Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement; I really appreciate them being a first time post-op dog parent. Really, you're kind words of encouragement has been a pillar of strength for me.
Nikko is improving and getting stronger on a daily basis. He was completely knocked out the first day and that was totally out of the ordinary; however, as the tranquilizers wore off, he has become himself more and more. He is a very mellow big dog, so I've been holding off on the tranquilizers and the Elizabethan collar. I'm running the full course on the pain killers and the antibiotics.
A little more awake; a little more alert; gaining in appetite:
(Note greenie next to left front leg)
Two days after his surgery he was able to stand and look above the baby gate we had set up next to the downward stairs when I awoke. I can't tell you how happy I felt to see him standing and wagging his tail. I took him out to pee, and he must have peed for a good 45 seconds. It was like the scene in "A League of Their Own" with Tom Hanks. He just kept going, and going, and then going some more. (I'm noticing that he like to go out to pee during sunlight, but not after dark, so I try to maximize daytime for him to relieve himself.)
He is a strong willed dog, and he wants to rehab quickly. He's already trying to put weight on his bionic-leg and take walks, and I have to slow him down and remind him that we can only exit for very, very short bathroom breaks for now.
Food wise, he is only interested in protein. He used to love baked sweet potatoes and avocados, but now he just wants the chicken. I bash his dry food into dust so that he doesn't have to chew, and I mix it with boiled chicken breast mashed into "no chewing needed" portions. He'll still eat his yogurt (plain, full fat), and I pill him with peanut butter. He still loves his glucosamine coated chicken strips.
My little bald doggie:
We took our first ride in the E post-op today to remove the Fentenyl (pain med) patch. I was concerned about the swelling around his ankles, but the vet told me today that it was usual, and that I was to continue the hot compress treatment on his wound and the ankle to help with fluid drain.
Nikko was excited about the car ride, but got scared and started shivering once we pulled into the surgical center. I kept him in the car and the med tech was very understanding and did his thing in the E so that Nikko didn't have to exit the car and go into the office (where he'll be more agitated and scared).
So ready to rock! (Wait, are we going back to the hospital?! Nooooo!)
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. The next hurdle is removing the sutures in two weeks.
Happy Thanksgiving; I have much to be thankful for this holiday season.