Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday afternoon we picked our darling Elsa up and brought her home - ecstatic's not a strong enough word!
The vet said that she'd been a really good patient, bless her. Although i'm sure that's she's eternally grateful for everything that they've done for her she really couldn't wait to get out of there! She hopped full pelt across the car park and jumped into our car! This took us totally off guard as usually she's very reluctant to get in and waits for her 'staff' to lift her in! Spent most of the evening in her crate resting and even ventured out into the garden (on a lead) for a wee. This was no mean feat for Elsa as it was really raining hard and usually we can't get her out for love nor money! She balanced herself really well when 'performing' and is getting to grips with moving around the house. You can see her figuring it out in her head the best way to manoeuvre around things. She doesn't like (or need) us to help her - the vet said the same thing. Had a good night - I slept downstairs with her just incase she needed to go out or was distressed but she had a really good night, only getting up to adjust her position and get more comfortable.
The bruising is awful as we were warned it would be
She's a lovely shade of deep purple along virtually all of her torso but the vet isn't worried - they said that they expect it with greyhounds given their unusual blood clotting properties. They gave us Arnica cream and i'm going to give Arnica tablets, too as i'm a really big fan of homeopathy. She has a small pocket of fluid on her chest which we've got to ice pack and massage and her other leg is a bit swollen - again, we've got to massage it. As she was in the hospital for 3 days after her op (due to her being closely monitored for post-op bleeding) most of her medication is finished now - amazing! She had the last Tranexamic Acid tablet last night (which is the anti coagulation one that helps prevent the post op bleeding) and has just 2 days of antibiotics left (Synulox). She also has Metacam, which we have to give for 5 - 10 days post-op.
Strangely, the most shocking thing for me isn't looking at her 'stump' (which I thought it would be) but it's seeing half of her body being devoid of any fur where they shaved her I am totally blown away with how well she seems to be coping - i've just offered her some fresh chicken which she woolfed down. Now the next hurdle is getting her to do a poop - once that's 'arrived' we'll feel a lot happier! 
I can't thank everyone enough who's offered their support over the past week ( is that all it's been? - it seems like a lifetime!) - it has helped SO much and to know that there's always someone that I can turn to who understands is invaluable 
I'm now off to fashion Elsa a snazzy pair of boxer shorts that she can wear to stop her licking her wound. It's either that or the awful cone of shame and the boxer shorts win hands down! Will try and post a photo of them once we're done. I'm sure she can't wait - can just see her thinking "will the humiliation ever end, Mum?"
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR ELSA!!!! I know you...and she...are just thrilled!
And my goodness, she really sounds like she is doing extraordinarily well this early in recovery!!
I remember the shaved fur took me by surprise a bit too! Not really sure ALL that was necessary. You'll also find, or at least I did, that was the main reason my eyes would be drawn to her amp. site. But once her fur grew back, I didn't notice it at all.
Just curious what pain meds they have her on, other than the anti inflammatory?
Now that she's home and eating lots of good chicken, etc. she'll be pooping soon. A tablespoon of pumpkin can do wonders.
And Elsa, you will look divine your boxer shorts!
Soooooo happy for you!!! Clearly Polo is doing a great job as your Guardian! Sometimes they have so much fun at the Rainbow Bridge they forget to lay attention! Good job Polo!
Looking forward to more great updates AND pictures!
LOVE!!
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!
ELSA IS IN THE POOP-A-DE-POOP POOP CLUB! 
Phew - what a relief for us as well as her! Mind you, after the amount that she's eaten today, i'm not surprised!
So that's the holy trinity achieved, then - eating, weeing & pooping!
As to her pain relief, she's only on the Metacam now - must say I was surprised that there wasn't any thing else, either. She was on IV pain relief for the 3 days after the operation at the veterinary hospital. The vet said that they monitored her pain level and took her off of one of them on day 2 and the other on day 3. I think that they said one of them was morphine but can't be sure. Maybe the pain management protocol here in the UK is different? She doesn't appear to be in any sort of pain and is alert and bright but I will speak to the vets on Monday to make sure that this is correct.
Oh wow this is great news! You really gave me a laugh when you said
So that's the holy trinity achieved, then - eating, weeing & pooping!
Never heard it put that way before but it's terrific!
pain management can vary from vet to vet, country to country. Organizations like the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) are trying their best to standardize pain management protocols with publications like the American Animal Hospital Association Pain Guidelines. Because while protocols may differ, all animals feel pain like we do. If you have any indication that she is in pain (pacing, whining, hiding, crying out, not eating), please ask for pain medication that's stronger than Metacam.
You two are doing GREAT!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
HOPPY POOPING DANCE!!!!! Yep, pooping, peeing and eating.....YAY FOR ELSA!!!
I'd like to see vets go through a major surgery like this with o ut pain meds! They'd be crying like babies!!
Yeah, here in the States they are usually sent home with Tramadol and also Gabapentin for anywhere from ten days to fourteen days worth (with some tapering off towards the end of the second week). Dogs are very stoic and will do their best to hide pain.
Elsa sounds like she's doing great. Lots of rest for now. Keep us updated and post pictures when you can. You're doing great!!
Hugs to all!
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!
Elsa's still doing fine but there's just one small problem that i'm having. We were so keen to get her to eat when she first came home that we were taking her food to her in her bed and feeding her there - we were just elated that she'd actually eaten! However, I think that i've made a rod for my own back in that now she won't get up to go to her bowl, instead waiting for me to bring it to her 
This morning I decided that I was going to be strong and just leave it for her to come to but I caved in and took it to her bed as it contained her Metacam and I didn't want her to be without her medication. I realise now that I shouldn't have started down that route in the first place but it's too late now.
Any suggestions, please? She'll be having a meal in the evening - should I just try leaving that for her? If so, should I perhaps take it away if she doesn't eat it within say, an hour? I feel so mean......
Oka, I can almost assure you I'll be the lone wolf with my "advice"...yeah, real sure!
It is still sooooo early in recovery and eating and getting her meds are important. And if I read your post right, she's not getting any pain meds, although the Metacam I guess would help with k inflammation pain a tiny bit. So, I say bring it to her in bed for a other few days. Then you can do the "tough love" approach later. In my world of spoiling my dogs like crazy, recovering from surgery means breakfast in bed
Sending love!
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!
What a great update!!! The "holy trinity" brought a chuckle!
I'm with Sally on this one. If the hub-a-dub had told me after having my gall bladder out to "get up and get it yourself" I think I might have b----- slapped him! LOL!!!
Yeah, I say spoil her for a few more days. She might surprise you and jump up to meet you halfway!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Thank you, Sally & Pam - that's so reassuring
The main thing is that Elsa is actually eating - I SO want everything to be right for her that i've lost sight of what a major trauma she's been through, bless her!
I spoke to her vet today to update her - the severe bruising has virtually gone and I think that this is due to giving her Arnica tablets, which seems totally unbelievable given how gruesome it was! We noticed that Elsa was starting to pant a bit come the evening - she's not pacing or crying - just not as comfortable as she could be. The vet has said to give her Tramadol and to see how she gets on with those and to contact them again if it doesn't help, so we'll try that.
The boxer shorts didn't work, unfortunately - they weren't quite long enough meaning that the elastic was too close to her wound for comfort. So, I had a brainwave and bought her a beautiful sarong-style scarf which i've loosely wrapped around her so that she can't get to the stitches. I think she prefers to be feminine rather than masculine - She looks rather beautiful in it I'll try and uplaod some photos later....
Thank you again for your advice and support - it's really comforting to know that we're not alone
Sarong? GREAT IDEA!! Can't wait to see Miss Elsa styli ' her fashionable sarong!
Glad to hear the Arnica tavlets seem to jave an effect.
And good for you for beinb so tuned into Elsa that you recognized the panting as a sympton of pain. It may take a day or so for the pain meds to "catch up" with the pain and get ahead of it.
PAM! You are hilarious! Love you!
And love to Elsa and A drea! You are both doing great!!
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!
So glad Elsa is now home, and seems to be doing great !! I am sure she missed you terribly while at the clinic to monitor her post-surgery.
I do agree with Sally and Pam about spoiling her right now, it surely can't hurt to make sure she gets her medications as long as she is eating well with "room service".... !! And I can just picture her sarong, how stylish and beautiful she must be!!
Keep us updated on her recovery, there could be a few ups and downs, but that is completely normal.
I love your profile pic of her, it is really sweet !
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
Here goes my first attempt at posting some photos....
Elsa's 'super pants' (aka. boxer shorts) that didn't too well work due to the elastic being too close to her stitches:
Elsa modelling the new range of greyhound sarong - can just imagine her saying - "oh, Mum what are you doing to me now?!"
Now she's saying " oh, it's not so bad after all, is it?! Much better than a 'cone of shame ', me thinks!"
Sunbathing in the garden:
And last but certainly not least, Elsa's bestest buddy, Polo who we lost to bone cancer 3 weeks ago :
I will join the spoil her for a bit party, and definately make certain she is getting her meds and keep her pain free, or as close to free as possible. If you know your dog well, which you appear to, take your cues from her. She is recovering well, and the best course is a steady one.
LOVE THE PICTURES! And the sarong . . . that's just the coolest thing!
Sweet Polo, absolutely precious.
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Clever! And cute... thanks for sharing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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