My first post, but this site has been a lifesaver for us. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. Daisy is a 7 year old golden, six days post right rear amputation due to bone cancer. She's still taking Tramadol and Carpofen.She has been doing well, navigating the walkways of carpet we put down, doing her business outside, and beginning to regain an appetite. Last night she seemed to have a harder time getting comfortable–and there was twitching around the amputation site that I hadn't noticed before. This morning she doesn't want to get up and is less steady with her harness than she has been.  Are ups and downs in terms of strength normal? 

I kept Champ pretty confined in a 4' x 4' pen during the first 2 weeks. The only time he came out was to go potty. He did a lot of sleeping. When he came out after, he got tired really easily. It's been 2 months and he's back to normal energy wise but we don't do anything strenous now anyway.

The one thing though, you have to figure that there's a lot more fatigue with 3 legs so the muscles will take some time to get accustomed to the extra work. I know when I was on crutches when I broke my foot, it was exhausting.

Be patient. As long as she has a good appetite I would be happy.

Elizabeth and Daisy,

First, let me say how sorry we are to hear of Daisy's diagnosis, but you have found a great community filled with wonderful people who will share their collective experience, provide excellent guidance, and be there for needed support. The first two weeks are the worst and often refered to as two weeks from ####. There will be many ups and downs but it is the worst during these first two weeks. The medications can have strange effects upon our companions. Emily and Cherry's reaction to Tramadol was so bad that they both had to be taken off the medication. However, that is rare and more often than not, it is just the reaction to surgery. Many of our companions attempt to do too much at first – attempting to return to "normal" too quickly, only to over do it. This causes some of the downs that we so often refer to. Just keep Daisy as quiet as possible, provide her with bedding as good as you can, be patient, and always REMAIN AS POSITIVE AS POSSIBLE. Daisy will take her que from you (the leader of her pack) and if you carry on as every thing is well in hand and calm, then she will follow suit. From day to day, things might not constantly improve, but you should see some remarkable progress as you get past these terrible twos.

Sending Pawsitive Thoughts,

Spirit Cherry's Dad