I am happy to report that Chloe slept perfectly through the night! Unfortunately I spent most of the night worrying about everything, but no surprise there. Just after she woke up, I managed to snap a smiley picture of her, which shows her sutures. This is meant as an informative picture for people with dogs who need an amputation and do not know what to expect visually afterward. Before Chloe came home I browsed through blogs reading about what to expect and came across a similar picture; sad yes, but it really helped me not be so shocked at her new body. Regardless of her appearance, Chloe gets plenty of belly rubs (above shaved line) and positive energy from everyone in my family. She seems to be much happier now that she has settled in at home.
Chloe's smiley face!
In order to get her to eat I baked her some chicken which she practically wolfed down. Guess I will be making more for some time (maybe I’ll mix some with her regular dog food as well). She is drinking plenty of water, which means we have to go on potty breaks every few hours (as soon as we get back inside she gulps down another 2 cups of water). She seems to have figured out that after her exciting 5 minute pee time outside, we have to go back inside the quarantined living room. This means as soon as we get in the house, she heads in the opposite direction of the living room wanting to avoid being blockaded in (I sit with her in the living room all day, its not like she is by herself). When I do manage to turn her around she stands completely still and refuses to budge. She then decides to lay down possibly to prove to me she’s not going in there. So I just sit in the hallway with her thinking of a way to lure her back into the padded living room. This is not something she has done just once, which one might think indicates fatigue, but rather every single time we go back into the house. She’s too smart to easily be tricked into the living room, baiting with warm chicken works best! Before amp she used to having full range of the house, so I think she just doesn’t understand why she can’t do that now (we have stairs that go up to the kitchen, a definite no no…). She’s only allowed to be in the living room during the day and in my room at night (lots of pillows and blankets always).
I am hoping for a speedy and uneventful recovery for Chloe!
chloe, glad to hear you have a good appetite and are getting around quite well. remember, you just had major surgery, so don’t over-do-it!!! i recommend plenty of medicinal naps!!!
gayle
August 1, 2010 @ 4:36 pmApart from her pee breaks and meals, she sleeps all day… 🙂
August 1, 2010 @ 4:41 pmshe looks great! you’ll probably get some emails from folks on the site saying to be prepared for some ups and downs during the 2 weeks following surgery – ’tis true, though I have described our “downs” more as “dips” – we’ve been doing really well except for mom and dad tired on sleeping on the floor.
we are day 13 today and we went to a friend’s house in CT this weekend – I’ll post on site – but basically it’s only day 13 and today all of us (pup, owners, and friends) basically stopped noticing that there was a missing leg. seriously. i wouldn’t have believed it no matter how many people told me, but i’m not kidding. so hang in there!
August 1, 2010 @ 5:14 pmThanks! My family and I think so too, but we are also biased 🙂 My parents are already saying its hard to tell that Chloe is missing a leg, especially when she stands or sits in a certain way… Its day 3 since surgery, but only going on night 2 at home since the vet kept her 2 nights. Even most people outside have to take a second look when I to take her out to pee, so I believe it when you say you basically stop noticing. It will definitely help once her fur grows back.
August 1, 2010 @ 6:32 pmChloe looks adorable! 🙂
I used to cook a chicken or turkey stew with veggies and brown rice once a week, then put it into a bunch of tupperware containers. I mixed some in with Jake’s dry food every day. He loved it! So did his brother Wolfie… 🙂
Speedy recovery Chloe!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie’s Mom
August 1, 2010 @ 5:44 pmThanks for the tip! And in response to your other comment, she sleeps or relaxes all day apart from going pee outside (usually only a 5 minute affair now) or getting up to eat/drink. I felt bad for letting her over do herself that first day, so even though she is more comfortable walking (hardly uses the sling for support, just for spotting) and wants to keep going, I now have to practically have to drag her back inside. She used to love being in the living room, but now associates that with her quarantine space and its all I can do to get her back in there after pee breaks. Like I said in my blog she used to love roaming the house, but that is a dangerous propagation for her at this point… its better for her to be in the carpeted and cushy living room. Tough love!!
August 1, 2010 @ 6:02 pmDo you ever take the pillows and cushions and whatever out to the backyard and just let her spend the day sleeping in the sun?
August 2, 2010 @ 1:02 pmI might do that today…
August 2, 2010 @ 2:34 pm