Day 8 questions and blues!

  1. So, long first week as most have said on here. Pain management the first 3 days was definitely biggest thing. Could tell when the fentanyl patch wore off!!! The good- has been eating, drinking, going to the bathroom since we got home. Don’t wanna say the bad? But, yesterday definitely was different Charlie. Very lethargic, no pep at all, I think we all know the look in our pup’s eyes when they just aren’t feeling good. Took his temp twice last night, 102.8 and 102.5. Called both vets, regular and surgeon, this morning and we decided to do a couple things as other than the high? (Shame on me for not getting baseline prior to surgery), and the fact that his site looks ok still, we started him on doxycycline (he is 65 lbs, curious as to what others dosages have been?) and we are also staggering the gaba and tramadol now. Now that his pain seems a bit more manageable EASY FOR ME TO SAY says Charlie …… we aren’t going for that combined punch of both being given together.

Also, got him outside on porch this morning to hang out and get some fresh air. I walked him around the yard and he even played “stick” (not catch or running, just chewing). He definitely seems more alert today, just took his first doxycycline at 245pm, also took temp of 102 degrees even….. then sent him up with Mom to take a nap in the nice cool bedroom.

Hoping yesterday was just a crash day I have read so much about on here? We are going to give him just tram and carprofen with his dinner and save the gaba for later this evening.

Hoping/praying things will continue to improve until his follow up and hopeful suture removal on Thursday!!!!🙏

 

First Day Home !!!

Charlie boy (almost 8 year old pit/lab mix) had his surgery in Medvet Columbus on Friday 8/3. It was the hardest decision we have ever had to make in our life, because just the night before he was out running at our favorite park ! It seemed so counterintuitive. BUT, as he was diagnosed with a grade 2 soft tissue sarcoma in August 2016 that was starting to cause him visible pain the last couple of months ……. with lots of research, input from his vets, and lots of support from the Tripawd community we decided after the all-clear on his tests that this was THE window to proceed with the amputation.

He ended up spending 2 nights at Medvet, which we thought was only going to be 1…… but we knew he was getting the good stuff there for his pain (stupid opioid crisis) and felt comfortable, especially being able to speak directly with the techs that were taking care of him.

From what I understand, and I know every situation is going to be different, there are 3 primary benchmarks?

– first 48 hours pain management and I initial shock

– first 2 weeks that he (and us) will be figuring out how to do the little things that came naturally while also making sure the incision heals properly and Charlie does not overdo it

– 10-12 weeks he should have good control of getting around and back to the things that made him happy before like making sure the squirrels in our yard know who the boss is!

 

We do have the Ruffwear harness on the way. Lots of rest and cuddles next few days.

 

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

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