Surgery Day and day after

Surgery Day

Dropped Bacca off around 9 a.m. After filling out the paperwork and getting things set up, the vet tech came out to get him. Immediately broke down crying like I said I wouldn’t do in front of Bacca / in front of my child. Vet tech came and hugged me. Thank goodness for her gracious gesture because I was able to pull it together.  I gave her the soft-sided cone (he hates the plastic ones, what dog doesn’t?), the meds we still had in case they could be used, and a little lovey for him. I looked in his eyes and told him I love him. She led him off by leash, limping along.  This is heartbreaking.

Waiting for the call…Longest day ever.

3:30 Dr. called.  Confirmed we were still ok with moving forward. He took additional x-rays and confirmed it is left front leg b/c he always wants to be 100% sure. Plus, the lesion has grown a bit since last x-rays a few weeks ago. Radiologist reviewed and still no clear sign of a tumor anywhere. I told the dr. that we wanted to proceed.  They’ll start around 4 p.m. It will last about an hour to 1 1/2 hours. Stress.

Around 4-4:30 p.m., heavy storms blow through. The radar shows them moving over the vet hospital where the procedure is being performed. I worry about their power going out. Just because I didn’t worry enough already.  Anxious.

Around 5 p.m. – Dr just called. He did great. No complications. He is even waking up. They have him on a IV catheter with pain meds and will see how he does overnight and if he can tolerate removing the catheter they will start oral pain meds. The doctor said it will take about one to two weeks to see if the bacterial culture grows or if a tumor is revealed, and up to three weeks to see if a fungal culture grows.  Of course they will also be checking for a tumor(s). But the doctor did say that the diagnostics don’t point to and he does not fit the profile for osteosarcoma, a very aggressive bone cancer.  Though there is no guarantee. The doctor also said that there are some bone cancers that amputation will solve.  And there is always the chance that the bone lesion and deterioration was just that… And there is no infection nor a tumor.  The dr. and my regular vet have told me again and again that there are so many different outcomes and have made sure that we are very educated about how things could go one way or another after the amputation.  But we are committed that there will be no regrets in getting him freed from this pain. The doctor was so sweet and said I could call at anytime to check on him. The doctor will call me in the morning and let me know how he’s doing. They will monitor him all night long and work on getting him ambulatory here and there.  The hope is that he can come home tomorrow. I am so relieved and so thankful for all of your prayers and well wishes. Now for the next step as we wait for the results from the biopsy.  Go Bacca!

1st day home – Day 1
Picked Bacca up around 1 p.m. He came out wearing a t-shirt and the soft cone. He looked so dazed and out of it. No tail wag, no coming towards us, just a blank stare.  The vet tech encouraged him to walk.  Picking him up and getting him into the car was scary. Where do you lift him? The scar, I imagined, went well past his rib cage area. He moaned when we picked him up, even as gentle as we were. Put him in the back seat with our kiddo. Bacca didn’t want to lay down much, making the 30 minute drive that much more stressful and especially as we made turns.

Bacca is home.  Walked in from the car. A little unsteady at times but what a champ! He was so hungry that he got 2 bowls of home cooked food. And guess who likes liver treats? Homemade chicken broth and broth ice cubes are also yummy.  He is panting and somewhat restless and not very chipper but to be expected. Thank you all for your outpouring of support and love. Go Bacca Go! (Just a little slowly at first ☺ ❤🐶

Special tip – Highly recommend cooking and freezing things ahead of time.  Boiled chicken with no seasoning, rice, lean ground turkey.  Mix in 100% pure pumpkin to help with digestion.  Freeze leftover broth in ice trays and bag them.  The broth cubes have been one of the few treats he likes. Must hold them in my hand for him to lick until they are gone.

Update around 3:30 p.m. – Stressful return to vet
Well things got a little stressful. We are headed back home after a trip back to vet for help with getting his Tshirt off because it shifted significantly and his good paw was wrapped in the sleeve and making it too slippery to walk. And we tried to fix it but as he is not taking well to the pain meds – acting agitated and seems paranoid of what we are trying to do -and we can’t get it off without fear of him biting. It’s another 3o minute stressful drive to the vet. I sat in the back this time and cringed every time my husband took a corner.  But they removed shirt entirely because they didn’t have a smaller one and gave him a plastic cone they think is best since no shirt.  Oh no. Best plans out the door. (See pic below…he doesn’t look unhappy but he isn’t happy.) But doctor says he is looking great. I think he’s happier without the Tshirt.  Probably cooler.  The stitches go on forever. No bruising, just his white soft skin.  I handle seeing it pretty well. I’ve been on the Tripawd site a bunch and have looked at post op pics in preparation.  Vet said if the tramadol is making him crazy, we won’t do it. He doesn’t do well on it – found that out after biopsy.  Will increase gabapentin if we need to.  He is also on an antibiotic and weaning off of steroids that he was on pre-op.

1st night home

He can’t seem to get comfortable. Lots of panting…pacing…moving around.  The meds are a blessing and a curse. You worry that these are signs he is in pain but you know the meds are causing side effects.  Not interested in any treats or toys other than occasionally takes a broth ice cube. Feeling helpless.  He has gone #1 potty. Must be kept on a leash, even in backyard, to be sure he doesn’t try to chase a squirrel or get into bushes and get stuck, etc. He circles and circles before deciding where to go.We don’t sleep well tonight and neither does Bacca.  I worry throughout the night.

Special tip – cream cheese and hot dogs are perfect for hiding the pills. He will have nothing to do with pill pockets.