Fufu Updates
Continued
May 5th 2021
Fufu has been back home for 2 weeks after his serious operation which extracted meters of eaten bandages from his intestines.
The vet who operated on Fufu and saved his life warned us that Fufu won't be the same as before. I'm happy to say his character is the same sweet and grumpy boy from one moment to the next! But his body is weak and thin and will take a long time to recover.
His operation wound that hadn't healed well due to Fufu's constant urine dripping has now completely healed. His drag wounds which were minor hadn't healed well at the vet. They're slowly healing but we need to be very careful about Fufu trying to chew the bandages off again. His large collar which he tolerates so well stops him from doing this again.
Our two biggest jobs now are to get Fufu strong and back to his normal weight again. We also have a lot of work to do on his back legs which have suffered badly during his hospital stay.
Fufu used to be able to stand on his back legs even if a bit wobbly. Now he can hardly stand. One back leg is stretched out and Fufu seems unable to pull it back. The other one is completely useless. It's beginning to atrophy in a cramped style so we are massaging it and gently pulling it out to its fullest length and back. Fufu doesn't cry so we're encouraged that with our help Fufu will be able to use it again.
We're very aware of Fufu's fragility. But he can still bark and howl with the rest of the dogs when they commence their evening chorus saying Goodnight to our staff!!!
10th May 2021
Fufu is the unluckiest dog we have. Hit by kids speeding on their motorbike breaking his back. Fufu was depressed for months but he fought back. Fufu was determined to walk again and he did in his wobbly fashion.
But Fufu ate his bandages and had a serious operation. He fought to survive and he did. Now poor Fufu has lost control of his back legs he fought so hard to use.
Was it the operation that caused this big setback? Or was it being in a tiny pen for 2 weeks after his operation that caused them to be useless again?
It's heartbreaking to watch Fufu try to stand like he used to. But we know Fufu will fight hard to regain control of them again with our help.
He won't give up and neither will we.
17th June 2021
I realised I haven't updated you recently on Fufu's post-surgery recovery.
I'm happy to say that Fufu is much happier. He no longer has to wear the horrible collar because he no longer chews his bandages!
The nasty pressure wound he had following his 3 weeks hospital stay has now nearly healed. The other drag wounds have now
gone. Fufu has only one remaining bandage so it's easy to keep track of whether he's eaten it.
We decided to take a gamble and remove his collar which he hated. That was several weeks ago and the bandage on his pressure wound is there every morning!
We've been giving Fufu regular massage and gentle physiotherapy sessions which he tolerates much better. After returning from his operation he growled if we tried to exercise his back legs. Lack of movement for 3 weeks had taken its toll but happily regular massaging and exercising his back legs have helped strengthen the weaker leg and loosen the cramped leg. Fufu didn't like the smell of the massage cream and tried to make a hasty getaway!
Fufu has a long way to go to get back to the strength he had previously when he stood and walked his special walk without our support. It took us a year to get him to that stage so we need to be patient with Fufu's progress.
I updated you on his walkabout in his drag bag which he loved but somehow he managed to get a few drag wounds. So now he's back in his wheelchair for his walkabout explorations.
It's onward and upward for Fufu!
5th Sept 2021
Fufu what have you done to yourself?
I was going to post an update on Fufu saying how much better he is after his intussusception operation in January. But now I have to post that Fufu has started eating his bandages again and made himself very sick today.
He ate a bandage earlier this week which he brought up. Today Fufu had terrible diarrhoea and looked very ill. We contacted the vet quickly who told us to give Fufu antibiotics, anti-diarrhoea meds and charcoal meds.
The good news is Fufu ate his afternoon food with gusto and is looking much happier. He growled and snapped at his girlfriend which is a good sign! He hasn't had another diarrhoea attack since this morning so we removed his pampers.
Fufu only has 2 bandages. One for his pressure wound which has almost healed and one where he scratches himself getting up on his bed. The bandages have been removed and so has his bed. He now has his rugs on the floor but he never sleeps on them!
We will watch Fufu very carefully because we know his intestines aren't strong after his operation which saved his life but also left him very low. Fufu has slowly recovered to his old self. He has the strength to stand again and loves to go out in his wheelchair.
We hope this episode won't be repeated as I don't think Fufu could take another operation. Prayers and healing thoughts would be so much appreciated for this lovely old grumpy boy
10th Sept 2021
Oh, Fufu our hearts break for you.
Fufu fell sick a few days ago after eating 3 bandages. Early this year Fufu had a life-saving intussusception operation to unravel his intestines.
He'd been eating his bandages without our knowledge. Missing bandages on a paraplegic dog is not uncommon. They had caused a massive blockage in his intestines.
Fufu had just started to get stronger after his major operation. He was enjoying his afternoon outings in his wheelchair. Life looked much brighter for him.
Now Fufu is back in the hospital. He hasn't eaten for 3 days and He's already looking thinner. He will have a Barium Meal x-ray tomorrow to show if he has any bandages in his stomach or Intestines. If he does he will need another operation. He had a blood test and all his bloodwork is good including no blood parasites.
I fear Fufu may not survive another major operation. He needs healing thoughts and donations if possible.
13th September 2021
Today the vet phoned us with news we'd been fearing. Fufu has to have another intestinal operation.
We'd been praying the barium ex-rays they've been taking would show no blockage. They didn't show anything discernible. But as the Barium has passed through his GI tract in patches the vet is sure something is stopping its free flow.
The only way he can be sure is to operate.
Fufu is probably on the operating table now. We're very concerned we won't survive the operation as he never regained his previous strength after his dangerous operation in February.
I've posted these pics of Fufu when he was recovering from his last operation. His smile and fun-loving antics with his teddy bear show Fufu's Love of life.
You're in our thoughts every minute of the day Fufu. Stay strong for us. We Love you
15th Sept 2021
The last 48 hours have been a nail-biting experience.
Fufu had his operation on Monday night. Yesterday the clinic wasn't answering Thep's calls. I was convinced Fufu had died on the operating table.
Then we got a video of the operation. A long length of thin material was being pulled out of Fufu's intestines. Where did it come from? This material was too thin for bandages.
That was the bad news. The good news was that Fufu survived his operation but is in critical condition for the next 3 days.
This morning we drove100ks to visit him. I was so happy to see Fufu looking much better than I feared. His eyes were bright and he was alert although still a bit sleepy from the anaesthetic.
I took him his teddy bear, some soft rugs and incontinence pads. The teddy bear and incontinence pads were refused by the vet. He might eat them. Happily, his soft rugs were accepted but I doubt if they'll be used.
The vet was very uncommunicative in answering our questions. It was obvious he didn't want to be questioned.
I can't complain cos the clinic saved Fufu's life. He's being intravenously hydrated for the next 3 days and then put on a soft food diet.
And the mystery of the long rope like material he'd eaten was solved. Fufu's pen mate rips up pieces of her bedding into strips. Fufu ate them. We never knew cos it happened during the night.
We know the cost of Fufu's operation will be over 350 pounds or16,000 baht.
That was the cost of Fufu's first operation which was so generously paid by his loving sponsor Susan Harasin Perhaps some of you would like to follow her generosity by making a small donation for his 2nd operation.
20th Sept 2021
Fufu's coming HOME TOMORROW!
This amazing old boy did it! He pulled through his second Intussusception operation. A very dangerous operation to unravel the intestines and extract the foreign object causing the blockage.
Huge RESPECT for the surgeon who performed this operation again. Fufu's survival chances were very low. And for the clinic for Fufu's aftercare.
Big HUGS for Fufu who's determination to survive played a big part too.
We can't wait to get him home.
These first 3 – 21st Sept 2021
These first 3 pictures were taken as we set off on our journey home. They say it all about Fufu's ecstatic joy.
He has only been on a soft food diet for 3 days. For 8 days he was on an intravenous drip so He's painfully thin.
It will take a long time for Fufu to regain his previous strength. His food has to be a thick soup consistency for about a month.
Happily, he has retained the strength in his back legs which he lost after his first operation.
Fufu's operation wound is healing better than his last operation but we got him home just in time. The vet said we can't bandage it cos he might eat the bandage.
His pen is bare and we feel so sorry for Fufu. No bedding allowed, no teddy bears, only a cold tiled floor. We've put a warm jacket on him. His pen mate can't lie on a warm rug either so she's decided to find another sleeping place.
We need to do a lot of research on chew resistant beds and toys.
Fufu's 2nd operation was more expensive than his first. Fufu's sponsor generously paid for that operation which cost 16,000 baht.
We've just paid a bill of 19,100 baht or $569 for Fufu's 2nd operation. We didn't ask why It's more expensive than the first especially as his in stay was 10 days as opposed to 3 weeks the first time. The surgeon saved Fufu's life a second time and We feel very indebted to him.
Fufu update. – 28th Sept 2021
Fufu update.
Fufu has been back with us for a week. He's doing very well despite having a bare pen with no rugs he can chew up! We keep him warm with beautiful coats sent by our fantastic supporters Mari Mac and Char Jared Keller.
We have a feeding program of every 2.5 hours for Fufu. He's lost a lot of weight cos he wasn't allowed to eat at the vet for 7 days when he was on a drip. His food has to be soup consistency to make sure nothing grazes his intestines after his operation.
Sadly, his pen mate has been banished as she loves to bring little presents for Fufu like sticks which he can chew or little stones! Fufu doesn't seem upset but she still goes in to share his pen a few times a day.
Fufu's stitches have been taken out and his operation wound has healed well. He's even trying to stand on his back legs again which is fantastic.
A special thanks to Fufu's sponsor Susan Harasin who has been so concerned about Fufu since the day he was admitted to the hospital. Susan's support and generosity have been invaluable over a very worrying time.
A big thank you also to everyone who gave Get Well wishes for this determined old boy.
20th April 2022 - It was nearly a year ago
It was nearly a year ago that we rushed paraplegic Fufu to the vet for his 2nd intestinal blockage operation.
Fufu is a fighter and he did survive. His recovery was very slow as his 2nd operation had clearly left him extremely weak. We nursed him gently and were very careful about his pureed food.
Poor Fufu wasn't allowed any soft rugs cos he'd eat them. His pen mate wasn't allowed into his pen as she always brought presents for Fufu to chew and eat.
Now things are looking up for Fufu. His pen mate is allowed back in his pen but has to sleep on the tiled floor like Fufu. He goes out in his cart most days which he loves and he stands in his standing frame to make his legs stronger.
Great news today. The non-chewable bed Fufu's loving sponsor bought for him last year sadly disappeared during transit from Canada. Today @Susan Harasin Fufu's sponsor messaged me saying she'd been informed Fufu's bed had just arrived at our post office!!!
Fufu will now be able to lie on a soft bed which he can't eat. We're overjoyed.
22nd April 2022 - Wonderful, wonderful news
Wonderful, wonderful news. Fufu's bed arrived from Canada on Wednesday. Just look at his smiling face lying on his bed. Pure happiness.
Fufu's fantastic sponsor @Susan Harasin sent Fufu's special non-chewable bed that she worked hard to source on 14 October 2021. For 6 months Susan has been in contact with the Canadian Post Office trying to track her parcel. She even got a letter from the Post Office recently confirming the parcel has been lost. I visited our local Post Office every week for several months asking them to track the parcel in Thailand. After a few months, I gave up.
Now like a fairy tale it's arrived like magic. Fufu no longer has to sleep on a hard tiled floor cos he's got a beautiful soft non-chewable bed.
27th June 2022 - Take 2 minutes to see how Fufu has learned to walk again.
Take 2 minutes to see how Fufu has learned to walk again. He defied all the vets who said his spine was so badly severed it would be impossible for him to walk again.
Fufu was very weak for much longer but we didn't give up on him. We put him in his standing frame and after that, there was no stopping him.
We call him our miracle dog.