Hi Everyone,

First I want to say I am so happy to have found this site. Love to read all of the stories, and gather info for our new tripawd, Sam.

Sampson is our 5 year old, 95 lb Yellow Labrador. We have had him since he was a puppy, and he is so active and full of life. About 6 months ago we found a mass in Sam's right front leg, near his "ankle" after a few tests, decided it was best to remove it. The mass was biopsied and found to be a Nerve Sheath Tumor. We were told that Chemo and Radiation were the only options. And without any treatment the mass would likely grow back in about 1 year. 4 months later it was back in numbers. In the spot where 1 was, we could see a pronounced 5 or 6 lumps. The mass(es) seemed to grow in size overnight. We went for a 2nd opinion, and were now told that likely the only course of action was amputation.

We are now 4 days post surgery, and Sam is doing, well, so so I would say. He had a rough post op, and was at the vet for 3 days. He has quite a bit of swelling and bruising. He is drinking well, and eating so so. He really doesn't want much to do with his dog food, so we baked up some fish for him, and mix that with his dog food and he will eat about 3/4 of a cup. He will only get up off his bed to go outside to potty (we help him along by using a towel for a sling), but he really isn't doing any getting up and moving around on his own.

He is on Tramadol and  Deramaxx for pain, as well as an antibiotic. Since he wasn't eating, the vet decided to cut the Tramadol to half doses, (thinking it was upsetting his stomach) and that seems to be helping.

I know the meds keep him a bit more lethargic than normal, as this is how he was 4 months ago after his first surgery. I am just hoping over the next few days his energy perks up again. Hard to see him looking so "sad" if you will.

He goes back to the dr. tomorrow for his first post op visit, so we will see what the Dr. has to say about his recovery.