Yep! So happy Tilghman is home and surrounded by those who will cater to his every demand! Now is the time for him to recover from major surgery and figure out this hopping business. The test results are important, but one thing at a time. Just relax, right now, and try to enjoy the fact that he's home and happy and hopping!

Shari

Tilghman looks good!  I'm glad your boy is back home where he belongs. I'm sorry to hear about the diagnosis.  But like Shari said, just take one thing at a time.  Don't look too far in the future, just concentrate on right now.  That's what your boy is doing, follow his lead and he'll show you how it's done!

What a cutie!!!!  He looks like he's loving being back home with his pack  Have a great recovery!!!

Emmie, you can ask your vet about keeping Tilghman on the Tramadol. Most dogs here are on it for 7-14 days, along with an NSAID like Rimadyl. This is serious pain. It is possible that his reluctance to move much is because it hurts. Of course, it is also likely that at least part of that reluctance comes from being zonked, exhausted, confused. 

Most dogs seem to do a bit of a tank on about day 3, for a couple of days. The meds that were given for surgery take a couple of days to metabolize out of their bodies, so when they come home they are high as a kite and can fly like one, too. They can do anything! Then the meds work out and they are left with the oral meds, and then they hurt a little more or become less "high." What you're seeing does not sound abnormal but actually very typical.

I think it might still be a good idea to keep him on Tramadol for at least a week, but your vet may tell you differently. I just know that if you sawed through my bone I'd want to go to sleep and wake up a few months later.

Ice: Lots of people do it and the dogs seem to benefit it they'll let you. Some dogs self-ice in the snow. My dog did. Just be careful of frostbite if they get down and can't get back up.

Massages: I did not do massage until stitches were out and oozing had stopped. Then I mostly massaged Dakota's neck because of how hard it was for him to hop early on. Necks are hard on front amps.

Pottying: I encouraged Dakota to go out a 2 or 3 times a day. He always had a bladder the size of a minivan and could pee for 15 minutes if I'd let him. However, the combination of being prone, inactive and stressed can sometimes lead to urinary tract infections. Therefore, I forced the issue. Not as much as I wanted, but more than he did. It will also help his blood to circulate if he moves a little. I'm not talking about going for walks around the house. I mean hop 10 feet outside to pee and then back in, 2-3 times a day. And some dogs take this opportunity to lay down and relax and check out the world, depending on the weather. Squirrels can't be chased but they can be watched closely. Dinner can be smelled on the breeze. If it's decent outside, you can put down a blanket or towel and let him have a change of scenery and see if he perks up.

It is hard, yes, but you're right that you'll have him back. He may not be entirely the same, but he'll be better!

Shari

Emmie, if a dog is in pain, they pant a lot. A lot. And they do it for no apparent reason. Short, fast, shallow pants. They can also whine and tremble, but by the time they're trembling they're really hurting. So if he is moving around ok (getting up on his own, hopping, going down a couple of steps) without any of that and without yelping, he's likely just fine.

If Tilghman comes inside after peeing, hops 50 feet into the house and lays down and then pants, that's exertion. Dogs in pain won't sleep, either (at least that's my experience). They sit up and pant. They don't lay on their side and they don't lay their heads down in front. They sit up and pant. 

Ironically, too much pain medication looks almost identical. Makes it a real bear to get the dosage right sometimes. But since Tilghman is off of the Tramadol, you would know he was hurting if he started any of that.

He looks really good sitting in the sunshine. It's distracting, it's warming, it's comforting, it's healing. And sometimes it even makes you tired so you sleep. I don't know where you live and if you will have more nice days like this before spring, but Tilghman obviously appreciates being outside!

Shari