Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

First of all, soooo reliefed you checked back in!!!  I saw Jerry's response and then, when didn't  hear back, was quite worried.

Don't  worry about where you ppst for now, Jerry can help you woth that later.  The important  thing right now is thst you ATAY CONNECTED!!!  

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!  We can hopefully help you navigate through this rough recovery and onto better days ahead!!!

I'm so sorry you have had to deal with all these hurdles.  It does sound  like the original incision  and the follow up you got (before the ER visit), could have been better and more thorough and I'll leave it at that.  Although the surgery was done  by an Orthopedic Surgeon, more attention needed to be paid to the drainage,  the opening and the infection!  Geez!  No wonder you were worried and exhausted and overwhelmed.   And to do it by yourself while caring for other seniors....you clearly  are stronger than you realize!!!   

So your Surgeon  needs to follow up with you.  He needs to give you an explanation  why he has taken so long to urinate.  Were all the preliminary  work ups clear showing no issues?  

Did the Surgeon send you home with antibiotics??  And pain meds???

Usually dogs come home with Gabapentin,  an a antibiotic and an a inflammatory  like Rimadyl.  What you are seeing as "depression" quite often is a pain sog al.  So when you can, please update us on her pain management ,  okay??

Di you pup spend at least one night at the Vet?  Most don't  send them home at least until they urinate  and stand assisted.

Not now, but maybe you can discuss  with the Surgeon  you would like a possible refund of at least a big discount,  on the second suturing.

Is Evie drinking and eating on her own?  Pooping may be I freq for now, but, as you know, the urination  is important.   

What did the Surgeon say reason for not urinating  and did he say bring her back after "X" number of hours if she didn't  urinate?  It's not easy trying to express a bladder and van actually  cause harm if not done right.  

Important ...did the Surgeon  do a culture of the infection and send it off?  That can best determine  the antibiotic  needed, as well as eliminate  MRSA .  So have them give you an answer on that, okay??

Don't  mean to  ask so many questions,  but your answers can help us help ypu!

You DO have some things to cele that ARE victories  and ARE improvements!!!

You DO have   Even if it was on her side, it counts as a victory!!!!  YAY FOR

And Evie IS standing and IS taking a few steps!  HUGE VICTORY!!   

I know to be dealing with snow on top of everything  else is making everything  so difficult!

Do you have a friend who could bring some puppy pads and who could maybe help you take her outaide??  She may piop and pee in her bed for now, but that's  okay.

If you are having to use a sling to try and take her outside she may just freeze and refuse to try and potty.  Many dogs will do that with a sling?  

Do not hesitate to email the Surgeon  or call!  You would like an answer on the urination  situation.  

Evie, and you, have both been through a lot!!  This is MAJOR surgery....then infection... then another surgery..and probably  not proper pain management .....so recovery  will take longer.

You are doing an exce job!  Stay the course and, again, STAY CONNECTED !!!  You can never give is too many updates at this point, okay???

You need to take care of you too, okay???  You have to be exhausted  emotionally  and physically, as well as sleep deprived and full 0f so much worry.

You ARE on the right path now, okay?     Fet some sleep!!  Eat and you need to stay hydrated too, okay???  This kind of stress can take a toll×

We'll look for more updates and answers to the questions

((((((((Hugs)))))))

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

And you do jave scatter rugs for traction ???