We had to take Jack back to the hospital because he was too active.  It was my own fault because he was doing so well and didn't limit him as much as i should have...he ended up with broken capillaries and abdominal bruising.  He stayed 2 extra nights then (4 days after surgery) so they could moniter his activity and make sure an infection didn't come about.  We took him home the day after surgery, but I wish I would've kept him there another night or two (or the entire 2 weeks of recovery!!!).  It's just so hard to leave them once you see them!!!

Cemil had his surgery on a Monday and stayed at the hospital until Thursday night.  They wanted to be sure he could eat and walk and pee and poop, and the techs worked with him many times during the day, so that seemed to be a good plan.  Of course, I was able to go visit him each evening, which was the high point of my day, and also his.  But he did enjoy all the attention he got from the people there. I didn't have trouble with him being too active because he's pretty laid-back by nature--if you read my posts from those days, I was pretty worried because he was so slow to get up to speed. 

I think an extra day or two at the hospital is good.  They're just that much farther along in their recovery when they come home.

Dear Zoes: We have been thinking about you. So glad the surgery went well. We were sending you good thoughts! Romeo stayed two nights. We dropped him off Monday am and picked him up Weds afternoon. Initially they had said one night, but we wanted him to stay two nights because we had traveled up to VT from CT for the surgery. It is about a 4 1/2 hr drive. We wanted those extra hrs of supervision since we would be out- of- the-area from our beloved vets in VT. We spent one more night at my parents and actually brought Romeo back the next am just for a quick check because we thought he needed stronger pain meds (excessive panting, high respiratory rate, and sleeplessness). Our sweet vet examined him on the lawn so he wouldn't have to go back inside (he did not want to go back so soon!). I would think it is better to stay the extra night than to have to readmit them, but Emilys mom makes an excellent pt---it really depends on the dog. Some dogs might not feel comfortable and the extra night might not do them any good. We knew Romeo felt comfortable at this hospital; he loves the people there; and he was getting lots of love and individual attn. He is an easygoing guy, loves everyone, a laid back lab mix.    

Also one advantage to staying a couple days---Romeo got pain meds intravenously right to the amputation site for 48 hrs instead of 24. Don't be afraid to ask for more pain meds! I was a little surprised the surgeon sent him home with just three days worth of Tramadol. We asked Rich (same practice, Romeo's primary vet) if we could give him more from the pre-surgery Tramadol supply  

we had at home and he said absolutely--for weeks if he needs it. We ended up getting Buprenex (a sublingual morphine) and it was a wonder drug for us. It really helped him relax and get some sleep. We wanted to make sure he was comfortable for the ride back home.

I just wonder if they (some vets) tend to undermedicate for pain after new tripawds leave the hospital. My partner is a geriatric nurse practitioner and she sees many elderly patients undermedicated for pain because they can't fully advocate for themselves. I wonder if it is the same for dogs---since we know they will be very stoic. In Romeo's case, it seemed clear when he got stronger pain meds he could rest and begin healing. It also seemed very clear when he did not need the Buprenex. We stopped giving it to him during the day---just gave it to him before bed so he could sleep through the night (which helped us sleep as well). 

I will say that nothing can prepare you for seeing your beloved pup after amputation. It is very hard. They kept telling us Romeo was a star patient and doing great. I think I had expected him to be in better shape. I had also just seen a new tripawd discharged and thought, "Wow she looks pretty good." Still---it was heartbreaking to see him. We tried so hard to be positive for his sake, but you just love them so much you don't want to see them suffering----emotionally, physically, confused in any way. We knew we saving his life and he would be running around some day, but at that moment it was heart crushing.  We had promised each other we would never look back, but I did ask the vet, "Did we do the right thing?" I hope I'm not being too much of a downer, I just wanted to say very explicitly for us at that moment----it was very, very hard. One of the most heartbreaking moments of my life. 

Today, however, Romeo is suddenly his old self and he was so happy to ride in the car, get a doughnut hole, and take a trip to his favorite park. He sniffed around a little and then rested on the grass (it took a lot to convince him not to take off down the trail).

Last night he jumped off the bed and tried to run to the door like old times when my partner came home from work. His tail was wagging like crazy! We can see when he fully heals he will be a running, swimming happy Tripawd. It does get much better! Only one week and we can see a bright light at the end of the tunnel.     

Take care. Hope both you and Zoe are holding up ok.