Hello and welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.

I'm sorry to hear about Barrett's accident.  My little pug Maggie once just jumped out of my truck while I was moving slowly- I didn't think she could get out, but she did.  Luckily she did no permanent damage, but it probably took a year off my life!

Sounds like his recovery is going fine.  Many pups here have had ups and downs the first couple of weeks, but the young ones seem to really bounce right back.

Here is some information on seromas in the Post-Amputation Side Effects in Dogs blog.  I don't have any direct experience from amputation, but Tri-pug Maggie had a seraoma after her first tumor removal sugery.  I think it took a week or two to re-absorb.

On swimming- I would think it would be OK after the staples or sutures are out and the wound is completely healed, but check with your vet.  If Barret was swimming before surgery I bet he picks it right back up. The life vest is a great idea, and swimming for a tripawd is great rehab and just general exercise.  

I don't know much about hunting- I am lucky if my pugs can sniff out their food bowls!  I know there are hunting tripawds out there.  Barret's stamina may be less than a four legger- but it would seem to me that he could get back to hunting.

And a couple stories you should check out: Bert the Visallia,  Jeddediah the bird dog, and Jedediah one year later.

I hope Barret's recovery continues smoothly.

Karen and the pugapalooza

I'm glad you took him to the vet.  Barrett has been through a lot and this is a big surgery to recover from.  And you have any added trauma from the accident to overcome.  Don't worry about pestering the vet either-I got to the point with Maggie (over her tripawd lifetime) that I didn't even have to say who was calling- they recognized my voice!

Some pups are off the pain meds earlier, but many, including Maggie, were on pain meds for two weeks.  Occasionally a bit longer.  It is nasty stuff in some respects- but pain is nasty too.  Pain meds do help them heal.  That being said the meds can really affect their mood.  Mag was either a complete slug on it, or completely freaked out and seeing things.

I was hoping that since Barrett was so young he would be one of the lucky few who sailed through recovery. But as I said earlier most of us experienced many ups and downs the first two weeks or so.  It seems like when the sutures or staples come out, and the heavy pain meds are done there is a big turn around. Since Barrett is dealing with and infection he may take an extra week or two to really get back his personality.  Maggie had no medical complications but was mopey and not herself for four or five weeks after surgery.  She was an obstinate little pug who did not do well with change!

Keep a close eye on that infection, and call the vet with any concerns. I know a few people here had to deal with infection after surgery- hopefully they will chime in.

Karen and the pugapalooza