I’m so relieved and delirious with happiness to share that Dozer just had his post-operation check up and he’s ok!! I’ve been overwhelmed by all the messages of support and cheering on his recovery. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ~ Nagi x
I won’t lie – it’s been a worrying couple of weeks. But a weight has been lifted from my shoulders after getting the all clear from Dozer’s doctors today. So I came straight here to share this great news with you!!!
Dialling back: A fortnight ago, I shared the sad news that Dozer was diagnosed with bi-lateral laryngeal paralysis, a condition where both his larynxes are paralysed so it severely inhibits his breathing. It came on quickly – in January he was romping around at the beach with his mates, then by the end of February he was refusing to go for walks and did nothing more than sleep all day. His breathing was laboured, and he was panting heavily all day and night.
I was so scared. I had been researching endlessly and had read too many sad stories of people saying goodbye to their dogs because they couldn’t watch them struggle with laryngeal paralysis anymore, or losing their dogs because they were too old to cope with the trauma of the surgery.
I made the decision to do the surgery and 2 weeks ago, he went in for what is called a tie-back operation at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital in Ryde (Sydney). The surgeons went in from the outside of Dozer’s neck then tied back one larynx to open up his airways so he can breath more freely. He stayed overnight in their ICU, monitored closely for post op complications which are more prevalent in older dogs (he’s 11 years young!).
Dozer’s recovery from the operation was slower than I expected. On day 3 after the operation, he was still barely able to struggle to his feet and did nothing but sleep all day. His breathing was extremely hoarse and raspy which the surgeon said was to be expected to an extent from post op swelling in his airways.
Is anybody here surprised when I tell you that I’ve been sleeping on a blow-up beside him every night since the operation? 🙂
I even did an emergency run back to the hospital after I found him in what seemed to be in a barely conscious state. He was a dead weight, just lying on his side without moving as we slid him across the house on a dog bed and lifted him into the car.
Luckily, it seemed to be old-man slow recovery from surgery. Around 10 days after the surgery, he started showing signs of perkiness and was able to get up by himself without assistance. His breathing became noticeably quieter – albeit still a bit hoarse. He greeted me at the door for the first time in a couple of months (I almost wept with happiness). He started playing with toys again. And he even came into the kitchen again when I was cooking high-value food! (meat).
Also (and sorry to gross you out!) he was going to the toilet regularly. He didn’t 💩 for 8 days!!! EIGHT DAYS! That is a LOT of 💩 banked up inside him – I don’t even know how he managed to store that much!!! There was much applause and celebration the day he broke the seal. I even popped a bottle of champers to celebrate. 😂
(Oh yes, and this photo reminded me of how I tried to get his bowels moving 😂).
Dozer’s post op life
But the tie-back surgery does not come without repercussions. He is at higher risk of food and water getting into his lungs and causing aspiration pneumonia (lung infection) which can be serious and deadly. He is on a new diet of slippery, ball-shaped proteins (think, Asian fish balls, but homemade) and jelly cubes made with pureed vegetables that I feed him by hand in a standing position so it slides down his throat easily.
No more random taste testing, lest stray crumbs or little bits of food accidentally get inhaled into his lungs – and the sheer speed at which food disappears down Dozer’s throat means this is a serious risk (I am not joking).
There is also the fact that it’s likely that his laryngeal paralysis is part of a broader nerve weakening syndrome called Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy (GOLPP) which will see a weakening of his hind legs. The question is just the pace at which this occurs. I can’t bring myself to think about this yet. I know how that story ends.
It’s unlikely that he will get back to the same level of activity and energy he was even just a couple of months ago. I’ll be taking his recovery slowly, re-building his strength (bearing in mind he’s basically done no exercise for over a month now) and giving his airways time to finish healing.
And while I do get sad when I think of how Dozer’s life as it was just two months ago is over – splashing in the water with his mates, bolting after any bird that dares to land in his park, getting the last (sometimes the first) bite of everything I eat – it goes without saying that I am just grateful to have more time with him.
Cherish every moment
The reality is, he is getting on in his years. Dozer is just a month out from turning 12. He is (was) in excellent physical condition. Strong, fit, his fur is shiny and smooth, his teeth and eyes in very good condition for his age. His hearing may have been fading a bit, but hard to tell if it’s just selective hearing (seems to hear the crinkle of food wrappers ok).
But this scare is a very strong reminder to me to cherish every moment I have left with him.
Right now, I just want to relish in the glimpses I’m seeing today of the Dozer that I knew. His tail is wagging again. He trots into the kitchen to scavenge for food. He went for a short walk today – 100 metres. Yay Dozer!
Thank you again for your support and cheering him on. Sometimes I feel like your collective positive thinking gave him strength. I know it did me. – Nagi x
Dear SASH – thank you for the gift of time
To everyone at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) in Ryde, from the receptionists to the cleaners, ICU nurses to the anaesthetists, and most especially to Dozer’s surgeons and doctors – Dr James Crowley (surgeon), Dr Tristram Bennett (surgeon), Dr Alex Kennedy (internal medicine) and Dr Amy Dickinson (critical care specialist):
Thank you for the gift of more time with Dozer. I will forever be grateful. ~ Nagi x
Above photo – the incredible team at SASH North Ryde. Left to right: Dr Alex Kennedy (internal medicine), Dozer’s maid, Dozer, Dr James Crowley (surgeon), Dr Tristram Bennett (surgeon), Dr Amy Dickinson (critical care specialist).
And the photo below – double stethoscope situation! With Dr Alex Kennedy and Dr James Crowley.
Hi Nagi, your love for Dozer brings me to tears – I have the same love for my son’s dog but he lives far from me.
I wish you and Dozer many more happy times together. I always read the Dozer news before the recipe 😂 and will continue to follow you and your gorgeous mate.
Just absolutely thrilled at the news about Dozer, and I’m sure it was the power go his mom’s love that pulled him through. He won’t have the SAME life as before, but he’ll still have a great life full of love.
I’m not crying! Ok happy tears! Nagi, I’ll continue to pray for you and Dozer for many happy healthy years.
So pleased to see you have been given the all clear Mr Dozer. Our Golden Goldie passed when he was 14, after being told at 11 that I needed to put him to sleep. Those few extra years to watch our boy age gracefully and live his life to the fullest will forever have a place in our hearts. I am so pleased to see your handsome boy be able to do the same. Lots of Love ❤️
Oh Nagi, Not hearing for so long I was beginning to worry. Such good news to hear Dozer is on the mend! Cherish every moment you have left with this darling boy. I know you will. Much love and hugs to you both.
Oh this is such wonderful news. Must be such a huge relief. Can’t wait to yo tell my prayer circle group the brilliant news
Please, give your handsome mr Dozer a huge hug me and my girl Cuddlz…💜🤩🎶
Wonderful that Dozer is recovering and feeling stronger. Such a blessing to have access to specialist veterinary care. These adjustments are always harder for Pet Parents. Our four legged family live in the moment. If you see Dozer having trouble getting around, consider putting runners over the floors so its easier for him. Learned this with my GSDs with spine problems.
Nagi you are amazing. Providing the best care for Dozer in his senior years. Quality comes before quantity. You are giving Dozer a quality life filled with an abundance of love ❤️ and nurturing. It’s priceless!!!
I am so happy for you and Dozer. I know what it is like to worry about one’s darling doggie. Dozer is gorgeous. And you are a wonderful mother.
I am so happy for you and Dozer that he is doing well, I know that he will keep recovering with your love and care. Please give him a very big hug from me. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. He is a beautiful boy, I love him very much as well. ❤️❤️🌻🌻
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So glad that Dozer is doing ok, it’s such a scary thing to go through for both of you. No doubt many sleepless nights, stress and tears too. We lost one of our 10 years young papillons to respiratory distress from the same thing just before Christmas. Terrible. Maybe even worse was that his best buddy of 8 years still looks for him for after months. We got another doggy (aged 2) and, even though the 10 year old has new life wrestling and playing again, he still goes out through the doggy door and just stands on the patio looking and waiting on his friend to come in from the back garden. And some people say they are ‘just dogs’ Pffft. No clue how deep the love between dogs and owners can be.
I’m so happy that Dozer is getting better. We should all cherish the time we have with our animals. They are part of the family always.
Nagi, I feel like I know you even though you are in the other side of the world from me. The first thing I do when I see an email from you is to look up your Dozer story. Thank you for sharing Dozer with all of us, it’s like he’s our dog too. Sending you and Dozer much love, my wish for you is to have as many days you can to build more memories with Dozer. ❤️❤️
I’m elated hearing about his albeit slow recovery but a recovery nevertheless. Didn’t think at my age I could cry & do the happy dance all at once. Biggest hugs of joy to you both.
Darlene B.
Hi Nagi,
That’s wonderful news, your beautiful Dozer is getting better.
Very happy for you.
All the best.
Nagi and Beautiful Dozer, that is the best news , more time with Dozer!! It is a tough time very scarey and lots of tears ( know I was when reading Your updates) Everyday with My babies (Loxie 14, Border Collie, Speights 7 in 6 days Kelpie and Coggie 6 in 3 days Kelpie) I cherish .Life is so precious and we ALL take it and our loved ones including our fur babies for granted . We should All take a step back slow down and just live in the moment and cherish , hug cuddle and make memories XXX Give Dozer a cuddle from Us xxx Kia Kaha Nagi and Dozer xx
Nagi, I am so happy for you and Dozer. He is living because of his love for you. Enjoy all your time together.
Wendy
I have a 6.5 year old spoodle named Ember, so I can imagine both the fear and controlled relief, long may dozer and yourself enjoy each others love and company.
Rob
Ps love your cook book, have used your recipes on line for years❤️🐶
So good to hear the news about Dozer’s recovery. May he enjoy restful days and keep you both in good spirits and good health.