Go Dogs wrote: When my great dane had HGE, he needed big time IVF. The vet didn't really have a kennel big enough for him and rather than have a tech running fluids on him all night- I took him home. I'm a RN and he came home with a hep-loc, flushes and fluids. I stayed up all night, keeping him quiet while I ran the fluids. No different that a person. Actually, he was one of my best patients,ever!
I'm with you. I went to nursing school for a year. Didn't finish - became a welder instead. But that's another story. LOL I've been applying my nursing skills to my dogs, so it was not a waste. I prefer to do as much at home for them as I'm comfortable with. And my vet knows how I am and trusts me. I think they are better off at home than at the vet's. Less stress and more individualized attention plus they aren't exposed to a lot of sick animals. If I had life to live over again, I think I'd go to be a vet tech.
Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.
raindove wrote: Don't know that I'd be comfortable with a stapler. I think I'll save that one for a trained professional.
That's why we carry super glue (aka liquid stitches). We've used super glue on some extensive lacerations on our sheep (i.e. "de-gloved" leg) and minor ones on Jasper our rescue greyhound.
* This post was
edited 08/17/12 04:31am by BCSnob *
raindove wrote: Don't know that I'd be comfortable with a stapler. I think I'll save that one for a trained professional.
That's why we carry super glue (aka liquid stitches). We've used super glue on some extensive lacerations on our sheep (i.e. "de-gloved" leg) and minor ones on Jasper our rescue greyhound.
Staplers are really easy to use (almost idiot proof) but there is a very small learning curve getting them lined up to get the staple in the right place and both sides of the cut included within the staple. Knowing that and feeling comfortable using them, I still carry the super glue rather than the stapler.
Doug & Sandy
Jill (11yr old Golden)& Charmin (16 yr old something)
Henry NOW a camping cat
2008 Southwind
2009 Honda CRV
Go Dogs wrote: When my great dane had HGE, he needed big time IVF. The vet didn't really have a kennel big enough for him and rather than have a tech running fluids on him all night- I took him home. I'm a RN and he came home with a hep-loc, flushes and fluids. I stayed up all night, keeping him quiet while I ran the fluids. No different that a person. Actually, he was one of my best patients,ever!
I'm with you. I went to nursing school for a year. Didn't finish - became a welder instead. But that's another story. LOL I've been applying my nursing skills to my dogs, so it was not a waste. I prefer to do as much at home for them as I'm comfortable with. And my vet knows how I am and trusts me. I think they are better off at home than at the vet's. Less stress and more individualized attention plus they aren't exposed to a lot of sick animals. If I had life to live over again, I think I'd go to be a vet tech.
Raindove: I would love to sit down with you and hear how nursing school turned into welding school! You are right about the animal being comfortable in home surroundings. My Beau was as neurotic as Sheldon Cooper(Big Bang Theory)and truly would've suffered away from home. He was the reason we started RVing as he could never have been kenneled. He had to have 'his spot', etc. He even had his favorite TV shows.(Price is Right and Tora,Tora,Tora were his favs). See you on the road!
Go Dogs wrote: When my great dane had HGE, he needed big time IVF. The vet didn't really have a kennel big enough for him and rather than have a tech running fluids on him all night- I took him home. I'm a RN and he came home with a hep-loc, flushes and fluids. I stayed up all night, keeping him quiet while I ran the fluids. No different that a person. Actually, he was one of my best patients,ever!
Danes here too for over 30 years! (I finally got smart and switched breeds though)
We always took our Danes 'off the table', and always 'home if IV's needed'. I always had several Danes, sooo there was 'often' a lot of ER care at our home. Here's a tip I came up with that made life with Danes/IV's finally doable and you can actually catch a few winks of sleep.
I found an old tall bird cage stand at a flea market. They are made out of metal and have a heavy base. The top of the cage stand has a nice sized hook for holding the bird cage.
This became my IV STAND. Hang the IV bag on the hook. The dog can get up and reposition himself during the night without getting all caught up and since the bag is high it almost eliminates having to flush it. Base keeps it stable. Makes it easy for one person to move the dog and IV bag around also again not having to flush.
When I decided to hit the road RV'ing full-time I came across the ole IV Stand when I sold the house. Couldn't bring myself to throw it out so it's in my storage unit!
"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us".
Rock Hill: When we first got Beau, we went to PetSmart to buy supplies. The pup was still at home, but we saw a couple with a Dane going into the PetSmart. We stopped to talk to them about their Dane experience. The tired looking owner just looked at me and said,"you'll have a vet bill". He sure was right about that!
I just hooked a straightened coat hanger off the lampshade on a floor lamp for the IVs. Danes are the most magical, sensitive creatures, that I have ever had the pleasure of living with. God Bless all the good Dane owners, they are special people, too.
Go Dogs wrote: Rock Hill: When we first got Beau, we went to PetSmart to buy supplies. The pup was still at home, but we saw a couple with a Dane going into the PetSmart. We stopped to talk to them about their Dane experience. The tired looking owner just looked at me and said,"you'll have a vet bill". He sure was right about that!...
We saw our first Dane sitting in the back seat of a convertible classic car at a muscle car rally.....that's all it took for us.
Yup, if you own Danes for any length of time, you will end up knowing enough to be a vet Albeit it would probably be cheaper to pay for med school to learn the same thing.
You should have seen the First Aid Kit we carried when we had Danes! The bloat kit itself had its own luggage!!!!!
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