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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Two days after surgery
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Member Since:
16 October 2016
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21 October 2016 - 7:33 am
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Member Since:
16 October 2016
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21 October 2016 - 8:10 am
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The ultimate comfy sleeping position - she just turned over, so happy to see this after she was uncomfortable this morning!laughingImage Enlarger

Norene, TN
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21 October 2014
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21 October 2016 - 9:41 am
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Awwww . . . what a sweetie, just melts my heart.heart

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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21 October 2016 - 9:59 am
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I have always thought that an upside down dog is a happy and relaxed dog.smiley

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.

Member Since:
2 October 2016
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21 October 2016 - 7:34 pm
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heart what a little dolly. Hope she's still resting well. 

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23 October 2016 - 10:01 am
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So we are both kind of uncomfortable.   I am guessing she is coming down as the meds finish up (finished the Gabapentin yesterday).  She was up and down last night, which meant I couldn't sleep either.  Honestly not sure if she was in pain or worried by the wind (this is common for her, she is scared of thunder and strong winds make her head come up and look around).  She wasn't looking at me but at the door.  Did not have to go to the bathroom.  I considered putting her in the crate but she stresses in there so since she wasn't panicking or trying to jump I let her be.  Eventually she frog stretched on the floor.

So I'm pretty tired and she was doing the same this morning, though not as badly.  Peed & ate fine (no poop yet, been out twice).  Seemed happy to get outside - body language, tail wagging, but then stands around looking a bit confused.  It's too cool and windy to sit outside, but in this weather usually we would walk and I think she in "walk mode" and realizes here body can't handle it (which we go just far enough to pee right now).  Then she shivers a bit because of her shaved area, poor thing.  I'm sure I'm overthinking and over analyzing. 

So she was on and off her bed, I put her on my mattress and she seemed like she was going to sleep but then shifted around and stood up a couple of times so I took her off, don't want her to jump.  She is frog stretched out on the floor right now.  Sigh.  I think she is sleeping.  Had her regular dose of Carprof. this a.m.

The x pen came yesterday according to Amazon and probably got delivered to my LL's house, which is what usually happens (their house is right behind mine)...they are an elderly couple so I don't expect them to shlep boxes to my place but I called yesterday and today to go get them but no response (which has me a bit worried, though I know someone was home because their dog was out yesterday).  I want to set up the pen so I can make a quick run to get milk and maybe a new bed for her.   I don't want to crate her.

I should just walk over to the LL's - we have a very good relationship, they are a nice couple, but his wife has been sick and maybe they are in the hospital.  I just want my stuff and I'm so tired.  I wish I had someone to just sit with her for a couple of hours so I could run out.  Everyone I know lives an hour away and now my sister's dog has a probable torn ligament and she's worried about her!

Thanks for listening.  I'll figure it out and I think Tai is finally asleep.  If I get my pen I can move us back upstairs and maybe sleep myself.  One more day and then staples out on Tuesday, I have a LOT of questions for the doc.

ETA:  OK actions are better than sitting around.  Just walked over to the LL, they are OK (he has a bad back) and couldn't find his phone and I have my stuff.  Tai did not get up to meet me at the door, which is unsual (she is watching me tho).  Going to try a new set up now.  Hopefully she can relax.

Livermore, CA




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23 October 2016 - 10:44 am
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Her surgery was on the 14th, right?  So about 9 or 10 days ago.

It sounds to me like she might be in some pain.  Most dogs here are on pain meds for at least two weeks, some longer.  If she still seems uncomfortable today I would talk with the vet about more meds.  Some lucky pups seem to not need pain meds after 7 or 10 days but what you are describing sounds like it could be pain.

I'm glad you got a xpen, I think you will find that it is very useful.  When folded up it doesn't take up too much room and it is pretty portable. 

I hope you have a restful day and a more peaceful night!

Karen

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

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16 October 2016
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23 October 2016 - 10:54 am
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Thanks Karen.  I am worried about pain (surgery was the 14th) and if no improvement today will call the doc tomorrow.  Her surgery doc (that we see Tuesday) is an hour away but I'm sure they could OK something to our local vet if needed.   She is still on the Carprofen every 12 hrs.

Right now she is lying in the sun and seems to be resting heart

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14 February 2016
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23 October 2016 - 11:04 am
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My Otis continued on Tramadol into week 3, although we began reducing the doses when the staples came out.  And yes, she may be cold on her shaved area.  We kept Otis in a Tshirt, and I know rear leggers can wear boxers, but not sure how that would work with her size and the purpose of "outside."  Fortunately, the fur will grow back fairly quickly.

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.

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16 October 2016
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23 October 2016 - 12:59 pm
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sad poor girl, not comfy at all.  I was able to squeeze another dose out of the bottle and hopefully that will kick in soon.  Why didn't I call yesterday?? Ugh....the vet was great, they tried to get me a refill locally but the dose is so small they couldn't.  So they moved her staples appt to tomorrow morning and I can get the refill then. 

She is stretched out in the sun.  She did go out and poop and pee again and is very receptive to treats.  I hope she can rest.

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16 October 2016
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25 October 2016 - 6:24 pm
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Staples out and the vet liked the way she is moving around.  Refilled the Gabapentin with instructions to give to her once per day.  She will prob always be on the Carprofen - she was on it prior to the surgery for her arthritis.

The biopsy was positive for osteosarcoma in her leg bone - unusual for a smaller dog (he said) but there it is.  No tumors in her lungs, though I know that's not a guarantee that she won't develop more.  Not sure what I will do at this point - probably at least speak to their oncologist but I don't know if I want to put her through treatments if that's what he wants to do - she is 14 and generally in good health, but..I don't know.  Been eating, pooping normally.

She came to work with me today and seemed to do well.  Got a little uncomfortable in the middle of the day (normally she would just be sleeping and maybe wake up to go out to pee) but I suppose that's normal since surgery was only 11 days ago!  I took her out to pee and she settled back again.  She is sooo good.  If it were me, I would be whining and complaining non-stop.   She was ready to jump in and out of the car (eek!) but I was ready for that.  Amazing that she even wants to try it.   I've ordered a special car seat that should come tomorrow and then she can be strapped in safely and look out the window.  I've been packing her with her bed and blanket on the passenger side floor of the car in the meantime and she's not super pleased with that. 

Last night was a bit rough again.  She sleeps fine on her bed downstairs and I take it upstairs when it's bed time.  Before the surgery she would normally start off sleeping under the bed on the floor (it is carpeted) and maybe transition to her bed at some point.  She never lies on her bed if I put it under my bed (I think it brings her too close to the bottom of my bed for her liking).  I leave a mat under there but she doesn't use that either.  She obviously couldn't get comfortable either under the bed or on her bed (doesn't like to be on my bed - it's too high up) which kept me up as well.    I had given her the Gabap about a half hour before bed so maybe it didn't kick in for a bit?  She was restless around 3 am too.   Tonight I gave her the Gabap a bit earlier to see if that helps.

I just don't know what to get to keep her comfortable upstairs.  Been looking at different things but I think she just likes to lie under the bed but now of course it's uncomfortable since surgery.   I was thinking a crib mattress but if it lifts her too close to the bottom of my bed she may not want it...any ideas?  I feel kind of at my wit's end, I just want to make her comfortable.   She is trying and needs my best.   I feel disorganized and just trying to get a routine going. 

Michigan
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2 April 2013
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25 October 2016 - 6:30 pm
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Murphy likes the cold floor best - his favorite sleeping spots are the bathroom floor, under the kitchen table, in front of the front door or on the landing to the basement.  All tiled floors, and he sleeps with his back against the wall, except under the kitchen table.  He's never been one to sleep on our bed. 

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

Donna.png



Member Since:
27 July 2014
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25 October 2016 - 7:00 pm
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Maybe she like hiding places like cats. Perhaps you could put the bed or a pad in a closet for your dog to sleep? With cats some people even drape a blanket over a coffee table and the cats would sleep under there. Just a couple of suggestions for places where your dog can feel cozy but still with enough room.

I'm sure you'll figure it out so you both can get more sleep tonight. She sure looks like a cutie.

Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona

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16 October 2016
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30 October 2016 - 12:06 pm
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16 days after surgery now.  She is doing well.  I think the night behaviors are because her separation anxiety is manifesting.  I rearranged a few things in the bedroom, moved the night light around and talk to her.  It is better though not what it was pre-surgery, so I will give it time.   She is still on Carprofen (she was on that before surgery, for her arthritis).  I need to call the vet about tapering off the Gabapentin, I wonder if that could be increasing her night anxiety?

We are trying to resume our schedules - she has come to work with me (I bought her a car seat, love it - she's a bit confused by it but is going with it). 

The last couple of days she has wanted to go for her normal walk so we go with me keeping her slow.  I worry that she will hurt her back with the 3 legged gait she uses and she usually wants to start fast.  She has wanted to go twice today (beautiful day) so we've gone.  She peed and pooped both walks (not unusual, she's always been a good pooper). 

She also wants to play with her toy so there's been some of that - easy hide and seek, etc.  I don't want her to overexert.  The other day I was getting ready to get her harness on and she was so excited her leg stretched out and she yipped crying She has shown no interest in trying stairs or in jumping on the couch like she used to (whew for now).

So it seems like the next option (with vet clearance) would be to look into rehab and get ideas on keeping her strong?  I've been researching a couple of places in the area.  She is snoozing now, I want her to be happy but not over do it. 

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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30 October 2016 - 12:22 pm
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Wooohooo! I'm thrilled she's doing so well! Sounds like her usual sparkle is coming back little by little. For those walks, remember that Tripawds do walk at a faster pace in order to maintain momentum. Just keep the walks short to a few minutes at a time while she's building strength.

Regarding the rehab, that's awesome you're taking her! I love that you're being so conscientious!! Remember, Tripawds Foundation will cover the cost of your first consult. As long as the facility has certified therapists (CCRT/CCRP) you're covered. Let us know if you'd like us to look at the facilities you're considering.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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