Hi! So we made it to the vets and back with only a minor setback (more to follow on that), and the vets think he's doing great 😊 they say he's recovering incredibly fast, they're really impressed. So he'll be on his pain meds until at least Monday next (which will be 13 days post surgery) when he'll get his stitches out all being well. The minor setback: I was leaning over him to put his harness on him, and was trying to support him while I lifted his front paw - he obviously got hurt somehow because he growled and snapped at my arm! He didn't properly bite but was very unimpressed 😒 he's never EVER EVER done a thing like that before, so I must have really hurt him somehow, and in the end we put the harness on him while he was lying down. It kind of shook me up and made me feel guilty at the same time. So much to learn in all this - lesson 1 - healing pets get harness on lying down! Never mind. All is well now and he's resting on his bed in the living room with me, after a mostly triumphant vet trip.

I asked about gabapentin and the vet said he doesn't think he needs it right now as he's not showing signs of needing it - apparently it's something they would need to order in as they don't prescribe it often. I think I'll keep an eye on his pain levels and review if we need to.

I also asked about his lump on his front paw, which is right on the knuckle, and the vet said he doesn't think it was there the day of the surgery 3 days ago, so he thinks maybe he's strained himself a bit... I'm going to give him plenty of rest and keep a close eye on it. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks Jackie and Huckleberry, I know it'll be ok. I can get a bit intense about these things - anxiety is something that I'm good at lol. I'll definitely be out every day to help after work and see my boy ☺️ mum and dad have alot to balance with looking after the dogs (3 in total, Toby included) and babysitting my sister's son 2 days a week, they are STARS.

Clare - what a FAB set up with those boxes! I've found them online and will be ordering them tomorrow. Great plan. I'm so glad you think so, he is of course the sweetest little thing in my eyes lol. Elsie was so gorgeous, what a lovely girl - my little lady at home is a staff x lab, she's simply adorable and a right little handful! The weather looks set to be gorgeous here today again, here's Toby sunbathing in it yesterday:

Thanks for the reassurance all, I know he'll be fine really. I'll be out each day to check up on him and I'm sure things will get better. You've all been SO KIND and I will be sending regular updates 😊

K&T. Xx

Hi all. Toby's first night with the grandpawrents seems to have gone smoothly, he slept well apparently and has eaten nicely. We're out here again now to spend the day with him and give them a break for a while. He's pretty chipper, but I do have a couple of questions for you all if that's ok :

1- every now and then he'll be walking around and then the wound will suddenly seem to bother him. He starts running in circles and trying to lick it. No yelping or whining at all, just sudden violent attempts to lick. At first I thought phantom pain , but as there's no whining/yelping, could it be itching instead? Did your dogs do this??

2- he's eating well, and did a tiny 💩 outside on day 3, but NOTHING since. We are now the morning of day 5. Should I be worried? Is it normal? He's had lots of water, he's not on his usual kibble but a mixture of scrambled eggs, home cooked food, and some Lily's Kitchen tins. How long can he not 💩 for without us worrying?

I've attached some photos for you. I'm going to try to sign mum up to the forum later so she can get on here when she needs to.

Hope you're all well, pawrents and fur babies alike!

K&T