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Jack's recovery from amputation
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Ilinois
Member Since:
3 September 2019
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10 September 2019 - 12:49 pm
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Hi all! Just a quick update. Jack's kidney function tests came back better today before surgery than the last two times they were checked (March and June). We added herbal therapy 4 weeks ago and I am hoping this is why they are better! Anyway, surgery lasted about 3 1/4 hours. They said he did really well! Tech just called at 1:15 and left vm that he is awake and wagging tail. I am to get another update at 3 and will be able to ask questions. Thanks for all the support!!!! Much love from Jill and Jack

new hampshire
Member Since:
26 June 2019
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10 September 2019 - 3:40 pm
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So glad to hear jacks tests came back good! 🎉🎉🎉 and that surgery went well and hes wagging! Go Jack! I know what a relief it is to get that news! Is he staying the night at the hospital?

Big hugs, roane and i will be looking forward to jacks next update ❤

         Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾

My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 September 2019 - 4:01 pm
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I know you are soooo relieved!!  And wagging already?? WOW!!!

Thanks for taking time to update.  We are all cheering for Jack!

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 September 2019 - 4:58 pm
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That is GREAT NEWS!!! Congrats to all of you, it's such a relief to move into the next phase isn't it? Just holler if you can think of any questions at all, we will try to help put your mind at ease.

Just curious, what did you use for the herbal therapy? 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Ilinois
Member Since:
3 September 2019
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12 September 2019 - 4:49 pm
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Hi all 

we are day two post op. Last night and this am were rough. Anesthesia and pain meds given during and after surgery wore off. Jack has a lot of break thru pain and was anxious and restless and panting off and on all night. Talked to vet about it and tramadol was increased today and tomorrow . He said these sound be the worst days.

Jack is eating a little and resting a lot. He seems sad this afternoon. I know he has been through a lot. Hoping tonight is better! 

The herbal therapy is a concentrated stasis breaker and concentrated wei Qi booster. Mixture of several herbs. 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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12 September 2019 - 6:38 pm
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Oh wow you're in good company. New member Gucci's mom just joined, she is also two days post-op. 

Yay for Jack eating a little!

I'm glad you talked to the vet about his pain. The medication shouldn't wear off, so good job getting him back on a consistent dose. Is he on anything besides Tramadol? That is bare minimum pain management (most dogs come home with additional meds that work in various ways). so if the increased dose doesn't work by tomorrow morning, talk to your vet about adding more. 

We're keeping our paws crossed for better days ahead!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Ilinois
Member Since:
3 September 2019
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12 September 2019 - 8:11 pm
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Nope, nothing else accept arthritis med. he is looking at what jack can have with his early kidney issues. 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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12 September 2019 - 9:32 pm
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Yeah, was gonna mention Gaba too.  Tramadol and Gabapentin  compliment each other in the ways they work.  Obvioisly if Jack has liver issues your Vet has to weigh that.  I hope he can find a way to help better manage his pain that is safe for Jack.  

Recovery is tough.  No ifs, ands, or buts! It DOES get better though!!   And YAY that he is eating some!! Whatever  he'll eat right now is a good thing!!

Resting is 3XACTLY what he needs to do to heal right now.  Potty breaks and back to rest.  And no, not sad, drugged though and recovering from MAJOR SURGERY!!!   Humans would still be in the hospital on a  morphine drip!!

Try and get some rest when you can.  Stay upbeat and pawsitive! You are doing this FOR Jack!!

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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12 September 2019 - 10:23 pm
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Oh yeah liver issues do complicate things for sure. Let us know what the vet comes up with so we can all learn together!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Ilinois
Member Since:
3 September 2019
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10
16 September 2019 - 10:56 am
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We are day six post op. Jack seems better in some regards. Pain is more manageable but he has had an upset stomach for three days. He had explosive diarrhea both Friday and Sunday. As a result, not eating much. I've been giving him a pretty bland diet to settle tummy. Talked to vet's office today and they want him to be off one of the herbals for a few days (it can cause loose stool) and they said I could give him pepto tabs today and tomorrow to see if it would help. If not, they have a RX for him that can be called in.

Hoping he continues to improve. He is already moving around better but between the post op pain and diarrhea, he has had to move even quicker to get outside to not having an accident in the house. It is like he knows he better go potty outside!! Especially with the diarrhea!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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16 September 2019 - 12:31 pm
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Aww poor Jack, I hope his tummy feels better. Something that has worked great for us when it comes to runny poo is edible green clay. It works really well and moves toxins out of the body too. I would check with your vet to see if that's OK to use next time.

He's a good boy to not poo in the house! Give him some extra lovin' from us and gentle belly rubs. 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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12
16 September 2019 - 5:46 pm
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Day six is when I first joined the community  six years ago.  I posted, "Day six after amputation  and I fear I've made a horrible mistake!!" Someting like that.  So Jack sounds like, other than the.poopicon  , he's doing really well this early on!! And it is still early in recovery. 

Glad the Vet suggested  eliminating  one of rhe herbs to see if that settles his tummy.  He's still on the pain meds (Gaba and Tramadol) and still on an  antibiotic, right?  The antibiotic can cause upset tumny too.

Let us know how the "new plan" is working. And yes, extra lovin' to Jack for making it outside.  Not an easy feat with three  right after majpr surgery with EXPLOSIVE poopicon

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Jill Martin
13
22 September 2019 - 2:31 am
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So the last four days have been a little exhausting. Jacks incision has looked great for 9 days. Four days ago he started to have oozing near part of the incision. It was clear/blood tinged but not a lot. Then it became a lot. Long story short, we went back to the vet who did an ultrasound found he had a hematoma in two Areas and clots became loose and started to bleed. They gave him an herbal remedy (like vitamin k of sorts) to stop the bleeding and had me continue to cover it . On the herbal for about 10-12 days. Bleeding slowed for a day or so and now he has two skin ulcerations that won’t stop oozing. They even gave him More pain meds so He can be more chilled out and allow this to heal. I am covering with gauze and wrapping around his body with an ace wrap. Having to change multiple times per day.  Any suggestions? Site is less swollen so I think blood is re-absorbing. Sutures come out in 4 days . He isn’t even bleeding from suture sites. Thanks 

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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22 September 2019 - 10:09 am
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Hi Jill. Looks like you had trouble logging in? Please let us know how we can help with that issue.

About Jack's situation...poor guy! How are his spirits? That's good he isn't bleeding from the suture sites, it sounds like the skin isn't necrotic? So when did the two skin ulcerations start oozing? How long has that been and how long do they hope for it to take to heal? Have they cultured the fluid and tested for MRSA to make sure it's not infected? 

Sorry I have more questions than advice. 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Ilinois
Member Since:
3 September 2019
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15
23 September 2019 - 7:52 am
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Hi Jerry. Yes, I had difficulties signing in off my phone. But I am able to sign in easily on my desktop. In answers to your questions, no they didn't culture anything from Jack. They are attributing the drainage/blood drainage from the large hematoma breaking loose. He had two areas of drainage. One is clotting well from the herbal clot med they put him on but the other isn't. To me, the area looks larger (where the drainage is coming out).  His incision looks great! And the sutures are to come out Thursday. This weekend was tough for him when we had to change the dressings. He didn't like it and appears uncomfortable, despite being on pain meds. He actually bit my husband's hand yesterday while we were changing it. Now Jack can turn his head and reach it with his tongue. Even if it is covered (which it has been), movement and the licking moves the dressing so then it slips off. I was up changing it three times between 2am and 7:30 when I left for work. I called the vet and told them everything. My husband is dropping him off today to see what they want to do. He would be a good candidate for the cone of shame and I think he might get one today as well as more pain meds and antibiotics.

If he were a human, I am sure this wound would be packed or cauterized. I don't know what they will do in the vet world. Other than that, Jack is doing well. Eating well, his old self is returning (until we come near the wound), and enjoying taking car rides. We took him for 45 min yesterday for a ride in the country and by the lake an he loved it.

thanks again

Jill

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