You are not alone, okay??  We are eight by your side !

You have come to the right place for support, information  and understanding.   And we sure do under all the fear and uncertainty  when trying to make the "right" decision.   Lots of sleepless nights, crying and upset tummy.yeah, we understand it all!!.

We know it's scary,  but amputation  gets rid of a painful leg that will only get worse, and possibly even fracture.   It gives the dog a chance at a quality  painfree life full of loving  and spoil and treats and tummy rubs.

Age really is just a number around here.  And we certainly have seen dogs proceed with amputation  older than your sweet Addy. Your Addy is fit and still loving life.  It appears the Surgeon  thinks she is a good candidate  for surgery, so that's  a big plus.

Not sure what type of "complications" you are concerned  about.  Every surgery, no matter how mjnormjow how major always has a risk, whether humans or dogs. Preliminary  workmups are done to uncover any possible  hurdles in surfery and precautions  are taken to avoid them.  

The 24/7 clinic would keep Addy overnight  and carefully monitor her and manage her pain, etc.  Sometimes  dogs stay an additional night or two.  Just depends  on the individual  dog.

She would be given an ant for around seven to ten days to make sure no infection  pops up.  Sometimes  infections to take hold and extra attention has to be given to make sure it clears up.  Sometimes  a drain may even be used, just depends  on the situation.   It's something  that is manageable  and fixable!

Mobility  varies dog to dog, but most dogs, not all, walk out of the clinic, some with assistance,  some without.  Some dogs, especially  the more mature ones, may take several days to get their sea legs. .

Recovery is no picnic for the first two weeks. It MAJOR surgery and rest is important. M short leashed potty breaks and back in for more rest. Generally, it takes about two weeks to recover  from the surgery and about thirty days to sull adjust to their new three-legged gait.

Conti to do your research.  Talk with your Vets.  And yes, talk with Addy.  Know there are no guarantees,  would Addy want to move forward and go for a chance at a pain free life?

Imkmow there have been surveys done thru the years  about whether anyone  regrets their decision.   It's  a very, very small perc that have regretted it. We just lost kne of our tripawd family members  after two months and they said they did not regret their decision.   They quality  extended time to make treasured memories. 

No dog has a timefr stamped  on theirs butts.  Statistics  don6 mean much around here.  So e dogs get one, two, three and even more years extended time.  So e get far less.

What matters is what we do with the time we have.  Do we make every day count?  Do we focus in the here and now and live in the present just like our dogs do?  Do we refuse  to allow this piece of crap disease to interfere with our time together? 

Just know that any dec you are making is one out of love and that is always the right decision.   We are here to support  you whatever path you take, okay?

Extra hugs

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

YAAAAY FOR SUCCESS SURFERY!!   AND YAAAAY FOR POOPING AND PEEING !   We love to celebrate  !!!

Try not to fet avout the jncision. It may ooze a little bit, or not.  Just leave it alone unless there is a lot of bloody, smelly discharge,  then let your Vet know.  And yes the cone is necessary  when he is unattended.   The incision  can be itching  or a bit sore and some dogs want to get at it.  It only takes seconds for them to start ripping the stitches out. You can check into the donut soft cones.  Tjey are a vit more comfortable.

Being "tired" is a good thing right now.  She needs lots and lots of rest right now to heal.  Just short leashed potty breaks and then more rest.  The pain meds seem to be working, right?

When she gets thru recovery,  you can check jnto gstring a consult  with a Rehabilitation  Specialist.   They are a treasure trove of things to do to help build core strength, maintain proper balance, protect joints, etc.  And the TRIPAWDS  FOUNDATION  will play for the first consult!

Stay co and let us know how things are going.  Sloooow and easy for now though.

Hugs

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