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10/1/08
UPDATE: Lookin' Good!! Reign went for his bandage change and Dr. Lesser  said that the leg is looking good. He doesn't see any return of the MSRA infection which is
wonderful news! And we can actually see some 'peach fuzz' hair beginning to grow on his leg that hasn't seen the light of day for 8 months. Paws crossed that Reign continues to mend and next week it will be decided which surgery to perform for the elbow repair. Please keep those good thoughts and prayers coming for Reign.
9/25/08
UPDATE: Reign is on the mend. He has completed the medication, and now we have to wait to see if the infection returns. He now has his new 'Tarzan' bandage that is like a lose sling over his shoulder to lightly cover his leg. His leg needs air and sunlight which it has been deprived of for 8 months. We are hoping the hair begins to grow back. He is walking on it a little at the time. The bone in the leg that re-broke seems to be knitting well. It's a test to get him to use the leg but not too enthusiastically. Rolphy is waiting patiently for his buddy to mend so they can play tug toys again. After the two weeks are up and there is no signs of the infection, then Dr. Lesser will decide the best course of action for the elbow which probably will mean another surgery. Hopefully his last. So please continue saying those prayers for Reign. They are working. And thank you again for your kindness and generosity to helping Reign. Reign sends hugs to all!
8/27/08
UPDATE: Hurray! Finally some good news for Reign. The medication seems to be doing it's job and
the MSRA infection is under control. The oozing has lessened and bandages need to be changed every 5 days or so. Dr. Lesser
is going to do the final surgery on his elbow hopefully next week. Then it will be a few more weeks of the antibiotics
just as a precaution. I could tell the medication was really working earlier this week when Reign was zipping
around like a puppy. The problem is trying to keep him calm because if the catheter comes out it requires another trip to the vet and Reign gets to play pin cushion yet again. So we are guardedly
optimistic that Reign's leg will be mended, the elbow will be healed and the MSRA will be gone in about 3-5 weeks. Please keep those prayers coming. Reign sends his love.
8/4/08
UPDATE: Reign still continues to fight the MSRA infection. Last week the 
surgeon wanted to be more proactive trying to eliminate the infection so he operated
to remove the bad tissue and scrape the bone of infection. Unfortunately by doing so
the bone re-broke. One step forward and ten steps back. Reign is also on a new
medication called vencamicin which is supposed to be the only antibiotic to fight
MRSA. He has been on the meds for 5 days, which must be administered 4 times a day
at 6 hour intervals and in a very specific way. But to date there has been no
change. The problem is that this is a very powerful drug and he cannot be kept on it
for a long period because it can cause major organ damage.
But
through it all Reign is in good spirits and hobbling around with his new cast. I had
to stop him from playing tug with Rolphy today. Please pray for Reign. He is such an
amazing dog. To go through all this and still be so sweet, happy and loving. He is
just the best.
6/17/08
UPDATE: Finally some good new for Reign! He underwent another surgery a week ago
and all the hardware was removed from his leg so he is metal free for the first time
in 5 1/2 months. Yeah! The bones have knitted and healed and he is walking on his
leg and putting weight on it. Dr. Lesser said that it will be some time before he
learns how to walk normally. Don't forget Reign's legs were broken when he was just
a pup. Now that we can actually see him walk, he has a cute swagger that he
developed because the car also fractured his pelvis so he has his own 'Reign walk.'
And boy can he boogie when he wants to. The big problem is the MSRA infection and
his elbow. The elbow will require another surgery but this cannot be done until the
MSRA infection is under control. He will continue to be on super antibiotics for
some time. At some point he may have to go back into the hospital for more
intravenous antibiotics but we are hoping not. But as usual, Reign is in great
spirits and just having a good time with his foster pals. We are still looking for a
great home for Reign. If you want a dog to snuggle and love, Reign is your boy!
5/12/08
UPDATE: Well, Reign is back in the hospital for 7 days so he can be placed on
intravenous fluids and special super antibiotic to try to stop the MSRA infection.
He will have to get daily bandage changes and blood tests every two days to
determine if the antibiotic is hurting his kidneys. The good news is that he seems
to be walking on his leg more with the help of pain killers. Reign is still looking
for his forever home, although we do not know when he will be well enough to go
there. Reign needs a home that will give him lots of love and hugs. His favorite
pass time is to sit right next to you and snuggle and be pet. I have never seen a
gsd that is so cute, loving and affectionate. He really lives up to his name 'the
baby werewolf.'
4/2/08
UPDATE: Reign just had another surgery to tighten the screws on the plate. The
bones in his leg are very soft from lack of use and it is making the healing process
very slow going. Another culture was done to try to find out why his leg was so
swollen and not healing and we found out that Reign has developed a very serious
staff infection called MRSA. This is contagious to both humans and animals so
extreme caution has to be taken. Reign had to be hospitalized and received daily
flushes to clean the wound and constant bandage changes. He is doing better but he
must go back and forth to the vet hospital for daily care.
3/21/08
UPDATE: Reign had surgery, yet again, on 3/20/08. A bone graft was performed and
a plate was installed to join the bones. Dr. Lesser felt that he was not healing and
wanted to strengthen the leg and give the bones a jump start to healing. Another
culture was done to see if he is on the right antibiotics. He currently gets pain
meds and antibiotics 3 times a day. Part of the problem that has inhibited his
healing is that he never learned how to walk, he learned how to hop everywhere. So
in order for the plate and bone graft to  stay in place he will have to learn how to
walk for the first time in his life. It hasn't been easy but with lots of praise and
very slow going he is learning. Nothing gets Reign down and he is just as sweet and
gentle as ever. I have never seen a GSD like Reign. Hopefully, the infection will
get under control and he won't need to have his bandages changed every other day.
Yikes! Will keep you posted. Reign sends his hugs to all.
3/11/08
UPDATE: Reign was rushed to the vet because he was in extreme pain. It was
determined that he had broken ALL the wires in the ring cast. We have no idea how he
did this. They did emergency surgery to remove the ring cast and he now has on this
regular cast. There is a real problem with infection, we've changed antibiotics 3
times and done 2 cultures. This infection is inhibiting his healing. Reign will have
this new cast on for 2 weeks and then the vet will x-ray him again and determine if
a plate or graft can be done so the bone is stabilized and then hopefully he will
begin the long healing process. And as usual, Reign is his bright and cheery self
and still manages to have a few rounds of WWF with Linus the kitty. Reign says thank
you to all that have e-mailed and sent cards and letters to him for a speedy
recovery.
Happy
Birthday Reign! - On March 4th Reign was 2 years old!
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12-23-08 UPDATE: Home for the Holidays! Shepherd's Hope is
very pleased to announce that Reign has been adopted and is spending the holidays with his new dad and mom and big sister. Jay and Joan came to visit Reign a few weeks ago and brought their beloved Sophie to meet Reign. Sophie
-was my second longest foster dog about two years ago and Jay and Joan adopted her. They wanted to find a soul mate for Sophie and they fell in love with Reign. Now Reign spends his days playing and romping with his new big sister.
Reign will always be in our hearts. We really miss him and his wonderful energy and sweetness. He is truly a courageous and amazing dog.
But we live so close to Reign that Jay and Joan tell us that we have life time visiting rights. In the Spring we are planning a reunion.
great. He's walking and running like a champ and playing with his foster pack. The only thing we are waiting for is for the wound that is about the size of a golf ball on his elbow to heal. He is getting vitamin E rub downs twice a day and the wound is looking great. He will go back to Dr. Lesser in a week and then we'll see. We are thinking that he will be available to go to his forever him in about 3-4 weeks. We just want to make sure that his leg is fully healed and he is getting a lot of physical therapy which consists of long walks and lots of fun. Reign and Rolphy have resumed their toy tug play and Reign is really getting quite strong. If anyone thinks that they would like to adopt Reign, please fill out an application. He is the sweetest, most loving and snuggable gsd I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Reign thanks you all for your prayers, cards and donations. We aren't finished yet, until Reign finds his forever home, but we are definitely on the downhill run. Hugs to all from
Reign.xxxxoooooo......
