Hi, we would have posted sooner but we've been busy ordering Black Lab Tripawd merchandise from the site - HOORAY!!!!! 

Here's our update, I started a new topic but if you search "Ajax" you can find the history:

Post-amp days 6-8 were post-Rimadyl, Fentanyl patches off, and we thought we noticed gradually increasing discomfort and reluctance to move.  To go "out"  is down a hall, down an elevator, to the curb and off the curb, so it can be an endeavor if you're not feeling well.  Nothing dramatic was happening, just generally unhappiness.  Evening of Day 9 we gave 3/4 of a dose of Tramadol, which seemed to help, except it made him pant.

Day 10 visit to the surgeon for stitches to come out.  We were a little on the early side of the 10-14 day window, but the surgeon is leaving for vacation so we wanted her to see him.  She said the healing looked great (apart from some redness where he licks EVERY TIME I TURN MY HEAD FOR ONE SECOND).  She also said she didn't think he was in a lot of pain, and that we can begin increasing his walks, just to keep an eye on the incision.   When we said we weren't thrilled w/ the Tramadol, she gave us a few more days worth of Rimadyl to take home.  We gave that to him last night and this morning and it is clearly helping.

Here our are Day 10-11 experiences and tips:

Experiences

Day 10 in a cab in the rain for stitches to come out, come home and flop.

Day 10 pm Mom and Dad put me up on the high people bed where I usually sleep and I was uncomfortable, trembling and clutching the sheets with my toenails.   Not ready to be up high yet.  Mom and Dad gave me a treat and took me down and Dad spent another night on the floor.  No biggy, I took over his sleeping bag and gave him a sheet.

Day 11 morning.  Drill sergeant Dad took me out and because it was not humid and I was pulling him, we walked all the way to Central Park and back!!!  I was psyched to be back to my normal routine.  It is about 1/5 mile each way.  This walk was not authorized (and would not have been authorized) by Mom (who was sleeping in the real bed for a few hours), but she was super happy when I came home.

Also mom reads about my new Tripawds clothing line, and calls an agent to work on my next endorsement deal. Call everyone in office over to computer to see me.

Day 11 lunchtime.  I go to the little park around the museum across the street from my house.  Instead of a quick "pop out", I am there 1/2 hour talking to about 20 children who are curious and want to ask me questions and pet me.  Who needs a leg when I am getting this much attention! 

Tips

-- We are having better success with Rimadyl than Tramadol

--  We finally figured out why he staggers around at night when he is wearing the conehead.  To have his balance, especiially in small spaces to turn around, he puts his head down (don't know if this is temporary or permanent).  The conehead then hits the ground and gets in his way and makes him feel unbalanced.  Same thing with the orthopedic dog bed , which is about 5 inches high.

-- We reviewed the CARE videos on stretches and post amputation care on this site.  We haven't done all the stretches yet, but adapted some for a stretch/massage of the remaining rear leg, which he is  keeping tense all the time.  He seemed to like it.

Question:

-- Has anyone actually used the buja board (besides Wyatt, who was awesome on it)?  Given that we are not likely to manufacture our own here in Manhattan, has anyone with a big dog bought the blue 20" wobble board that is on this site and used it with success?  I am afraid I'll buy it and because it's not big, he'll just skip over it and accomplish nothing.

OKAY -- you've all heard more than enough from me ....