ENGLISH MASTIFF!!! I'M IN LOVE WITH YOUR BOY ALREADY!! Big ole' snuggle bug! And your boy is a "seasoned" nine years and heading towards ten! Good job!

Sorry you jave to be here. Under the circumstances there is no better place to be for support and first hand experience!

What's your pup's name?

Okay, as far as pooping (or not), it's not unusual for dogs not to poop for several days due to the pain meds. You can try a couple of tablespoons of canned organic pure pumpkin. That seems ro help. But this is o e thing you can take off yiur "worry list" for now. Do let us know though when he does. We celebrate everything around here!

.ost dogs spend st least one night st the hospital, but not all. So I can only imagine how stressful and exhausting these last few days have been. Not to mention the stress leading up to the sjrgeey.

The fact that he is getting up and moving a few steps, even if it is with a harness, is really, really good for a dog this large, this "mature", with a front leg amp, to be somewhat mobile sooo early into recovery! And he is eating, drinking and peeing...all good!

It sounds like he is showing symptoms of pain...panting, restless, crying. .ost dogs come home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an a antibiotic. It's very important to try and keep the pain managed and give the pain meds consistently so it doesn't get ahead start. You may want to check with the vet and see if you can give to doses closer together or increase the dosage.

My Happy Hannan (a Bull Mastiff), was restless, panting, crying and would not sleep for the first several days. I thought I had made a horrible decision by doing this TO my dog! It took almost three weeks before I could say I was doing this FOR my dog!

Swelling and bruising are fairly normal. You want to make sure there isn't any fluid leaking out that's bloody or stinky. He may experience swelling that turns into a xeroma. That's the accumulation of fluid that used ro go to the limb and now must forms a squishy "pocket" until it's absorbed back into his system.

For your own reassurance, take a picture of the swelling and send it to the vet. As you probably already know, the cold compress should not be more than seven to ten minutes max at a time and with a towel between the skin and the ice pack. Of course, I'm no vet so ask your vet.

For now, your dog needs complete rest and short potty breaks. Many dogs must don't do well with harnesses, but they are often necessary in the beginning. He probably doesn't want to poop with it on and with you having to be right next to him.

STAY CONNECTED TO US!! YOU ARE. NOT ALONE, OKAY? This is not an easy time and it does tak awhile to recover from MAJOR surgery, as well as adjusting to three legs! It sounds like your boy is having a " ormal" recovery reaction for three days out.

Hang o ! It does get better...slowly...ever so slowly! Update when you can...TRY and get some rest...AND...we would LPVE to see pictures of this big chunk of love, drool and all!

Sending lots of love and hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Any updates?