We know this is a lot to process and a very stressful and scary time for you. We get it. You are doing a good job of asking questions and getting your research done.

We can tell you that age and size don't matter per se. It's about how fit a dog is and how much zest for life he has. It sounds like Dante has been evaluated and has been deemed to be fit and still has plenty of zest for life.

My Happy Hannah was 125 lb big headed big chested Bullmastiff. She was 8 and 1/2 when she had her surgery.  I was so scared  at first that I even can the scheduled surgery.  Then her pain got so bad, I proceeded with fear and tears!!!  Recovery was no picnic for a couple of weeks and, like so many here, at first I questioned my decision. I didn't find this site until day 6 after her amputation. That's when I really got great information and support and was thrown a Lifeline to pull me back from the edge. I found out how to manage her pain better and found out that the recovery she was having was  "normal one". for a dog recovering  from  major surgery!!

She had a great quality  extended  pain free life for over a year!  And it was a glorious  time!! I. crammed in more .loving, more spoiling, more fun, more tummy rubs than most dogs ever get in ten lifetimes!!!  It's  all about making the most of every moment,  and staying in that moment, with no worries  about the tomorrows.   Be More Dog !

Let us know as questions arise.  We support you no matter  what path uou take, okay?? Any decision  out of love is the right decision. ❤

Hugs

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

PS....What pain meds now, does and frequency?

I can share my thouht process, as well as some of my panic,  it helps. And, again, this was before I found Tripawds and it's  just.me, my dogs.  I was soooo alkne amd scared and panicked and hysterical.. I vacillated between doing "it" and not for dozens and dozens of times.  Ti does sound like Dante is where my Hapoy Hannah qas as far as pain.  The meds were starting  to have to be increased and the results were not as effect as they had been.  The day she held her leg up was when I made the appointment...well, the first appointment. I mentioned I canceled  the first surgery.  I think it probably  no more than a week later I rescheduled snd followed thru.

What could I live with and not have any regret...or as little as possible.  Yes, this is a scary "forced choice" to make, but it must be made one way or another.

.... If I just tried to manage the pain for as long as possible and not do anything further, would I second guess myself? Would I have regret?

.....If I did surgery and, for whatever UNFORSEEN reason, things didn't  "go well", during, or after the surgery.   Would   I forever second guess my decision and regret it?

.....If I proceeded with surgery, it was successful  and we got excellent  extended  quality  time.  Well, obviously  I would be thrilled that I made such a good decision!!!

.....Then, it came down to this:  If I didn't  do anything and at least give her a chance, would I forever wonder "What if"..., "if only"....

For me, I KNEW I had to give her a chance.  I KNEW she would want me to give her a chance!  What would Dante want??

I could live with trying to give her a chance, regardless of the outcome, far better than never trying...never knowing what could be possible.

Every dog's recovery is different.  Generally... but not always...dogs need short leashed potty breaks and rest, rest, rest for about two weeks. No jumping, no running, no stairs, just lots of rest and time for the surgical site to heal.  It generally takes about two weeks for surgery recovery  and then about thirty days to adjust smoothly to their three legger gait.

Some dogs are mobile (or somewhat mobile) within 24 hours, some take several days.  Larger dogs and front legger dogs sometimes  need an extra few days for mobility.   We can show you how to make a towel aling ot ise a harness  if extra help is needed at first.

pain management   can be a bit tricky and can need some tweaking off and on with your Vet's guidance.  Most dogs come home with Gabapentin,  Tramadol,  Rimadyl and an antibiotic.   Some dogs are a bit restless  and whiny at first (mg Hapoy Hannah was) and some dogs just lay around a sleep.  Again, each dog is different.

It took me about three weeks before I could finally say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her.  I started seeing her sparkle come back and it was the best feeling evvvver!!!

Shouild you go that route, we are here with you the whole way!  YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  

So talk with Dante.  See what he would want.  

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

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