Sorry for the delayed post, but we’ve been busy tending our new tripawd at home. Here is an at home picture:
We brought Mack home late Wednesday evening and he was doing really well. Eating, drinking and peeing! Hooray! He was even trying to walk with the assistance of a sling the vet provided us. The meds they sent home seem to be controlling the pain, but my husband says Mack would not show much even if he were in pain…bulldogs are very stalwart characters. I think he would show it if he hurt enough that it bothered him. Maybe he CAN take more pain because he’s a tough bulldog, but I still believe that IF it bothered him then he would show some signs…right??
Anyhow, Thursday showed more improvements. He refused to walk WITH the sling…just gave me his “seriously, mama?” look and stood there. As soon as I’d take it off Mack would start to go. Of course, it took a while for him to get me trained…I kept trying to slip it back under him everytime he’d move and then he’d stop! But finally, I took the hint and left him alone to do his own thing. I’m a slow learner, but I got it. He now hops himself in and out to go to the bathroom but no poop yet so I’m getting worried about that. How long is normal before I need to worry?? I don’t know.
We do restrict him to a small playpen like area so his sister, Rozee doesn’t eat the staples right out of him! She is an insane, anxiety-driven, power chewer. He is no longer allowed to wear a collar because she once ate it right off his neck…an entire thick leather collar, tags and all! We found only a few pieces until she threw up the remains 3 days later!! Mama and Daddy agree that Mack is probably safest quarantined from her unless supervised! ha!
That makes the recovery so far the hardest on Rozee. She doesn’t seem to understand why she can’t eat/drink from his bowls and most importantly why she can’t walk on top of him, turn around and lay across him. I feel so bad for her but will just keep lots of safe chew toys handy until those staples come out in another 8 days or so.
Anyhow, from all the posts and forums that I’ve read on Tripawds so far, it seems as though our Mack is doing just fine. The incision still looks good and he is gimping around independently fairly well. I am worried that he is doing a kind of sideways shuffle to accommodate for the missing leg?? Is this normal? Will he work it out so that he can go forward in a straight line ever? Should we be doing anything to help him figure out how to get around better or just let him work it out? Also, back to the poop issue…when does it actually become an issue?? I know lots of questions. I will probably head over to the forums later tonight to see if anyone has answers.
In the meantime, here are a couple more post op pics:
lookin’ good mack!!!
Sounds like he is doing pretty good to me! I never had to help Maggie walk- she was a rear amp too. Good thing because she was so low to the ground it would have killed my back. He will adjust his stance. Mag started out with her remaining right leg were it used to always be, eventually it migrated toward the middle and she was much more balanced. I’m not sure how long it took- but she did it on her own.
Many pups take several days to get the first BM, I think for Mag it was day 5 or 6. Pain meds tend to be constipating.
Tell Rozee to hang in there- she will be draped across Mack soon enough!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Sound like Mack is doing great! Thanks for the update. All tripawds will adjust their stance and walk, developing a new gait with more of a hop. For now, the best thing to do is allow Mack to fully recover. Once he has regained some strength, work on his balance and proprioception by doing weight bearing and unstable surface exercises. You’ll also want to keep Mack’s weight down so he does not overexert his remaining back leg. And regarding the whole poop issue, as Jerry’s vet told us, when they need to go, they’ll go!
Ohh, I am so happy to read an update. Mack has been on my mind since the night before his surgery. Miles and Betty send healing thoughts to him!
Dawn
Aww Mack. You are a brave and beautiful boy!
Just ran across Mack’s site. Bruno, my American bulldog also has synovialSarcoma. We just were wondering if you could share and update regarding Mack. Hope all is well!
Hi Bruno and Family!
It has been forever since I’ve updated this site but only because I’m a slacker as a blogger! 😉 Mack is doing fabulous! We are one year post-op and he gets around great and wrestles his sister, Rozee for toys like his old self. There has been no sign of cancer’s return (knock on wood)…so far, so good. He is a happy, healthy boy.
Of course, there are limitations to his movements. Because of his low center of gravity, wide stance and long body, stairs are extremely difficult for him and he won’t attempt without assistance and cannot do a full staircase. I suppose with physical therapy and lots of practice he might learn, but Mack was highly unmotivated to go upstairs in our house with four legs! He’s a lazy boy! LOL He is able to do one or two steps up and down without a problem so he can get outside and around the yard independently now. We had to build a “handicap” platform for him to get up on the couch, his favorite spot in the world but other than that, we have not had to modify his routine much. Again, he was a very lazy bulldog so he hasn’t seemed to notice much difference. I am constantly amazed at how well he does.
Good luck with your decision. Making the decision was so hard for us and the first three months were so tough on us emotionally. I think my husband and I had the hardest time…our children and both dogs seemed to just accept the change and move forward. Hang in there!
Macks momma – I am wondering if you can provide another update … now that its a few years later. I hope you and Mack, Rozee and the whole family are enjoying life together!
Gerties mom