Porter started off the day with STEAK! Hand-delivered by our former neighbor, who was so concerned for him. Daddy cooked it up so that he can eat it with his kibble (he eats better when there’s a little incentive). We had a couple of attempts at itching this morning, so he got to wear one of Daddy’s t-shirts. He wasn’t very happy about it, and fake limped around the yard in embarrassment. But while he was out there, a stranger stopped her car to say hi and ask about his leg. Our first interaction with a stranger, and it was totally positive – just like all the Tripawd parents on the website said!
He was so annoyed by the t-shirt that we took it off for the afternoon. But after his dinner, he caught us off guard and got four or five good scratches in before we could stop him. Damn! Two stitches out, right at the area where fluids had been collecting. We got a gusher of bloody fluids – three or four gauze pads and 15 minutes later, it finally slowed. He’s now outfitted with a gauze pad, an Ace bandage wrapped around him, and a t-shirt over that. He goes to the vet tomorrow for another laser treatment, so we’ll have them check the area to see if anything needs to be fixed where we lost the stitches.
Our reduction of his evening pain meds seems to have worked – very minimal panting at night. We can’t believe it’s been a week since his surgery!
Those stitches must be soooo itchy and there’s no way to watch every second. Those fluids can be pretty dramatic. Good for you for keeping your cool and taking care of it!
I hope your treatment goes smoothly and there’s steak all around tomorrow!
Wags and Slobbers,
Judy and Baby
Thanks Judy! Yes, dramatic to say the least. I don’t think he needs us home with him, but I don’t want him to get itching & have no one around to stop him! Probably at least a few more days. I just hope his incision is ok!! Thanks for all your supportive posts – so reassuring and helpful! You are so obviously a great mom to Baby!
Sandy
itching is so hard to control….especially when you know the wonderful feeling a ‘good scratch’ will reward you with… hopefully no damage done, and all will be good at your vet visit. we did laser treatments on gayle (for over a year as i remember) to help improve her immunity and aid in fighting the melanoma. glad someone else is finding laser therapy helpful – we also did acupuncture for our girls.
good news that you are weaning off of the pain meds and porter is doing well, less panting. only a week out – you guys are doing great!!!!!
charon & spirit gayle
Porter,
Sorry you itch so much. Don’t be ashamed of wearing a shirt, think of it this way, how cool it is that your dad shares with you. (I haven’t had a problem with itching. My stiches were dissolving in nature. Wonder if that has anything to do with not being very itchy?)
Sandy,
Mom says don’t worry ‘cause she does enough worrying for the whole world. You are a wonderful pawrent, stay strong.
Love,
Boomer
Steak for breakfast!!!! Yummmm!
Those itchy stitches are so annoying. And I think it gets worse before it gets better — the healing makes them itchy. And then finally the relief of getting them out!!! Hopefully the incision is okay — I’d just keep an eye out for redness and swelling. Most folks here who’ve had pups that managed to pull a stitch or two haven’t had any issues with healing… hopefully that will be the case with you as well.
Keep up the good work on getting better!!!
Rio’s momma, Micki