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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He had a much better morning and early afternoon. He did not eat much yesterday, but today he decided to finish off 1/2 of a small pork tenderloin and 1/2 a rotisserie chicken. So, his appetite has picked up and i feel much better about his regular doses of medicine having something to digest with. He drank lots of water today and wizzed in MY yard twice today. He also seems to do better at this point without the sling, and he hops thru my dining room and sunroom to the door to go out. He will hop down one small step and then two more on his own then out into the yard and back in again. His balance is much better as well.. as evidenced by his ability to take a raw marrow bone and bury it in the flower bed. This is what he would normally do, so to see him go thru the effort of doing this one three legs is quite encouraging. He layed in the yard for quite a while as it is a really nice day here in South Eastern Pennsylvania. Now is resting on the Big Barker after all that activity and the pain/sedatives doing their job.
Slowly, but surely we are making some progress.
Nate
Oh gosh Nate! The "peei g solution" of driving to the vet yesterday (after hours) was brilliantly done! That Diesel is one strong willed boy when it comes to his bathroom areas!!
Soooo many victories in this post! Diesel really is doing amazingly well to have so much of his sparkle come back this early!
Seeing him handle that vone had to give you a huge smile! It did me!
What a great meal he had too! Well deserved!
Keep these great updates coming! And we'll be looking forward to.pictures too!
Hugs ro 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!
That is really great progress! Isn't it nice to feel like life is getting back to normal? Here's to a great week ahead for your pack.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi everyone. Diesel had another really great day. Today he ate from his dish a bit with a little encouragement by starting with hand feeding him. He has also gotten around completely on his own for the last two days. I still keep the harness on him, and always will aside from when he is sleeping. At this point tho, he has figured it all out enough that i do not worry about him negotiating the two small steps on and off the deck. My brother stopped by and watched him for 1 1/2 hours while i ran some errands he he was shocked at the progress Diesel has made since he saw him on Friday. He is able to get a pretty good run going across the yard to greet people and has great stability. He was always a VERY strong dog, so it does not at all surprise me that his balance is pretty good. When i got home, Diesel had to search thru each of the grocery bags as he usually does. He was also delighted to see the six new shrubs that i bought him to pee on. 
They are just sitting in random spots in the yard right now for "entertainment value" and another new thing to mark. I also found this ramp that i ordered that should help him get in and out of my SUV without me having to awkwardly lift him.
Solvit Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp
Here is a picture of him from the yesterday enjoying the nice weather and taking a well deserved break.
I hope everyone is well, and really appreciate the words of encouragement and the resources on this site
Nate
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR PEEING ON DIESEL'S VERY OWN PEE BUSHES!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR DIESEL SNIFFING EACH GROCERY BAB!!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR NEGOTIATING STEPS!!
Diesel IS a stong dog on so many kevels...and so is his Dad! GRRRRREAT UPDATE! 🙂
Diesel really is on the road to a great recovery from here on out! No more hurdles, no more challenges! Diesel overcomes any obstacle!
He is quite a handsome boy! It's wonderful to see a picture of him enjoying the bliss of sunbathing and living in the moment!
Enjoy yoir shrubs Diesel! You are clearly a very lpved boy! 🙂
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!
Thanks! Here is a video of him burying yet another thing in the yard today. He has good stability and has always used his head and nose this way to cover things.. so that is nothing new.
Nate
Dang! I couldn't see it on my tavlet...pretty sure "regular" computer people will be able to see it. Apparently I jave ro jave a certain "app" on here...maybe??
Anyway...the visual in my head of him is great!
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!
Hey everyone. A few days have passed and Diesel doesn't have much interest in going outside or other activities. I assume it is just the pain and obvious sedatives he is on. He appears to be getting the phantom pains and it absolutely crushes me. I seem him twiching where his limb was, and licking the dog bed where his limb and source of the pain was. It totally crushes me. He doesn't seem to be whining out or in obvious pain. I guess this is just one of the low points on the roller coaster ride.
He still will not eat his normal kibble out of his dish and is just eating cooked chicken breast or salmon. He will eat around the regular kibble even if i mix only a little in. He does seem to be peeing and pooping somewhat regularly, although less than normal.
Nate
Based on my experience with Otis, I think what you are seeing is pretty normal. You just had the amputation surgery on the 19th - Otis continued on tramadol into week 3, and we didn't really see a big improvement in activity level until week 3, although he perked up when the staples came out. At just before the 1 month mark, we started walking again, although not far. I can't remember if you have Gabapentin? Otis did not use it post-amp, but I know several other members have suggested it for phantom pain (the licking where the leg used to be sounds like that - Otis did that too from time to time, although I haven't seen it recently). You will continue to see improvement, just hang in there. We are close to the 3 months, and Otis can now go up and down stairs unassisted and in a controlled manner, chase cats and squirrels, steal food off countertops, beg, essentially the only difference is that our walks are very short and half of the time is spent with him sitting down smelling the air. But, I guess I can live with that - he is fine with it. So, Diesel's energy level should pick up, and he should get back to a normal diet, etc. - just follow his pace.
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.
It's roughly ten days ppst amp...still early while recovering from major surgery. And it's possible his muscles are sore...all of them...legs, back neck, etc. He was pretty active in the beginning and he may have overdone it too quickly. It generally takes about two weeks o get over the surgery ktself a d then about one month for all the muscle adjustments, etc. needed for mobility issues to be worked out.
Just curious what sedative he is on a d if that is something that coukd be cut out. That could maybe help you determine if he's laying around more because he's sedated or because he's in pain. I had to keep my Happy Hannah onpain meds to some degree fro about three weeks. Discuss that option with his vet. It could be that he needs more pain meds...or less!! I know! It's crazy trying to get the meds balanced just right!
Twitching is "normal". Even the licking the "missing" limb. Generally phantom pain comes on wuickly and the dog will often yelp a d jump up and try and move away from the pain. It goes away fairly quickly but leaves the dog a bit tense and scared for a couple of minutes sometimes.
Is he still on antibiotics? They can mess with his tummy sometimes. You can ask your vet about something to coat his tummy. Just keep feeding him whatever he'll eat for now though.
Certainly double check with your vet if you have any concerns and before adjusting any meds and ro eliminate infection/fever. But it really sounds like this is par for the course...the ups and downs of recovery.
Keep us posted. Remember, recovery doesn't last forever! It just feels like it when you're in the middle of it!
Hugs to you both!
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!
Hi Nate,
If you think it is pain talk to your vet and see about adjusting the pain meds. How much does he weigh?
I would also talk to the vet about the trazadone, he may not need so much sedation now. Personally I don't like giving sedatives but understand for some dogs it works. I wouldn't feel like doing much either if I was taking pain meds and sedatives.
I did not deal with phantom pain but what you describe does not really sound like what others here have experienced, but every dog is different. The twitching is pretty normal at this stage, again if you think it is painful for him talk to your vet. You might try some very gentle massage around his hip and back- not near the incision.
The licking can also be a sign of boredom or a result of the meds.
I know it is hard to watch but you have to stay positive and strong around Diesel. I think the biggest mistake I made during Maggie's recovery was being down around her.
You guys are doing fine- hang in there until the sutures or staples come out and the meds are decreased or stopped. You will see your boy again.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hello - Diesel was in for his check up today, and his progress from the amputation is good. He did get his stitches out, and a few of the stitches were a embedded/irritated a little. I think that is what was giving him some additional irritation over the last few days. He is getting around pretty well, but the weather has absolutely sucked here for the last week.. so he hasn't gotten a ton of outside time. I did dial his sedative down and just give him one in the evening to help him wind down and sleep thru the night. It seems he is restless overnight without it.
I also talked to the oncologist today about starting chemo. It is my understanding that with this type of cancer that there is a 90% chance that it has metastasized in microscopic form to his lungs, although there is no current sign of that. I am told that without any treatment, the average is a 6 months before it can be expected to pop up again, or it could be prolonged to 12 months with chemo. I want to do what is best for his quality of life, so I am not 100% sure yet on my course of action. I plan to talk with my regular vet tomorrow and make a decision. I am leaning toward starting him on treatment and see how he does with it, but i certainly don't want to put him through and undue suffering and uncomfort.
Nate
Yes, micromets are commonly present at time of diagnosis. But ssshhh! Diesel doesn't know he has cancer. Our best advice is to Be More Dog .
Jerry's vet told us "about six months" too. Jerry lived two years, and we chose not to do IV chemo for various reasons. You can read all about Jerry’s Canine Cancer Diet and Supplements.
Also consider reviewing the feedback from numerous members about their decisions to do chemotherapy or not. You may also find the popular topic about chemotherapy treatment costs helpful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear Diesel is doing better and those pesky stitches are out!!
Chemo is such an individual choice. There is no right or wrong when it comes to doing it or not doing it! It really is a crap shoot.
With my Happy Hannah, I decided to do four rounds of Carboplatin (the recommendation from the Onco for her osteosarcoma). Hannah didn't mind car rides. I could stop at any time if she had bad side effects. Some dogs experience some nausea and lethargy for a few days, Your Onco will give you Cerenia in case Diesel has any nausea. Happy Hannah had zero side effects and sailed through the treatments.
My Happy Hannah and I had THE most glorious one year and two months of fun and spoiling and loving and tummy rubs and treats!
Did it have anything to do with the chemo? I can honestly say I have no idea!! Some here have done chemo and haven't even finished all the treatments before the piece of crap disease takes over. Some who have done chemo are still around two and four years later! Some who don't do chemo don't get much extended time. Some who don't do chemo are around two and four years later! Yep, it's pretty much a crap shoot!
The most important thing is you are comfortable with your decision...no regrets. You know your Diesel better than anyone. You know you better than anyone!
You will make a decision out of love for Diesel, just like you did with the amputation, and that will always be the right decision!
Hope the weather starts acting like Spring soon! We've had lots and lots of seemingly non-stop rain here in Virginia. But that's better than the snow have been getting!
More pictures! Hint!
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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