Hey Elisabeth and Monte 🌸🐾

SO lovely to hear from you, girl!

Well, I can see the point of the CT followed by surgery, especially if Monte has early stage DCM ... 

You'll want to have him under as little anaesthesia as possible ...

As for the bandaged area ... that is a tricky one.

As a fellow Mom of a huge Dane I know ... if they really want to do something, they will (if you aren't there to correct them, that is).

So you'll need to keep awk's eyes on him for about a week, hey?

As for his size/aftercare, here's the good news: you can do this.

I am about your height and Monte is about Eurydice's weight, so you can believe me!

You WILL find the strength to lift him up and help him with toilet breaks, and don't forget he'll spend the majority of his time sleeping/resting during recovery.

I would advise you to get t-shirts to protect the incision and find a soft harness which he will wear over it at all times until stitches are out.

I don't know which harness you've got, but maybe you could get the hospital to lend you a soft one for the initial 10 days? 

If the harness is too solid (like the ruffwear one) it could cause friction or fiddle with the stitches.  

I never crated my dog, when she arrived from surgery (and for weeks after that) I would sleep by her side in the living room.

You'll find it is very comforting for Monte to have you nearby and also this way you can monitor him properly.

Having said this, others did crate their dogs, so wait for their comments.

There is a recommendation I want to make if you have decided to follow the chemo route.

If that is the case, please consider asking the surgeon to place a VAP (venous access port) on Monte's neck during surgery.

It is a relatively simple procedure which will allow chemo to be administered through that port which means zero pain and no fiddling with Monte's veins, it also allows for blood samples to be collected without any trouble or pain.

The only reason why I am mentioning this now is the moment to have the VAP placed is when he has his surgery done, to save him from having another anaesthesia if you decide later.

I am a strong advocate for VAP's having seen how well it worked for my baby girl, if you want to know more about it I'm happy to explain further.

What you have to remember is you and Monte are about to start a new life, a happy, happy life.

It can be scary, especially with a dog his size but you will get through this and remember we are all here for you!

And as Jackie beautifully put it, in one of her posts "whatever your dog may experience, it is almost guaranteed one of us will have had the same happening and will be able to advise and help"

You are not alone, sweetie, we are all here with you for the long run!

Monte is going to surprise you, sugar, you will not believe how well he is going to do.

Just stay strong for him and lean on us anytime!

Sending you an avalanche of kisses and a tornado of hugs to your baby boy 😘🐮💫💫🌟🌹

Hey there sweetie pie 🌺

I cannot believe the size of your boy’s chest 🏋🏼‍♀️😳 wow! 

When you can please, please post some pictures, cannot wait to see your beautiful brindle boy !

SO happy to hear you and him are ready to start a new fantastic, exciting and happy life together 💓

Sending you a big, big hug and lots of ear scratches to your sweet boy 😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹