Thursday, March 15, was the day that we brought Sasha home after her limb removal. Read about her diagnosis here. On the way to Dr. Neuenschwander’s office, Liliana and I were excited to see our girl, but we were also afraid. We did not know what to expect. What would it feel like to see […]
Thursday, March 15, was the day that we brought Sasha home after her limb removal. Read about her diagnosis here. On the way to Dr. Neuenschwander’s office, Liliana and I were excited to see our girl, but we were also afraid. We did not know what to expect. What would it feel like to see Sasha missing one leg? We had seen other three legged dogs – in photos and on television, but we had never seen a three legged dog in person, and I don’t think either of us ever imagined that one of our dogs might loose a limb. This was something that happened relatively suddenly, and without much forewarning. We were also concerned about how Sasha would feel when she saw us. Would she be capable of understanding what happened? Not the how or why of course, but would she realize that her leg was gone, or would she feel that it was just restrained under all of the bandages that we surely would find her wrapped in? Anxiety filled tears filled Liliana’s eyes as we got closer to the vet’s office. I was ready to see my girl.
After reviewing all of the instructions for Sasha’s care and going over the medications that she was to be on for pain and to prevent infection. After hearing about how well the surgery went, and how much everyone there loved Sasha and wished her and us the best, it was finally time to see her. We followed Dr. Patterson (he fills in for Dr. Neuenschwander on Thursdays), Shelly, and a vet tech into the room where Sasha was being kept. There she was, laying on her left side and obviously flooded with pain killers. She did lift her head to the sound of our voices, but then promptly let it fall again to the blankets and towels she laid on.
Dr. Patterson opens the door to the kennel. Sasha lifts her head again and looks around nervously. She was probably in a great deal of pain even with the medications, and confused about the entire situation. She may have also been scared about what might be in store for her next, but then she saw Liliana and I. She knew right then that she was being rescued. She was going home.
Sasha lets out a scream as she is helped out of the kennel. Now I’m scared. She is obviously in a lot of pain, and very sensitive. We are going to have to be extremely careful with her. In a courageous effort, Sasha, our stoic American Bulldog, pulls from the doctor and hops over to me. At once I am filled with pride and joy, and I could see that my Sasha was going to be ok.
Dr. Patterson helps Sasha walk to our car using a towel under her belly to help stabilize her. Now it’s time to pick her up and put her in. I’m terrified of hurting her. With my right arm under her belly, and my left hand contorted under her chest to keep as much pressure away from her right side as possible, I hoisted her into the Jeep. I carefully climbed in the back with her so that I could keep her from getting hurt during the short ride home. Sasha is happy to be with her family again, but there is no disguising the fact that she has been through a traumatizing experience. It will take time for her wound to heal, and for her to learn to be a three-legged dog.
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Oh boy, it is so heart wrenching isn’t it? You feel so helpless when you see them in pain. I hope Sasha is feeling much happier now.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Karen,
You are right. I never felt so helpless as I did on the two days after Sasha’s amputation. I didn’t know what to expect; I didn’t know how much Sasha was going to suffer from pain. I had hoped that the pain meds would keep her discomfort at a bearable level. I am sure the pain meds were helping her, but she was still in a great deal of pain. Sasha is a very stoic dog. She has always dealt with pain without much complaint, but during the two days post op, she suffered. I’ll never forget the wimpering/crying – something Sasha had NEVER done before. All I could do was to lay with her, talk to her and hold her head. It was sad, but also a beautiful thing; the closer, physically, that I got to Sasha, and the more firmly I held her head, the better she seemed to feel. If I relaxed my hold, she pushed her head more firmly against my cheek or into my chest. I firmed my hold, and she relaxed a bit more.
Sasha is is feeling much happier now! My time to write is very limited, but I urge you to go to our other blog: http://lilisnotes.com to see how Sasha is doing today. Not only is she feeling much better now, but she is also taking part in a clinical trial that takes a novel approach to fighting osteosarcoma at the University of Pennsylvania vet school. She is the first dog in the world, and so far, the only dog in the world, to receive this treatment.
Thank you for reading, Karen.
I didn’t know any better but our vets requested Magnum stay in hospital for 4 nights. I’m so glad she did. They were able to give her stronger meds (like morphine) to keep her comfortable. I couldn’t imagine bringing her home sooner. But from what I’ve read other dogs come home the next day or even sometimes the same day.
I will keep checking your other blog to see how Sasha is getting on. I’m glad she is happier.
Good luck!
Karen