Hello! New member here!

Brief background…. My 2 1/2 year old Hermes Bulldogge (think American-ish bulldog) Buddy, seemingly overnight developed a very prominent limp late March. It would range from being completely non weight bearing to barley noticeable throughout April and several vet visits. Buddy was VERY active, loved to jump, play, run, etc. so we assumed as the vets did something was pulled or strained. It got to a point it was no longer having periods of getting better and instead was just getting worse. Went to get x rays and they found a tumor on his scapula indicating likely bone cancer. After few more visits and a trip to surgeon we decided to amputate and get him out of pain asap because at that point he was already a 3 legged dog and the light was just sucked out of him.

We are now 2 weeks post op. Just the last few days it has started to feel we have a dog again, OUR dog again. He seems to be adjusting better, wanting to see his friends again. We live in an apartment building that feels like it’s apartments for dogs and their owners are welcome. No kids. Just mainly ppl in their 20’s to 50’s and dogs! Everyone’s been pretty upset about Buddy, he’s very popular and he knows it. Seeing him seek out attention again feels like a million bucks. But I’ll save any further rambling for a blog! Lol. 

Few questions I couldn’t find answered after browsing. 

1. Did anyone notice a difference in their dogs barking? 

Buddy has barely been barking. It was joked he’s security for our complex because everyone knows they can look at our window and see Buddy watching. He never barks at residents, and always at food deliveries or prime. He’d bark like crazy when he’d hear the foxes or the train right behind us. He still barks in his dreams now like always. But when he does go to bark like he used to, the sound is different. It eventually ends with what sounds like a yelp. Almost like whatever it took for him to bark is now painful to do. I can’t think about how losing a leg could do this. I know he’d seemingly use his whole body when barking but he’s off pain meds and doing great physically, so I feel like barking shouldn’t hurt anymore. I’m worried. I miss my vocal dog. Even his whining, which was epic and constant as he’s horribly spoiled, is almost non existent and when he tries it’s totally different. Could this be a weird complication? Do they intubate dogs during surgery?

2. Anyone notice changes in the way their dog slept?

This may not be as concerning, but he’s been sleeping differently. Curled into what looks Ike an awkward ball sort of hiding the area where he’s missing his front leg. My BF thinks it’s because he feels vulnerable there, and I guess that’s possible. I’m more concerned there’s a chance something else is wrong and this is somehow the only way he’s comfortable. He has gone on his back a few times and eventually he does stretch out. But this seems to be his new go to position. 

3. Last question, I did see mentioned on here that eventually as their incision heals it naturally becomes itchy. Our dog can barely reach in to lick so he hasn’t had a cone. He was wearing shirts at first. But that won’t stop him from using his foot to scratch the area. He seemed to injure a small part of his incision and it was bleeding yesterday. Nothing deep. But of course it concerns me. I’m worried as the itching gets worse he could do some serious damage and I’m struggling to think of what could prevent him from doing so. 

I purchased a spray from Amazon, dermabliss for anti itch and allergy relief. I’m of course emailing our vet to ask as well, but was wondering if anyone here had any thoughts on this as well. I’m wondering if I should spray on the incision to hopefully prevent any itching. Has scabbing up right now, so I’m late coming up with a plan. 

thanks for any help offered. Sorry for such a long post. I talk too much. I know. I truly can’t help it. This has been a seriously crazy couple of months that just blindsided us. He’s 2! Even harder than coming to grips with the reality of his situation is trying to figure out what is the right thing to do for him. It’s even harder again trying to figure out how to prolong his life when he’s been practically a dog we know nothing about the past month at least. So grateful for this site and the resources offered. 

Everyone here has been a life saver and words can’t express how much that’s meant as we go through this.