Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
✅ Easy Photo Upload
✅ Direct Messaging
✅ Subscribe to Topics.
✅ Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
4:37 pm
Moderators
Helpline Hosts
Bucketeers
22 February 2013
Offline
I can only 100% ditto everything Jerry and Rocco's hooman said so well.
Thank you for being so honest with all the emotions you are feeling right now. It's so helpful to any newbies knowing they aren't alone in their " recovery thoughts". I know all this feels so foreign and scary to you, to anyone, this early on. Just know that almost everyone here has those same feelings and uncertainty about what's "normal" and what's not.
Hopefully our feedback helps you to worry less and take things out of your. "worry bucket", Jerry has given you reassurance abput not worrying about cover the incision. Pretty soon it will be empty and your bucket will fill with things to celebrate!!
As pointed out, the fact that he is eating and peeing and hopping . on his own truly is worthy of celebrating!!! We aren "blowing smoke"! It truly is "above the curve" this early! He'll poop in a few days and he'll eventually figure out how to balance to pee. Some dpgs learn to lean against something, some do a semi squat. He'll develop a way that works best for him at his own pace.
There is something uou can do for yourself, okay? I know it's hard not to look in the rear view mirror and spend time on wudda', shudda', cudda" waste of energy that serves no purpose. It prevents you from focusing on all the good you are dojng for Hrafi.
Treat yourself like a friend and give yourself the advice you would give a friend., okay? And that would be;
Look at it like this. Like many of us, you would have second guessed yoirself furever if you went straight to the amputation without trying the limb savng option. You tried it. There was a chance it may have worked. There was a chance it wouldn't, But you tried it. Now is the time to rid yourself of that experience and focus on what is DEFINITELY workng now! Right now you are ridding him of the pain so he can have more quality time with you pain free!
Your boy is home. He needs you rested and pawsitive. He needs you to rake care of you. Let us know how we can help him help you, okay? He's doing very well at this point. Probably his only thought right now is "How can I look pitiful so Mom will give me more treats?"
((((((((((((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!
10:22 am
Team Tripawds
Administrators
Helpline Hosts
26 April 2007
Offline
YEAH! That's wonderful news! A time to celebrate in a BIG way!
12:07 pm
Moderators
Helpline Hosts
Bucketeers
22 February 2013
Offline
We love to celebrate. 
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!
4:39 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
Helpline Hosts
26 April 2007
Offline
LOL! That's the biggest you know what I've ever seen!
He seems off today.
Was trembling some but they said just keep giving his meds as directed.
The seroma encompasses his naughty bits so I sent them photos of that for a vet to look at.
I took him out briefly and he can still pee, which is what I was worried about.
He's still able to nearly drag me to my death which I reckon is "good thing".
1:18 pm
Team Tripawds
Administrators
Helpline Hosts
26 April 2007
Offline
It's totally normal to have some ups and downs in recovery. That's why so many people describe it as the worst roller coaster ride ever. When does the trembling happen?
Sounds like he still has spunk and his mobility is good too. I'm glad you're in contact with the vet team. Great job!
8:29 pm
Moderators
Helpline Hosts
Bucketeers
22 February 2013
Offline
I always chuckle when you reference his naughty bits. Sounds like they are working just fine😎
Yeah, those seromas cause a lot of a fluid swelling pocket. I'm sure they Vet will advise, but I'm sure you have no worries along those lines. My Happy Hannah (a femailer resr legger) had what I called a "saggy boob". So between his swollen naughty bits and her saggy boob, I guess we've covered the Male and female seroma swelling areas pretty well😉
And yes, an off day here and there, aqnnuo day here and there, all part of the journey. Overall though, he really is doing well.....and so are uoi!! Good job!!!
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!
He's really freaking me out again.
He just keeps pacing, circling and laying down in weird places.
It's really hard not to panic.
He had a codeine at 11pm and I have no idea if that's what is causing this.
He was asleep and peaceful while I ran errands earlier.
Hi what is the temperature where you are? I discovered with Rocco two days ago that he seemed uncomfortable and panting or heavy breathing, is that I placed a fan about 5ft from him the kind that you place on the floor and oscillate but without the oscillation directly at him. That did it he settled down. I think they are hot on the inside. The temperature in my house is comfortable but seems he needed more. Hope this helps.
It's insane right now.
40s at night, 70s during the day.
Typical Appalachian "fall".
We don't go gently and gracefully into autumn, it just slams on in suddenly.
benny55 said
I always chuckle when you reference his naughty bits. Sounds like they are working just fine😎Yeah, those seromas cause a lot of a fluid swelling pocket. I'm sure they Vet will advise, but I'm sure you have no worries along those lines. My Happy Hannah (a femailer resr legger) had what I called a "saggy boob". So between his swollen naughty bits and her saggy boob, I guess we've covered the Male and female seroma swelling areas pretty well😉
And yes, an off day here and there, aqnnuo day here and there, all part of the journey. Overall though, he really is doing well.....and so are uoi!! Good job!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
I was raised on PBS's Monthy Python in the 70s.
Stuff just sticks with ya forever.
🙂
10:10 pm
Moderators
Helpline Hosts
Bucketeers
22 February 2013
Offline
Even though the Vets said they weren't concerned (and that's good),what did they say caused the sudden Yelp?
It does sound like he may have had a burst of pain from phantom limb pain. But tha doesn't continue. It's sudden ,loud yelps, trying to rub away from the pain. Generally doesn't last more than a minute. Scary to watch though.
Did the vet point out that staple/stitch could have been the cause of the pain? We have definitely seen that before. Has he been able to get to his incision and do any chewing or biting? If there is some blood he may have somehow pulled on his incision and caused an irritation. However, I assume the vet check that out and the incision is still fully intact?
Has the swelling from the seroma gone down?
Did the vet make any suggestions as far as changing his pain dosage, frequency, Etc. I now in the past the Vet has not made any changes. Based on what you've been describing (and that current issue aside), it sounds like his pain is not being properly managed.
If you don't mind, and it's probably already somewhere in this thread, could you give us his weight, the dose, the frequency, and the meds that he takes currently?
I wish we could somehow wave the magic wand so you wouldn't be so hard on yourself right now. To watch your dog go through recovery, experience pain, Etc is not easy. But it doesn't do any good to beat yourself up when this WILL get better as his progression through recovery continues. One week after MAJOR surgery is still so early. And if we can get his pain manage properly with the proper meds, dosing, etc. pain management tweaking seems to be the key right now!!!!!
Are there times in between the dosing where he does seem less agitated and more comfortable? Or is this just pretty constant 24/7? Although, he certainly has good moments when he tries to pull as hard as he can on the leash when you take him outside. And he is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing.
Okay, will look for your feedback when you have a chance. Continue to hang on to us. We know this is hard. And we also know that it will get better!
And please take care of yourself and TRY and get some rest. And remember, we have the Troawds Helpline to help support you through this.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((♥️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!
10:50 am
Team Tripawds
Administrators
Helpline Hosts
26 April 2007
Offline
I'm sorry that you are feeling so down and wish I could give you a big hug! Yes, it's normal for something like this to happen and nine times out of ten it is very temporary and resolves itself. A dog wouldn't be normal if they didn't feel some level of discomfort after such a major surgery. Try to put yourself in his paws. Most humans would not be doing nearly as well!
Our dog Jerry yelped out when we allowed him to play with his hula hoop. He loved throwing it around the yard, and when he did it too soon after his amputation, he felt the pain and yelped out loud. But you know what? It didn't happen again. We knew we had allowed him to play too hard too early on, so we took it easy, and his body healed.
Hrafi is doing so well considering all the things that we see around here. His recovery sounds like it's on target and even your vets think so. Please try to see that healing IS happening! You are even able to get him to and from the vet, something you were very worried about doing before. And now look at you! Both of you are stronger than you think. You can do this!
Stay ahead of the pain, keep those meds on schedule, don't allow him to go nuts and play hard even though he wants to, and soon this will all be part of your history together.
1 Guest(s)
