The the months we've been here, I see so many painful side effects from Fentanyl.  Let this inform you for the future: if you ever think some med isn't working well or right for your pup, speak up and let your vet know!  There are ALWAYS alternatives!  Now, I understand it's tough when it comes to pain b/c we all assume they are working.  All I can say is, do what feels right.  If you want to take her off the patch early (b/c you think it could be problematic), know that there are many pups here that were never on the patch and did fine.  It's not cruel to not have the patch.  It's vet-specific.  Pain med management seems to be a major hurdle for us here.  I bet the dogs do better than us!  They just wanna rest and sleep it off and hopefully wake up without a hangover!  As for us, we flip out and worry.  Like others have said, you 2 are very new to this.  Give it more time.  Let the basics guide you: sleep, eat, drink, pee, and poo.  She does those everyday = score!  Little by little, her spark will return and side effects will dissipate and then when stitches come out and total med drawdown happens....MAGIC!

Hang in there.  Call your vet if you've got concerns.  Keep Ashley comfy.  She may make noises, but if she seems comfy...let her be.  She'll come around.  She'll return to your precious pup you've always loved and adored.  She'll get there.  Promise!

~ Katy

benny55 said
Yay Ashley and Yay Mom!! I think I was on this site several times a day for at least two weeks feeling pertrified--feeling strong--cryin like a baby--laughing with joy---venting like crazy---panic attacks---calm and peaceful---scared out of my mind!!!!You have definitely come to the right place. My motto has been "Lord, please give me patience---and could OK hurry up, I need t now!!

Yes, as everyone has said, this is just the very beginning of the recovery and everything you are experiencing is to be expected----doesn't make it any easier, bit it is "normal"
The meds are absolutely necessary or pain and the side effects of the drugs are almost identical to what pain looks like-----whimpering, crying, restlessness, etc. You had a double whammy because you took her home the same day (?) and that's really hard on a paw parent. For some dogs, recovery takes longer than others-----some faster---you will continue to see some spark so e back and then you might see it disappear for awhile ----tail wags come and then they go-----:-) but EVENTUALLY the joy and happy attitude all. Some back to stay and YOU WILL BE SOOOOO GLAD OU DID THIS FOR ASHLEY! You will--promise!

You are a strong paw parent and are doing everything right! Do not hesitate to come here anytime e with any.concerns and , especially when you see the thump of that tail wag co e back!

Surrou ding you with support and strength , calm and peace, Sally Happy Hannah

Thank you so much for your kind words and your experience which trust me over the past few days have been like a roller coater. This site has given me the support mentally and emotional to overcome this thank you God bless....

Michelle said
When they removed Sassy's stitches she was not sore.  We had a small spot that because of the way she pushes off of her stump that they had a little scabs on & they had to soak those to get the stitches out & was a little raw but she acted like nothing was going on.

 

Michelle & Sassy

Oh okay not looking forward to them being removed because I would hate to see her in pain again 

He wasn't keen on us rubbing his stump for at least the first week.  But certainly by the time his staples were out, he loved it!  The harder the better, it seems!  Since you're new to this, one thing that helped Jackson - when he'd bump his stump, nerves would fire.  Loads of them.  It was a weird feeling for him - maybe like pain?  He was clearly disturbed by it.  To help him out, we'd immediately cup his stump and give it a little pressure.  That gave his nerves something to focus on, rather than just firing on all cylinders.  Make sense?  Maybe not every dog will want or like that, but when they seem to experience phantom limb issues or stump-bumps, this REALLY helped!  You could also try a warm or cool compress.  Just give those nerves SOMETHING to focus on!

~ Katy