Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Back from my second visit today, it's 8:30pm here. We moved Quinn from one cage to another but it was kinda funny because my boy is real stubborn and he thought he was getting out of cage and going home not into another cage. When he realized he was going into another cage he laid on his side and threw a fit moving his front paws up and down. We used a blanket to hold up his rear and backed him up into cage. He ate again and had bowl of water. He did poop after surgery so that's good. Everything seems to be going well so far. Just worried about how I'm going to get him home. I don't want to hurt him and my car is a two door.
He sounds like he is doing well.
My pug Maggie was also a rear amp. She only weighed 17 pounds so I was able to carry her when necessary. She actually was walking on her own the day of surgery and never really needed any help. She couldn't get very far at first, but when she got tired she could sit, or fall into a sit.
If the vet doesn't send you home with a sling you can make one to help Quinn get around at first. A really easy way is to take a cloth, reusable shopping back and cut the seams open- then you have a sling with a built in handle! Some people use towels or scarves. My older quad pug has mobility issues, for her back end I have used the shoulder strap off my computer bag with the pad that goes on your shoulder under her belly.
Getting him into a two seater might be a little tricky- but you said you were taking someone with you, right? I would say that your other person could sit in the back and you could help Quinn into the back seat and the other person could guide then grab the sling. Then he would have someone to steady him on the way home. Then you could grab the sling to help him out and the back seat person could guide his back end.
You could be in for lots of ups and downs the next couple weeks, so don't get discouraged if Quinn seems to backtrack after you get him home. Hopefully he will sail through his recovery!
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
"Intersting" indeed!!
When I picked up my 125 lb. Bull Mastiff, it was just myself and my little 14 lb. Bodie Dog. The vet techs put her in the car....I imagine they will do the same for you. And my Hap o y Hannah was soooooo happy to be voing home and so high in drugs she was bouncing and clkmbing around all over the car....and it was a LONG hour drive home!!! Soooooo glad you are taking someone with you!!!
EVERY dog is different! Just to prepare you, my Happy Hannah whined and cried and would not lay down for 19 hours straight!!! Some dogs settle right down. Some dogs dontw eat much. My Happy Hannah ALWAYS ate and NEVER turned down a meal!!! She did not want to drink water though! I had to resort to putting a scoop of ice cream in her water to get her to drink.
The incision can look pretty "angry" for several days with swelling and bruising., maybe even a little seepage
I didn't join this site until six days after amputation. They threw me a lifeline and I've stayed connected ever since! Stay connected, okay? Nothing like a little first hand exlerience from alot of people to pull you through!!
And keep lots and lots of chocolate in a big bowl right by your side!!!!!
Sending hugs and celebrating a great homecoming!!!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Quinn is home! Got him in and out of car easier then I thought. He is resting now and I'm more scared now, but trying not to show it. Yes the wound is horrific, but I take care of people with special needs so that's not really to bad for me. The problem I'm most afraid of is how am I going to take him outside to use bathroom, ramps not up the ground is frozen and we have steps out front door and back door. I'm afraid to move him, or should I say keep moving him. Doctor said I can start exercising him in ten days, but do I get him up once in a while now. I have no idea what my next steps are or at least for the next ten days. Help please, trying not to panic. I was thinking about getting puppy pads.
Yay, Quinn is home!! But please don't panic.......put on a confident, happy face, and Quinn will definitely pick up on that. It is perfectly okay to get him up to go out to potty with some help. My question is, do you have a harness for him yet, or something to help him up while going outside? How many steps are there out front and out back? I would take the least amount of steps and if there is someone to help you out, that would be great as well. If he is a rear amp, going down a few steps should be easier than going up. Using pads underneath him is not a terrible idea, but if he does have some accidents, it may make things a bit harder for you both. There are also different types of bootie/socks you can use for him so he gets traction inside and outside.
The other friends here will have other ideas for you too, so don't worry too much.......the important thing is Quinn is home and your new journey is just beginning.......rest is the absolute most important thing for him for the next several days.
Just try to be as confident as possible for him, he is looking to you for assurance, and if you are confident, he will be also.
I don't know if this helped much, but like I said, others will be along to help you out as well.
{{{hugs}}}
Bonnie & Angel Polly
I had to run up to store and when I came back he had moved from his bed and the area around stitches and surrounding area on his really red is normal. He does have bruising but it appears darker now. The vet said to put ice pack on for ten minutes a day three times a day. Thanks Bonnie every bit of info will help. Just really scared I'm going to do something wrong and hurt him. No I don't have harness yet I have to order one and was waiting to be able to measure him. I'm using a meijers canvas bag, cut out sides. It worked well getting him in the house. I will be getting a harness soon.
It's OK for him to walk a little to go potty, but for the most part he should be resting. Do you have him confined to a room? If he usually tries to jump up on furniture be sure to block it off for the next couple of weeks.
When my pug Maggie would fall the first days home she usually just ended up sitting, she was also a rear amp.
Are you saying that the incision area is red? Does if feel warm? Is there any seepage? When ever you are in doubt be sure and call your vet and ask. Don't worry about being a pest- even if there is nothing wrong when you call the peace of mind for you is invaluable!
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
No the incision site looks pretty good. The area that is really red and bruised is under the incision site like on his groin between his legs (or leg and wear use to be) and on belly under the incision site. I don't see seepage. Yes the vet gave me his cell number to call if I need him. I will taking pictures and sending to him daily. We both agreed that he is to large to be transporting back and forth for the next ten days. He is in corner of living room and yes I will be blocking him in this area. He will be still if I'm in room, but as soon as I leave the room he starts moving around. This scares me because I do have to work, however I can come home every couple hours to check on him.Tuesdays and Wednesdays my daughter can stay with him until I get home. Karen I'm not sure how to get in chat room
. I appreciate all your advice, thank you.
Okay.....B R E A T H E.....B R E A T H E......DEEP BREATHS IN....EXHALE SLOWLY! Really! It helps!
You are doing a great job! You are a strong and confident leader for Quinn!
The site sounds normal...yeah.."colorful" and swollen, but normal!!
Yeah, ice and steps can be scary! He should only go out for pee and poop and then back in to rest and stay quiet. My Happy Hannah did not like the sling at all and I ended up not using it. Just walk right beside him and try using the sling as a "crutch" should you feel he needs the extra support....just sort of a safeguard, not necessarily an "active aide"..if that makes sense at all!
Surgery recovery takes approximately two weeks. So for now, pretty much just potty and up for water or food. Adjustment to three legs, muscles, joints, mobility, etc. usually takes about one month.
Try....and this is hard....try and keep as normal a routine as possible with him and not hover too much. If he's used to a treat before bedtime, give him a treat. If he's used to "snuggle time" when you come home from work, give him snuggle time.
We're right here! You are not alone!
Now do those DEEP BREATHS, EAT SOME CHOCOLATE and go tell Quinn what a good boy he is!!! You will see a whole lot of imlrovement and his slarkle will be back in the next week or so. This is no picnic right nkw and he doesn't feel like lawtying het...but he will!!!
Hugs and love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
I just now had a chance to catch up on your last few days. You are doing GREAT and Quinn sure is too as far as I can tell. Remember, don't worry about things that haven't happened yet. Just as Quinn amazed you with his ability to get in and out of the car, he will amaze you on a daily, if not hourly basis, with everything he can do just like before. Only now he just needs a little more time until he's back up to speed.
Don't rush things, remember that he will recover in his own time. As Karen said, he should only be going out to potty right now. Let him rest and relax, there will be plenty of time for fun and excitement later. Keep in mind that if he hasn't used a ramp before, he may be leery of it at first. Here are some ramp training tips that migth help.
Sorry we missed you in the chat room . Just hop on over here and scroll down. Wait for the chat box to load and you're in. Typically you'll find people there during the evening hours, but sometimes we're there in the morning or afternoon. If you want to meet at a certain time just let us know, otherwise stop by when you can!
I hope Sunday is even better for you and Quinn. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Quinn is doing well. I cannot add too much. I/We have found that treating them as normally as possible is the best way to go. Quinn can feel your anxiety and is not sure how to act. Don't worry about the ramp. How many stairs do you have to get outside? I know it is easier said than done but resuming his usual routine is key. Is he eating and drinking? Does his pain appear to be well managed? As far as the incision line- sounds VERY normal. Stay connected.
Quinn seems to be doing better today. Once I got his butt up he stood and walked to door with assistance of my home made canvas bag harness. He wanted to go down porch steps but I was afraid I couldn't get him back up. He is a big dog and when he is done he is done no budging him. We sat on porch for a few minutes tried to tell him to go potty but he wouldn't go on porch. He's laying on his bed now. He has a twin bed mattress that we laid on living room floor, its plastic lined so if he has an accident I can clean fairly easy. He seems very alert. I ordered the Get a Grip harness today rush delivery so hopefully that will be a great help.
Renee
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