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.
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Fat Boy is our 8 month old puppy who was hit by a car last week. He ended up with an open wound and broken bone on the growth plate in his left front leg. He went for his amputation this morning. I got a call this afternoon that surgery was a success and we should be able to pick him up tomorrow afternoon. I am thankful to have found this site. There is so much great information. I have ordered a Ruff Wear harness and cut a cloth bag to make a sling. Any tips that you all veterans have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I hope you don't mind that I moved your post here to 'Beyond Cancer' since you are not facing that.
I'm sorry to hear about Fat Boy's accident, what kind of pup is he?
My current Tripawd is a little pug mix who was hit by a car when she was 7 months old. Elly lost her right rear leg as a result of the accident, I got her when she was 10 months old.
Traction is huge for Tripawds, especially new ones. You will want to cover any slippery floors with throw rugs or yoga mats. Be sure you have all the pain meds you need when you pick him up and are clear on the dosing schedule. Getting the pain meds balanced can be challenging.
Block off a small room or divide a room to make a small, safe recovery area. No stairs or funiture to jump up and down. Stairs can be done if needed to get outside but should be supervised for the first couple of weeks.
Since FB is so young I'm guessing you will have trouble keeping him quiet while he is healing. Our surgeon said only short, leashed potty breaks for the first two weeks (that was for my first tripawd Maggie). I've had good luck with food puzzles and games to keep Elly entertained without putting too much stress on her body.
You should look through The Reading List for more information and answers to some commonly asked questions when dealing with amputation.
Let us know when you get your boy home and if you have any other questions.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Sorry to hear about the accident. Fortunately, many dogs do just great on three. When he comes home, it will help to keep a log book - there are a lot of meds, and you will also want to track food, water, pee and poop. Make sure you have lots of yummy, ideally strong smelling, things to give meds in, and lots of yummy food in case he is less inclined to eat right away (scrambled eggs, chicken breast, soft cat food, etc.). And stay close to the community - we are pretty much 24/7, so post any concerns or questions and likely, you will hear back from someone pretty quickly!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thanks for the input. Fat Boy is a mix breed. His mom is a german shepard mix and his dad is a mix but since he was just roaming through I don't know what kind. Fat Boy is about 60 pounds and brindle in color. I talked to the vet this morning and he says he is doing great, but he wants to keep him one more night to make sure. We will be picking him up in the morning. Our entryway is separated from the living room by railings so we are planning on penning him in there. He will be right outside our bedroom door and close to the door for potty brakes. My only concern is helping him navigate the 4 steps from the porch to the yard. I am hoping the sling I made will assist with that.
You might want to get a harness - we are big fans of the Ruffwear Webmaster Plus harness. You can see photos in the gear blog. You will have to wait until the stitches are out to use it, but it is really helpful with the larger dogs.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Fat Boy came home this morning. He is on 2 antibiotics twice a day, rimadyl once a day, and tramadol 50 mg 3 pills every 12 hrs. He is getting around well but is very restless. He can't seem to get comfortable and is peeing a lot. Should I give his tramadol as directed or should I space them out for better pain relief? He did poop on our last potty break, so that's a win.
Yay for poop!
Always discuss with your vet before changing med dosing but I would give pain meds every 6 to 8 hours.
The tramadol may be making him restless- it does that to some pups. Maybe a lower dosage every 6 to 8 hours would make him more comfortable. It's common to have to adjust pain meds and schedules before you find what works best.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Some dogs also need gabapentin for pain relief. Might want to talk to your vet if the tramadol does not seem to be working or if he has strange reactions to it. My Otis was on 3 trams, 3x a day - I ended up giving two, and giving the third an hour later because it what obvious (panting, restlessness) that he was having break-through pain as the three pill dose wore off. The 8 hours was a good timing for us, but definitely talk to your vet about timing - I think Fat Boy is smaller than Otis was, so the 6 - 8 hours might not be a full three pills (perhaps fewer pills, more frequently).
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
He has been home 6 hours and he is finally asleep. YAY! I will see how things go tonight and call the vet in the morning if need be. I drug a mattress into where we have him and laid with him till he finally got comfortable.
Online
Just catching up on your precious FAT BOY! Can't wait to see pictures!!
My Happy Hannah was VERY restless and could not get comfortable for several looooong nights. The meds can make some dogs a bit whacky, but it's better than being in pain.
I ditto everyone else's advice about giving the Tramadol more frequently (after discussing with your Vet of course) It IS MAJOR surgery and it hurts! As already mentioned, many of us also had Gabapentin along with the other meds and that seemed to help too.
For now, rest and potty breaks and then back to resting. And YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOP!!! A lot of times it takes several days for that to happen! Peeing and drinking are important and getting Fat Boy to eat enought at least to coat his tummy for the meds. Althoug, my Happy Hannah NEVER lost her lust for food, even during the first days of recovery.
Try and get some rest when you can. Recovery is no picnic for a week or so, sometimes longer. But once recovery is over Fat Boy will be a Happy Fat Boy! 🙂
Stay connected and let us know how things are going. You are doing a great job!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Today has been a much better day for Fat Boy. He has figured out how to lay down comfortably and rested much more today. The only real hurdle now is medicine time. He hates it lol. I end up having to force feed it, which I hate. But he needs his meds so whatever works.
Oh yay for Fat Boy! That is real pawgress. Sure, medicine ain't fun but at least you did it. Whatever works indeed! Good job maw!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Try anything liver for the pills - apparently, some of them have a very strong smell. So, the smellier whatever you offer the pill in, the better. We used Biljac small dog liver training treats, but others have used liver pate. Cheese is also a favorite - some have suggested inserting the pill with tweezers to avoid getting pill smell on your hands, and then on the treat.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
My Dobe wouldn't eat anything for 7 days after surg, so we resorted to spooning yogurt down his throat with his pills mixed in; sounds barbaric, but it worked.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
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