Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Amy and Izzy, thanks for that I'll look into the sling- we are using a towel but it gets scrobbled around and she gets grumpy about having it arranged.
OK so today we saw the vet who did the op. I was all ready with my research to cite as to why I thought we needed to try Gabapentin as an alternative to extra Tramadol and as I started she pretty much offered it as an idea. Phew!
The really exciting news for me was that Jay sat herself up in the truck to see where she was going! Not for long but the relief! Jay has had the dressing changed, Vet did want to leave it to air but Jay was a little obsessed with licking the little area low down when there is still a little fresh fluid. We managed this without sedative which is another relief as I really didn't want them going down that route but she is so grouchy with veterinaries that it was a distinct possibility.
Starting the Gabapentin on 2 a day, vet suggested 3 but I'd rather see how she goes and add an extra one if needed. She is currently sleeping the mornings excitement and her first Gabapentin off....
Next step get her back on her feet. I feel unless she is making some effort to support herself by Sat they will be pushing for a quality of life decision 🙁
That Jay is a spunky gal! I love that she's perking up some and still "voices her opinion; to theor Vets thst she's not pleased with them.
Glad you vot some Gabapentin. In my unprofessional opinion, I think starting off with a lower dose is a good idea. It can, in some dogs, have a sedation effect.
You are with Jay and you know Jay better than anyone. You clearly love Jay and have ber best interest at heart. With that said, I think it is waaaay to early for Vets to be discussing end of life decisions!! This is MAJOR SURGERY while adjusing to life on three legs! In older dogs with hip issues, it just takes longer to recover!! A d this isn't even a "long" time yet!
There are soooo many optio s to check into to help with her back legs...acupuncture...Rehabilitation consult...Physical Therapy, etc.
Is she eating better yet? Now is the time for anything she wants...steak, cheeseburgers, pizza, ice cream..YUM!
All that will help get her strength back.
I just can't help but think she WILL improve! It's still soooo early and she's clearly a strong willed dog!
We're all cheering for you Jay!!
Hugs to all!
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!
Smoked streaky bacon is a favourite at the moment and she is eating a few biscuits if hand fed a few at a time. Not tried her on pizza or cheeseburgers I have to say but the last proper dinner she ate before the Tramadol got too much was roast pork dinner..... 🙂
I'm so glad your vet prescribed it. Please read up on this Gabapentin article we wrote, as it covers information your vet may have forgotten to share (such as the best time of day to give it).
And yeah, that is waaaaay too early to discuss end of life. Your dog is not a puppy, but not ancient either. Time and proper pain management is often the key to mobility. If you feel at all that your vet is 'pushing' you into any decisions, it's time for a new vet.
Let us know how the week goes. Here's to more improvement!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What a 24hrs! We got our first post op poop! Yay! Even better with me taking her weight in the sling towel she stood to do so. After all that excitement she has been a bit subdued today but when I stood her up in the sling this evening she did at least not knuckle over on her feet. No weight bearing yet, and no walking but I am telling myself it's progress......
Not convinced the drugs are quite right yet but trying not to overdo her again.
Glad you all think we've for time to get this sorted. I know why the vets concerned and they are a rural general practice surgery so not masses of experience with more complicated orthopaedics.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOP!! 
AND YAAAAAAAAAY FOR PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!! And yes, every little teeny weeny improvement is a HUGE VICTORY around here!!
In fact, you may want to write this progress down, including pooping while being helped with the sling! A d don't forget the day Jay set up in the truck! Another bit of progress!
Yes, there is a lot of first hand experience here. We've seen sooooo many variations of recovery, in fact, more so than many Vets. So to have a "mature" dog still early in recovery not standing yet in no way means it won't happen!!
Keep us posted. Stay strong and confident! It's sooooooo hard to be patient, Remember, there is progress!
Lots of hugs!!
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!
So been a very up and down time for us still. we are getting more regular toilet but she is lying down to do it. we are lifting her twice a day in the sling to see if she feels like standing and normally we get correct and proper placement of feet but still no weight bearing. she is interested in what's going on if it's a bit different but the day to day monotony just passes her by. The last couple of days she has seemed more interested sat outside on the lawn and has scrobbled herself about a bit to change her view but not this morning. 🙁 We have had no further attempts to sit up and she has to be helped to roll over and switch sides.
Saw yet another vet today and you can tell that they don't really feel what we have is sufficient progress where as I was feeling quite upbeat about it. That on top of an awful nights sleep in which I ended up lying on the floor with her to try and get her to settle has left me doubting what we're doing again....
She is whining such a lot at the moment but doesn't seem to be in pain when we touch anywhere. She's always been a vocal dog so don't know if it's her way of expressing her displeasure with us or there is something more sinister going on. On the plus side she didn't eat the vet and did manage 1/2 a days ration of dry food on her return fed by hand with coaxing.
Okay, just trying to recap.
Jay DID walk and get up on her own the first day home, right?
Prior to this, the Surgeon believed Jay was a good candidate for amputation. No known severe leg issues.
The next day her rear leg seemed to be painful, especially if she tried to straighten it. She was holding it up and got very growly if you tried to touch it.
At some point the paw knuckled under when she tried to put weight on it?
Have the Vets ruled out any neurological issues? Or, even better, is there a way to have her evaluated by a Specialist?
I know you hate to keep going back to the Vet, but have xrays been done of hips, legs, spine? Disc issues possibly could also show up.
Do you have a Rehab Specialist near you'
And because Jay is a vocal dog, it certainly seems logical that she mzy just be expressing her frustration of not being able to get up yet.
I know I'm asking far more questions than giving answers!! Oh, and did the second Vet do any additional testing? It just seems like "something" happened after the seco d day that has yet to be identified. Even with a poor hip situation, with proper rehabilitation, possibly some acupuncture, maybe steroid injections etc, Jay shoukd be able to get better.
Of course, she still is recovering from MAJOR surgery and adjusting to pain meds. Ugh! Generally, not always, it takes about two plus weeks to recover from the surgery itself and about thirty days for all muscles, joints, etc to adjust to mobility as a tripawd.
And YES, we do see progress!!!! Those of us who have been on this journey know the power of a dog showing interest in being outside, the power of showing interest in food, etc.
Your love for Jay comes shining through. You are clearly devoted and doing everything possible for your girl. This is such an exhausting journey emotionally and physically. It is intense and, as you've experienced, full of ups and downs.
I wish I could be of more help. I would just keep doing everything you can to rule out other underlying issues that are fixable. Even if it is the hip issue, with time and proper rebuilding of core muscles, giving muscles time to repaw if they are strained or very sore from trying to adjust.
We're here for you and continue to support you no matter what!!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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!
Try your hardest to stay in that upbeat mood, I know it means a lot to your girl. It's hard when you're sleep deprived. If you can normalize your life by sleeping in your own bed it may help her feel more confident. I know a lot of people sleep on the floor with their dogs, but it's my opinion (and that of vets I've talked to) that dogs get confused when their humans do out of the ordinary things like this.
Who was the new vet you saw? And what are their recommendations for helping her make progress?
As for her whining. Pain indicators are really tough to spot, but this article may help:
Pain Signs in Cats and Dogs: Learn the Symptoms
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you both! She did walk when she first came home yes Sally.
xrays done after the deterioration, day 2 post op, show very poor (misshaped ball not aligned in socket) hip conformation but no arthritis and some very minor arthritis in a couple of vertebrae. At this point she would stand on 2 legs with assistance from a sling. Tramadol was doubled.
Day 4 post op and after a good start despite only 2 legs she started to go off her other legs and food.
Day 5 she wouldn't eat, was very groggy and if we lifted her up she held her legs flexed and just let them buckle as we lowered her.
Since then we have adjusted pain meds and had some small successes but today is definitely a five steps back day. no great interest in what's going on and no attempt to support herself in the sling.
We have tried to keep bedtime routine as normal as possible. She tends to sleep on the floor in our room so we are taking her and her bed upstairs with us as don't feel sleeping on hardwood floor is good for her at moment. I only end up on the floor with her if she has already disrupted us that much that it is the only way we will get enough kip to make it safely to and through work the following day.
You are up for Pawparent of the Year Award! The fact that you are holding it together...or faking it brilliantly...is quite a tribute to your strength and determination!!
Prior to amp, she wasn't having any "noticeable" hip issues. Not sure if Adequan injections or Dasequan would be helpful, but worth a try.
It does sound like she could be somewhat druggy still. That can also interfere with appetite.
What's her med doseage now?
And I agree with Jerry, have any of these Vets offered a plan of action, as opposed to seemingly giving up?
Where do you live? Maybe someone knows an excellent treatment center in your area.
Also, are you trying stinky foods like liverwurst, and of course, warmed chicken, maybe scrambled eggs znd cheese?
We are all pulling soooooo very hard for Jay to vet over this hurdle.....and we are sending you tons of love and strength and healing energy!
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!
One more thi g. Do you have any frie d that she really likes who coukd come over...knocking in the door calling her...bringing her some special treats....see if that makes her a bit perky or alert?? Definitely give that a try!
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!
The best we have had so far is trying 'swimming and or physio post stitches out. But we need her using her legs a little first really'...... and the classic 'keep doing what your doing'!! Which in reality is winging it and hoping to God I haven't contributed to her problems!!
Meds now are 1 Tramadol every 8hrs, 1 Gabapentin every 12 and Metacam once per day. We have tried skipping a Tramadol this eve to see if reducing the meds she's still comfy but more aware. If it works she'll have something every 6hrs alternatively Tramadol and Gabapentin.
We are in Shropshire, UK. I have seen there's a rehab vet listed on here based Cheshire so thought I might contact them to find out about what they could offer and costs.
She did seem very happy to see my Dad yesterday, Hubby going off on the tractors normally triggers interest too but not so much today. 🙁
Fingers crossed she's just tired after yesterday.
What started as an OK day, reasonable night, ate some scrambled egg from her bowl, toilet while lay out on lawn, taking a little more weight through her limbs when in the sling, and with lots of encouragement and me taking most of her weight she moved her legs (I can't say hopped because it wasn't but it was better than resting her paws wherever they were, I think) has deteriorated into the first day I have truly felt we might be at the end of the road. 🙁
This evening she wouldn't eat anything nit even some lovely ox cheek stew and we had left her in the kitchen sleeping and were watching tele in the front room. when she woke up and starting whining I went to get her and bring her through to join us as normal but as I went to pick her up she snapped at me twice and is in pain on what was the good hip.... It seems like the incision catches her as you lift her chest like maybe the stitches pull or something too so generally a sore pup. Although no panting, shivering or whining which seem to be her signs of discomfort, she's just sleeping and being really grumbley with us.
The snapping definitely sounds like pain. I think that if it were me, I would return to the full Tramadol dose. You probably need to check things out with your vet to be sure.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
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