Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone -
My sweet boy Wrigley, a Belgian Malinois mix, just had a forelimb amputated and we are on the fifth day post-surgery.
I am trying to determine what is "normal" behavior. He has been eating some dog food when I spice it up with rice or bone broth, he has had two solid poops two days in a row, and I can get him to drink water about twice a day.
He sleeps A LOT. Before surgery he didn't sleep very much but, so it is a bit of a shock to see him sleeping so much, but I can't imagine how drained me must be from the operation and adjustments he's making.
He is 10 and has previously had some issues with his rear legs so weren't sure how well he would get around with one of his previously good front legs being gone, but his bone was too weak for radiation so amputation was our only choice. He seems to be adjusting fairly well but doesn't want to get up too often unless he sees the leash and thinks he is going for a real walk (which he's not, but that gets him up).
About once or twice the past few days I've heard him yelp when he tries to get up, but I'm not sure what is causing that. I wonder if it's from his back legs or if he has bumped his fluid spot trying to get up ... or what?
I've read through a lot of your comments (thank you for those) and it seems like sleeping a lot and some yelps are normal, right?
The info the vet gave us said at some point to start five 5-minute walks per day - at what point did you all start doing something like this? I know we are a ways off, but I am just trying to plan ahead.
Thank you all for your support and advice!
Team WAG - Wrigley, Amy, and Gracie
Hi and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Are you dealing with cancer? I assume since you said the bone was deteriorated. I'm sorry you had to find yourself here, but this is a great place for information and support.
First- what meds is Wrigley on?
Sleeping is an excellent past time for Wrigley right now- our surgeon said only leashed potty walks for the first two weeks. He is most likely tired from the surgery and the extra effort it takes to get around on three. Also, pain meds can cause tiredness.
Have you read about phantom limb pain? That type of pain will cause a dog to yelp seemingly out of the blue. If his yelping is tied to movement it may be from the incision or surgery. Keep talking with your vet about how Wrigley is doing- sometimes the pain meds need to be tweaked for the best comfort.
You might want to look through Jerry's Required Reading List- lots of links there to information on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
Eating, drinking and pooping? Those are all excellent signs. Appatite is often decreased during recovery due to lack of activity and the pain meds.
Team WAG! I love that 
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
Welcome, Team WAG!
Yes, yes and more yes to what Karen said. Just so you know, my pup was just about 12 when she had her front leg amputated and she yelped when she got up, when she ate, sometimes randomly ... I had to tweak her pain meds but it also just took time. My girl was fairly calm and sleepy the first week or so, but she did get up and around some, especially toward the end of the week.
Every dog is different but you've definitely come to the best place ever for help and advice. Sorry that you are dealing with an amputation but glad to "meet" you!
Amy & Izzy 
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Team Wag, sorry to hear about your boy Wrigley, glad you found your way here.
Sleep Sleep Sleep, the more quality sleep he gets the better. The pain meds will make him sleepy, but thats what keeps him comfortable untill the wounds heal. Our Mya is now 22 days post op, off pain medication for a week, and I think we are the only thing holding her back. When your boy is trying to stand he's maybe trying to still use two legs in front and pulling on the internal sutures. I noticed once in a while Mya would move ( twich ) the muscles around the sholder and yelp. All those muscles have been stiched back together and untill thats all healed the least movement the better. I'm told about two weeks. Thats about the time Mya got the staples out and stopped the medications. We dropped hre pain meds from 200 to 100 to 50 mg 2xdaily over a few days each to see her reaction and she seemed to ease back to her old self again.
We didn't want her to bounce around (hopping) too much untill the staples came out so we kept her on a leash when we went out side to the bathroom. After the first week I looped the leash over her back and let her do it on her own, and she would just hop up to the house when she was done. Although that's where the air conditioner is ... We also found keeping her cool made a big diffrence in her comfort.
Keep us posted on Wrigley.
Hey there and welcome! Sounds like Wrigley is having a very normal, restful recovery and that is GREAT. Sleeping is medicinal and healing, let him do it as much as he wants. As long as his other signs are normal (no signs of infection at the incision, eating and eliminating), then he sounds like he's on track to a good recovery.
As far as any kind of walks go, hang on until the stitches are out. At that point, just a few minutes each time is good. Rehab vets recommend more frequent but shorter walks for Tripawds. You may be surprised at how much less he walks at first before he tires out, but try not to let that get you down. Work on core strengthening exercises , keep him slim and in time he'll get back to an activity level that you both enjoy.
In the meantime, you can work on brain games and interactive toys to keep him from getting bored. We have tons of good ideas in our Tripawds featured blogs like:
http://amazon.t.....nteractive
and this Forum discussion too:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi team WAG welcome to our family 🐾❤️
You've got great advice from everybody and I totally agree with everything.
Just wanted to welcome you and wish you a steady recovery 👍🏼
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your sweetie pie 🐾🐾
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Hi Everyone -
Thank you so VERY much for all your thoughtful and helpful responses!
Wrigley is on gabapentin, tramadol, and rimadyl. He does have cancer and his chemo starts next Thursday.
I agree that keeping him cool really helps! I switched from a T-shirt over his stitches to a dri-fit tank top and have the ceiling fan running all night to keep him cool while I pile under the blankets! His stiches are looking really good.
I appreciate all your thoughts and guidance on sleep, exercise, and yelps! This morning started off slow as he wouldn't come in out of the front yard so I could start work, but he definitely perked up around lunchtime and got up to join Gracie and I tonight in the backyard where he could lounge and take in the fresh air. I am so fortunate to work from home and be with him all the time.
Thank you again everyone! I hope you and your dogs have all had a wonderful day together!
WAG
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