Bubby: Post-Op Day 2

Yesterday morning, we got our morning update and the doctor said that Bubby's post-op assessment was really good, but that he wouldn't eat anything and he still hadn't gone to the bathroom by himself (there was a chance that he would not be able to extract bodily fluids on his own anymore, so we would have to do it for him).  The doctor asked us to bring in some different food for him when we went in to visit him, so we brought him in some chicken.  When we got there, they put us in a room and we waited anxiously for them to bring him in.  To our surprise, the tech brought him in with a sling under his mid-section, but he was on his feet.  I didn't think he was going to be able to move at all - but he wanted to walk so bad.  He would attempt to move around, but unfortunately, he still didn't have any control over his back left leg and very little of his back right leg, so he kept falling over.  He was also on a LOT of meds, so he was really loopy.  He had the glassy eye look, but he didn't seem to be in much pain.

The resident doctor (not the one that performed the surgery, but he was in the room for the surgery) came in to talk to us and he was very optimistic about Bubs.  He told us that he was able to go to the bathroom (which is wonderful), but that he still wouldn't touch any food.  He gave us 4 kinds of soft dog food warmed up and we had some chicken, but he wouldn't go near it.  We tried to rub it on his lips and at least get him to taste it, but he wasn't having it.  We eventually gave up and just sat with him for a little bit.  The doctor told us that there was a chance that Bubby could come home the next day, but they would assess him in the morning and see how he's doing.  He also told us that for at least 2 weeks, Bubs had to be confined to a small space so that he doesn't do anything to hurt himself.  Since I would never dream of putting him back in a crate (he HATED it when he was a baby), we weren't sure what we were going to do.  Mom & Sam went out later that night and found the most perfect contraption.  It is 6-sided gate that you can also close into a circle.  It is the perfect size and we really appreciate them getting it for us.

This morning, they called us and said that Bubby was doing really well and that we could pick him up.  Greg & I went in to get him and I was so excited and nervous!  We had to pay the balance of the bill and then we went in to get him.  The tech brought him in without the sling this time and he was sort-of walking on him own.  I say sort-of because he still doesn't have much function of his back left leg, so it kind-of drags.  Think of a seal.  The top of his foot is down most of the time.  His other back leg is slightly better, but he is still having a lot of trouble with that leg as well.  They also said that he still hadn't eaten anything (in over 2 days).

Mom and Sam were at our house when we got back because unfortunately, we decided it would be best if Phillie stayed with them for a little while Bubby recuperates.  Phil was SO excited to see Bubby when we came in.  Mom and Sam left shortly after because Phil was so wound up.  Once they left, we got Bubby in his gated area which he didn't like very much at first, but he settled down after a while.  I wanted to see if I could get him to eat, so I heated up an Arby's roast beef sandwich (which is the only thing he will usually eat when his back hurts) and he scarfed it down!  Mom had brought over a bag of boiled chicken and he ate all of that, too!  We took him outside and he went to the bathroom, but it definitely wasn't easy. 

He slept on and off until about 7:30 tonight and I gave him some more Arby's along with his pain medicine and he went out to the bathroom and he has been sleeping ever since.  Grammy brought him over a bigger bed which he really seems to like.  Hopefully he will sleep through the night!


This is what his back looks like:

The good news is that he has some hind leg function and he can go to the bathroom by himself, but we won't know if he will fully regain it for a couple weeks.  We are just so happy to have him home!!