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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Hello,
It was just happened so sudden and I wasn't prepared for this at all -my beautiful Nana has just amputated her left leg yesterday.
I dropped her off at the surgery in the morning yesterday to replace the plate that had started bending on her femur. But the doctor found that her femur was not going to function well with a new plate and told me that I had 3 options: amputation, use another dog's bone, and .... I was so panic but needed to decide asap since she was in the surgery. So she now is tripawed. I haven't seen her after the surgery yet, due to they didn't want us to come over to see her on the operation day. They called me this morning that she was doing good but not interested in food at all and might stay another day at the hospital. I'm going to see her tonight ( I hope not going to cry in front of her). Yesterday after the decision I made, so many worries crossed in my head. Could she stand up ? How about her hip ? Arthritis ? Wasn't she old for this ? But last night I found this site and getting lots, lots of information and help. I just want to thank you to all the tripawds moms and dads. I'm just glad that I'm not alone ! But honestly I'm scared to see her tonight...
Hi Nana and Elle. Sorry for the delay in approving your post, your future ones won't have to wait for approval.
You have been through so much but I promise you are stronger than you think. Stay pawsitive for Nana brcause she will reflect your emotions. She needs you to believe and be strong ok?
I am away from my desk but will write more tomorrow. Others will chime in too so hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, so sorry for your Nana! How old is she? What kind of dog is she? You'll be surprised at how well she does! She'll be up & moving around in no time at all! The first 2 weeks or so will be the hardest, it usually its for most dogs. Most dogs come home on a couple different pain medications - Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin. Make sure that you keep up with the medications, giving them to her around the clock for even coverage. A lot of dogs also don't eat well, either. For Murphy, I cooked rice and poured chicken broth over it, then added some chunks of chicken to it. The broth ensured some fluids, too. You'll probably want to get a good harness for Nana if you don't already have one for her. Check out gear on the home page. We have the Webmaster Ruffwear harness for Murphy. The handle on top makes it easier to help him in & out of the car, or anyplace else we might need to help him.
Oh, and we love pictures!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Okay..deep.breaths...B R E A T H E.......really...a couple.of deep breaths....B R E A T H E.
You are doing EXACTLY what needs to be done for Nana to get her pain free and rid.her of.any.further surgeries! Once.Nana recovers from.surgery she can get on.with gettin' on!!
I know the last.24.hrs have been absolutely off the wall crazy with questions, uncertainties, fear,.panic...and more fear.and panic!!
The most.shocking.thing.I found was the amount.of.fur they shaved,.so be."prepared".for that. When you.pick.her up,.just.look straight.into.her.druggy eyes.and tell her what a good girl.she.is and how proud.of her you are! She won't be looking at the incision site so why should you?
Recovery is no picnic for about 2 weeks. All she needs to do for now is rest and take potty breaks. She may not feel like eating for a few days. She may not poop for a few days. As long as she is drinking and peeing, thats good!
The hospital pain meds will stay in her system for about 3 days. After that you will have to balance the pain meds and figure out the proper dosage that works to keep her comfortable. Your vet will most likely send you home with Tramadol, gabapentin and Rimadyl, as well as an antibiotic.
If you have hardwood floors you will want to put down some non-slip rugs for traction . No jumping up on the sofa or the bed or stair climbing for now.
Stay connected and know that you are not alone! We are all right here by your side. We lived through it and so will you! It is important to be strong and confident so Nana will know that everything is ok, and it is!
Try and get some rest and know that Nana is in good hands for the night. Update us as soon as you bring her home and let us know how things are going.
B R E A T H E....and eat lots.of CHOCOLATE!!
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!
Thank you very much everyone for your kind words and great support ! They gave me strength to be strong for the new chapter of my girl and me. Nana is a Saint Bernard who just turned 8 two weeks ago.
Last night I went to see Nana and I spent about 40 minutes with her. Yes, I made it - I didn't cry in front of her ! But pretty devastated; lots of bandages, being shaved a large parts. She didn't get up at all but lying down while I was there, so I couldn't get to see her standing. I was calmer than I had thought that was because I didn't see her standing on 3 legs ???? She ate all the boiled chicken and some biscuits I brought. We just had a quiet time, sitting next to each other and looking at each other's face. Gosh, it was hard to leave ! I wish I could have stayed there !
Dr. called me this morning, saying that everything is so far so good but Nana hasn't urinated yet. They said they'd do a blood work just in case. So I don't know at this point if she could come home tonight....
I'm so glad she's doing well. We'll keep our paws crossed she can come home. Your vet is very proactive, that's good! Sounds like she's getting reat care.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know it is hard to not have her home, but the vet is right in wanting to keep her until everything checks out. My Otis is also 8, 100 pounds, with mild arthritis and he is doing fine on 3 legs. We don't take long walks anymore, but that is really the only change. He still chases cats and squirrels, steals food off the counters and sleeps on the sofa. At this point (a couple days short of 3 months) he can even go up and down stairs in a controlled manner. You will be amazed at how quickly they adjust. I am also a fan of the Ruffwear Webmaster Plus harness. It also has a clip on top for your lead, so it doesn't get tangled around their legs.
Hang in there - recovery is hard, but most dogs show amazing improvement once the staples come out.
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.
Wow, there's always someone in this community and giving me strength to look forward !
Just a quick update- the blood work came out as a good result and Nana tried to get up and walk by herself early this afternoon. And She's ready to come home tonight ! I'm pretty nervous right now going to see her in a few hours though.
Thank you very much for your supportive and generous words. I couldn't be this strong without this great community !
I'll try to update and put some photos as soon as possible.
elle
Nana's avatar picture is precious! Can't wait to see more!
You're doing breat and you are stronger than you realize! You'll become more.and more adjusted to the recovery process with each passing day. Besides, you jave your extended Tripawd family right by your side. And @lts of CHOCOLATE! You did stock up on chocolate, right???
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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