Welcome Patti and Jewel!  Deciding on amputation can be a hard choice, but since everyone here is going through the same thing, it's a great support system and an excellent way to voice any concerns or questions.  My dog, Jack, had a front leg amputated 3 weeks ago and bounced back a little too well (we ended up having to take him back to the hospital due to minor complications from over-activity), and I hear that rear leg amputation is a little easier on your pup since they carry more weight in the front.  Just be sure she gets lots of rest and loves 🙂  As far as eating goes, I mix a little bit of dry food with canned Hills n/d and a spoonful of delicious gravy type food (beneful "stews") so that the dry food is covered with yummy flavor.  He eats more now than he did before surgery.  To get him to drink I fill a bowl with water and actually bring it to him.  If he doesn't want to drink i wiggle my finger in the water and coax him to the bowl and then he remembers that he actually does like water and starts drinking.  Before he got his e-collar off it was a lot harder to get him to eat or drink (I broke the rules and took the collar off for meal times).  Jack never had a problem going to the bathroom, so I don't have any advice for you about that.  We, too, opted for surgery before the biopsy, and waiting for the results was the worst part.  I completely know what you're going through!  Another member on this site, Ella, was recently diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, so maybe you guys can share information 🙂  Best of luck to you both and speedy recovery wishes to Jewel!!

Hello Patti and Jewel

Cemil is an Anatolian Shepherd, about the same size as a Dane.  I got a sling when he first came home (which was the 3rd day after the surgery), but he wouldn't budge with it on, so he ended up having to do everything on his own.  He was able to get around fine--one of the first things he did after arriving home was to jump up on the bed.  So I let him stay there.  His is a left-front amputation, and it has taken a long time for him to get his energy back.  He still can't walk very far, but plays with the other dogs in short bursts.  In a few more days it will be 5 months.  To get him to eat in the beginning, I added ground turkey, ground beef, sardines, cheese, eggs, chicken broth or salmon to his food.  I don't think his appetite was good until after he was off the pain meds.  And it didn't hurt him to lose a little weight--made it easier for his remaining front leg.  Remember that the first two weeks are difficult--they're dealing with pain medication, major surgery and learning how to get around.  You're dealing with their bad days, the feeling that maybe it wasn't the right decision, adjusting to the changes and worrying about how things are going to turn out.  And lots of other stuff.  Keep posting here because we've all been through what you're going through now, and we can help you by sharing our experiences.  The constant theme of my posts is that each dog recovers at its own rate--some bounce back immediately, others, like Cemil, need a lot more rest and go much slower.  Every pace works.

May Jewel's next two weeks be as good as they can be.

Mary and Cemil