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 Everyone
We are on day 4 after surgery and he is doing better than I ever expected. When I went to pick him up, he almost ran to me and that was not at all what i was expecting. He has been getting around pretty well, figuring out how to walk, sit and lay down without his leg. I do have some questions that I have encountered and wondering your thoughts.
- Stairs...the doctor recommended not having Gunner go upstairs in the house until 6 weeks have passed. He seems to do fairly well with the stairs to go outside (4 steps) and I was thinking 6 weeks seemed excessive. He really wants to go upstairs to sleep, but so far I have not let him.
- Should I be letting him jump up on the furniture? He desperately wants to be on the couch and the bed.
- Gunner has not pooped yet, but has been eating well. Should I be worried about this?
- Do most people put anything over the incision after the bandage has come off? I have a t shirt on right now and not sure if that is a bad idea.
- I have noticed that he is quieter today than he has been for the first couple days. He wants to be left alone more and sleep. I think that I have ready that others have experienced that, just curious.
- Last one is, after removing the bandage, noticed he is very red near is genital area, but not close to the incision. It is not bumpy or raised at all, but very red and almost rash looking. He doesn't seemed bothered by it, but concerned on what this might be. Any ideas?
So happy to have my baby home, he seems happy but also aggravated that things are not the way they have always been. Not running around the yard, or going upstairs to bed. I know that it will get better and I can believe that from what I have read from others. Thank you again!
Glad to hear your baby is doing so well. I'll try to answer your questions and of course these are my opinions. 1. Steps. 6 weeks does seem a bit long but you do want to build core strength before he does a lot of steps. After the stitches/staples come out many use a harness like the RuffWear harness sold here to help their tripawd with steps and getting in and out of cars etc. it has a handle at the top so you can quickly grab it to help them. Might want to look into getting one we and many others here found it invaluable. 2. No jumping allowed on furniture or beds. There's the chance of them falling plus you don't want them jumping on and off with only one remaining leg. That remaining leg has to stay strong so no extra force on it! 3.poop can take a while. The pain pills constipate. Many of us added pure pumpkin in the can not pumpkin pie mix just the pure pumpkin to help things move along. 4. T shirt is perfect for covering the incision. 5. Yup many experience a little crash around days 3-5. Hospital meds are now out of their system and they're feeling a little more off. Totally normal. It takes a lot of energy to hop on 3 and their muscles etc get a bit more sore. 6. The bruising can really spread far and wide. As the days go by just keep an eye on it the coloring should lessen too. Bruising gets worse the first few days at home and then it should start to fade. If anything causes you concern never hesitate to call your vet and ask. Mommy piece of mind is priceless. Give yourself a huge pat on the back you are doing great! Hugs!
I'm pretty new to this too. Jaxon will be at 2 weeks post amp tomorrow. He had some really sleepy days. He can do the 2 steps to the yard unassisted but often hesitates as he figures out how to come back up (rear legger). The kids accidentally knocked the gate over and he made his way all the way upstairs--and was pooped for a couple days! He also quickly sneaks up into the couch to snuggle, which we discourage. I have really seen a return to normal in the past few days! The past 2 days have been beautiful (not too hot, but sunny with a breeze) and he's loved laying outside. We just got our harness and plan to start exercises tomorrow. Hoping he can sleep upstairs soon.
Sending good healing vibes to Gunner and relaxing vibes to you! Hope he recovers well!
Hi Everyone
Gunner is 6 days post op and has been doing pretty well. Going outside to go the bathroom and eating pretty regularly, but the last couple days have been very different. He has not been eating as much, shaking and not interested in sitting with us that much. He is still on the tramadol and Cephalexin but nothing else. I am concerned about the change in behavior and the shaking really makes me nervous. I only have enough tramadol to last for another couple of days, is that long enough?
Just wondering if the change in behavior is normal, or should I bring him in to be seen?
Thank you so much for any advice
Tori
Hi Tori!
Just throwing a few things out there that we've seen happen during the first weekmof recovery.
By avout dsy three the strong hospital pain meds are out of their system. This is when it really becomes important to tweak the doses and timing of the pain meds.
.lst dogs here come home woth Tramadol, Rimadyl, Gabapentin and an antibiotic. You have the Tram and the a antibiotic. Many cetx here give you a two week supply of Tram and maybe the Gabapentin too.
Aooooo...It sou ds like Gunner is experiencing pain. Nkw, kf he hasn't pulled a .iscle, or strained his back or shoukder, or overdid it jn some way, most likely this is surgery pain.
Again, no Vet and not giving Vet advice, vut talk to your Vet about getting some more Tramadol and adding Ri.adylmand/of Gabapentin to the mix.
It may be that the Tram will work better kf it's. Ore frewue t doses I. Less amounts. Do you notice if the pain symptoms start an hour or so before the next dose? Then it needs to be given more frequently. Depending on the amounts there is some leeway for every six hours, ir eight , or twelve.
What's is day like? Still just doing potty breaks and then coming in fir rest?? Eating, drinking, peeing, pooping okay? Okay, not eating as much...saw that. Try some really yummy foods...cheeseburgers, chicken, steak, etc...anything yummy he might eat. The pain, as well as meds, coukd mzke him not feel like eating as much.
Not wanting to be with his pack is also a pain indicator.
Sooo....that's my 2¢ non professional advice!
Gove Gunner a vig smooch for us!''He'll get past this rough part of recovery and perk up soon! 🙂
Higs
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 Tori!
If it helps your peace of mind, I'd at least call your vet with your concerns. That being said Jaxon did not have shaking, but has definitely had periods of wanting isolation and his eating habits have not returned to "normal." Today was Day 14 post amp and he seemed very stiff/creaky like maybe he'd overdone it. Just sharing our experience to let you know how he's doing, but all pets are different. Hoping you and Gunner do well over the next few days!
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