a_daerr Posted December 6, 2013 Author Share Posted December 6, 2013 (edited) Wow, I am truly amazed at how well he is doing. Go Henry! So am I. He's exceeded all of my expectations so far. I'm trying to keep up with the ICU's regimen of icing/massaging every two hours. He LOVES his massages! He'll curl up, fall asleep, and get that look of pure pleasure (eyes half closed, mouth half open, drooling). Someone else mentioned a canine massage therapist. Once he's back up and moving, I'm definitely going to take him for regular massages. I found a doggie spa about 10 minutes away with someone who is certified in holistic therapies, including massage. I'm really committed to taking advantage of the time we have left together, however long or short it may be. I have a renewed energy, looking for fun things we can do and places we can go. In addition to the massages and our regular repertoire of vacations, I want to do Mountain Hounds and at least one off-leash doggie beach this year. I also want to get some more professional pictures taken together once he heals and his fur grows back. Edited December 6, 2013 by a_daerr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadianarose Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 (edited) I'm so in love with Henry! What a trooper! Truman makes my heart melt too! Thanks for keeping us updated, Alicia. Edited December 6, 2013 by Acadianarose Quote Payton, The Greyhound (Palm City Pelton) and Toby, The LabAnnabella and Julietta, The CatsAt the Bridge - Abby, The GSD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmontgomery48 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Loved the toy story, what a good brother. I hope you and Henry have a gazillion years left together. You both are an inspiration. Kisses for Truman and Henry. Quote Nancy~Mom to Wizard July 9, 2006 and Lexie June 25, 2009 Always in my heart, my goofy boy Sarge 8-25-04....5-17-11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IrskasMom Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 I am smiling from Ear to Ear over Henry's Update. Thinking of him all Day :) :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Yippee!!!!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gemma Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 He is one tough cookie!! So glad his recovery is progressing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BellaBean Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 So glad that he is doing so well! I hope that things continue as smoothly the toy incident is beyond adorable! Quote **Shellie with GiGi aka: Good Girl (Abita Raginflame X Ace High Heart) and two honorary hounds Butter and Bella** https://www.etsy.com/shop/GiGisCloset2?ref=si_shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Love the updates. You go Henry! Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Wonderful updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 I've been following this thread and keeping Henry (and his loving family members ) in my thoughts and prayers. I love seeing these positive updates Quote Mom of bridge babies Regis and Dusty. Wrote a book about shelter dogs! I sell things on Etsy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSnoozing Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Lovely to read of his progress Quote Dippy (Dinky Dipstick) and Velvet (Redbrick Velvet). Remembering sweet handsome Rebel (Emporio Rebel). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MnMDogs Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 I'm so happy to see these updates!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted December 6, 2013 Author Share Posted December 6, 2013 Today was probably our worst day so far. Not horrible, but hard to watch my boy act this way. I left this morning for a doctor's appointment, and DBF texted saying Henry seemed restless. He was panting and couldn't seem to get comfortable. I said to immediately give him some more pain meds. By the time I got home, Henry had lied down, but was wide-eyed and kept trying to lick his incision. I iced and massaged him, then he seemed to calm down a bit. But afterwards, he started panting and wouldn't lie down. By this time, several hours had passed, so I gave him two more pain pills. I gently scooped him down to lay on his side. Then I sat with him for awhile until he drifted off to sleep. He's been sleeping comfortably for the past couple hours. I'm trying to stay ahead of his pain level. If the restlessness continues, we may need to add something else. I'm staying on top of it and monitoring him closely. Truman too- he still won't leave Henry's side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaym1 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Keep in mind that while the pain can cause them to act that way, sometimes the various dosages of medicines can freak them out, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acadianarose Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Poor Henry. Hopefully today was the worst and he starts feeling better. Hugs to you, Henry and Truman. Quote Payton, The Greyhound (Palm City Pelton) and Toby, The LabAnnabella and Julietta, The CatsAt the Bridge - Abby, The GSD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 What's his pain medication and dosage like? As jaym said, sometimes tramadol can cause restlessness that looks like a pain response. Does he have a fentanyl patch or just oral meds? Also, what my first thought was, was that he was anxious with you being gone. Was this the first time you've left him since he's come home? Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greymomnc Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 What's his pain medication and dosage like? As jaym said, sometimes tramadol can cause restlessness that looks like a pain response. Does he have a fentanyl patch or just oral meds? This happened with the late Miss Jackie when her tramadol dosage was increased. The vet prescribed valium to counteract the restlessness and she did well after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jenniferk Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Awww. The good thing is that you were there for him & helped him through it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 All my dogs have handled tramadol well, even at higher doses. However, I had a friend who went through a lot of problems with a post-amp dog, a Great Dane. Turned out to be the tramadol. If increasing the tramadol seems to help then that's not Henry's problem but if he doesn't settle until adding a lot of something else you may consider trying his other meds without tramadol. It can certainly be a balancing act on what med, how much, & how often to give. You are doing the right thing by trying to stay ahead of the pain. Wonder if Henry may have just overdone things a bit, making the pain unexpectedly worse. And some days are just worse than others without any obvious precipitating factors. Hoping today is a better day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 Just a quick update. Henry had a much better day today. He was relaxed and seemed comfortable- I didn't have to do anything special with his pain meds. I have no idea what caused the restlessness yesterday. It could've been a combination of phantom pain, meds, and/or me leaving for the first time since he returned home. Today, he is much more chipper. In fact, when I woke up this morning, he was standing by the couch waiting for pets. The fluid and swelling on his belly is pretty much completely gone. He still has a little bruising near his groin and a bit of drainage, but no sign of seroma or infection. I'm happy with the turnaround. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeh2o Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Great news! Thanks for the update and hugs to all of you. Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IrskasMom Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Awww Henry , you make me Smile . Thinking about you and sending you ever so gentle Hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DeniseL Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Happy he is feeling better!! Go Henry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Great update! Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Glad Henry had a better day. Our Charlie also had a day like that just after getting home from his amp. We never found out whether it was pain, tramadol or the patch. We think it ended up being the latter. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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