On day 2 Sadie seemed to be doing really well … trying to move around on her own and acting fairly perky considering she had had lost her leg just 48 hrs earlier. But just as the research had warned me … Day 3 and 4 were definitely not full of roses and sunshine. On Day 3 she lost her spunk and did nothing but lay around all day. I know she needed the rest … but it was a bit shocking for me when my girl, who normally never leaves my side (seriously … I can’t take 3 steps without her following), didn’t even lift her head when I left the room. Bruising had popped up around her incision, and, despite the warm compress therapy, she was retaining quite a bit of fluid around the area and was having some issues with leaking through the incision. Fluid was all clear, so no worries, but it just made matters a little more difficult. She also did NOT want to get up for her potty breaks and needed a lot of convincing. On one trip, she barely stepped outside and just squatted on the patio … I can only assume the grass was just too far for her that day. Poor girl was just really sore. It was a rough day for her and, mentally, a rough day for me.
We’re coming to the end of Day 4 now, and things were slightly better today. Her fluid has gone down quite a bit and I can see bits of her spunk returning. Although the downfall to that is that she is back to trying to follow me everywhere …. and I have the fear that she’ll overdo it. Tomorrow I plan to spend a few hours back at work … which initially worried me to leave her … but now I’m thinking it’ll be good because if I’m not here then she’ll most likely just sleep.
Glad we have another few days out of the way and looking forward to getting past this recovery period!!
I think it’s going to be ok for you to go back to work. She will rest all day without you. Do you have anyone to pop in and take her outside during the day? Even if you don’t it won’t be too bad. My Milo was in a cage so he couldn’t go anywhere and it broke my heart but it was actually the best thing. Best of luck for the next few days… after that, you will see the healing!
Our Kharma girl just finished day 3, she woke up super spunky, her eyes were clear and she was moving so much better, we had to make a quick trip to the vet as her bandages had slipped off (she has a drain tube still in) and she was dripping fluid, which was red/clear Vet said the drainage was fine it was “old blood” and that there was some bruising around the inicision, as you had mentioned your fur baby had, but that all was well, they wrapped her with a bit of a pressure bandage and told us to return in 2 days to have the tube removed. Tonight she is slowing down, doesn’t want to move and the swelling from fluid has increased quite a bit. After reading your post I feel better and wasn’t aware that there would be down days after so much improvement this morning. Thank you for posting your story. Hugs to your little one. FYI my Kharma had her left front amputated also, she’s a large dog.
Sweet Sadie, that’s quite an oweee you have there!
Yeah, the hospital meds are usually oit of their system by day three. A bit of a crash happens as the oral pain meds take over.
Check with the vet about the warm compresses. I know some vets suggest cold compresses for the swelling.
She probably is feeling quite sore, not just from the surgery, but tired muscles, strained back, neck, etc.
You are doing a GREAT job of caring for Sadie and are very observant of her every need.
I know it seems like recovery lasts forever. It doesn’t! Still a bit further to go, but the sparkle will come back, slowly but surely!!
Give that sweet girl an extra treat from me, okay?
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
You are absolutely doing everything right so try to let that comfort you when you go through these hurdles like this. In the big picture Sadie will be so much hoppier, for now I know this is tough to go through but you are doing GREAT!
And yes, when you’re at work odds are she will sleep all day, her body will welcome the rest.
Keep us posted!
It’s difficult seeing the wound isn’t it? I found it both fascinating and distressing. Here’s hoping she heals up quickly.