Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Solid plan! It also sounds like you've got an attentive vet who also explains things nicely. Well done.
I hope you 2 have a great weekend together!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I agree with Katy, it's great having a communicative vet isn't it?
There are many dogs who are on Metacam for a long, long time. As long as liver values are monitored, if it helps with mobility, why not stay on it?
Yep, we've learned to watch our Wyatt very carefully when giving him pills. He's super sneaky about them, at first he pretends not to mind and will eat them up in his food, but then once we get used to that, he'll start taking them out and hiding them around the house. They're so smart that way.
I hope you have an uneventful, pain-free weekend together!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well....she didn't eat breakfast - ate grass - very antsy - kept asking to go back outside even though it's raining here - has not thrown up *yet* but I waiting until now (11 a.m.) to give her meds. to make sure she didn't throw them up. I really am beginning to think it is the Tramadol - so I'm giving her the regular dose of gaba. and her previous normal dose of Meticam and I'm stopping the Tramadol cold turkey.
Fingers crossed that this does not cause pain. The vet said she wanted to stop one of the pain meds to see how she did and she picked the meticam because it's more expensive. BUT - I don't want this issue with eating/throwing up etc. to set her back. So - I know she tolerated the Meticam just fine for months - I hope my gut instinct is telling me the truth.
I can always pop a Tramadol later today if she acts like she is hurting. Does this sound ok to you all? She won't even take a treat and I hear her tummy making growly noises. It seems so far - we are hitting all of the percentages of less than ideal outcomes - severe seroma - necrotic tissue surgery needed- additional 1 week stay - phantom pain - and now whatever the heck this is.....
Poor Dolly Momma needs a break!
Cindy & Dolly Momma
I'm in support of your plan! Withhold tram and see if she needs it. Pop her one if you notice she does. Good call.
How about some good 'ol upset tummy foods: rice and chicken, many small meals, multiple times through the day???
I know you've been though a lot! But, she'll get there! Once her healing is more progressed, she'll be flying high and making you proud and happy all over again, and then some!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I was thinking about you guys this morning, hoping The Dolly was having a good start...dang!
The 'antsy' part sounds like tram, Maggie got very agitated on it, although my other pugs do fine. I think stopping tram is fine since you have another pain med and an anti-inflam in the mix. Have you asked the vet about upping the gaba dose while eliminating the tram? Of course I get this idea on a Saturday
If this plan doesn't settle her tummy I would look at the metacam as the next culprit. Although she has tolerated it for some time those anti-inflams are known to cause GI problems. Sometimes a different med will work without the GI problems. Of course discuss with your vet, and you might post in the Ask A Vet forum here and get Dr. Pam's opinion.
And yes, you guys are due a break!!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Boy you guys have really had a tough go...and are way overdue for a break. With Snoop we were challenged a bit with the tram, once off he was less agitated. I hope all this irons out for you guys ASAP.
In our thoughts and hoping for a quick level,
Esther and her Snoop
Thanks - the vet is actually open 1/2 day on Sat. and I called and got her approval. She is at the highest dose on the Meticam for her weight - so I will watch and pray.
The other thing I'm so torn about is that I expected her to be doing a lot better by now - but not wanting to leave her alone. I made plans to drive over to Auburn (where both of our children are in college), take Dolly Momma, and have a picnic for Easter lunch. It is about 2 hours each way. Is that a bad idea? She typically acts antsy in the car for the first little bit and then lies down and is ok. We will be outside (supposed to be a pretty day). My son has a great camera and we planned to get lots of photos of her.....
The pros - I get to see my kids, Dolly Momma won't be alone, it will be a fun time for her if she feels good,I'm making lots of yummy food and she *may* be tempted to eat something.
The cons - she will be in the car a long time, it may be adding stress if she is not feeling well, not sure if there are other cons but I just generally feel sick people and animals do best at home.....
Another pro- we will be at one of the best vet schools in the south if there is any kind of an emergency - (just kidding - I don't anticipate anything like that - her incision is all healed up -) Besides - they already get enough of my $$.
Cindy & Dolly Momma
I've seen and read stories of how improved the recovery and overall mood are after a change of scenery. You could always turn around! I don't know your girl well, only you do. But I'll speak optimistically: a car ride and the day's events could distract her from whatever ills her. The fresh air! The people! The fun! Heck, a ride in the car might help her vomit up the last of her puke... and then she can move on. Maybe? Ha! Bring some towels....
If she's not well enough, maybe she's at least well enough to leave at home? Being land-locked is tough on everyone and the change may help you too and give some prospective? She'd be sleeping anyway!
So for me: I'd pack her up and go for a day trip! FUN TIMES!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Darn...sorryshe's still having some tummy,issues. As Karen said, even if the Metacam didn't bother her before...it could now. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that my Happy Hannah did seem to have a tummy upset with that...and she has a cast iron stomach!
Let's see...has it been about two weeks sincd "all" her surgeries were complete? Soooooo, still early in recover.
Other than her tummy upset...everything else normal? Pooping, peeing, drnking...getting arou d okay? What's her attitude? Engaged? Alert? Tail wags?
Is she eating enough to keep her stamna up? No fever, right?
I'mure you're already trying things like boiled chicken, etc......topped off with Hapy Hannah's magic potion... ice cream!
"Ecept" for her being stressed in the car...I also agree that the change of scenery and being with family members would do her good. And LOTS OF PHOTOS!! On the way back she'll be exhausted so the ride back probably wn't be an issue.
Keeping all paws crossed for you!
Sally and Happy Hannah
PS...Did yo say she's a Virginia dog? Are yo still fostering? Is she i Virginia?
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
It just seems to be a morning issue - this morning she was pacing, eating grass, did not touch her breakfast - actually did not eat anything (even treats, chicken, etc.) until after 2 pm -
So now she is acting ok. I talked to the vet and we decided the anxiety, pacing as well as tummy might be the Tramadol - so for now - back on Meticam, and off Tramadol - still on Gabapentin, too of course.
Overall she seems OK - not like she is deathly sick - just know that she needs to eat in the morning - plus I give her meds twice a day and I like for her to eat before or right after that. She is drinking, pooping, peeing, all ok. She rarely has a bad pain phantom pain - and I am not that concerned right now with that. She also will sometimes whine but just for a little bit and then seems to get comfortable.
Yes - we just passed the 2 weeks after all surgery point - so I know it's early.
She was found in Va. - our rescue got her from a high kill shelter there - she was found with damaged leg, but that was all they knew at first. Then they found she was pregnant - had been shot - was HW positive, etc. We brought her to Ga. so she could welp her puppies with another foster. She stayed with Amanda until puppies were weaned at 8 weeks and then she came to me! She probably thinks I am the mean mommie - since she's been here it's been constant vet visits, surgeries, ouchy HW shots, etc. etc. She is a trooper. She has overcome so much for her young age.
Thanks everyone! I made her an Easter basket - I hope she will feel like enjoying her toys and goodies in the morning!!
Cindy & Dolly Momma
I think the change of scenery could be just what she needs to boost her confidence! You can always go back if she's not happy but why not try it?
Just remember that when you try to envision where she "should" be at in the recovery process, she's had a lot more than most dogs to deal with up until this point. Considering all that, she's been doing really, really well.
Here's to a hoppy Easter for you all!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good news! It must have been the Tramadol..she is all perky and hungry this morning! She's been following me around the kitchen as I finish some Easter picnic cooking, and she is wagging her tail, bright eyes! She scarfed down her breakfast and asked for more (shhhhh - she did get a little more with her pills).
So - we'll be loading up and heading over to the "Loveliest Village on the Plains" in a few hours. Pictures to folllow.........
I pray each one of you with desperately sick ones see a bit of an Easter miracle this morning -
Cindy & Dolly Momma
Yay! This post made my day.
I hope you have a wonderful day together.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
SO SO SO happy to read this! I am thinking of you two (three?) frolicking in the sweet grass on a sunny day. Looking forward to pics!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Finally got the Easter photos! Thanks for everyone who encouraged me to go - it was a big success. She slept both ways in the car and did great. I think the fresh air, the attention from my kids and total strangers, and the chicken (and maybe some Easter candy) was all good for her. 
1 Guest(s)
