I can’t believe the range of emotions I am experiencing. I can only imagine what Zoey must be going through. Realizing there is no psychological emotion to her – it’s hard explaining to others the drastic measures that we took to save her life. I just say “you can replace money, but you can’t replace the love of your pet”. I am pawsitive that this amputation was the best thing for her.
So this is day four since the surgery occurred. Zoey is doing well at home, but she really really hates the satellite on her head. I keep it off when there is someone with her, but put it back on whenever we exit the room. I am not taking any chances.
Yesterday, Zoey was getting up on her own and standing for small periods of time. I think she’s bored stiff. Today, she’s just scooting along and requires help to get up. I wonder if she over did it yesterday. Is this normal? I know it’s only been 4 days. Plus, she hasn’t pooped yet. She has been eating small meals of cottage cheese, hamburger and rice (sometimes scrambled eggs – but not too much cuz egg gas is unbearable). I can only get her tramadol down her by offering it inside steak. Yep, you read right… steak. I cooked a steak and have to pocket the pill inside the steak. I’ve even tried using a pill pusher, putting it in lunchmeat, peanut butter, yogurt, dissolving it in water and squirting it in her mouth. All these other ways she just lets it dissolve in her mouth and won’t swallow so she foams at themouth looking like a rabid crazy dog. So, steak it is!
I am anxious for her to get better. I miss her old self. I try to keep strong and not baby her. I’ve been sleeping on a futon bed in the basement with her so she has someone with her at all times. When can I start leaving her to be by herself for small periods of time? I am so afraid she’s going to fall and hurt herself if I am not there.
I am rambling, but I have so many questions.
Kim
Well, anxiety isn’t going to help! 😉 As Dr. Kramer says, if you want life to return to normal, you must act like life is normal.
And it sounds like Zoey’s recovery is going as good as can be expected. There will be good days and bad, but keep in mind that confinement is important to help avoid overdoing it and ensuring safe recovery. Thanks for the update!
It is day five after surgery for Dante. It seems like they are doing about the same. Keep putting the cone on when you leave the room even if she doesn’t seem like she is licking. Dante managed to lick his incision open in a very brief amount of time. We were leaving the cone off because he won’t lay down with it on and just kept hopping around and whining. Now it is a must if we are away even for a minute. I guess we need to buy some steak, because we have exhausted all other possibilities with tryong to get him to take the tramidol. Glad to know we aren’t the only ones struggeling. He was up and hopping the first day after though, so I’m not worried about his mobility. I wish I had found this site before the surgery. It would have prepared me so much better.
I do know that Dante will be the cutest three legged dog arround and I’m sure Zoey will be too.
Definitely don’t let her overdo it… There will be good and bad days… Remember… those first two weeks are usually the worse… a rollercoaster. Most important (well, everything is important) is to be sure to get all those meds into her… especially the pain meds. Can you just imagine if you had a huge surgery and no pain meds?? Be sure to keep her confined, at least until the incision heals and the stitches/staples come out. She will get back to ‘almost’ normal… one day soon.
Angel Jake and Wolfie’s Mom
Four days and roughly ten more to go. Yep, it does sound like a pretty typical recovery. I know your baby isn’t typical, that’s for sure, but I hope it brings comfort to know that we have all experienced post-surgery behavior like that.
Steak? Heck, join the club. Our Tripawds eat better than their humans!
Hang in there!
Your blog made me laugh so hard! The whole foaming-at-the-mouth-rabid-looking-dog did it for me. Anyway, my dog Chloe wasn’t eating well and one morning she seemed interested in my oatmeal. I gave her some thinking she only wanted it because I was eating it, but after I made her a bowl of her own she wolfed it down! I am not saying your dog will love oatmeal as much as my dog, but that you might be surprised at what they will eat. So far its chicken and oatmeal not necessarily at the same time, but she probably would eat that anyway. Got two major food groups down, complex carbs and protein, gotta find a way to sneak in veggies! Good luck!