Well Things are still iffy

I'm not exactly sure if its the heat , poor air quality,his age, the amputation...but Beebs seems depressed. Last week he seemed more lively and now something seems weird to me.I'm on top of the pain meds and do everything to keep him comfortable and relaxed.Phew...i just hope he gets a few good years to enjoy life again. The other back leg is not holding up very well which I suspected would happen because of the arthritus in there which is big and knobby.I just want him to be happy.

Compliments of the UGA

trying to put that leg back together for the last time.

goof ball with a fixator

June 2007 and our last days with all 4's

Mr Beebs had a consult last friday June 15 2007.It was decided then and there that all that could be done had been done to try and kill the bacteria in his leg.The morning before I had given him a 1.3ml shot of imipenem.24 hours later his leg was dripping rusty ooze onto the vets waiting room floor.The bacteria was showing me just how fast it could rebound and I decided then and there that he was not his leg..he was a spirit in a furry body.Screw the bacteria....
whats also interesting is that when I touched his incision my fingertips were covered in serum/slim.When I used the staffs pen to sign a consent form...they informed me that it was "my pen now".However no one cleaned the floor up which had dots of red droplets.Everyone there knew that he was having his leg amputated because of the very thing dropping onto the floor. How could it be such a problem and almost a fact of fact thing these horrendous bugs...and yet...no one takes cleaning seriously. I say that because I have been to the vets office and many vets offices for the last year. I have never and I mean Swear to God NEVER seen anyone cleaning up after us or anywhere for that matter.
I'm still looking for an attorney here in CT that will go to bat for me and go after the arrogant SOB that put us in this nightmare.Help CT...Please

Merck says No

I wasn't really surprised but I was very disappointed.The letter basically said we donate lots of product worldwide but not for peoples pets.
So today I leave with Mr Beebs for Athens Georgia to meet with Dr Budsberg on Thursday.
He is an innovator in drug delivery systems regarding chronic infection.This is our last best option before amputation. Beebs is playful, happy, and eating well.I'm crossing my fingers this works.If it doesn't...then I have done everything I can for him.That I can live with.
We will be down there for nearly a week(Memorial Day weekend)Will pray every day that this doctor can do something to finally kill of that bacteria.

No response from Merck

Well I am surprised and disappointed to say the least. I sent to registered letters and materials to several depts. at Merck.Its been several weeks and not even an acknowledgement.Shame on them. But the good news is that Dr Budsberg in Georgia has a new technique that implants anti biotics directly to the site.I
've given his citation to 6 different surgeons here and they all think its a solid and bennificial approach. So when I return from England next week I shall be driving the bubs down to Georgia.
It would be easy to amputate...but in the end..what happens with this new procedure will offer hope to many animals and humans alike who get these resistant infections. In fact the work the Dr is doing can be applied to cancer treatment as well in animals and humans.If we have success then I will know I have done all I can do for my guy.I will also have brought thsi hope up north to CT where I have several surgeons very interested in learning how to do this technique.
Every day...I make sure Mr Beebs is pain free..happy...loved. After his last vets visit last week I was informed that He is a happy dog"!That was priceless to hear.Thats all I ever wanted for him.

Waiting on Merck

I wrote letters to two different Merck reps and wait for a response.In the mean time my vets are stumped and telling me to go ahead and give him clydimiacin even though the bacteria is not at all sensitive to it. The problem of over using AB's is pretty obvious to me at this point. in fact i'd be willing to bet that the hand sanitizers and cleaning problems are accelerating the microbes ability to mutate and get stronger and stronger.
I also wrote to Animal Rehab services and asked about a leg brace. At least it will support his good leg and stabilise his bad leg. Besides all that...we just keep plowing through this mire.