Staple Removal
Little Creighton, the blind chocolate Lab puppy who came to us three weeks ago with bulging, painful eyes, is completely healed up from his eye surgery. Our vet, Dr. Brenda Culver, was unable to save his eyeballs by using the intrasclera implants (like we did with Briggs the blind Beagle). This is because there was too much internal damage in his eyes. Both eyes were filled with blood, in fact. So Brenda had to enucleate, or remove, them. As part of this process she inserted a small marble-like ball inside the eye socket to keep the eyelids from sinking in.
Today I removed the staples Brenda had used to close up the incisions. Alayne took the photo above as I was just about finished, with only one staple left. I'm using a simple instrument that's designed to remove surgical staples. It's fast, easy and painless, and I was done in under a minute.
His face will look better in a few more weeks, when his hair grows back over his eyelids. They will also become less puffy. I will admit we miss his endearing, bug-eyed look with those big eyes he once had, but he is now pain-free for probably the first time in his short-life.
After a while, we get so used to seeing these animals without eyes -- we have 13 at the moment ... 7 dogs, 5 horses and 1 cat -- that we forget what they once looked like. They just look normal to us! And they don't care what they look like, they just know the pain is gone and they can go back to being happy, healthy, joyful animals.
My family and I were the previous owners of Creighton Zane, and boy do we miss him! It makes me so happy to see him pain-free now. He still has that gorgeous fur, shiny as anything! :)
Please give him a big hug for us!
Heather and Family
Posted by: Heather and Family | May 09, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Pain free and as darling as ever!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | April 22, 2008 at 09:40 PM
This boy is absolutely priceless...so adorable! I am looking forward to reading more blogs about this boy! I'm happy he is now pain free and I still think he is adorable!
Posted by: Carisa | April 22, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Yay for Creighton! If you thought he was irrepressible before, I can just imagine him now that he no longer has pain in his eyes! Look out Doxies! Woo Hoo!
Posted by: Carol | April 21, 2008 at 04:27 PM
His eyes looked so incredibly painful, it hurt just to look at them, I am so glad they are gone! He is such a beautiful pup.
Thank you for taking him! He will be such a sweetheart, I know.
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Kelly | April 21, 2008 at 03:10 PM
I cry when you lose one. I cry when you win one. I've got to buy waterproof mascara. Congrats on the successful eye surgery. Can't even imagine how happy this little boy must be to suddenly have no pain. Now all he has to do is concentrate on being a puppy. Yea!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mircat | April 21, 2008 at 09:56 AM
I think its great that you can do some techniques, like removing staples at home.
I'm so glad Creighton is pain free; he'll be able to entertain you with his best puppy energy now!
Posted by: Boundforglory | April 21, 2008 at 07:38 AM
Handsome no matter how you look at him, but now handsome AND pain free. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | April 21, 2008 at 05:48 AM
And look at those paws, too! So thrilled Creighton is now pain free, and will bring you all joy, rewarding your kindness. YAY!
Posted by: Margaret | April 21, 2008 at 05:44 AM
Just knowing he is finally pain free makes my heart smile! Let your vets know how much we appreciate them and everything they do to make these animals lives happier. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Debbie | April 21, 2008 at 05:38 AM
I'm so happy sweet little Creighton is finally pain-free! Isn't he an adorable cutie?:-)
Please give him a big hug for me.
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | April 21, 2008 at 02:23 AM
I don't think I will miss his bug-eyes... I had a cat with glaucoma in one eye and once he had the swollen one removed he acted 5 years younger (granted he was already 10 at the time). You could just tell that the pain relief was immediate. I hope the same is true with Creighton. He is an adorable boy and I really hope someone with a little patience decides to adopt him.
Posted by: Abby in Vegas | April 20, 2008 at 11:06 PM
What a sweet baby boy! So glad he has another chance at a good life. Thanks to you both for such caring hearts!
Posted by: Leila | April 20, 2008 at 09:37 PM
What you do for animals like Creighton is amazing! Such big hearts! I always get tears in my eyes when I read your posts like this and many others. Such a pull at the heart strings!
Posted by: SuzyQ | April 20, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Wow, he really is a handsome boy - shaved eyelids and all. Glad to hear Creighton is doing so well!
Posted by: Kristen D. | April 20, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Thanks for the update on the little guy. You are a braver man than me by removing the staples yourself. I would have made that drive to Helena in a blinding blizzard by sled dog to not do that. You should see me when I have to administer liquid meds. It's like the whole world has come to an end.
15" of snow here...I must thank you again. Can you keep the studs on till May 1 next year?
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | April 20, 2008 at 07:25 PM
He is a gorgeous boy regardless!
Posted by: Jenn | April 20, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Yay! I've been waiting for updates on Creighton! What an adorable puppy he is!
Posted by: yoonamaniac | April 20, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Creighton is just too cute! Cheers to a happy, healthy, joyful dog and a happy, healthy, joyful life!!!
And i don't know how you handle so much cold weather, esp since so much of your work involves being outdoors! I am from MA and I don't mind the snow, but I don't think I could deal with the sooooooooo cold temps, even well into April!
Posted by: maggie | April 20, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Yeah....still looks precious as ever and now pain-free!
Posted by: Nina | April 20, 2008 at 03:57 PM
I must say...he looks very handsome.
Posted by: Cora | April 20, 2008 at 03:33 PM