Neuman is my 4th rescued &/or re-homed Frenchie.
July 2nd, I got a call, that somebody needed to rehome a 6 month old Frenchie puppy & they want it to have a good home. (For $700) They have bigger dogs, who are “beating him up”, they are very aggressive over the food bowls & they are to busy for any pets. (Like they really should not have a goldfish)
I ran up to their house & it’s a huge, beautiful, very disorganized house. The puppy (Neuman) is limping & the wife quickly explains that their Very Big, Olde English Bulldog stepped on it or knocked him over, “but it was getting so much better”. As she is talking, Neuman was pee-ing in their house, not potty trained. So my gut said “get this underweight, little guy out of this house, now!!!”.
Went straight to the vet the next morning, my only wish in all this, (other than a healthy puppy) is that my vet would have said “your appointment is over, go outside, have the girls help you get health insurance & then we can continue”. But that didn’t happen.
Neumans only weighed 12lbs. His “little” limp was actually a terrible fracture, that was about 4-6 weeks old & his leg had stopped growing. I can’t even explain all the genetic problems (I did send the Vets report to the AKC, UGH). Neuman also has Brachycephalic syndrome & needs his nares (removed(?) The total estimate for the neuter, amputation & Brachycephalic syndrome problems is $4300 – $4800. He is on Tramadol & anti-inflammatory medications daily. The previous,.animal abusing owners, were kind enough to give me my $700 back. Neuman had NEVER, EVER been taken to the vet, so of course he had worms, got rid of those & we are getting him caught up on his shots, he is up to 17.8 lbs, he is potty trained, crate trained, sits & lays down. My 21 yr old son taught him how to “high five”, while he watched him while I was in the hospital. He thought it was so cool. smh, Neuman learns really fast. (But he is getting his front leg amputated)
- I’m really freaking out about this amputation, I’ve reading people’s forums & all the things I need to buy. What do I need to buy for a 7 month old, 18 lb Puppy? Do I need one of those big lift harnesses, for an 18 lb puppy? Is It to help them stand up? I know I need a firm “bed”, and I’m getting something to raise his food & water bowls up. Trying to get someone over here to build a little ramp off my deck. (I have a hard time walk down the steps, most of the times). I’ve been buying rugs, here & there to cover up the slippery tile & wood floors. What else???
I know the vet said I had to be home for the 2 weeks after surgery. I’m worried about Stella being jealous. And I guess we’ll be camping out in the living room. I do not want him sleeping in my bed. (I say that with every dog, but so far, I’m doing good!)
Thank you for giving him a good home! I would hold off on the harness for now – maybe wait until you see how big he will be. Most dogs get around well on three, and he is small enough you can easily carry him if you had to. Traction is key, but cheap yoga mats also work pretty well. And yes, alot of us slept on a mattress on the first floor during the recovery period!
Thank you for responding, he is a cutie!! My ex husband just offered me a lot of brand new carpet (he had bought it for his unfinished basement, prior to meeting his new wife, they got got married, finished the basement & she hated the carpet, lol) I don’t care what it looks like, it’s more than enough to cover my hardwood floors in my living room & dining room. Keeping him “down” & keeping my 2 yr old Frenchie to not play with him, may be my biggest challenge.
Hello and welcome! I am very familiar with brachycephalic pups- I’ve had pugs for 18 years and am the mom of the original Tri-Pug Maggie: http://maggiesjourney.tripawds.com/.
Does Neuman have Stenotic Nares? Actually in my experience not to big a surgery and an easy fix to help with breathing. Two of my three pugs have had that surgery.
You are wonderful for getting Neuman out of that situation!
Have your son turn that ‘high five’ into a combo of ‘sit pretty’ and ‘high five’ : )
My current Tripawd is a little pug mix who lost her rear leg at 7 months old after being hit by a car, Elly is now a little over 2.5 years old. I haven’t updated her blog in awhile but you can see her picture: http://rescueelly.tripawds.com/.
If your surgeon doesn’t send you home with a sling you can make one out of a cloth shopping bag- just split the seams open and the handles are built in! Many dogs, especially the young ones, don’t need help getting around. I bet Neuman will be very happy to get rid of that painful leg and your biggest problem may be keeping him quiet while he heals! Check with your vet about when he can wear a harness- since he is a front amp the vet may not want a harness on him that could interfere with the incision.
How many steps do you have? Many pups can navigate steps just fine after they heal up. And some, like my Maggie, refuse to use a ramp.
Good luck with the surgery!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Thank you so much for sharing & the help!! We only have have deck steps & there is a ramp already being made (He doesn’t go down the steps now & I have Meniere’s Disease, so the ramp is really for both of us, I don’t do well at night,on the steps) I’m very worried about keeping him down, I totally love him to death, but he is a little sh*t! I cant keep him down now. There’s many times I have to stop him from chasing Stella (our other Frenchie) around the yard. She is teaching him how to corner squirrels, he steals things & runs away from me. ha!!
His breathing..our vet never said anything to us, when we went to the Orthopedic Surgeon she brought it up & I was totally confused. She really made it sound like a “maintenance surgery, since he’s here, we might as well..” His nostrils are very small, we are going to our vet Wednesday, she will explain everything to me. I’m sure I sound ignorant, I was having surgery the following day, Neuman had peed on the floor at that point & for some reason I thought my husband understood everything.(haha) The estimate of charges, doesn’t go into any details, I just remember her talking about his nares. (It is the same cost as the amputation) I fully expect them to send him home with a sling, but I will ask when I call there today. Thank you again,
Amy & Neuman
Hi Amy!
OMG Neuman is SO cute – assuming that’s him in your profile pic. SOOOOO CUUUUUUUTE. I have always loved Frenchies so will live vicariously through you!
I think with such a small pup, it’s fine to hold off on a “fancy” harness or sling. You can even use a pillow case (king size for easier “handling”) as a sling/support for walking post surgery. I stayed home from work with Izzy for a week but did leave her alone for half a day on the 7th day after surgery. By then, she could get up on her own so all I had to do was make sure she didn’t get at her incision. I think smaller dogs have an easier time getting back on their feet – Izzy was pretty stable within a few days and she was about 55 pounds at the time and looooong legged – but she did fall on her stitches more than once, which totally freaked me out (she didn’t care).
Keep us posted and post lots of pics for me, please? lol
– Amy & my pretty pink angel, Izzy
Yes that is him & today its a good thing he is so cute, both my dogs were so naughty. Stella is teaching him bad habits. (My mom laughed & said “just like you did to your brother”lol). The vet said to stay home for 2 weeks with him. That’s a long time with basically 2 puppies (Stella just turned 2). I’ve been dropping not suttle hints to my friends about being home for 2 weeks, hopefully they are catching on & buying wine. And a lot of people who couldn’t help financially, have promised to come over & help.
But seriously, he is really little & hopefully I can keep Stella settled down so Neuman can rest & heal up. I will keep everyone updated. I haven’t set up a surgery date yet, probably the last week of the month. I’m very thankful that he is getting around really well & I can hold off a little bit.
Amy, Stella & Neuman