Jamaica's home!

I didn't freak out -- mostly because she was sporting black vet wrap to match her coat, and at first, other than the missing leg, I didn't even see the shaved areas. The vet tech made me feel like she had all the time in the world for my questions which I really appreciated. Everyone told me what a sweetheart and good patient she was. She hobbled out of the hospital just fine.

She didn't know how to get in the car, so the vet tech assisted her. (Lord, help me to have the patience and wisdom to help her learn how to do it like that and not try to do it all for her!) Jamaica promptly laid down and didn't get up til we were in the driveway.

I lifted her out of the car and she hobbled in the house with some help up the front steps.

I let her settle before I let the other girls back in. Scooter and Tansi were glad to see her. I've never seen Tansi wag her tail so much! Tansi stood over her sniffing her head and Jamacia looked at me as if it was a real insult and would I please take Tansi away? It's usually Jamaica who stands over Tansi.

She has been switching beds off and on all evening, so a little restless, but she's only yelped once when trying to get up.

DS and family came out for a visit and she was almost with the other two to meet them at the door. She had a couple of chicken feet, supper and finally a good drink of water. She was just out for a looong pee, was OK even though I botched helping her down the steps (must remember to be beside her and not partly behind!), hopped on her own out to pick a pee place, and came in mostly on her own. When I asked if they wanted to go outside, she pogo-ed a bit, which tickled me pink.

She had a Percocet about 4 pm but is panting now. Not sure if it's from her excursion outside or if she needs a Percocet again (it's 7:30) and her prescription says one every 6 - 8 hours. I'm tempted to give her another at 8 pm instead of 10 if the panting doesn't stop by 8. Is that pushing it?

BTW, her leg was incinerated. I feel much better knowing it didn't end up in the trash.

Jamaica is 8 days post op from amputation. So far things have gone relatively well. She gets up and down the back door steps, wanders the yard and does her business unassisted. But, there are a few concerns.

She experiences bouts of pain when starting to get up,  moving position, and "running" in  her sleep, that have her crying like she got hit by a car. When it happens when she is running in her sleep, she wakes up with a most frightened look that breaks my heart. It takes a while to settle back down. Massaging her hindquarters seems to help somewhat. She gets a Percocet every 8 hours. She's supposed to go to 2 a day in 2 days.

Other concerns are eating and depression. She eats a good supper and breakfast  but needs encouragement, and is not interested in most treats. This is not like her  -- anything edible usually gets snarffed down in seconds. There are times when she shows no interest at all in things she used to get excited about -- like when the grandkids come. (She is not being self-protective here. The girls are very good at giving her space and being gentle.) It just feels like a lot ot the time the spark has gone out of her life.

Any ideas would help from those who have experienced anything similar. Is this just a post op phase and how long can it last? I miss my happy, glad-to-greet-the-world girl.  :weep  Thanks.