Day 3: Pain Management

It was the first day of school for me, which means I had to leave her for 8 hours. I think it was hard on both of us. Before I left, I took her out to potty, which she didn't do, and gave her the meds before walking out the door. By the time I got home, she was in pain again. I just hate seeing her like that. Even when the pain meds are in full force, she acts like she just really doesn't want to move. I'll pick her up and set her down, and she just crumples to the ground, like a 2 year old who doesn't want to walk. I did hold her for a while today while I was sitting at the computer, and then she wanted off of me and onto the bed.

This afternoon she was laying in the dog bed in the living room when someone slammed a car door outside and she growled. It seemed like such a normal thing for her to do in the midst of all of this!

I also found something she was excited to eat, and actually had to work at. They're kind of disgusting, but she loves them. . . dried fish skin wrapped into the shape of a knotted bone. Gross, huh? She would actually take it and gnaw on it. I called and arranged to have some more shipped to me. Thanks Karen! It was good to see her distracted from her leg and not feeling so miserable, even if it only lasted a few minutes.  These were the only thing I could get her to eat, besides licking the peanut butter from my finger.

She wanted company last night, but wanted to stay in her open crate, so I started the night sleeping on the floor next to her. She scuttled out of the crate and right onto my pillow, so I ended up with my head on a towel, watching her enjoy my pillow.  She wouldn't potty until about 3:30 in the morning, when her crying woke me up. I'd just given her the Tramadol at midnight, so I figured it couldn't be pain. She pottied outside but couldn't get comfortable when she came back in. We tried the bed again and she decided she could get comfortable there. . . at least for two or three minutes, until she started crying again. Finally, I called the vet's office at about 4:30 to tell them that her pain meds weren't enough, and that neither one of us was sleeping. They told me they'd talk to the Dr. and call me back.  Shortly after that, she fell asleep, and so did I. At 6:30 the phone rang, and I was told that I could give her oxycodone every 8 hours, alternating every 4 hours with the Tramadol. Unfortunately by that time, it was almost time for her Tramadol again, and a little too late to save our sleepless night.

I can't wait for this pain management stage to be overwith. I just hate seeing her so miserable.