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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So far so good. Bella's ears perked up whe the kibble hit the bowl. She ate and hopped around to her water bowl and drank almost the whole bowl of water. After that, we carried her down the deck steps and she hopped around to her own spot and had a nice long pee. She's a bit moaney but from what I've read, this is normal. Her wound looks good around the stitching but I am supposed to ice her wound 3 to 4 times a day. When I tried earlier this morning she wasn't into it...I'm thinking because its tender and sore. Does anyone have anything they can share about how they were able to get some ice packs on the wound post op?
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR EATING AND DRINKING AND POTTY!!! :-):-):-):-):-)What a great update!! A lot of dogs don't want to eat or drink at first!
Just make sure the ice pack is wrapped in a towel or something so it isnt directly in the skin. If you have a frozed bag of peas and put them in a cloth that maybe more pliable.
The ice is to help keep the swelling down, but not all Vets even suggest it. So don't worry about it if it causes her discomfort. Yes, I'm sure it is very sore and tender!
Being whiny and moany happens too. All normal. Just make sure you keep ahead of the pain with the med dosing.
Keep these great updates coming!
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!
Agree with Sally.... wrap the ice-pack in a towel so it isn't directly on her skin/wound. Like you do when you ice your own injury! And Shelby hated her icing too but I would sit w/her and pet and snuggle her ears and she seemed to tolerate it a bit. It is uncomfortable and cool ... but will help w/the bruising.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Brenda said
Does anyone have anything they can share...
Check out this post in the Tripawds news blog:
Heat and Ice Therapy Tips for Tripawd Cats and Dogs
There are various other older posts on the topic in the Tripawd Featured Blogs, but this is most recent.
Here are a couple more relative posts with hot/cold therapy tips...the Tripawds e-books also have more information on the subject.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for the great responses. She is so much more alert and aware of her normal cool dog stuff. She's a bit clingy...but I'm sure that is normal. I love that she wanted to find her own spot to do her business and then when done, wagged her tail - like she was proud of herself too! Good advice on the meds. She is due a dose at 5:30 this afternoon, so I'm ready. Boy- the stitches and wound look so painful though. Dogs don't care about scars though do they. I know the universe has very special plans for our Bella and part of this is to live pain free for awhile. I'm just a human trying to help. She does so much more for me than I do for her.
Hi Brenda, Its nice to see that Bella has such a caring parent. She is as lucky to have you as you are to have her.
I have been writing a blog about our journey that details Mya's fight since last Aug. For ice packs we picked up a cooling bag sort of thing, name escapes me, but it had little beads in it and it was shaped to go around your neck {don't get the lavender scented one }. You put it in the freezer and it keeps cool just long enough to do the trick and it was soft enough that it didn't bother her wound. The first aid gel ice packs worked almost as good. Keeping the room cool helped Mya as well, panting always aggravated her stitches. We used plane pure pumpkin { caned but not spiced pie filling } to help fight the constipation from pain meds. on days that she seemed a little more agitated or soar {chatty} we gave her a tooth brush type of bone that came apart for cleaning, with a little tiny bit of peanut butter smeared in the bristles. Kept her busy for a while anyway. We also noticed the pain meds { Tramadol } would make her a little whinny, didn't like the stoner feeling. Also look into CBD and Artemisinin two herbs we are currently giving both our dogs.
hugs and tail wags.
Terry
Allison
Mya
Macleod
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