Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ajax had his surgery late Monday afternoon, we brought him home last night, and he's doing great. He still has the fentanyl patch for another day, so I understand there may be some adjustments after that comes off, but here's todays report.
Yesterday his best buddy dog walker came to visit and he got up and wagged and wiggled. When I got home and put the keys in the door, I heard the same giant "woof" I usually hear (does anyone's dog actually say "bow wow" where did that come from? Ajax clearly says "woof").
He had a little trouble settling last night, so in addition to my husband, I moved down to the floor near him (since he usually sleeps next to me when my husband is traveling). That seems to settle him down and he slept through the night except barking to go out once at 2:30am, which he needed.
This morning he tried to come onto the air matress to do his morning "snuggle up" with me - a bit of a challenge, but he insisted and he managed. And then joined my in the bathroom for my shower time, which is his normal routine.
All in all, we're doing pretty great.
I am glad he is doing so well! BTW, my Pug, Henry, does not bark or anything normal. He does this weird thing that sounds like "gobble gobble gobble" in a growly voice. Freak dog!
Alicia
Fantastic! Yeay!
Yeah, where did "Bow Wow" come from anyways? Chihuahuas?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It's great that Ajax is staying in his routine. Hopefully he'll keep that up!
Alicia, any chance you can get a recording of Henry the Freak and that sound? It could bring some much needed laughter to the forums! 
Well I've never heard a gobbling dog, but there is a norwich terrier puppy in my building who sounds shockingly like Chewbaca
What a great update. I, too, think it is great that he wants to continue his routines. Trouble was very much that way as well. Now, all these months later and with her age, she's starting to let go of some of them - like the shower. She rarely goes to the shower with me, but always did in her earlier years.
Not to be a wet blanket, but you could still have a day or two that aren't wonderful. Just keep that in mind and don't be discouraged if it happens.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Nope, you're not a wet blanket, I appreciate all the folks who've warned me about that. I am thinking the worst days are going to be just after the patches are removed, since he'll probably be more uncomfortable and/or wacky on Tramadol - right now we're not giving the Tramdol but the patches are still on ...
Ajax it sounds like everything is going great for you, Yay!!! Hope all continues to go good and you won't have any down days. Tasha did a lot of crying when she was on Tramadol, as soon and we stopped giving it to her she quit crying. The meds can do some pretty weird things to our dogs. Wonderful update on Ajax.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
So glad to hear that Ajax continues to do so well! He seems to be on a good road to recovery. Yea!! And not to be a double wet blanket, but it seemed that Mackenzie's worst part of her recovery was at about day 5 - 9'ish. But I still think it had a lot to do with the pain meds. Hopefully Ajax won't have any issues.
Here's keeping our paws crossed that Ajax sails through these next few days! 
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Hi, thanks for the specifics. (Like now I know when to expect that it may be difficult)
Here's a question - my surgeon is very mellow about the stitches coming out (10-14 days after, and that's a window, so it can be even a day on either end)
Is it best to wait the 14? Or to get them out ...assuming no problems with the site, of course
No doubt about it, Ajax is doing extremely well. Everyone's heart is in the best place when they warn you that there may be more difficult times ahead. I normally would put us in that camp and our only intention is to help you stand strong just in case. Our number one suggestion is to stay positive during the recovery, so if you are blind sided by a slight down turn, we just do not want you to lose that positive attitude.
Miss Cherry would also give a WOOF that would back unwanted solicitors from the front porch. This is just one of the many things that I personally miss so the memory stimulant brought a smile.
Regarding the removal of stiches (Cherry had staples), I would normally opt for earlier because they tend to start iching and that could pose additional difficulties. Just make sure that everything is well healed before removal, but your surgeon will be watching that. Cherry's did not come out until the two week mark.
Sending Pawsitive Thoughts,
Spirit Cherry's Dad
thanks for the tip and i love your little cherry zooming along the signature, your technical abilities are clearly leaps and bounds above mine
I'm so happy to hear how great Ajax is doing. Hopefully he will continue this way. And just to add to all the wet blankets before me, Ruthie's 2d week was the worst...mainly because the meds started making her sick to her stomach. Ruthie got her staples out on the 1st day possible and did just fine.
Spirit Ruthie's Mom
Ajax sounds like he is doing splendidly!
Catie actually cruised along pretty well. The meds didn't make her sick or anything, but the Tramadol did affect her behaviour. The only way I can describe it is "loopy." Like she would just suddenly stand around like she was stunned. Weird. Also made her quite drowsy.
Fingers and paws crossed that Ajax's recovery continues smoothly!
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Yea Ajax !
Yes, I agree with as soon as your allowable to get the stitches out. I think Kona had her stitches out at 10 or 12 days.
She never had any issue with the tramodal.
Sounds like Ajax is adjusting very well. These pup kids are just amazing, aren't they ? 🙂
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
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