Nellie is 15 days out of surgery now, and is in "rehab"- taking nice short walks around the yard (she has plenty of space to roam) and moving around nicely. She can get down safely and comfortably from the sofa since it is not too high, but it was her right rear leg that was amputated so I am worried about having her try to jump down from the bed or up onto the bed or sofa yet. Has anyone dealt with this or made the decision to get steps for these areas? Am I being too over protective? I am not sure if I am I am just letting her heal at her own pace or letting her get used to being picked up to these surfaces!!! She is still in the midst of recovery as she is still sleeping a lot and not quite yet perking up to the cat! Any suggestions?

Thanks. It's so hard to be objective when your looking at you own situation!! Her couch is pretty low so if she is feeling good she can get down by herself, but she does have two front legs legs to lower with. She does let us know when she wants help though!! We have not let her try to jump up yet for that same reason, though- so as not to over-strain the ONE residual limb. P.T. has just started, but she'll be in it for a while now!! I will say that friends and family listen well, but it's different talking to people (and dogs) who really understand!!

Thanks for your support Kellie! I hope that you have a speedy recovery.  You will be in all of our thoughts. I am also having my right front leg amputated. We wiill be healing at the same time. My Mommy is scared. How about your parents? Many wet kisses to you. Charlie

Thank goodness for Tripawd! It's put me at ease in so many ways already. Especially about the loss of appetite. I would never have guessed that our Basenji would be disinterested in food!

 Luigi, is 10 years old with synovial sarcoma in the right front elbow. His leg was amputated a week ago today. He was very mobile the first 5 days and clearly in pain but that was to be expected. He seemed to be improving. He was going up and down the stairs when he wanted to, using his dog door and even beginning to lay on the wound.

 The vet removed the fentanyl (sp?) patch on the 5th day and I asked him to put another one because I could Luigi was experiencing breakthrough  pain despite the codeine. I was worried about him being in a lot of pain over the weekend whe the vet office was closed. My vet agreed and put a patch on him.

How many days do the dogs typically need heavy duty pain relief?

 Also, on day 6 Luigi developed a lot of pain in his remainig legs -- it's like they are cramping up. It hard for him to get comfortable and his mobility is suddenly very much more restricted although he can still will himself to go outside to go potty and to go up and down the stairs at night to sleep near us. Is this typical I am taking him to the vet tomorrow to get the fentanyl patch off but wonder what's normal and what maybe causing this.

Thank you for listening.

Kelly (Luigi's Mom) 

Hey Luigi,

First of all, good luck and am sure you'll feel better soon. The cramping might be from your body's compensating for the amputated limb and "transferring" the impact to your other legs. Like Jerry said, that heat pad is really the thing ... and I have to agree with Jerry's pawrents regarding pain medication, but of course, every dog has a different response capacity. Let your pawrents know that getting back to your normal routine as much as possible one hop at a time is the best medicine as is love..love..and more love.

Lalla