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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Cocoa
1
13 February 2017 - 9:26 pm
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It's hard to believe it was six years ago this week when I found this wonderful organization. Tomorrow is the anniversary of finding my sweet Cocoa with her broken leg. We met on a Monday, she had her amputation on Tuesday and came to live with us on Wednesday. Its been a wild six years!

Today she had her second mast cell tumor removed. Thankfully, it was encapsulated on her front left leg at the "elbow" and the doctor thinks she was able to get all the margins. It was sent out, so we'll know soon.

Coming home tonight has been so stressful. It was her back right leg that was amputated, so I've discovered tonight that she prefers to lay on her left side, which is of course where the tumor was! Its taken about four hours to finally get her down. I think she finally just passed out. 

I forgot how exhausting this is. Kudos and hugs to you my fellow paw-rents!

P.S. I couldn't remember my sign-in! Sorry!

Susan in San Antonio

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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2
13 February 2017 - 10:13 pm
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Susan I can't believe it either! SIX years? Wow.  And it's also hard to believe that three years ago Cocoa had her first mast cell tumor discovered. So this second one was on the same leg as the first? Geez sorry for the new go-around.

And yeah, as I sit here I see that Wyatt also prefers laying on his non-amputated side. I know that if he had to lay on it with a big ol chunk taken out of his leg, he would be just as restless. I'm glad you got her to settle down. 

Keep us posted on how she's doing and what the path report says OK? We're thinking of you both.

P.S. Your old user name is "Sooz." Did you try resetting your password? Private Message me if you'd like help with logging in.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
20 February 2011
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3
16 February 2017 - 6:21 pm
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Yep, hard. Monday was restless all night. Tuesday I took half a day and gave her some tramadol. She slept and rested well all afternoon/night. Wednesday was back to restless, even with the tramadol. I haven't given her any today and she won't lie down. She is literally falling asleep standing up. Her nose is warm. I'm not sure what to do. I already made plans to take her in the morning to have them change her bandages. I don't know what to do for her now. She is taking Cephalexin 500 mg twice a day and Novox 50 mg twice a day. The tramadol is 50 mg. Im afraid to give it to her, lest she never settle down. I even tried laying next to her bed and took off her collar to see if that would help, but no. Any suggestions?

https://www.fac.....4308572569

Cocoa

Stray Rescue – Ampuversary 2/15/2011

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Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
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4
16 February 2017 - 7:53 pm
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This probably sounds stupid, but have you given her any benadryl? I know they got the tumor out, but my dog takes 50 mg twice per day (she weighs about 55 pounds). If nothing else, maybe it will make her so sleepy she just gives up and rests?

Also, maybe if you have one of those squishy horseshoe shaped travel pillows, you could position it under her so the elbow isn't getting any pressure on it? I'd guess you already have the orthopedic bed so pressure points wouldn't be a huge issue anyway but maybe it would still help?

Hope tonight goes easier!

- Amy & Izzy, too

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Member Since:
20 February 2011
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5
16 February 2017 - 8:07 pm
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She has a Big Barker Bed . She finally laid down about 7:30 and snored some. We're moving to the bedroom now, so it may take time for her to settle again. I'm going to try the Benadryl. Thanks!

Cocoa

Stray Rescue – Ampuversary 2/15/2011

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Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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6
16 February 2017 - 8:32 pm
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Good suggesion Amy!

The tramadol did help the first time you have it to her, right? I would try it again as I'm sure she's hurting.

How much does she weigh? Having The Big Barker Bed makes me think she's a big girl! 50 mg isn't that much at all for a larger dog.

Hoping for a better night's sleep. Paws crossed!

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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7
16 February 2017 - 9:00 pm
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Aww poor Cocoa. I agree that you should continue the Tramadol since she was able to sleep on it the first time. Chat with your vet about what's going on. She's uncomfortable for sure. Also keep in mind that warm noses don't mean much according to Pet MD:

Is a Dog's Hot Nose a Sign of Illness?

The common belief that a healthy dog has a cold, wet nose and a sick dog has a hot, dry nose is FALSE. Here's why: . . . 

We'd love to see the photo, sorry it's not showing up. Here's a post about adding images . Let me know if you'd like help. I'm glad you were able to log-in again!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
20 February 2011
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8
17 February 2017 - 7:40 am
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Whew. Just left Cocoa with the vet for her bandage change and a long note about our week. 

I tried the benedryl, but she still stood most of the night. So she basically napped about two hours last night. Every time I woke up, she was upright. 😢

Try using the date as that Facebook link, I put it public, so I think you should be able to see her. Let me know if that didn't work. 

P.S. Cocoa weighs 48 lbs. 

Cocoa

Stray Rescue – Ampuversary 2/15/2011

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Member Since:
20 February 2011
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9
17 February 2017 - 7:13 pm
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Ok, we came home with trazadone to combine with the tramadol. They tried it out on her and she did fine. I could see a huge difference in her when I picked her up. Seems a hematoma was starting, so it has a drain that is, well, making her bloody. I can take her back in the morning if I'd like clean bandages. I thought she was joking when she said I could wrap in duct tape. 

Thankfully she's laying down tonight. That brings relief to her momma!

They had her results back and her margins are clean. Yay!

Cocoa

Stray Rescue – Ampuversary 2/15/2011

Pictures

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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10
18 February 2017 - 10:18 am
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Whew! Good thing you took her in, nice job! Nothin' like a little happy pill to take off the edge of a recovering Tripawd. I hope you got some sleep too.

And YAY for good margins!!!!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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11
18 February 2017 - 10:28 am
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Ohhhhh good!!! Whew!! Big sigh of relief!! 🙂 🙂

I really like that rhey "tried out" the Trazedone on her while at the Vet. She tolerated it well and that's good news.

So glad you're getting all this handled now a d the Vets are being very proactive!!

You are a great advocate for Cocoa! 🙂

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!

Member Since:
20 February 2011
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12
20 February 2017 - 1:18 pm
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Today Cocoa is getting a new drain and bandages, and an enema. Yippee Skippee!

We've had a quiet weekend. If I'm at home and still, she naps. So, gosh darn, I gave up my weekend to binge watch some TV. The sacrifices we make for our children. But, y'all know, it's also very stressful. I feel like I need some time off!

Cocoa

Stray Rescue – Ampuversary 2/15/2011

Pictures

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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13
20 February 2017 - 2:38 pm
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YIPPE SKIPPEE INDEED!!! And Cocoa is showing you a little relaxation on week ends is a good thing! Of course, everyday is a week end day for Cocoa! 🙂

Sooooo glad things are better!

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!

Member Since:
20 February 2011
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14
1 June 2017 - 8:49 am
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Here we go again. I can't believe there's another tumor already. Surgery is tomorrow. We just went through this in February!

I keep telling people it's on her "good" leg, by which I mean her only back leg. It's smack dab in the middle of her haunch, so I don't know how this is going to work. How they're going to wrap her. How she's going to get up and down.

She's such a trooper, I'm sure she'll be fine. It's just hard not to worry. Y'all know what I mean.

Cocoa

Stray Rescue – Ampuversary 2/15/2011

Pictures

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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15
1 June 2017 - 9:29 am
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Well that jjst stinks! ''

But yiur Cocoa is a strong gal and she'll handle this. It may mean a bit more confinement than she would like though.

Check out Izzymomma thread. She dealt with something similar with Izzy, although it was on one of her TWO hind legs. She may have some tips though.

Others have too, just cant remember who at this point!

Keep us posted! We're cheering for beautiful Cocoa! 🙂 🙂

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!

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