Fentanyl patch is off, he's drinking slightly more today and has been sleeping most of the morning. He's wanting to use the stairs more now, but we're minimizing that as much as possible.  Once the staples are out and I can put the harness on him, then we'll allow more stairs and build that skill slowly.

Thinking that now the patch is off, he'll start getting to be himself again.  He's weirded out by the food bowl, like he can't figure out how to use it.  I know it would be easier for him to have it elevated, but if I put it on the little step stool he's been using for water for years, he avoids it like the plague. Sometimes he'll eat if I hold the bowl up for him, sometimes I end up feeding him out of my hand.   Until the rest of the meds are gone, I'm not going to worry about it - I've seen some of this before with him. He's had his share of injuries over 12 1/2 years with his share of medicines, stitches, cones of shame... 

Quick update - food and water habits are now more or less normal.  Mobility is getting very good - he scares me on stair descents, as it's sort of a controlled tumble, but he stays on his feet.  I keep the sling on him just in case, but he's growing increasingly annoyed with being helped.

Couch is his domain once again:

http://nordy.tr.....1/gallery/

Hi Forbear.

Wish you the best as well.  I should update the thread title, he's really 2 weeks in at this point.

For the first couple of days, he was pretty whiny, and if I had to mess with him to change dressings, etc, he sometimes would yelp a tiny bit.  With the pain of the incision, and the drugs which can make them needy or whiny, that's been the experience of most everyone here.  I would, however, consult your vet if she's constantly crying.  It's probably nothing more than the meds, but call them and make sure - that's what they are there for.