Blackjack's Surgery

Blackjack has done great since his last bandage / splint change (twice a week). We go again tomorrow to get the wound under the split checked / rebandaged, and to assess when he might be ready for the second surgery. He continues to be a sweetheart -- will make someone such a loving pet! I had to ratchet back his pain medication -- was making him a bit TOO comfortable, and he was fussing about his restricted activity. Now he has only the daily dose of metacam (his anti-inflammatory), a tramadol when he needs it, and of course his antibiotics. So far, so good -- no signs of any infection. His belly is almost completely healed, and the frankenstein incision where his pelvic plate was put in looks knitted. He's an amazing guy. I'll update more tomorrow after our appointment with Dr. Corse, but I think they Northlake folks are going to be very impressed with our little guy's healing powers.

A lot has happened since my last update, and things have been a bit wild with Christmas in the mix. Blackjack was allowed to come "home" to us (he had never been there) for Christmas. That also meant that he got to travel to Grandma's house for the weekend. I was worried about the stress, but Dr. Corse said that he would be less stressed in a home environment (crated, of course) than in a hospital cage.
The wonderful folks at Northlake Veterinary Surgery (see link below) taught me how to do his bandage changes on his belly. His leg wound is now in a colloidal bandage / splint that only needs changing twice a week.
So off we went. And he bloomed! He was happy and friendly to everyone, snuggled with my niece, and was so sweet during his painful bandage changes. The wound with its Frankenstein staples (where Dr. Corse repaired one of the pelvic breaks) looks great too. He is eating, and seems less painful each day.
I have adjusted the surgery amount down, because he did so well, he didn't need some of the stuff they thought he needed.
Any help you can give is greatly appreciated. He is a very special, affectionate, cuddly boy, who is going to be very loved one day when he is adopted into a new home that needs a boy as sweet as this one.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Northlake-Veterinary-Surgery-LLC/103450209728976 said that

Balckjack's surgery is done -- well, the first one is done. The biggest break in the pelvis has a plate on it, to stabilize the right side. The rest of the pelvic breaks will heal on their own with that stability -- he should now be able to stand on that leg. His left ankle has a splint, and the degloving wound is getting daily bandage changes and flushing. The vet says he is much more comfortable already. This dog is amazing -- with all those injuries, he never growled at anyone, never even really cried -- just shook and trembled to show his pain. He even gave me kisses (he had just met me!) during the doctor's initial exam and assessment. He is going to be a heartbreakingly loving pet for some wonderful family soon. First we've got to get him fixed up. This surgery and hospitalization is estimated to cost $3000; he may need a second surgery on the ankle in a few weeks (hope not).
Thank you all for your support of the sweet little one. He's only about a year old, we think -- still has a retained baby canine tooth. What a sweetie. His surgeon calls him "A cool dude." I guess that's guy bonding talk. I say "sweetie," he said "cool dude." But he his both.
Your donations go to DREAM Dachshund Rescue, a 501c3 non-profit charity. We can provide letters for your tax deductions upon request.

Last night, a dachshund was found on the road after he had been hit by a car. He's a sweet little guy, probably about a year old, with no tags or microchip. Some nice people picked him up, even though he was hurt very badly with open fractures. They took him to The Village Vets of Decatur, who called DREAM to ask if we could take him in, since an owner couldn't be found.
Blackjack got his name because he's an all-black, shiny guy, and he is willing to take a gamble. So are we.
X-rays show that his pelvis is broken in at least 6 places. He also has a horrific de-gloving wound on his left ankle, and that ankle has other shearing injuries to the ligaments.
Blackjack is currently receiving care at the Northlake Veterinary Surgeons. We are raising money to pay for his surgery.