tacran
Posted : 3/1/2013 1:35:54 PM
Karen, I don't think 96 hours before surgery is too early to be feeling anxious and in need of good vibes . . . you need plenty of time to do some good solid worrying! I say that as someone who is a PRO when it comes to worry and anxiety.
About the casual approach to recovery -- I can share a story that happened to our friends last year. Their 2 year old Lab was hit by a car (tragic set of circumstances -- a new house sitter was looking after her for a couple days and accidentally let her out the front door). The dog required a major surgery to repair damage done to her hip/leg. The vet instructed them to make sure she put ZERO weight on the leg -- complete crate rest 24/7, no walking, etc. My friends followed the instructions to the letter (they even changed their work and life so one of them was home with her at ALL times).
The healing didn't go as well as they'd all hoped. When they talked with the vet about how they NEVER let her out of the crate, carried her to potty breaks, ZERO weight on the leg (i.e., the poor healing wasn't due to their lack of following instructions), the vet was actually shocked. He told them he never expects people will follow his detailed instructions 100% -- he just states them very firmly, with the hope that if they follow them 75%, then there's a decent chance of healing on schedule. So, my point is, maybe some vets communicate their post-op instructions differently than others, even if the end goal is the same.
At any rate, Bugsy (and you) will have more good vibes and thoughts than you'll know what to do with -- I wish we could do more to help!
P.S. - My friends' dog is much better - she had a second procedure, and after a few more weeks of rigid post-op restrictions, she's made super progress and is nearly back to her old self.