point I joined him in the surgery suite. The surgeons conducted almost the entire procedure under an operating microscope. We were able to follow their progress by way of a video monitor.

Dr's P and Z proceed with the surgery viewing the
eye through an operating microscope

The cataracts were removed by an instrument that sends sound waves out in an ultrasonic wave which disrupts the cataract and the pieces are sucked out. The procedure took about two hours which included inserting implants into his lens so his vision would be optimized. He was then taken to recovery.

Bones' eye at the start of surgery...

...the cataract is breaking up...

...and the lens implant is inserted.

I decided that for his safety I would stay away while he woke up because I knew if he could smell me he would become very excited. I received reports from Melanie and Dr. Z, the resident, throughout the afternoon as he recovered from the anesthesia. Finally at 4pm I returned to the VTH to have his discharge instructions and take him home. When Melanie brought him into the room, although he was still groggy, he ran to me and started licking my face. As we walked down the hall to the doors he stayed in the very center of the hall until it was time to turn right to the doors and without any encouragement from me he turned right and went for the doors. That night I started a regimen of 5 different eye drops that he needs. Some of them he receives 4 times a day.

Dr. Z thought it was very important for her to check his eyes first thing the next day so this morning at 6:30 we were back on our way to Ft. Collins. Once again I was early so I walked him on the grass for a bit while we waited. He was walking up to trees and smelling them and looking at cars going past. At one point he was out as far as the leash would allow and I called to him, he turned his head started wagging his tail and ran full speed straight to me. At that moment I knew in my heart that I had done the right thing.

At his recheck this morning Dr. Z told me that he is proceeding just as he should be so soon after surgery. I continue to apply his drops (13 drops in each eye spread out from 6am to 10pm).

I can't say enough about the students and staff at CSU! It was a wonderful experience."

Bones Update

In order for Bones to undergo cataract surgery, some conditions had to be met; his eyes had to be free of inflammation, and of a normal intraocular pressure. To this end, Dr Ebner treated him with special anti-inflammatory eye medication for weeks prior to the surgery date. And, the day before the surgery, he checked the pressure of Bones eyes- just to make sure.

Dr Ebner uses a tonometer to check Bones' intraocular pressure

Bones Update

Bones continues to make huge strides in his recovery from end-stage starvation. To date he has gained 13 pounds; putting him at 71 pounds. With continued monitoring, his diabetes is being controlled with an increasing amount of insulin as he gains weight. He currently receives 23 units twice a day, but Dr Ebner will be checking him again later today...

A recheck of his urine confirmed that his bladder infection is gone. He has settled in to his new home with Dr Ebner, his wife, two other dogs, and two cats. Bones tries to play with his new dog-friends but since he can't see sometimes heads bang together. Because of his blindness, Bones requires diligent care as he will quickly run right into objects and get hurt. Dr Ebner brings him in to West Ridge Animal Hospital every day in order to keep him safe.

Luckily, his cataract surgery is scheduled for the second week of January at CSU. The ophthalmologist is optimistic that Bones will be able to see when he wakes from surgery.

Bones Update- First Surgery

Almost five days ago now, Bones underwent his first of two surgeries; this round included getting neutered, having a mass excised, cleaning his ears, and polishing his pearly-whites.


December 17th, 2007, West Ridge Animal Hospital...

8:20 AM: Presurgical exam and weigh-in. Bones is up to 64.3-- he has gained close to seven pounds already. Glucose is 253. The glucose was elevated because he had not received an insulin injection that morning since he was fasted for surgery. After seeing that the blood glucose was elevated Dr. Ebner gave Bones half of his usual dose of insulin to bring down his sugar level. Otherwise, his physical exam goes well and he is cleared for surgery. Premedication is given.

8:45 AM: Two technicians induce, intubate and prep Bones.

8:55 AM: Bones is neutered. Despite Dr Ebner's struggle with Bones' tough skin, all goes well.




















9:18 AM: Surgery proceeds to removing the mass from Bones' leg. Again, the thick skin makes for delays. Even so, the mass is excised, and the site sutured. Dr Ebner later explains that animals who are not neutered tend to have thicker skin due to the testosterone. They have tough skin to improve their chance of surviving fights in their battles to attain the position of alpha male.














9:51 AM: Bones is moved to the dental table where his teeth are scaled and polished. No teeth need repair; it is a routine dental procedure. While the surgical technician (Jenn) cleans his teeth, another technician (Kelli) clips his nails and Doctor Ebner cleans his ears.



And by 10:44 AM. Bones is awake and recovered, acting as though nothing happened.

Bones Update

With Dr Ebner's attentiveness and diligence, two weeks after finding him, Bones has gained almost four pounds! His crazy diabetes is now under control, the urinary tract infection is gone, and his ears are also greatly improved.

Every morning and every evening Bones eats a whopping three cups of food! Because Bones eats so very fast, and due to the risk of bloat (or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus), Dr Ebner splits his meals into smaller portions. After he eats, Bones receives an injection of insulin. He also still checks Bones' glucose regularly- especially since he just recently changed his food. With diabetes, it is important to keep glucose regulated.

Dr Ebner added one more medication to Bones' daily regimen as well- anti-inflammatory eye drops to keep inflammation from occurring in his eyes. You see, in January Bones will hopefully be going to Colorado State University for cataract surgery. If all goes well, in just over a month, Bones will be able to see again! Can you imagine how that would feel? To be able to see all of a sudden after being completely blind for months?!? I can't wait to see the transformation!

The Homeless Dog

Recently, a stray black labrador retriever walked through our front doors...


















...and straight into our hearts.

In truth, he did not walk through the door, he had to be carried by the Animal Control Officer that picked him up. He was found in a ditch, likely dumped by his previous owners. He was in such a state of poor health, the Officer recommended humane euthanasia. He went on to say that even if the dog were treated and taken to the Humane Society, he would probably be euthanized in 5 days anyway. Due to his medical problems, he was not an adoptable pet.

The attending veterinarian, Dr Jim Ebner, looked in his eyes and immediately suspected blindness caused by diabetes. So, after warming him up, he asked the technicians to draw some blood and check his glucose. It was then that he first touched our hearts... strangers were holding him, poking him with a needle; and even so, he turned his head and gave one of them a great big kiss- almost as though he knew they were helping him.

Being more than 20 pounds underweight, he was affectionately given the nickname "Bones". He weighed only 57.6 pounds.















After an extensive exam, it was determined that Bones suffered from a number of maladies including out-of-control diabetes, cataracts, a urinary tract infection, and a yeast infection in his ears. The joke around the hospital was that there was actually something he did not suffer from: Heartworm! Dr Ebner started him on a regimen of regular glucose checks, special food, antibiotics, and ear medication.

And now he's no longer homeless or nameless- Dr Ebner quickly bonded to him and took him home. Welcome to the West Ridge family Bones!