We awoke to face the homecoming of our precious furrbaby. I’ve been anxious all day.. After a half day at work, I arrived at the clinic around 2 – I was worried about what I’d see. After a consultation with Dr. Portie regarding the wound, pain management and mobility, I braced myself for the worse. As traumatic as it is, I’m in awe of his resilience. He hopped into the room and was VERY happy to see me. He hopped through the lobby and toward the door. I was so surprised at how mobile he was. I had visions of vet techs lifting him on a sheet but when we got outside, Dr. P opened the back of the SUV and he jumped right in. I had a dog bed in the back to pad the landing – glad I did because he face planted himself into the pillow.
Buck met me at home and we unloaded him. It was pretty dicey but after a stumble, he hopped into the house. Went to one of his favorite spots and flopped down.
He ate like a pig (homemade dogfood) and drank lots of water. A trip outside a while later was successful – yeah! That’s one thing I’ve worried about but he seems to be able to squat and balance just fine. We laid in the grass for a while enjoying the warmth of the sun.. I think we’re all relieved to have this major operation behind us but the rehab will be challenging.
He’s resting comfortably now – getting up from time to time to relocate and readjust. We’ll put a tee shirt on him to keep him from licking himself but for now, he’s crashed on the cool concrete floor.
Although I will be home with him for as long as it takes, I wonder whether or not he will ever be able to use a dog door again? Since he’s missing his front leg, this may not be a possibility anymore. Regardless, we won’t even be able to address that for about 3 weeks.
Thanks again for your kind notes and calls. I love you all!
Hi there,
I’m so happy to see your post about Toby, and that he’s doing so well right after his surgery… You must be so relieved. Is he on alot of pain meds? I’m just wondering why Jake is taking so much longer to feel better… My husband had to carry Jake in from the car… and he was pretty zonked out until the next day… Did you take Toby home that same day, or the next? What kind of medications is he on?
Tina & Buck,
Glad to here he is doing well and able to get around. You have all been in my thoughts and prayers.
To Jake’s Mom,
I’m grateful that he seems to be doing well so far. His surgery was yesterday and we picked him up today (about 26 hrs after his operation). He’s pretty zonked too… As far as medication, he’s taking:
Simplicef 200 mg – one tablet a day for the next 7 days – for the treatment of skin infections
Tramadol 50 mg – 2 tablets twice a day but I can give it every 8 hrs if I think he needs more for pain.
Deramaxx 75 mg – 1 per day – non-narcotic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Didn’t Jake have his surgery yesterday too? I expect this to be a difficult few weeks – I know we’ll have our good days and bad. What type of medicine did they send you home with? Toby is 6 (turning 7 on Oct 29th).. Isn’t Jake a little older – maybe that has a little to do with it? Don’t worry, we’ll get through this.
Jake turned 10 in June… but he was pretty young at heart… thanks to Wolfie! Jake was sent home with ampicillin and torbugesic. He seems to be OK painwise… He had some half normal poop, half diarrhea tonight… and he finally peed again. Maybe tomorrow will be much better… We really hope so!
Until his amputation surgery, when he first broke his leg and had the biopsy, he was on tramadol 150mg twice a day and also Previcox once a day. He seems to be OK with his pain… but most of all, I really do think that he’s happy to be home with his mommy, daddy and brother!
Sending good thoughts your way!!!
Oh yeaaaay! Nothing like being home after such an ordeal. We’re so glad to hear he’s in his own bed now, and resting.
As for dog doors, sure, why not? We have seen some tripawds here do just fine with them.
But for now, take things one hop at a time, and try not to worry.
When Shelby first came to live with us she had problems coming out of the house via the dog door, she also has “lost” one of her front legs. What we did for her was go to Loew’s and buy a large pre-made concrete “piece” that they make retaining walls out of and placed it so when she went out the door there was very little verticle drop and it was wide enough so she could get herself steadied before she continued on. It’s like we made a step for her, from the house to the “concrete piece” then onto the porch. The texture of the concrete gave her traction during the wet season too. Within a couple of months she flies thru the door.
As far as balance, Cindi emailed me at work one day and said Shelby’s ball had rolled beneath a small chest of drawers. Shelby hopped up to it, looked at it, balanced on her rear legs reached under the chest and pulled her ball out.
Tripawds are just amazing!!
Thanks Jack – That’s great news and good advice regarding the door – we will work on that . We’re taking things very slow right now but remain hopeful that we will see continued progress. Shelby looks like a Golden Retriever too. What a cutie pie. It’s people like you that help us through this tough time. I can’t tell you how much I (and I know others) appreciate your care and advice.
I am soooo glad to here everything went good. I dreamed about Toby last night…isnt that strange, LOL….see, i told you he grabbed me from our first encounter!!!! I look forward to seeing him again, ya’ll too….:o) ! I kno the next few weeks will be touch and go, but Toby is such a trooper and ya’ll are the best “parents”, he is for certain the best dog i’ve ever known! Love ya’ll (Toby too!)
Thanks Amy – we appreciate your good thoughts! Keep sending them our way. Love ya..
After your wonderful post on my blog for shilo I came to see your story(or should I say Toby’s) as well. It was even more of a similarity after reading about your other canine companion. We lost our other female rottie back in January from Pyo. A condition I never even knew about until this year.
We got Pebbles when she was 5 years old and she had 2 litters of pups in the past. I had no intention of having puppies but we figured with her age that we wouldn’t worry about getting her fixed. They are inside dogs and such. I didn’t know that a deadly bacteria can build up and be a killer to some dogs if they don’t get fixed. She was 9 years old and the vet said with her age and advanced bacteria there was nothing we could do. Anyway, point being we have already lost one this year and loosing two is like you said unbareable. My thoughts and prayers are with you.