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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Our dog Halo is a 7 year old Golden Retriever. She is the BEST dog I have ever had in my life. Two weeks ago she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Last week Halo had her front right leg amputated. Since bringing her home last week Wednesday, she has not seemed the same. Halo does not want to move, lies down all the time, does not raise her head when visitors come to the house. When I take her outside she quickly urinates and then wants to lie down and lick the snow. It takes quite a lot to motivate her.
We are giving her Tramadol for pain, and Cephalexin for antibiotics. I know that Tramadol will cause drowsiness, and we give it to her on the clock as requested. Halo does not whine, or whimper when she moves, but she constantly seems down. Yesterday my mother in-law had a breakthrough with her, and was finally able to get her up and moving. We were relieved. Halo is staying with her when my wife and I are at work, we will see them both tonight. I hope today was better.
I don't know if I was expecting too much too early, and we knew she would not be the same peppy dog she always was. The diagnosis was VERY hard on my wife and I, and we had terrible feelings of guilt, anxiety and depression. I guess that feeling is sensed by Halo.
Halo is scheduled to have her stitches removed on March 10th, with chemo to follow soon. Going forward do you have any recommendations to help us motivate her and relieve her depression? We will keep checking back. We love Tripawds!
This is a sensitive issue for some, but those who trust Ceasar Milan believe dogs do not get "depressed" though it may seem that way.
They are, however, excellent at following our lead. If we mope and worry, they will appear to also. Keep your spirits up and remain a strong pack leader. The best thing you can do to get Halo out of her funk is to pretend like nothing has changed and life is just as good as it used to be ... and it soon will be. If you continue to be anxious, nervous and scared, Halo will know, and want to join the pity party.
The other thing she needs most right now is rest. It is still early and everything you say sounds like a textbook recovery for Halo. Once she is off the meds, she'll come around. Hang in there ... You'll all be Loving Life On Three Legs before you know it.
Thanks for joining the discussion and sharing Halo's story! We look forward to hearing your updates.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog Shadow is 5 weeks post-amputation. Let me tell you the first 2 weeks were really tough. Shadow acted pretty much like Halo too. Didnt want to get up except when we made him go out to use the bathroom, and to eat. Otherwise he would sleep, or just lay there with his head down looking really sullen and defeated. But what we attribute to as "depression" is just their bodies healing from the trauma of such a significant surgery, and then you mix that in with the pain medications that causes them to be loopy and not-themselves. Shadow was on the fentanly patch for the first 2 days, Tramadol, Rimadyl AND a sedative. He was out of his mind, and watching him made me almost lose mine. LOL. But trust me when I say, they will get through this. Listen to Jerry. Dogs do feed off of human emotions. Be strong and confident, and Halo will follow your lead. Some dogs take longer to heal than others, and you know your dog the best. Let her go at her own pace.
Everybody here on this forum was so supportive, and got us through this emotionally draining time. I think you will find the same support, we're all going through this together. Welcome to the Tripawd family!
Tina and Spirit Shadow
I Can absolutely relate to what you are going through right now!
Max, who is a 1 1/2 yr old Black Lab did many of the same things you are describing with Halo.
The one thing that I would strongly suggest is to get a CBC (blood test) at your vet and check the platelet count. Max was diagnosed with Thromocytopenia (auto immune disease) after his surgery and had to go on steroids to boost his counts. We had to wait for 3 weeks before we could start chemo. He was VERY lethargic, wouldnt eat, and just wanted to lay in the snow and lick it. We literally had to carry him back in the house because he didnt have the energy to move.
I too, asked my vet about depression and was told that in dogs its very rarely seen. More often its a symtom of something else thats going on. If you look at my previous post "A New Max Symptom" in this forum, I describe the Thrombocytopenia it in detail. Max was diagnosed with it after his staples came out and we went for our first chemo treatment, so your timing is about the same as Max's too.
If it is Thrombo, its treatable but you need to get it diagnosed ASAP.
Keep us posted and best of luck.
Paula and Spirit Max
Our Dog Montana had her leg amputated 1 week ago, she also seems depressed, but i understand that the tromadol causes your dog not to be themselves. Our does not care to eat ,only to sustain herself, she also does not want to play with her toys, but she has moments of being her self like today she wanted to go on a car ride when i picked up my keys and when i bent down to pick her up she jumped in the back of my 4runner. I think you have to wait until Halo is off the drugs to determine if he is OK.
Thank you all for the support and advice. My wife and I felt much better after reading the replies and other forum topics. It keeps us from feeling so alone.
Halo has been doing much better the past couple of days. She has been getting up on her own without us motivating her, she is eating more, and her pep is back. Yesterday, Halo greeted Amy and I at the door, tail wagging and excited to see us. We nearly broke down because we were so happy. My mother in-law said that she did not want to come inside, just wanted to play in the snow. It's good to see her doing better. Our vet was also happy to her about her progress. Stitches come out on Tuesday and we will keep a close eye on her, especially if there is a concern for Thrombocytopenia. Thank you all for your comments. One hurdle done.
Trying to attach her picture to our profile. Not working.
Oh that is so cool, thanks for the update.
It's those little milestones that mean so much after watching them overcome such odds. What a beautiful sight so see our Tripawds happy again!
Let us know if we can help with the photo.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so glad she is feeling better. Each one is a little different, but it seems they are at one end of the specturm, they either are totally passive as they heal or they are determined to do the things they always did. Both are normal and natural healing processes, I believe they know what their bodies need and just naturally do it, much to the dismay of the humans who often have other expectations.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Im so glad Halo is feeling better!! I was hesitant to post about the Thrombo, but thought if it were me, Id at least want the information. Sounds like she was just taking her time! I hope everything stays pawsitive for you both and you dont experience any other issues.
The first couple of weeks after surgery are really tough and I remember thinking more than once that I just wished Max could talk!!
Its a wonderful feeling seeing them begin to act like themselves again!
We send Tripawd hugs to you and Halo! Hang in there and good luck on stitches day!!
Paula and Spirit Max
So glad to hear Halo is doing better. That wagging of the tail is wonderful isn't it. That is was always our measurement for how Wrigley was doing- as long as that tail was wagging, we felt all was good. We loved it when it really started thumping when she layed there. She sounds like our tripawd friend Max- who loves to hang in the snow. Best wishes for a continued great recovery.
Seanne and Wrigley.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Cherry's Dad Here,
I have been away and am sorry that I could not respond sooner. We must keep our attitude up while around them for they do feed off of our emotions. I have so often posted that we must not forget to treat the spirit as well as the body. Cherry was also doing quite poorely after the first few days showing little to no signs of the zeal that had defined her eleven years. So after talking to our local vet (who is also a great friend) I decided to put her in the truck and take her to the vet and replace the pain-patch. As soon as she saw the keys, I saw signs of my old girl. From that day to this (nearly four months) she goes on car or truck trips at least six times a week with as much diversity of destination as possible. It was during one of these trips that she first ate on her own, otherwise I had literally stuffed her during the entire chemotherapy process. Two points - First, find that thing that helps stimulate her interest and perhaps actually challenges Halo. Second, the journey is often tough, and while you may not see improvement every day, it is so much better than the alternatives and the end point is very rewarding.
You are welcome to read our journal at http://home.com.....ryjourney/
Keep us posted and all our positive thoughts.
Bob & Cherry
Thank you all for your comments. Our boy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and had his front left leg amputated last Tuesday so we're on day 8. We are devastated that our beautiful boy has had to suffer this dreadful disease ar only six years. It's heartbreaking to see our bouncy fun loving friend change so much. He hardly moves from his bed and has to be coaxed out, to drink and toilet. He does seem depressed but it is likely early days after surgery and he did experience some phantom pain which was terrifying for all of us. That seems to have stopped now but he has got increasingly tired, when we can coax him up he will walk for a minute then stand and will not budge. It is helpful to see that we're not alone and that things will get better. as you suggest it's probably not helping that we're sad as he's likely picking up on those emotions too.
Ali ~ what medications is he on? It could be as simple as his pain is not controlled. Many times vets don't send dogs home with the right combination of pain medications.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
This is the best community ever!!!
Our boy had his left front leg amputated 7 days ago. This is by far one of the most difficult things to go through. It's so hard to watch him go through this . We've researched and read everything we could possibly read to prepare ourselves and our boy for this journey.
Yes, he is very loopy and often looks depressed, but we know that is the side effect of the pain medication. I believe strongly that our emotions can affect how they react. We are trying our best to treat him as if nothing has changed. Its not easy as we just feel like crying.
So far, he is doing well despite the pain he is in. He is up most of the time walking, wagging his tail and asking for a scratch of his ears or his hind end. He goes to the door to go out. He has his moments when he withdraws and I know it's the pain meds causing the depressed behavior. Each day he seems to be more himself. We have no idea how long we have left with him. So, everyday we do have with him will be happy and memorable. Im constantly documenting his journey.
Keep your spirits up and cherish every moment you have with Halo.
Xoxoxoxo Bubba and family.
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