Hi, and welcome!  

The incision should start to look better each day.  Keep icing as per the vets instructions, but I would not keep it on longer.  Some swelling and discoloration is normal.  Watch for seepage, and silly as this sounds, I smelled the incision twice a day checking for any off odors that could suggest infection.  For a rear legged, boxer shorts can be used to protect the incision.  I am sure someone will be along shortly to post a how to wear boxer shorts photo.

Good job on the traction .  That is really important for a Tripawd.  Make sure that you block off stairs, favorite items of furniture (sofa perhaps?) until at least the stitches come out.  For now, short leashed potty breaks only.  We had several dog beds placed strategically and did move a couple of pieces of furniture so Otis could move without obstructions.  Sleep is actually the best thing.  Many of us kept log books of meds, water, food and pee/poop.  For me, it was helpful to know when Otis last went outdoors, so I knew whether I really had to coax him up (get good treats or boiled chicken breast) and when I could let him sleep.  

As lawcat mentioned, you may see a crash around days 3 - 5, when the hospital meds wear off.  Don't be afraid to call your vet if you believe Storm is in pain.  Many of us had to work with our vet to adjust pain meds during this period.  But, you will be amazed at the improvement you see when the staples come out, about day 10.  

We love the Ruffwear Webmaster Plus harness - you can read about it in the gear blog.  There are photos of Otis wearing it in our blog.  

I am not a fan of the Ace.  Otis was not given it, although he is an older dog than Storm, so less likely to want to be hyper during recovery.  My female, Tess, was given it after cruciate repair last summer.  It made her so drunk that I was afraid she would hurt herself trying to walk.  I felt it better that she be in full control of her movements, and just spent most of the first two weeks bringing whatever I had to do into the same room as she was.

Feel free to reach out to this community with any questions or concerns.  We are all here for you and Storm.

Welcome!  Our Max was a rear legged amp too.  Loved the Ruffwear webmaster harness too.  It worked wonderfully for us.  I too am not a fan of the ace.  Like Rene said shuts their body down a bit but not their mind.  Sounds like you did some quick homework on your own and the others have added some good info too.  Remember to stay calm and act as if this is all normal because Storm will be taking her cues from you.  If you show calm posititivity so will Storm.  We'll all be right here for any support you need.  Storm will amaze you in how fast she'll figure this out you're going to be so proud of your beautiful girl!

Hugs,

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

Just wanted to welcome you to the club no one wants to join. But hey, now that you are here, the Tripawds Nation has your back! As Jerry mentioned we have three rear leg amp GSDs. They all became tripawds at under one year of age or shortly thereafter and they are now 11, nearly 8, and 7 years old and living large on three! Stormy should do great as well Recovery can be scary but give it a week or two and she should be well on her way. As Sally said, there is no such thing as TMI around here so don't hesitate to share or ask any question, OK? 

xoxo, 

Martha, Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack

Hello,

I hope you all and Storm are doing OK.  I'm out with my daughter for her dog Ruby's front leg amputation and we are on Day 5.  The people and posts on this forum are awesome.  No one was short or ugly because EVERYONE'S first post sounds EXACTLY the same and the info WE requested can be easily found by reading some of the older posts, not even a week old!! These veterans on this site are just wonderful about answering all of our nervous questions with a welcoming reply.  THis forum has been our LIFELINE during this process.

As a BRAND newbie to the site I recommend using the "Search" box on the left to search any specific questions you might have.  It is very good at bringing up posts that are exactly on point, and many times are multiple posts on a topic.  The others pointed you to the Required reading and the book.  So we have just alternated with hands on care for Ruby in our Recovery Ward fondly now called the "Black Hole" because we have all the shades drawn to keep out the heat during the day here in sunny Boulder co where most homes have no AC (a foreign concept to me a Floridian).  So as I was saying we watch movies/TV, we administer meds updating our vets beautifully detailed color schedule, we feed ourselves, we research online her latest symptoms, we take her out to potty only a lil way, she naps, we nap, we massage her, we check work emails, we give more meds, we cook, we watch more movies, we ice her (in first days/now we warm compress), we update this blog, we try to sleep,  and that's about it for a 24/7 report from the time warp in the Black Hole.

Rubys updates are on here along with hundreds of others.  Most recently Bledsoe, Milo, Novak and Ruby all had their surgeries last week so you can find info similar to Storm's on these posts.  As for the harness we haven't chosen yet but once again type in "Harness" in search and you can find others suggestions.  Regarding the ice, I'm a nurse (not a vet) and normally Ice is recommended 10-15 min on then 10-15 off.  Ruby's incision does have a seroma but it is not draining and her incision is dry so we were told warm compresses done same schedule and gentle massage will help.

Ruby has been crying out at night since Day 3 and this has been the most unnerving part for us. She is tense and looking where her leg was and it makes our hearts hurt.  Hopefully this will go away soon. Today on Day 5 she is now very sore and hardly able to move because her hind hips seem all tight and sore possibly from getting used to hopping like a bunny rather than running like a dog.  We will take her in tomorrow if this is not better and see if they can give her a cortisone injection or anything else to help her hips.

Hang in there and just love your baby Storm and know there are so many really, really good people on this forum that are rooting for you!!  Once again this site has reaffirmed my belief that if the world was run by "dog people" there would be way more humanity, compassion and kindness!!

Lisa  (mom to Kacy who is Ruby's mom) 

So true - I think we all remember those days! Fortunately, most dogs improve remarkably around day 10, when the staples come out, so there is light at the end of the tunnel!