Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Karl is still having times of pain. ( panting and shaking, turning away food.) The second Fentynal patch comes off today. He gets Rimydal 2x a day, Gabapentin 2x a day, and Imstarted him back on Tramadol 2 tablets 3 x a day. I feel like we are going in reverse. I did get some of the k9 immunity plus in the mail today and spooned it broken up I peanut butter that stuck in his mouth.
I have to hand feed him hamburger , and he's reluctant to drink too. It's challenging and worries me since his first chemo is now for Thursday .
Did any of you notice large twitching on the incision side ?
hugs ,
Karl and mom Julie
Online
I know this is so frustrating and it seems like recovery lasts forever. It doesn't!!
Let me address the chemo appointment first. My Happy Hannah was scheduled for her first treatment at the end of the second week. I canceled. She was not having, what I would recall, a "smooth" recovery and I did not want ro do anything to cause her wro feel badly. The reality is, every dog recovers differently...some faster...some slower...some relatively "easy"...some relatively "harder". So, for me, waiting three weeks before I started her chemo gave her the additional time she needed to recover from the surgery. She sailed through her chemo with no problems.
Of course I'm no vet. I can tell you from what Ived observed here, the patch, along with all the other pain meds could definitely be causing the symptoms you are seeing. I'm a huge proponent of managing the pain, but it does appear that, with the patch, Karl is taking a lot of pain meds. I'm glad the patch is about to come off. Again, not a vet, but the meds certainly could be playing havoc with his tummy. Ask your vet about giving you something to coat his tummy. Those meds are hard on an empty tummy.
As far as drinking, my Happy Hannah never missed a meal, but did NOT want to drink water during her recovery either. Here's a solution that worked for her. I put a scoop of ice cream in her water. I had a "special technique" hough! I would get her to lick the scoopnof ice cream, then slowly drop it knto the water, swirl it around a little and she lapped it right up!
Do not hesitate to call the vet if you have continued concerns. Sometimes a visit to the vet's for a good dose of fluids makes an incredible difference in perking them up and improving their appetite.
If I recall, Happy Hannah definitely had twitching, kind of a quivering, at the incision site for quite awhile. It did not appear ro be pain related at all.
Hang in there and stay connected! Ask your vet about fliids and something for Karl's tummy.
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!
9 days...that's just over a week. Really, that's not long for having his leg removed! What if it were you? You certainly would not be pain-free yet! 
Murphy took his pain pills for 2 weeks, and we weaned down during the 2nd week. I honestly don't remember the dosages or the timing, but most dogs (and cats) are taking their meds for about 2 weeks or sometimes even 3 weeks. It's ok. This is major surgery. Murphy also gave us a hard time about eating. I cooked up some rice and poured chicken broth over it, then added some chunks of chicken to it. That way he was getting fluids and protein.
Breathe, have some chocolate, and give Karl a kiss <3
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
Have the sutures come out yet? Until those came out on Day 13 for Quincy he was not himself (although eating was not his issue). The vet said physically he was ok on his first chemo which was the day they took out the sutures even though we were uncertain given we hadn't really seen him back to his normal self yet. But it was like flipping a switch when we got home after that appt - he immediately started playing and was nearly back 100%. I guess those staples really hurt/were uncomfortable. Quincy was on 2 Gabapentin through Day 13. He had stopped Tramadol on about Day 10 (having a lot of odd side effects). He also stayed on Rimadyl 2x a day for a full 3 weeks (vet said just finish out the RX - which was for 3 weeks - given the "official" estimate of surgery recovery is 3 weeks). Certainly talk to the vet but I bet Karl will feel better once those sutures come out.
First, try not to feel pressured about the upcoming Chemo. If Karl isn't feeling up to it, you can delay the treatment. We delayed Ellie's first treatment because of a rough recovery and I know others have also. We didn't want to "hit her while she was down". So, that is something to consider. Secondly, I wonder if Karl is reacting to the pain killers (Fentanyl). He had two patches worth? That would be about 10 days (I think they're about 5 days each?). I remember another dog here who the vets finally determined that he was a bit over-medicated. He may start feeling better as the pain meds even out.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Hi Julie and Karl
Sorry the rides a bit rough at the moment.
For us it definitely seemed to get worse before it got better. Beau had some quite heavy twitching on his amputation side, shaking and at times he would tense his whole body. He would suddenly cry out for no apparent reason and sometimes he would be walking and suddenly start crying and have to lay down and cry (can only just bear to think about it now, poor guy, it really was horrible). This all started about 9/10 days post amp. Its frightening and worrying, because they cant tell you exactly whats going on it makes you really paranoid about the pain but it does get better. Like Donna said, sometimes its almost easy to forget how huge this surgery is, our dogs really are superheroes and bounce back far quicker than we ever would. Karl will get there with lots of love and hugs.
As for food and water, was he ever a fussy eater before the surgery? I've heard someone on here mention chicken broth (low salt version) to get some water and calories into his system if water isn't appealing. Sometimes dehydration can affect appetite. Our other dog Shamus had a terrible reaction to NSAID's a few years back, he wouldn't eat a single thing for days and would barely drink. We took him to the vet who said he was really dehydrated, put him on a drip and within hours he was eating again. Beau always drank pretty well but sometimes he didn't want to so I used to hold the bowl under his chin and cup the water in my hand, and let him drink from my hand, for some reason he liked it. Also, apparently dogs are stimulated to drink by the sound of running water so maybe thats what it was, or maybe he was just lording it up a bit and was enjoying the special treatment! Sally's ice cream water also sounds like a great idea! Worth a go.
Just keep doing what your doing. Sounds like you're doing a great job! As others have said, when then staples come out, wow, for Beau it really did make a huge difference, pretty much immediately. He had his first chemo the same day as his staples came out which was exactly 3 weeks post amp. You know Karl better than anyone, if you don't feel that he is up to it, maybe postpone a little, just for a bit more healing time.
Sending you and Karl lots of healing love and hugs. This bit is so tough, but you're almost over that hill.
Hannah, Beau & Family.
xxx
We continued with the Tramadol, although at reduced dosages, for several days after the staples came out and even after the first chemo. The surgeon and oncologist allowed us to give as needed (with a clear understanding of the maximums permissible). Finally, we got down to just one before bed. When he no longer needed them, it was pretty obvious to us. So, don't worry if he still needs some pain medication now. I think he will be able to tell you when he doesn't need it anymore. Although Otis was able to get to his food and water bowls without problems, I did carry water to him in bed from time to time just to encourage him to drink more. He seemed more likely to drink in the early days if it was hand delivered
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.
Thank you everyone. Tonight he finally drank his water like normal after not drinking anything for two days . It's been 24 hours off the Tramadol. He seems sore, but not panting and will settle to rest. He still wants to be hand fed his hamburger yet seems less drugged and more alert when awake. Amen. It's a hard balance.
Im thinking of waiting until next week to start the chemo. I want him to feel stronger- The Oncologist and some of you have convinced me. They need Karl to be eating more normal pre chemo to determine his normal and how he reacts after each treatment.
Im so happy he had a good drink!
hugs,
Karl and mom Julie
Hi Julie and Karl....sorry to hear about the continued issues. The others gave great advice, especially about waiting on chemo until YOU feel comfortable with starting it. As for the appetite woes - Nitro wouldn't eat anything for a full 7 days after surgery (talk about stressful!)
Unfortunately, it seems to be 1 step forward, 2 steps back in the recovery process. Try to stay upbeat, things will get better. The pain meds can mess with appetite as well as other things.
Give Karl a big hug for us - and one for you too!
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Julie that's fantastic news!
Not sure if I missed it but have you tried spiking his water with something like no-sodium chicken or beef broth? Check out the new Honest Kitchen Bone Broth, that will really get him to drink liquids.
I agree it might be good to wait a few days until his appetite is strong again. In the meantime remember, if you want him to eat like normal, you have to feed him like normal. Check out this video from our favorite rehab vets to see what I mean.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry Karl was agitated, but I'm happy he seems to be doing better!
Koda's occasionally been fussy about water since his surgery, too. There have been a lot of days where he won't drink anything, but he'll eat bowlfuls of ice cubes. Another idea to try if Karl turns his nose up to water again. 🙂
xo
Julie and Koda
Mom of Koda, 150 lb male Anatolian Shepherd age 6 1/2 (DOB 10/4/09).
TPLO both knees - one 11/2012 and the other 2/2013;
Underpants-ectomy (a/k/a blockage removal) 8/2013;
Osteosarcoma in front left leg diagnosed 3/1/16;
Joined Tripawd Nation 3/4/16
Forever missing Koda's big brother, Sully (a/k/a James P. Sullivan), our first Anatolian and the Original Big Man (tm), who passed at age 10 1/2 from degenerative myelopathy on 6/27/13.
Alrighty! Mr. Karl has decided water is a good thing! 🙂 Now food is next on the list of "good things"!
One thing you might try...and it sounds crazy but it may work.....have a vriend he likes come over WITH a cheese! Have him sniff the bag, make him really want to start rootin' around trying to get to it, then give him tiney vites with lots of "good boy"!
Keep us posted.
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 everyone !
Karl ate supper from his raised dish, horray! I coaxed him by adding boneless canned salmon to his hamburger and I slipped in some kibble too. ( sneaky mom) he also drank a good drink. Amen
I Think Karl might have his days and nights mixed up. I'm sleeping on the first floor of our house while he is recovering and he's up most of the night. I'm trying to sleep because I have to work during the day. My adult son has been keeping an eye on Karl while I'm at work and he says he's sleeping all day.
How can we flip his nights back. I'm not into this third shift routine 
hugs,
Karl and mom Julie
Dear Adult Son Who is Keeping an Eye on Karl During the Day,
Keep him engaged, give him a Kong with treats, brush him, take him outside to sniff the breezes, knock on the door several times a day if he starts to snooze...anything to try and keep him awake! Of course, he needs his rest and needs to sleep part of the day.
Glad Karl is eating better and drinking better. Sounds like he's turning the corner towards getting back to normal! Hang in there, things ARE getting 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!
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