Healing Begins

It’s been 10 days since Miss Daisy’s surgery and she’s improving, albeit slowly.   We had her in a corral which she didn’t protest, but now I’m giving her a little more room. She spends most of the day in the yard alternating between the sun and the shade.  The last few nights we’ve allowed her to sleep on the bed, but I was up at some early hour helping her off the bed!  She just looked so disappointed when she couldn’t figure out how to jump up on the bed, nor did we want her to, so we hauled her up there.  I’m so used to her being between us, I don’t even mind when she leans on me, and it was reassuring to feel her warm body alongside mine.

I am concerned in that hopping around seems to tire her easily or cause her good front leg discomfort, although some of her behavior sounds consistent with anxiety caused by the pain meds. She stands up for a few minutes, then sits down right where she was sleeping before as though she’s just too tired to take another hop.  I know she has to gain some strength in that arm and lose a little weight as well, but it’s hard to watch her struggle.  I have to remind myself that she had MAJOR surgery, and it will take time to heal and start feeling like herself.  Today is technically the last day for the pain meds, so I hope that she’s ready. I wish she could tell me how she’s feeling.

She did seem happy to be in her regular bed this afternoon so despite it being big and fluffy, I moved it back into her favorite spot at the base of the bed.  Ironically, I just got this bed because I thought she should have a more comfortable, supportive bed in her senior years. I’ve watched her sleep half on and half off her cheap, but perfectly adequate CostCo bed forever.  The stuffing no longer holds together so her aging joints are often on the floor.  So I broke down and bought her the bed she deserves, and a month later, she was diagnosed with cancer – poor puppy!  One morning I woke up and found Daisy snuggled in next to me and my daughter asleep on Daisy’s bed.  She said Daisy was in it when she crawled into it in the middle of the night. This pic is pre-surgery.

Daisy shares her bed with sister Ingrid
Daisy shares her bed with sister Ingrid

6 thoughts on “Healing Begins”

  1. Aww, what a darling pic. Daisy sounds like her recovery is going great. She’ll be back to normal in no time. It took my Daisy (who was 6-1/2 y.o. at time of amp) 3-4 weeks to finally start being herself.

    Keep up the good work!

    Marla and Daisy

  2. Yay Daisy. Looks like you are recovering well. I know what you mean about the cheaper beds. I went & boought a more expensive one but Sassy doesn’t want to use it just the older one. So I am saving up for a even more expensive one from here. One like Happy Hannah got. Maybe she will use that but who knows. 🙂

    Any way I wanted to say that you are looking great and it does make it a little more tiring to hope on 3 legs but you are doing great.

    Michelle & Sassy

  3. Glad to hear Daisy is improving. Even if it is slowly, it is better than the reverse direction. It took Butchey 3 solid weeks to feel better.

    I also recall the hopping in the early stages to seem tiring, but they get accustomed to it. I’m sure it is awkward for them, and it just takes time to figure out the new rhythm. Eventually you find they have only 1 pace – FAST, because it is the most comfortable form them.

    Keep up the good work with Daisy. We know exactly what you mean about the reassurance of that warm fuzzy body next to you in bed.

    Butchey Hudson’s Family

  4. What a wonderful picture–certainly a “forever memory” was made right then and there! beautiful girls!

    Guess you’ll be getting the stitches out in a other few days and vet can check her out then. I really doubt that this is nothing more than a large, senior, overweight dog with a FRONT leg amputation slowly progressing with her recovery. I KNOW that doesn’t stop you from worrying though.

    Gauge the pain meds as best you can….I put Happy Hannah back on after I tried to wean her at two weeks because that’s what “most” do. Larger, senior dogs are slower in their recovery and may..or may not.- require pain meds longer. Seehow sshe does a day or two off meds (#1when the vet says to do that) and see if that helps with her Sparkle”

    Sweet Daisy is still early in her recovery and I k ow you get hatin your nhead…..it’s just the good ole’ heart that doesn’t care what the head says! I want all her sparkle back now!!

    It’s coming, we promise! think I mentioned in earlier post Napy Hannah was goingmo. three weeks before K tarted seek g “some” sparkle back!

    But oh m goodness….today, she’s even more sparkling than before surgery!

    You’re doing a great job and you come here anytime with any concerns…-.we are here for you!

    Would love to see more pictures..hint…hint!

    Take care and KNOW it IS getting better!! She’s still adjusting, still on meds and still figuring g things out (like now to get ore tummy rubs without exerting any effort)!

    Keep us posted!

    Glad she’s back in the bed with you! That’s about the best therapy in the world for both of you!

    The best to our,

    Sally and Happy Hannah

  5. That pic proves that Daisy is priceless!

    Sounds like she is doing just fine. As Sally said, you have to take things a day at a time on the pain meds. Shooter took about 3 weeks total. Massages do wonders when they seems to be a little uncomfortable.

    We built steps for Shooter to get on and off the bed that work great.

    Hang in there Daisy!

  6. Thank you all. Today was a little better in that she wanted to be near us, and in between long naps she hopped around with a little more enthusiasm! Baby hops. : )

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *