We all had a rough night! That hydromorphone was NOT great. It knocked him out, but also seemed to do other weird things. Whenever we tried to move him, he cried as though he was in great pain – ilke the screaming cries – even though we knew he wasn’t. He also was under the impression that both his hind legs weren’t working, despite using them earlier at the vets. So, lots of whining and two awake parents! By morning, the Fentanyl had kicked in and the other stuff was wearing off (thankfully). At 4am, we attempted to take him out (screaming the whole way) and back in (still screaming) back to his living room bed, where dad stayed with him while I got a couple more hours of sleep.
By 9am, he figured out his back legs DID work and we successfully made a trip outside under his own weight with a little support from us. Drinking water, eating bites of buffalo jerky, getting more and more alert. He finally deciding that laying on his good side was possible (again, the hydromorphone had messed him up earlier when he tried that) and he took a GOOD long 2 hour nap! By lunch, it felt like he was back! Hungry, ate a regular bowl of food, drank two more small bowls of water, and was sitting up on all three legs regularly. A few more trips outside with mom (mostly to enjoy the fresh air and sun), and a visit from his (my) best friend – by now, tail wags were regular and he was giving me expressive ears and eyebrows too!
So, all in all a very successful day! All except for no pees and a couple attempts to scratch the incision. By the way, we hope we won’t be annoying…but we’ll probably be posting daily for the first week. THANK YOU everyone for the great words of support!
P.S. Porter received: 2 phone calls, 7 emails, at least 9 text messages, and over 20 Facebook messages. Plus two in-person inquiries. I’d say he’s a popular guy! Two years ago, my husband had a brain injury scare and was in the hospital ICU for a week – we’ve already acknowledged that Porter has received more messages of concern and support than he did 🙂
I’m new to this site
My dog Corky had surgery yesterday to remove his right back leg
Like everyone, Im scared for my dog
I have a question, the Vet stated no pain meds needed
I will tell you that I live in Mexico, Ajijic, with a large expat community and used the best vet in town
Is not giving pain meds unusual
Thanks for any advice
Lisa in Mexico
I’m brand new here too, only one day after surgery. But it sure seems like every dog on here has received pain meds. Perhaps post a question in the Forum to see what others have experienced. That does seem strange – it is a major surgery.
Lisa in Mexico…your dog needs pain meds! I can’t imagine why that vet thinks that. Dogs may not have all the same emotions and what not as humans, but they DO feel pain. Keep us posted.
To Porter’s mom-
Please do post every day. We like to know how everyone is doing.
Becky
To Lisa in Mexico-
Get another vet’s opinion. Major surgery should involve major pain control. Check the forums.
Porters Mom:
I will look forward to your posting daily. I post daily and we today is our 2 week ampuversary. I am so sorry about your rough night. Boomer didn’t go through that but I can only imagine your heart was just aching watching Porter go through that.
As far as the peeing, Boomer didn’t pee until 41 hours after surgery and he didn’t have a BM until 3 days after surgery. Being a worrisome mom I called the vet about the pee situation, they told me to feel around his bladder area and if it didn’t seem to be like a full water balloon he was alright. Good luck to you all, I know it is rough the first couple weeks but it will get better, Boomer and I know this now. Hope this helps.
Lisa in Mexico:
I agree with sparkythedog GET ANOTHER VET! Please for the sake of your furry kid. Pain meds are needed. Amputation is a major surgery. Ask your vet if they would go home with no meds after removal a limb, maybe they will reconsider the medication. Good luck.
Please do post daily! I did (still do) and we are 2 weeks post-op today. It must have been hard to see him screaming like that. Even though it may have been side effects/hallucinations, etc. of med. The last 2 weeks, I just told myself that sleep is overrated!! We all know that’s not true, and we do need to take care of ourselves, but sometimes, it helps to get through the nights! 🙂 It’s been so helpful to me to see other’s experiences and gain reassurance and info from them. Hope it does for you, too. Just like humans, I think each dog is different in how they respond to all of this, but the consistency of having their family with them is very healing. I was really overwhelmed and totally anxious with my own feelings and emotions; and yet trying not to let Sadie pick up on that. That part is not easy. You are doing great and it sounds like Porter is, too! One day at a time! Embrace your feelings and experiences vs. stuffing them or hiding them “till later”. Then you and Porter will both stay healthy!!