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Jake, 10 yr old golden retriever - recovering
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Wesley Chapel, FL
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13 September 2009
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22 September 2009 - 4:41 pm
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Well, Jake had his amputation surgery (right front leg) on Thurs, Sept 17. Today is day 5 post-op, and he seems to be more tired than he was yesterday. (a little set-back?) He did perk up when he saw I had bought him a new stuffed toy… a squirrel (his favorite) Smile… but after that burst of energy, he pretty much slept for the rest of the day. I've already stopped his pain meds (Tramadol) yesterday… the vet seems to think he doesn't need them anymore… but I wonder. I was in alot of pain for quite a while after each of my surgeries… Animals are much tougher than us humans when it comes to pain, but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel any, right? I think I'll give him some just for the evenings… Today is his last day on amoxicillin, but he has baytril for 4 more days.

He had his compression bandage reapplied at the vets yesterday (we have to keep it on for the next 3-4 days)... and that seems to have stopped his scratching and licking at the incision site. The vet also applied some Corti-Derm salve around the incision and shaved skin area, since it seemed to be red and irritated (razor burn?), and that might have also been making him itchy and scratchy.

He's still sliding all over the floors when he walks, and we have to use the sling to support him. I don't think we can afford to start buying runners and rugs to put all over the house right now. Has anyone out there tried the neoprin pads? Or maybe the foot wax? I'm thinking of trying the pads out... If I get them, I'll let you all know how that works out.

Today, I had to do some work from home on the computer, and left him alone in the other room since he seemed to be in a deep sleep. When I walked back in, he had jumped up on the couch. OMG! I freaked! Yell The vet said no jumping up on couches, or anything else strenuous for the next 30 days. He seemed to be fine, but I still had to use the sling to help him off and back to his bed on the floor. I'm just so paranoid about him breaking his remaining front leg...

Well, that's it for now... tomorrow is another day, and I hope it is better... You can follow Jake's progress and pictures on his blog at Jake's Journey.

Jake's Mom

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

Winnipeg
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13 July 2009
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22 September 2009 - 5:10 pm
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Jake is doing incredibly well. You are very lucky. If he seems in pain, you can always put him back on tramadol, but it sounds okay so far.

It does sound like he is slipping a lot. But maybe that is because he is pretty active. I got some pretty cheap runners (I usually avoid walmart, but I liked one runner they had so they are in my kitchen now). As Tazzie got more active, there seemed to be more risk of sliding.

By day 5, heck, ready or not, many of us jump on the couch (try day 2 here).

On The Road


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22 September 2009 - 6:01 pm
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We've heard reports that the pads don't last very long. I know the runners are a pain, but if money is tight (and we can relate!) you can always try just using the rubber backing that goes underneath slippery rugs. Having the no-slip surface is so important to prevent injuries.

Tomorrow will be better, we can feel it!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Wesley Chapel, FL
Member Since:
13 September 2009
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23 September 2009 - 8:37 am
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I've read that the nuprene pads just last for 3 or so days... But, I just assumed that I could re-apply them again with some more medical adhesive...But when you say they don't last, do you mean that the pads themselves just fall apart and there would be nothing to re-apply?Question

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

On The Road


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23 September 2009 - 9:58 am
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jakesmom said: ... do you mean that the pads themselves just fall apart ...


We've never actually used them, ony heard from others here that they are basically disposable after a few days depending on usage. Anyone else have direct feedback?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Wesley Chapel, FL
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13 September 2009
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23 September 2009 - 5:04 pm
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Today (6 days post-op) was a much better day than yesterday!

Jake was sleeping all morning Sleepy, and I decided to take my Wolfie out to swim in the pool. I didn't want to leave Jake alone, but also don't want him to get his bandage wet... So I placed his bed in front of the sliding doors in the livingroom, so he could watch all the action. He immediately perked up and even stood up a couple of times. We only stayed out for about an hour... enough to get Wolfie a good workout (I really can't wait til Jake can finally go swimming again!). When we came back in, Jake got up by himself and hopped over to us. I gave him his favorite cookies and then started to cook their chicken and rice stew for the week. Later that day, when my husband came home from work, Jake got up again and hopped over to the door with Wolfie to greet him, like he used to do. Each day seems like an eternity... and I can't wait for him to be able to hop around everywhere, without me panicking that he looses his balance and falls down.Surprised  Friday morning, we have to remove Jake's bandage and examin his incision. I'll take some pictures then, and post to the blog for everyone to see.

I haven't had too much time to cry lately Cry... can't even think about the future... just trying to get through from day to day. Oh My! I have to go back to work next week and I'm dreading that. But that's in 4 more days, and I'm hoping Jake is doing a million times better by then.Smile 

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

On The Road


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23 September 2009 - 7:16 pm
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No time to cry? That's a good thing! Glad to hear Jake is doing as well as can be expected for his first week on three legs. But what torture to make him watch all the fun outside! 😉

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Wesley Chapel, FL
Member Since:
13 September 2009
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27 September 2009 - 1:11 pm
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So today is exactly 10 days since Jake's amputation surgery. He is doing pretty well. He's hopped around by himself quite a bit today, pooped and peed without any help from us (holding him up, that is)... He really wanted to go swimming with me and Wolfie, but that won't happen for another week or so. He gets his stitches taken out later this week.

Can't wait to see him swimming and playing again. He is such a sweetheart. Luckily, his appetite has been great throughout all this... and it feels like his other front leg is developing some bulkier muscles. Yay! I'm so paranoid about his other leg snapping from the extra stress. I ordered a couple of supplements online and they should be arriving the end of the week. I also switched Jake's food from his Royal Canine high protein, low calerie diet to Blue Buffalo for Seniors in the past 2 weeks. I also supplement both his and Wolfie's dry commercial food with home cooked chicken and rice... They really love it!

I'm really enjoying all the wonderful support on our blog... Thank you Jerry and Tripawds.com!!! Big Blink My friends and family and able to keep up with the latest progress on Jake... and are all becoming educated on canine osteosarcoma and amputation surgery!

Jake's Mom

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

On The Road


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27 September 2009 - 4:25 pm
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jakesmom said:

... Thank you Jerry and Tripawds.com!!! Big Blink My friends and family and able to keep up with the latest progress on Jake...


And thank you for sharing Jake's Journey, and for making it our latest Tripawds Supporter blog! It means alot to us that you are doing exaclty what we intended developing the Tripawds Blogs Community.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Wesley Chapel, FL
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13 September 2009
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28 September 2009 - 7:42 pm
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Today is day 11 post-op. I had to go back to work today. Jake had to wear his E-collar (in case he wanted to lick and chew his incision while I was away)... and was put in the office/study all by himself (in case Wolfie wanted to lick at Jake's incision)... only room in the house without a bed, couch or futon... He's not allowed to jump up anywhere for a couple of weeks... doctor's orders.

When I got home and opened the door to the study, he was standing up to greet me.... He did his peeps and poos... ate his dinner... but he seem really tired/sleepy the rest of the evening. More than usual, we think. I hope that nothing bad is going on... His incision looks good (is starting to dry up), he has a great appetite, and I took his temp earlier today, and it was normal... I guess we're just worried...

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. From many of the posts I have read, there are good days, and then some bad days... I hope tomorrow is a better day!

Jake's Mom

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

Wesley Chapel, FL
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13 September 2009
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29 September 2009 - 6:05 pm
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Today is day 12 post-op... Jake seemed full of life when I got home... Hopping around the kitchen, watching what we were making for supper, eating his own dinner, etc. What a difference just one day made.

But I am noticing something that's kind of worrying me (well, everything is worrying me! Laugh) I'm noticing that Jake's other front leg, his pastern (wrist area) seems to be bending alot more than usual, almost starting to look a bit like his hind legs... probably due to all the extra weight it's supporting now. Has anyone else noticed this in their over 80 pound senior dogs, so soon after their surgery? I'm wondering if anyone has tried to use some sort of splint or support, to help stabilize this area, while their muscles develop and adjust? If so, what did you use and where did you get it? I ordered some supplements but they're only arriving on Friday... My biggest fear is that he breaks or injures his good leg... and then how will he get around??

Jake's Mom

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

Wesley Chapel, FL
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13 September 2009
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1 October 2009 - 10:20 am
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Today is 14 days post op. I had a little scare (worry) this morning before leaving for work. I tried to make Jake get up from his comforter/bed in the kitchen, to do his final peeps and poops before I left for work... and I noticed that he was soaking wet all underneath. His sling was still one (he lied down before we had a chance to remove it earlier, so we just left it), but it was soaking wet, so was the comforter... I couldn't tell if he was wet because his sling had maybe slipped over his wee-wee (I'm being polite) when my hubby had taken him out earlier to pee, or if he had just lost control of his bladder and peed all over himself while lying there. Of course I was thinking the latter... Jake was also feeling miserable... and he's never ever peed in the house before.

So I made him stand while I tried to shampoo and rinse off all the pee on his fur with some washcloths. I didn't want to give him a complete bath yet, as he's only going to have his stiches removed tomorrow, and I just didn't want to get his incision wet yet. After I dried him... I gave him a new clean comforter to lie on, and then threw his wet comfortor and pillows into the washing machine. I called work and told them I wasn't coming in today... I didn't feel comfortable leaving him alone, and I wanted to see if he was really loosing control of his bladder, or if it was just an accident because of the sling positioning earlier... It's been 6 hours and so far, no more 'leaks'. I just took him outside and he peed like normal.

One other thing I also noticed... He really peed alot outside this morning... I mean, alot more than normal. Two very long pees... and I don't remember him drinking any more than usual last nite. I also started him on his new Senior vitamins last nite, and was wondering if that could have contributed to his extra peeing...Question 

I know that I'm probably sounding like a paranoid mom... Oh My! but with all the problems several others in our forum been having lately, I'm just worried about every single little thing with Jake...

Well, tomorrow morning is Jake's vet appointment, so hopefully he'll get a clean bill of health (as clean as possible with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma!)... and that he'll be allowed to start swimming in the pool this weekend. I know that will definitely perk him up, since he loves it so!

Jake's Mom

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

Wesley Chapel, FL
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13 September 2009
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2 October 2009 - 6:03 pm
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Today is day 15 post-op... Jake went to the vet to have his post-op exam and all his frankenstein staples removed. He was so excited to be there and to visit with everyone. You'd think he'd remember that every time he's been there in the past month... they've knocked him out and took chunks of his bone (biospy) or just plain chopped off his leg!!! But Jake's vet (Dr. John Lucado) and all his staff at Wesley Chapel Veterinary Hospital are so wonderful, loving and caring... that Jake can't help but to love them all! Maybe deep down inside, he really knows that they're just trying to help him...

So his incision looked a little more red after the staples came out... but otherwise, looking great! I asked the doc when Jake can finally go back swimming... and he said as soon as you get home! Yay! Laugh We'll do the swimming thing tomorrow cause I need my hubby to be there to help Jake in and out of the pool for right now. The ruffware harness we ordered is only arriving late next week... I will definitely be taking tons of pictures and videos and post to Jake's blog for all of you to see!

So today was a really good day... Jake had tons of energy and was hopping around all over the place. Maybe a bit too much for my taste. I'm just so paranoid that he'll overdo it, or hurt one of his remaining good legs... Plus his 'brother' Wolfie's favorite past-time was always to run by and body slam Jake... Surprised Of course, I'm making sure he doesn't do that right now...Big Blink

Jake's Mom

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

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