Archie's Home!

I just wanted to let you all (or few) know that Archie is home and doing well. He seems like he is not in pain and is also in good spirits. He has a pain patch (stapled? that's what it looks like) to the back of his neck that will be removed Saturday, and he is sporting the latest winter hairstyle...bald left hindquarters with stitches...it's all the rage you know. Right in time for the holidays. He also has to take an oral antibiotic three times a day...some pink stuff that smelled like cherry. I managed to give him the first dose and he was AWESOME. I used a dropper and he gave me no problems...just a little bit of a gagging noise and it went right down (that's what she said...you know I had to say it).

He was such a little trooper. He didn't cry all the way home and was very calm. The vet didn't want him jumping on anything or running around, so we decided to put him in the kennel cage that we kept him and his three siblings in last year when we fostered them. We got out the cage and couldn't remember how to set the darn thing up! We tried for maybe 15 minutes while poor Archie was sitting in the carrier quietly, still not making a sound or causing any problems...just looking a bit curious and antsy from time to time. Finally my dad decided to go next door and enlist a neighbor's help. Their neighbor had no idea how to set up one of these cages, yet figured it out in about 5 minutes! I think I've only done this once, maybe twice, but still! I felt like a total idiot. It wasn't even that hard, it's just kind of like a puzzle and takes some abstract thinking...my brain doesn't go there.

So then we put him in the cage and he limped around in it for a bit, lied down, then got up and limped again. He took to it with no problems while I was there...no crying or freaking out or anything. Hopefully he'll stay that way and he's not just still mellow from the pain meds. I'd hate to see him try to start climbing up the sides of the cage and falling down. I could see him whining later on in the night when he realizes he'll be stuck in there for a while. But we really didn't want him jumping up on the bed or any tables or desks. I'm not sure how long we should keep him in there. It's not too big of a space for him, and I know he needs to stretch that leg.

On a side note, Pepper really did seem to miss him. My mom said that he was constantly looking around under beds, chairs, tables, etc., for the last two days and nights, and also pacing. While I was there before we left he was pacing as well. He was very confused when we brought Archie home though. We are keeping the cage in my parents' guest bedroom and Pepper is very confused...he'll go in there, look, and then run out and down the hall. I think he'll figure it out after a while.

So all seems to be going well. The only problem is that Archie didn't eat his breakfast. The vet tech said that could be because of his pain meds or the antibiotic or just the stress of the surgery, but if he doesn't eat by tomorrow, we should give them a call. And of course we should make sure he doesn't mess with his pain patch or his stitches. Otherwise, she said he should heal nicely and should be able to walk normally. I am really pleased with how things have turned out and I hope his recovery continues to be smooth and speedy! I'll update as (if) necessary! Thanks everyone who's written for your concern!