Nala's avatar picture....BEAUTIFUL!!! 🙂   I'm already in love!!   Can't wait to see more!!!

You have xo e to the right place for support, understanding and z wholemlot of first hand information to help you navigate through recovery.  Karen has given you some great li ms to check out.

As you can see, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!   Getting to this point is exhausting emotio ally and physically!  It's a time full.of fear and uncertainty.  Recovery is no picnice for a couple of weeks, especially sometimes for larger dogs.   But once recovery starts to subside and you see Nala's sparkle come back, you will be so relieved!!

When you pick Nala up, don't even bother to look at her incision.  Just put forth a strong, confident and happy energy and she will be so thrilled to see you....a bit druggy...but thrilled none the less!  Tell her what a good girl she is and thst she's going home!!  YAY!!

For the first two weeks, just SHORT potty breaks and then rest, rest, rest! 'No jumping, running, no stairs, no walks other thsn potty snd back.   You'll want non slip scatter rugs for traction if you have hardwood floors.  Raise Nala's food and water bowls some to prevent strain.

Drinking and peeing are important, vut she may not feel like eating much at first and she may not poop for several days.  Keep chicken around and anyother yummy food she'll eat.

Most dogs come home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic.  Some come hom with a Fentanyl patch too.  Keeping the pain managed can be tricky and sometimes rewuire tweaking.  Every dog's recovery is different and every dog's reaction to pain meds is different.  Some dogs come home lethargic and need a lot of help to just get up and stand, and some dogs, like my Hzppy Hannah,whined, was restless and just could not get comfortable for the first three loooooong nights.  And some dog appear to be somewhat "normal" the first couple of days...until the hospital meds get out of their system and they "crash".

I tried a towel sling with Happy Hannah a time or two and she basically just froze.  Fortunately, in her case, she mattered three legs right from the beginning (a 125 Bull Mastiff)!  Some dogs take several days to get their mobility adjustments worked out and do need help with a sling, or a harness.  Check out our gear blog for the Ruffwear products.  

STAY CONNECTED!!!!    EAT LOTS OF CHOCOLATE!   You and Nala will get through this!  You think you spoiled and loved Nala before, HA!!!   Spoiling and loving a tripawd has a depth to it unlike anything you've ever experienced before!! 🙂  make ecery day count and live in the moment!  Just like Nala is doing! 🙂

Hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!