28/07/2024
https://gofund.me/8ea02a79
8/4/24 Update on Nikki: she had an appointment at the hospital today for a bandage change and check-up. The doctor said she’s doing well and he’s happy that he doesn’t see any worsening of the symptoms of Tetanus. Certain muscles remain rigid and painful, but overall we’re seeing signs of improvement.
Some of the pathology results on her amputated toe came back and it showed an infection in the bone of her toe, so it was a really good thing that it was amputated.
She’s doing well at home. It’s getting more challenging to keep her calm and quiet. I have to keep her on a leash just to go out to go potty to make sure she doesn’t start running and rip open the stitches on her paw. I actually downloaded Dog TV and put it on for her for several hours. Friends, I never thought I would have to encourage my dog to watch tv, but these are “ruff” times (pun intended). Once again everyone, thank you for all of your help 😊
7/31/24 Nikki’s first day home. Nikki is doing very well today. She will not sleep on a dog bed and insists on getting herself up on our bed and spreading out lol. She’s not allowed to do anything other than go out to go potty, sleep, rest, get massaged, get her limbs very lightly exercised, eat, take meds, and walk a few steps. No stairs, jumping on a bed or a couch, no running, playing, etc. she needs to stay in a quiet room with minimal noise, no excitement, and not a lot of light. She remains pretty heavily sedated. She made it clear that she misses the other dogs! She had to go back in a crate to keep her from trying to jump on the bed. She has to be in a calm and quiet environment for two weeks. Hopefully she’ll be able to start physical therapy for her muscles and adapt quickly to losing one of her weight bearing toes. Tetanus really is no joke. Alexxa has heard “go put your shoes on” numerous times today. Stay up to date on your Tetanus vaccines everyone and don’t step on any rusty nails!😬 Once again, thank you all for your help, donations, prayers, support, and well wishes 💕!
7/30/24 Nikki update. Jo Ann and Alexxa visited Nikki today and the vet said she has not had any worsening of her facial features and muscle tightness for 24 hours. She’s eating and drinking and gets up when they go in her kennel. He also said she has not developed stiffness in her limbs and so they don’t expect her to get any worse. The vet discharged her and said we could finish her after care at home. Nikki couldn’t have been happier to leave the hospital and we couldn’t have been happier for her to come home with us. The vet and nursing care she received there was excellent and we recommend them especially in the case of an emergency if you have time to get there. She was discharged with a large bag of medication and we have to take her back in a few days for a follow up visit for the amputated toe. If we don’t have to use the PEG tube to feed her, it can come out in two weeks. The vet said it would take months and possibly years for her to recover from the Tetanus.
7/29/24 Update on Nikki. Jo Ann visited her for several hours today. The vet said she is doing “just okay“ today and her facial features and muscle tightness are worse than yesterday. He said it’s expected she will get worse before better and as long as it doesn’t get so much worse where she becomes unable to breathe on her own, she is still on the road to recovery. They’re monitoring her closely for seizures.
She was quite anxious today and her paw that the toe was amputated from is hurting her a lot, so she’s still getting “the good drugs.” Today, they are moving her around on a gurney instead of letting her walk when she has to go more than a few steps because of her toe.
She was very hungry and as long as she is hand fed she is able to eat and keep food in her mouth long enough to swallow most of it. If you hold the bowl right up to her mouth and at a certain angle she can eat out of it, but not all of it stays in her mouth. She drank water out of a bowl held up to her mouth and kept most of it in her mouth. We’re glad she’s really hungry and eating as much as she is. She ate some chicken in addition to her dog food tonight and was very excited about that. We’re hoping they won’t have to use the PEG tube they put in to feed her and she can remain on dog food and chicken. She doesn’t care for the feeding tube for obvious reasons. We will see her again tomorrow and post another update on her condition afterwards.
We saw Nikki last night on 7/28/24. She was very happy to see us. She seemed somewhat anxious. She ate a “meatball” of dogfood, and we’re really glad she is hungry and eating. We were able to walk her just outside the front door so she could go potty. We left about 9pm last night so she could get more meds and go to sleep.
7/28/34 Update on Nikki: she had the surgery to remove the infected toe and to put in the PEG tube and according to the vet at the hospital, they are trying to keep her calm and sedated to avoid a worsening of her condition. We’re hoping to visit with her in a couple of hours tonight. In true Nikki fashion, she jumps up and barks at the doctors and staff members there randomly. We’re hoping this is a good sign and that she’s going to pull through and recover. Thank you all so much for your support and love for Nikki!
Well howdy there dog people, as most of you know , Nikki has been my partner for almost 4 years. she has helped so many people and their dogs. please read, share and if you can, donate.
Hi everyone, it's me Seth, and I am in need of your help. Most of you have … Seth Hutson needs your support for Help Nikki Recover and Continue Her Vital Work
