What a very sweet and beautiful face! We hope that everything goes well and she'll greet you tomorrow with a huge smile and "Hey, I'm ready to go home!"

There a ton of folks on this site that will be able to answer questions, add moral support and help you with getting Etta through the first few days.

We Golden girls got to look out for each other, I'll check in with you in a couple of days.

Shelby, the P.P.  

I just joined this group yesterday and found so much help already. We are 8 days out with Gus and it has been trying to say the least. Gus had his surgery on wednesday and I brought him home thursday morning. He was actually walking soon after the surgery and jumping on the wall in the kennel to look over and see what was going on, those vet drugs do wonders!!!! Have had many question about what is happening, the whining, sudden loud howling that I hope is the result of phantom pain . I have been trying to find out if anyone has had experience with back legs acting different after the surgery since I have began wondering if Gus is having a problem with the one on the same side as the amputation. The x-ray looked like cancer, had a biopsy that came back negative but we felt amputation was the best since he hadn't been using the front leg for a few weeks and we weren't going to waste any more time. He has had days he seems like he is really doing good, then he looked not so good. We took him off tramadol yesterday and replaced it with Gabapentin and I think it has made a difference. I think the tramadol made him restless, uneasy. You'll probably have some long nights also, we still are, although last night was better.  From what I have gathered from these fine people is that the first 2 weeks are the hardest, and so far I'm finding that to be true. I'm hoping that Gus will be himself again in the near future, but I think we have to remember this is a pretty traumatic surgery, and I think the way he looked when he came out gave me a false impression, even the vets said he was to active to quick, but if you knew Gus, you would understand, so the fact that he hasn't been to peppy after a few days has made me concerned with every whine or howl that something else is starting to happen, since his last week before surgery was not pleasant. I am really finding some comfort with reading these forums and finding out with each that every dog will respond different, but you'll find similarities in your own experience. Good luck

Jack's incision went from the bottom of his neck to about midway down his side.  I had seen pictures of amputation surgeries so felt that I knew what were were going to be dealing with...but I didn't realize that different surgeons have different techniques.  Out hops Jack with his tail wagging, a big smile on his face...and 2 large "udders" on either end of the incision.  It was so gross, like a skin flap just hanging there.  I actually had the techs wrap a bandage on him so I could take him home and not have to look at them (well, for that reason and so he could snuggle in bed without oozing on the sheets, hehe).  As he healed, the skin shrank and the fur grew back and now you cant even tell they were ever there.  Just be prepared for the surgery site to look different than you may have imagined 🙂  Etta seems like a super girlie, so I'm sure she will do fantastically well.  Let us know how it goes tomorrow! 

<3 Laura and JackAttack

Yay,Etta,you brave lovely girl 🙂  So glad to hear you went through surgery well.

Mum Julie be prepared for some sleepless nights but it will all come to normal before you know it. I was very concened when my Don (10) had his surgery,cos his other legs were not healthy due to arthritis but only a day after he was able to walk a little,with my help of course,but it was such a reliefe for me. Etta will probably be unstabile for a while and its not easy to watch them try move their phantom leg,sometimes slip and fall down, but its all part of getting used to walk on 3 legs,all normal and will be behind you very soon. So dont get discouraged and be strong for your girl,as she was through all this misfortune.

My thoughts and prayers for speedy recovery are with you.

Keep us posted.

       Daniela, Angel Don's Mum

Etta, we are so glad that your surgery is over and everything went good for you. The next few weeks could be hard but once they are behind you, you should be up and running again and showing the world Tripawds are the best !  Shower your girl with love and laughter ( sometimes that part is hard) but in our case it really did seem to help.

Beautiful Etta, stay strong, heal quickly and soon life will return to almost normal, sometimes the new normal is even better.

Jo Ann & Tasha

Glad Etta made it thru surgery ok and she's eating!  Stay strong for the next couple of weeks...and thankfully you found this group for a wealth of information to see you thru!

Tracy, Maggie's Mom