Update on Norris surgery- they have to amputate.

norris has to have you as a mommy!!!!!

all the best, i hope he gets well soon!!!!

Looking on the bright side of this, his recovery will be probably be much quicker and easier from an amputation than it would be if he had plates and bolts holding his leg together and waiting for bone to knit and muscle to repair and build up and a longer convalescence. I know how frustrated and upset you must be with the way this situation has developed since he should have had surgery days ago, but from his point of view he will not grieve the loss of his leg and have to go through psychological adjustments in the same way that a human would.

He sounds like a lovely dog, I hope that you decide to adopt him, but if you don't I am sure that such a great personality will not be hindered by the loss of his leg when it comes to finding a home.

Sending plenty of vibes for a swift recovery for him, the poor lad's been through an awful lot in a very short space of time.

Awww, I'm sorry that he has to go thru all of this, but what a loving home he's got to recover in!!

Originally Posted by Epona

Looking on the bright side of this, his recovery will be probably be much quicker and easier from an amputation than it would be if he had plates and bolts holding his leg together and waiting for bone to knit and muscle to repair and build up and a longer convalescence. I know how frustrated and upset you must be with the way this situation has developed since he should have had surgery days ago, but from his point of view he will not grieve the loss of his leg and have to go through psychological adjustments in the same way that a human would.

He sounds like a lovely dog, I hope that you decide to adopt him, but if you don't I am sure that such a great personality will not be hindered by the loss of his leg when it comes to finding a home.

Sending plenty of vibes for a swift recovery for him, the poor lad's been through an awful lot in a very short space of time.

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Thankyou Epona! You hit the needle right on the head with that! I think in the long run the amputation was a better option too because orthapedics can be a life long thing and require replacements, and cause other issues as well. The amputation was definitely necessary considering his little leg was just one big shattered mess. The vet said it was soo shattared there was nothing there to even attach the orthapedics to. I also think his recovery will be much easier as well. He was already walking like a tripod so i think he'll adjust well. Thankyou for those recovery vibes- i'm hoping he has a very smooth one I will also be asking the vet tomorrow about what all i need to do for him (i've never fostered an animal who's had amputation surgery before so i want to make sure i do everything right). I am also planning on helping him with a bit of a physical therapy routine when he's ready to stregthen his back and other legs and also starting him on glucosamine to strengthen those other joints since they're going to have more weight on them. I REALLY would love to adopt him, but it kind of just depends on time and what Colin thinks. If Coiln doesn't feel he can handle anymore animal i will not press it. (In the past year he's gone from 0 animals to 6 plus all of my foster animals.) He is such an incredable guy to open up his home to all of them and let me foster I just don't want to overwhelm him right now with more than he feels ready for so we'll see. I will have Norris for a long while as a foster doggie anyways so we have lots of time to talk about it and see what happens. Keep your fingers crossed

Originally Posted by babyharley

Awww, I'm sorry that he has to go thru all of this, but what a loving home he's got to recover in!!

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Thankyou Kenzie

Poor Norris!

Don't worry Nikki, he'll adjust and be bouncing around in no time! When I was young we had a cat that got outside and got under the hood of my neighbors truck. He ended up losing one of his back legs and half of his tail, and once the stitches were out, you would have never known that he wasn't born that way! He got around great.

I'm sure with your care Norris will make a wonderful recovery!

Been thinking of the sweet guy and hope he has an easy recovery.

Oh, I hope it all goes well for the poor little dear. So sorry to hear it came to this...hugs to you and Norris!

Originally Posted by maddensmom

Poor Norris!

Don't worry Nikki, he'll adjust and be bouncing around in no time! When I was young we had a cat that got outside and got under the hood of my neighbors truck. He ended up losing one of his back legs and half of his tail, and once the stitches were out, you would have never known that he wasn't born that way! He got around great.

I'm sure with your care Norris will make a wonderful recovery!

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Thanks sweetie! And i'm definitely not too worried about him loosing the leg- i think he'll do just fine as he had already adjusted to walking without the use of it a few days ago and was getting around just fine. Also quick question for you if you remember- how long did it take for your kitty to heal after the amputation? Was the body part the limb was amputated off in a cast or a wrap for a while?? (i'm not sure what to expect tomorrow and want to make sure i do everything right for him). I've already heard to put a little plastic bag over the site when he goes potty so it doesn't get infected.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

Been thinking of the sweet guy and hope he has an easy recovery.

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Thanks gorgeous! I appreciate it! I'm really missing him tonight too- it's kinda lonely without the little fella hobbling around here...

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

Thanks sweetie!

And i'm definitely not too worried about him loosing the leg- i think he'll do just fine as he had already adjusted to walking without the use of it a few days ago and was getting around just fine. Also quick question for you if you remember- how long did it take for your kitty to heal after the amputation? Was the body part the limb was amputated off in a cast or a wrap for a while?? (i'm not sure what to expect tomorrow and want to make sure i do everything right for him). I've already heard to put a little plastic bag over the site when he goes potty so it doesn't get infected.

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When Harley's leg was amputated, I remember that it wasn't bandaged, it just had a lot of stitches in it. We had to give him pain meds and antibiotics for a couple of weeks, and kept him in the laundry room so that everything could stay very very clean while he healed. I think his stitches came out after the first week, and by that time he was already acting normal again.

I would just make sure that everything stays disinfected and dry and he should do just fine. I would definitely ask the vet about covering it somehow when he potties, considering he's male. That would be my only concern.

and speedy recovery vibes to Norris!!

ETA: We had newspaper in Harleys box so that litter didn't stick to the wound when he used the bathroom, and we changed it out every time he used it. I remember my mom would look over the wound after he was finished to make sure he didn't get anything on it.

Originally Posted by maddensmom

When Harley's leg was amputated, I remember that it wasn't bandaged, it just had a lot of stitches in it. We had to give him pain meds and antibiotics for a couple of weeks, and kept him in the laundry room so that everything could stay very very clean while he healed. I think his stitches came out after the first week, and by that time he was already acting normal again.

I would just make sure that everything stays disinfected and dry and he should do just fine. I would definitely ask the vet about covering it somehow when he potties, considering he's male. That would be my only concern.

and speedy recovery vibes to Norris!!

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Thankyou for the advice! I appreciate it! I'm going to move his crate back in the kitchen tomorrow before he comes home so that i can keep a really close eye on him (i had it in the laundry room when he was having stomach issues really bad and was soo sick- it was easier to clean and cool in there). I have his orthapedic bed (and clean cover) washed and ready to go and lots of blankies as well. We also have an E-collar should he need to wear it so he won't bother the incision site.

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

Thankyou for the advice!

I appreciate it! I'm going to move his crate back in the kitchen tomorrow before he comes home so that i can keep a really close eye on him (i had it in the laundry room when he was having stomach issues really bad and was soo sick- it was easier to clean and cool in there). I have his orthapedic bed (and clean cover) washed and ready to go and lots of blankies as well. We also have an E-collar should he need to wear it so he won't bother the incision site.

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Sounds like you're ready for him to come home!!

I bet after you nurse him back to health, there's no way Collin would say no to you adopting him!

Originally Posted by maddensmom

Sounds like you're ready for him to come home!!

I bet after you nurse him back to health, there's no way Collin would say no to you adopting him!

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especially if he's special needs and all

Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR

especially if he's special needs and all

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what your saying is collin is special needs?
that is not a nice thing to say

Originally Posted by theimp98

what your saying is colin is special needs?
that is not a nice thing to say

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not unless there's some sort of disease that makes him burb and pass gas like it's nobodys business in that case he's definitely "special"

Originally Posted by whiskerynature

Just sending more vibes to Norris (love the name!)...for a happy, speedy recovery!

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Awww thankyou! One of my coworkers named him. I think his name suites him too! It's just perfect for him!

Im sorry they had to amputate the leg. Dogs adjust very well to that sort of thing. I hope he does well and you are able to convince Colin to adopt him.

Originally Posted by Fostermomm

Im sorry they had to amputate the leg. Dogs adjust very well to that sort of thing. I hope he does well and you are able to convince Colin to adopt him.

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thankyou and i think little norris will be ok- he had already started to adjust to walking like a tripod when the leg was broken- so i think he'll be ok soon hehe and i definitely hope colin lets me keep him

Oh hon, I'm so sorry amputation is necessary, but like you said, it will probably be better for Norris in the long run. Faster healing time, less pain, lower chance of infection. Sending lots of get well vibes and love!

I told DH about the first vet, and he was furious! Not only because they postponed his surgery because he was a shelter animal, but mainly becuase they didn't give him pain killers or antibiotics or anything! That is just common sense!! Oh, it still makes me mad thinking about it. Poor Norris.

Thank god he is in better hands now, both with a good vet and with you! Give him extra lovins from me and my crew.

Originally Posted by calico2222

Oh hon, I'm so sorry amputation is necessary, but like you said, it will probably be better for Norris in the long run. Faster healing time, less pain, lower chance of infection. Sending lots of get well vibes and love!

I told DH about the first vet, and he was furious! Not only because they postponed his surgery because he was a shelter animal, but mainly becuase they didn't give him pain killers or antibiotics or anything! That is just common sense!! Oh, it still makes me mad thinking about it. Poor Norris.

Thank god he is in better hands now, both with a good vet and with you! Give him extra lovins from me and my crew.

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I am still in a tiffy about that too. What that first vet did was just cruel. THANKFULLY though we had pain meds/antibiotics at our shelter so he has been on them. I will be sure to update when i bring Norris home tomorrow after i get off work