Brando had his surgery today and I am in a quandary

Yay!  Happy pappy poopers for Brando!!!  Deb, I'm hurting for you and Brando.  I just hope this pain breaks soon.

That's good -- that takes a lot of control when your leg hurts.

Deb, I'm hurting for you and Brando.

Thanks Annie, this is really tough. I will tell you this much now that I know what this surgery is, if the breeder had offered me Brando w/ the luxating patella like she did before I met him, I would say no.This is just too painful and debilitating for a dog.
Cal, I know, you could literally see him trying to figure out how to manage it. Brando is a great problem solver, he amazes me sometimes.
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Deb, I'm very late getting to your update thread on little Brando.  In reading all the posts since he first came home, I could feel my own anxiety level increasing as I sensed your worry.  I remember how beside myself I was in the days following Tonka's surgery, so my heart goes out to you.  I can't think of anything worse than seeing your baby in pain and not being able to speak the same language so you could explain what happened, ask him what hurts and what he needs you to do to help, etc.  Honestly, I have no idea how parents cope when they have very small children undergoing medical/surgical things when they aren't old enough to understand what's happening, communicate their needs etc.
 
I'm sending very gentle healing kisses to wee Brando.  What a spirited little guy he is.  I hope each day brings less pain for him and less worry for you. 

Hi Deb,

Sorry to hear that the pain has been so outta control.  My memory obviously vacated me in trying to recall what it is we gave Misty for pain relief following her surgery.  It wasn't tylenol and codeine, as others have mentioned tylenol's a big no no. Wish my memory worked better.  I can't even remember what the med was that I injected sub c for her.  It's all such a blur.  The metacam won't relieve pain, but it is important to fight inflammation.  I do know that on top of everything else, I was allowed to give her a small dose of benadryl to keep her quiet and still as she healed.  I may call my vets office tomorrow morning for them to search the record and see what it was we used for pain relief. 

Once the worst pain is passed, you will feel glad that you have Brando in your life and that you were able to do this for him.  I know how you feel now, remember, Misty had two legs done at once!!  It was horrifying.  But, she's forgotten about it (I haven't), and she's lived to spread her joy and share her wonderful soul.  As I told you, she's now a licensed therapy dog and has a very important job.  She was a "reject" from a show breeder because of her knees, and would have been put down had I not taken her.  I agree the post-surgical period is horrifying, but Brando will forget.  Unfortunately, you won't. 

Thinking of you and hoping (and knowing) better days are ahead.  In a few days, you will be wondering how to keep the little fella still.  Believe me, the day is coming soon. 

Give me a call tomorrow morning, would love to chat and see how Brando is doing.  I've lost your number, but you have mine,

Angela

Thanks everyone.
Ange, you have been my saving grace. Thank you.
Oh, I never meant for minute that I wasn't thrilled to have Brando in my life, he is my heart. I would do anything for him. He has given me more joy than any three people have.
I am going to call the vet today, he took his last tramadol (the painkiller) last night and his pain is still big.
I know this too shall pass. I will call you when I get home from work. Thanks

Yea! finally have some great news! Brando went out to pee, and now all week he's been doing his business and just standing there, looking up at  me to pick him up to bring him in. Well this afternoon, after doing his business he walked over to his favorite spot in the world his grass patch, proceeded to do his favorite thing in the world eat grass, then lied down and took in the sun!!!I haven't given him a pain pill today because last night was his last dose, I called the vet this morning to tell her he was still in pain which he was last night and this morning, she prescribed more pills but I didn't give it to him.

Deb, I've been thinking about you and Brando and sending Sofia's special brand of coyotedog magic to him all week. I'm so glad to hear he's getting better!

Awww...he's just too adorable Deb. I can see him lying there sunning [] SO glad he's improving...
 
Mine looove grass too! The three of them will "graze" like little tricolor cows...lmao.

Deb -- has the vet shown you what physical therapy needs to be done?  Healing has to take place -- and honestly, acupuncture would be SUCH a big help to complete this.  I'm so glad he's doing better

I hadn't checked this thread in a few days, but I'm thrilled to hear that Brando's able to move around some and even managed to eat some grass.  My girls love that too.  Yay for Brando and hopefully he won't need much more in the way of pain meds.

Thanks everyone, I don't know how I would have gotten through this w/o you.
Gina and Cathy, I love when they graze like that' it's like us reading a great book or watching a great movie eating popcorn, it's them being dogs!
Miss Sophia your mojo is working woman, Brando says he likes it!

Deb -- has the vet shown you what physical therapy needs to be done? Healing has to take place -- and honestly, acupuncture would be SUCH a big help to complete this. I'm so glad he's doing better

Cal, nothing zip, I go back on the 14th to have the stitches taken out and I really hope something is mentioned then. I've spent a lot of time on orthodogs and other like sites and know he needs something, there is one hospital here that does it, it is an hour away. And they only offer it if the surgery was done there, that will not stop me if that is my only shot I know how to beg and plead, I am not above groveling for what I care about.
There is a chiropractor very close I will call him and ask about acupuncture. Do you have a site on acupuncture, I can look at or should I just google it?
Thank you
I have pictures of Brando's boo-boo, they cut his hair all the way up(I think it was Hellen Keller that did the coiff.) so you can see 1/2 of his cute little butt, but the chicken leg with the stitches, will make you cry.

Poor guy.  We're all still thinking about him!  Keep us updated!

Laur, I will, he would feel better w/ lots of Papillion kisses though.

How about a laugh? 

Beau and Harry say at least he's not going through this:



Both my papillon boys send lots of good thoughts and kisses to Brando!