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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Hi! I'm so glad I found this site. My dog Cooper (little Westie mix) just had his front right leg amputated. He's 4 days post-op. He's super bruised and pretty swollen, especially on the lower portion of his incision. Nothing is weeping or smelly so I'm assuming that's ok. He's been pretty good about hopping around so far to go to the bathroom, although I've been mostly carrying him. My biggest concern is that he's really restless. Has anyone else noticed that? He's on a bunch of pain meds but I think he's still in a lot of pain and can't settle down. In the middle of the night he'll just get up and stand there until I tell him to lay down again. He's having a lot of trouble just sleeping. Any suggestions? He's been eating and drinking ok and he's pooped every day so I'm not entirely sure what it is. He was on all these pain meds before the amputation because he had cancer in his elbow. Never could pin down what type. Always came back as "unknown carcinoma" but after a PET scan confirmed the cancer was contained in the elbow, and I know it's super weird, we decided to amputate. Any advice would be much appreciated! Also any help with when the swelling and bruising starts to go away. Poor guy looks terrible.
Hi Cooper and family! Sorry to be brief, I'm on my phone.
Bruising is normal, but if it concerns you send a pic to your vet. Most bruising subsides in a week or two.
Sounds like he needs his pain meds adjusted (many dogs do). Let your vet know. Cooper could be having a reaction to Tramadol, many dogs do as well.
You'll help him have a faster recovery if you don't carry him and let him do things on his own. Normalizing things is key to a faster recovery.
Back in a bit. Be sure to visit Jerry's Required Reading List for more tips.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think you were smart to amputate. You never know it the cancer would spread. I made a quick decision to amputate my cat's leg even though there was no biopsy done but based on my vet's suspicion - turns out he was correct that it was a very aggressive cancer.
It sounds like Cooper is doing great! As already said, bruising is normal and some people put ice packs wrapped in a towel on the area. I used cold damp facecloths on my cat, even over the stitches, and she loved it.
My cat was on an opioid and she was a bit crazy and would go from flopping around to racing around the room. I'm sure you'll get more input on the dog medication from others who had the same experience of restlessness.
Remember you can always check in with the vet.
Hugs to you and Cooper.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
What kind of pain meds is he on? Those sound like the same issues Shelby had post amp (despite being on tramadol before her amp for another surgery). It just made her stand and/or pace. And whine. We had to adjust her meds and get her some anti-anxiety meds and that helped with her recovery.
Perhaps chat with your vet about that?
And welcome! Overall Cooper sounds to be doing great (eating, pooping, drinking water).
Hugs!
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
Hello and welcome to you and Cooper.
First off- he sounds like he is doing great for 4 days post op! Eating, drinking and eliminating are all good signs.
My pug Maggie did not do well with even low doses of Tramadol, although I've had 3 other dogs take it without issue. Mag got agitated on Tram and wouldn't sleep, she acted like she was seeing things. The last time I gave it to her she didn't sleep for 12 hours.
Here is a blog post on recognizing pain signs. It is hard sometimes to tell the difference between pain and side effects of pain meds. What pain meds is he taking? You might need to do some tweaking to get him comfortable. Keep talking with your vet about what you are seeing and how Cooper is doing.
I would also caution against carrying him- it led to some really bad habits with Maggie when my mom carried her too much. I know how hard it is to help small dogs get around when they have mobility challenges- I've had lots of experience over the years. Big dogs are heavier so hard to carry, but small dogs are so low to the ground that using a sling or harness is hard on the back. If he needs help walking you might try something like a long piece of fabric as a sling under his chest. If he can hop to the bathroom I would let him do that.
I don't think that it is weird that you amputated. With Maggie's type of cancer it was relatively easy to determine that it was mast cell, but many times here we see dogs who's FNA's or biopsies were inconclusive. Sometimes amputation is the choice no matter what the details of the cancer or other issue.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks for the responses and advice! Cooper is on meloxidyl, gabapentin, and tramadol. He's also on a 10 day Antibiotic. I've been carrying him outdoors just because I live in an apartment building and the outdoors are super far, round trip, according to my Fitbit is 1100 steps. I put him down once we're out and he walks around. I tried ice today on the incision site and that seemed to help some. I'm going to give my vet a call tomorrow if he's still having trouble settling down.
You guys are all so wonderful!
Alyson and Cooper
Alyson and Cooper,
Cooper is so cute! We had a Westie growing up and she was such a great and determined little squirt. My dog Rusty had his leg amputated two weeks ago and I slept on the floor with him. For probably the first 4-5 days we got very little sleep he would also get up and stand in the dark. By the time I had to get up in the morning he was finally ready to lay down and sleep soundly. He has gotten continuously better at sleeping through the night but he still wakes up several times I imagine it's just tough to stay comfortable with bones touching skin in new places. Rusty's incision and hip did get bruised and a bit puffy a few days after surgery but then started getting continuously better. But if something seems off to you- you know your buddy best and should definitely call your vet!
hope you both have a more restful night,
Amy & Rusty
Hey Alyson and ADORABLE COOPER!!
You've gotten great advice from everyone!!
And yes, with the distance Cooper has to go, carrying him makes perfectly good sense!!
My "sleeping experience" (or lack thereof!) with Happy Hannah was similar to Rusty's and Cooper's...only it lasted about five nights before I could get a couple of hours sleep!!
Happy Hannah was restless and panting and did not want to lay down. She would only sit for a few minutes and she was quite whiny.
Quite frankly, even though many had these experiences because of the Tramadol, I think the pain was the culprit for her moreso than the meds. So I kept her kn the meds to make sure thst her pain wouldn't get worse.
This part of the recovery is soooo hard, but it does get better!!! You are sleep deprived and emotionally drained right now, so TRY and get some rest when you can!! And eat CHOCOLATE for supper! It helps 🙂 🙂 🙂
Stay connected! You are not alone!! 🙂
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!
Hi again Alyson,
Sounds logical to carry your boy, it's a long haul for those three little legs so soon after surgery. Hopefully he can settle down tonight and you can both get some rest.
Hang in there- you are in the worst part of recovery, things will get better soon!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Cooper really is ahead of the game despite some of the things you mentioned. Does he still have swelling? For my Jack Russell, a cold compress took care of the swelling nicely. Things do get a little bit better every day so hang in there. My dog is now just over 2 months post amp and completely back to normal. Tripawds is an amazing website and will help you through this so keep in touch and give us updates. Don't forget pictures. Many hugs to you and Cooper.
Hi! Cooper is doing better, although I think it's definitely the medication that's making him weird. His incision is looking great. No swelling and the bruising is slowly going away. He's 8 days post op now and much more willing to move, although I still think walking all the way outside is a little far. Plus I'd rather he get to enjoy the outside more, rather than the boring hall walk! He still does a lot of getting up and staring off into space but I think when he gets off all the drugs he'll get back to normal. I have him wearing tshirts - which he hates, so he won't bother his stitches.
Any foot, joint, leg care or next steps would be excellent. My regular vet has a vet certified in physical therapy so I think I'll set up a consultation with her, just to get some excersises and advice.
Everyone is amazing and you have made me feel so much better about this process! I've never met anyone with a tripawd dog so this is all so new.
Alyson and Super Cooper
Isn't it the best thing in the world when you finally start to see a bit of improvement? And it's still so very, very early! In a couple of more weeks all this recovery stuff will fade I to the baxkgrpund.
Yeah, Cooper still needs to take it slow and easy, but sitting outside does seem to perk them up a bit.
There is a ton of information on nere about joint supplements, core strength building exercises, etc. Im just not very good and finding the exact links for you though, but they're on here!!
YOU ARE DOING A GRRRREAT JOB!!! Give yourself a big hug!''This recovery part is not easy!
Update when you can
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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