HELP ! My dog needs amputation ! Don't know what to do

[janedoe]

So great to hear that he's getting around now.

[milo]

Update-exactly 1 month since AMP

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. To piggy back off some of the comments, I thought it was really cool for my vet to NOT charge considering they did NOT do the amputation..I have only paid about $200 to them since this whole ordeal started. My family has been going there for at least 30 years but none of the line level staff knows that..anyway class act folks.

So we had a semi almost major hiccup. So when I was in there last week, the Dr did seem kind of puzzled things were not progressing further but did state we were on the later end of the scale as far as time is concerned for healing from an amp and wanted to see him back this week (today). Monday night I was looking at the wound and went...man something stinks. The wound was starting to smell pretty bad...thinking to myself not good. Cleaned it the best I could and continued his antibiotics. So it turns out, a piece of stitch had spiraled and knotted (think a cliche pig tail) around some of the skin and the skin had folded itself on top of the stitch-making it almost impossible to see. To complicate things even further-the plastic compound to make the stitch (this was one of the stitches designed to COME OUT and not self dissolve) turns out some dogs are allergic to the plastic. So essentially Milo's body recognized a foreign object and was going into over time trying to force the object out of his body. The puss and stink smell I observed was a bi product of the body trying to push the object out.

The vet today realized that something had to be off-went into the wound further and found the piece of stitch I described and removed it. This was actually the third Dr I've seen-get a different one each week and I really like this one...he is older (not that old but when compared to the others...hes probably early 50s) and only works part time and really has my confidence in his knowledge. Takes the time to really describe the issue. Anyway he says things should be like night and day moving forward now that this object is out.

Only bad news is ANOTHER WEEK OF THE CONE!! damn cone was supposed to be a 10-14 day ordeal and I am now starting week 5 !! ughhh...such is life !!

PS went to happy hour earlier...do not feel like proof reading...please forgive me with this picture i took of Milo boy like 20 minutes ago just smiling away...his nick name is Smilo after all

[janedoe]

Oh my goodness. That is one happy dog! So good to hear that they're treating you and your pup well. Sorry about the cone of shame. Good night but that is an unpleasant necessity.

[zd262]

He is adorable in every photo you take, such a trooper and incredibly resilient!

[Candy and Spike's Dad]

Thank you for the update!!

[Maxx&Emma]

What a happy, sweet boy! And your vet, talk about a class act! Not only is it unusual for the non surgical practice to not charge it is amazing. You are definitely blessed to have such a great vet.

One more week of the cone, that sucks for the poor guy! Could he graduate to one of the "no bite" neck brace type? It would probably be much more comfortable if your vet would ok it.

Thanks for the update, hopefully healing will move along much quicker now. Continued good thoughts for your sweet Milo!

[Snowshoe]

I will forever think of Smilos now, not smilies.

[Candy and Spike's Dad]

How is Milo doing?

[greenfreak]

Boy you have been through the ringer. I hope he's continuing to improve!

[milo]

Update: 5 Weeks + some days post amp

Sorry for the delayed update, been busy. We went to the vet on Thursday and....boom ! The cone of shame can come off. What a relief-you could see new life come in Milo when that cone came off. So the vet did want the cone to stay on him when he wasn't supervised (for the next 5 days)...my enthusiasm may have gotten the best of me because as soon as I got home I destroyed the cone. My plan was to go with the shirt over the rear idea someone on here posted. Below you will see my attempt at that. Funny story, Monday when I went to work I got Milo hooked up on the below picture...called my roommate around noon asking if the shirt was still attached...he goes "um well i see a blue shirt on the ground next to milo's bed.." Lol looks like that plan didn't last very long...i was personally impressed with my set-up.

The wound looks a lot better. Finally closing up. We did go for about a 1/3 mile walk over the weekend and I could tell about half way through it Milo started to get pretty tired. So things have improved a lot since the last update ! Milo is alive and happy.

My question is...to what degree can dogs process a series of events? Like does Milo comprehend the accident, going to the surgeon, loosing his leg, getting the cone...like can he connect the dots or is it more of he just adapts to each challenge to each day?