Last night was rough. No way around it. Sunny first got up around 1:30 am howling for some reason. Thankfully a few pets later Sunny got comfortable again and went back sleep. Unfortunately, he was up again at 3:30 am howling. We tried going outside, having a drink a water, but nothing seemed to work. Sunny couldn’t seem to get get comfortable and was panting so around 4:15 am I decided to give him his tramadol an hour early since the previous day we had been stretching it to 9 hours from 8. About 15 minutes after getting his tramadol Sunny seemed to settle back down and slept a little. When Pete got up for work just before 6 am Sunny went out, had some breakfast and got his second set of medication. After this though he again seemed to find it difficult to get comfortable and was up and down/howling, etc. until around 9 am. Since then thankfully he has been able to get comfortable and sleep.
With the exception of his panting/howling at 4:15 am I’m not sure any of this is necessarily related to pain. Sunny tends to suffer from separation anxiety from us from time to time. Sunny was the first dog we adopted after college. We ended up with a second dog because Sunny would howl all day while we were at work and he was alone. Once we got a second dog to keep him company that seemed to stop. From time to time we still see it, but Sunny usually will stop howling once we come to where he is. So I’m not sure what is now leading him to howl more even when we are right beside him. Some of what I saw this morning may have been because Pete left to go to work. I also think it is probably a combination of the surgery, recovery and his medications contributing to the increase we are seeing currently.
Sunny has spent most of the day in bed resting. He has even showed very little interest in going outside. Yesterday we noticed an increase in his activity so I think he may have over done it a little. This may also explain the pain early this morning. However, I’m happy to report he seems to be doing much better now. He also seems to be getting better at navigating life on three legs. I know we will probably continue to see this back and forth as he gets his strength back. This afternoon for the first time he also ate from his food bowl on his own. Previously we were bringing it to him or holding it up. When he gets his e-collar off we will introduce his raised food bowls. Right now they just prove too challenging. In the photo below you can also see the bath mats we put down for him.
Can I please eat in peace dad?
His incision and bruising continue to heal. I think all and all this is probably as good as it can be doing right now. He has been doing so well since coming home I have to remind myself that today is only day 5 since his surgery. Sunny has been such a trooper I think we easily forge that.
Sunny’s incision as it continues to heal.
Sunny’s incision looks great, and he looks so soulful in his cone. Day 5 was really hard for us – hospital meds out of his system and having to work with the surgeon on pain med dosages and timing. We had panting problems as Tramadol doses were wearing off. For now, manage the pain and keep him quiet – leashed potty breaks and a whole bunch of resting!
Yeah, I can certainly tell when the tramadol is starting to wear off since sometimes it seems to bother him and other times it doesn’t. I’m hoping now that we are just back on every 8 hours he will be better.
His incision looks great. You may need more pain meds. You are doing an awesome job. I may suggest some intermittent ice packs to the incision (I put frozen peas in a pillow case). You are in the midst of the worst part. It will get better. I promise
Love
Julie and Sweet Angel Buddy
Sunny is already on the highest end of the dosage limit for his size so I think for the most part he is ok. However, we will review it on Wednesday when we go to see the rehab vet depending on how tonight goes. Our other dog saw the same vet after his surgery and they are very aggressive in terms of pain management. 🙂 For now though he seems to be doing well.
I am going through the exact same thing with my baby girl Samoa. She had her surgery this past Wednesday. We have to stay strong for them although it is very difficult at times. Just knowing we are not alone definitely helps.
Indeed it does! Hope Samoa continues to improve. 🐵
That photo……those beautiful Soulful eyes….that Sunny continues to melt my heart over here!
I hadn’t found this site until Day Six of Happy Hannah’s amputation. My first post was something along the lines of “It’s day six and I fear I’ve made a horrible decision!” Fortunately, through this community I was able to.learn about the ups and downs of the first couple of weeks and the necessity of getting the pain meds balanced. Sounds like going back to every eight hours is working for Sunny.
Are you able to take the.cone.off during eating, or other times when you are able to watch him? Just curious.
And YAAAAAAAAAY FOR EATING.OUT.OF HIS FOOD BOWL!! 🙂 Seeing every little tiny “return to “normal” is HUGE!!
You’re doing a GREAT JOB! You’ll start seeing the sparkle return more and more as you go into the third week!
Lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!.
We are currently not taking the cone off regularly. He does not like the sound of the Velcro and he seems to do everything ok with it on. I did take it off today to clean it. He also almost immediately goes to lick his stitches so it is just easier to leave it on.
Thanks!