Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone! I need help, or advise, if any of you have experienced this with your tripawd. I will try to explain the short version. Lol.
My 6 yr old Bruce (Rottweiler), had his front left leg amputated 11 days ago, due to bone cancer. He had his first follow up post-op appt this past Monday, 4/13/15. He is recovering very well. The surgery site looks good. Bruce is adjusting well. This is not a problem. The problem I am seeing is with his right elbow callus. Now that Bruce is missing his left leg, he uses his right leg for all of his support when sitting, laying, standing up. His right elbow callus has turned into some sort of nasty, moist "thing". It literally feels like a sponge. It is full of fluid. The outer area of the callus is not as moist, but develops what I think is a scab. I clean the elbow callus often, multiple times a day. But, I think the extra use/stress the elbow is receiving is causing this?? I am just not sure. In addition, just below the elbow callus the fur has been rubbed away slightly, and a small bruise has formed. I am afraid that this is also not letting my Bruce relax, as he is most always panting and trying to readjust himself on his right front leg. He is also receiving pain meds at the moment, and I would hope it would help the pain in his right elbow, I am just not sure.
Thanks for all the advice!! And, Bruce thanks you too! 
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Bruce may have developed a hygroma, it is not uncommon in large dogs and front amps.
HERE is some information on hygromas and how to treat them.
Here is a link to an older forum post with some more ideas if you scroll down.
Here is a new post: Try Silver Sulfadiazine for Elbow Wounds and Hygromas.
I don't have any direct experience with them, but other members should chime in soon.
Also- please feel welcome to introduce yourselves in our Share Your Story forum. And we love pictures!
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I just found your blog! So it's not really welcome to Tripawds, but welcome to the forums!
Here is Mighty Bruce's Blog if any members want to catch up.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
If you can find small childrens tube socks, you can cut the toes out and pull it up ove his elbow. May offer some extra padding. I did this for TY, although I had to take it off when he went outside. Hope he feels better soon. Also I put beds all around so he had one in every room to rest on. Lori, Ty and Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Great links and advice fro. Lori and Karen!
I was over atnyour blog first and then saw you had posted here. Has his alery problem gotten any better?
Glad to hear otherwise Bruce is doing well! Keep on keeping on Bruce! Your sparkle will continue to come back more and more!
(((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Sassy wasn't a front amputee and never had a hygroma but her quadpaw "brother" Bosch did. We wrapped and used Raw manuka honey which has healing properties. Also made it kind of sticky that is why we wrapped it as best as we could. Then we bought elbow protector sleeves from Canine Angels on that first link. But Dog leggs does make a specific "wrap" for front amputees a little more expensive though.
The main thing is try to keep them from laying on hard surfaces and it can take awhile for them to completely heal up. Bosch's eventually did. I keep an eye on that elbow though to make sure it doesn't flair back up
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I was just online looking for elbow braces, found this, and thought of bruce. Not sure if it is the same as the one Michelle recommended.
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
That is the Doggleggs one. Here is the Canine Angel's link
http://www.cani.....lsinc.com/
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
We wrote a review about Canine Angels elbow protectors a while back:
Elbow Protectors Eases Pressure Sore Problems
and here's some other info we discussed. Hope it helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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