Ludo’s surgery went well a few days ago (Thursday, July 20) and we have been helping him adjust to his new way of life at home. I’m so relieved he did well for his surgery. When I first saw him come out with the vet tech I couldn’t help but let the tears flow. He’s a strong dog but this has really thrown him for a loop.
He has done really well about walking and getting to where he wants mostly by himself. I put his lifejacket on because it’s padded and has a handle on the top so that I can help guide him up and down the ramp to get in and outside. He still looks at me like “Why is everything so hard now?”. That breaks my heart.
I can certainly see the affects the drugs have had on him. Just some minor things, like him being all wide eyed and lazy. I’m sure he’s sore but I’ve also been able to put the ice pack on his incision a few times (he’s not a huge fan of that).
He’s on some antibiotics, carprofen, gabapentin, and tramadol trazodone as needed.
Learning how to go potty has been one of his most difficult challenges. He still hasn’t gone number two, although I’m convinced that he wants to. He has always been the type of dog that wants to have some privacy when he does his business, and I don’t want him to stumble around, so I’ve been closer to him during those moments more than he would like, I think. I know the meds and anesthesia can cause some constipation so I am being patient, but I really do think he wants to go each time we go outside.
Last night he seemed to be a little restless. I think I was a little late giving him his bedtime trazodone and tramadol. He whined only a couple times, but more because he kept asking to go outside.
His appetite is great, as soon as he got home he wanted to eat. I of course bought him a case of his favorite Weruva Paw Lickin’ Chicken. He’s been happy munching that down. Now it’s time for him to go on a strict diet to lose a few extra pounds. The chicken is pretty lean, so I’ll be giving his 1/2 can + 1/2 cup kibble twice a day for the next week or two and see if he slims down any.
I ordered a better harness with a handle specifically for front limb amputees, along with a shoulder and ankle brace for his remaining limb. I will put all my new items in the equipment column on the right. Hopefully they will arrive by tomorrow and I can give them a proper review.
Evie is being cared for by my good friend until I think Ludo is ready to handle the extra body in the house. They don’t play a ton, but she is bigger than him and I don’t want her to bump into him accidentally, especially before his brace comes in.
If it hadn’t been for this support group, I don’t know if I would have been able to make it to this point without completely breaking down. Thank you all for taking the time to follow Ludo and my’s progress. More updates to come.