Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey All,
Our Zoey was diagnosed with osteosarcoma 2 weeks and 2 days ago. 2 days ago she underwent amputation for her left hind leg and we were able to bring her home today.
Her incision site looks alright, although it does have some redness and swelling that caused her longer stay at the vet when she tried to overdo movement after surgery and bumped the incision site. She did the same right when we left the vet this afternoon as she tried to jump into the car before we could even attempt to help her up.
We had her brother Wrigley here when she got home as he is usually her source of comfort. She was very happy to see him when they met in the backyard, both on leash, for a quick potty break. Since that time we have been enforcing kennel rest for her.
Wrigley had been wandering loose while she was in her kennel, but after he wandered into his kennel next door, she suddenly starting barking and growling at him. Her kennel door was shut, but she was continuing to get a bit worked up, giving him a bit of whale eye, and continuing the growl whenever he came within 5 feet.
Prior to surgery, her kennel was her safe space and she regularly hangs there and takes naps with the door open even when she has free roam with no problems. Im assuming this issue has developed because she’s hurt/sore/feeling vulnerable and maybe the earlier incident is making her hurt a bit more?
Has anyone else had this with other dogs at home post-amp? Did you just keep separate until a little more healing could occur?
Any advice is welcome! We’re just anxious about everything, and now we’re adding their relationship to the list!
Is she on plenty of pain meds? I would wonder if she’s painful and just irritated because of it. Or on the other end of the spectrum, maybe a little loopy from the pain meds. Just my thoughts. When Sierra saw her sisters for the first time after amputation, she growled a bit at them too to let them know she was still the boss. But it was nothing like you’re describing. I hope she feels more comfortable soon.
Melinda
She has rimadyl (?) and Gabapentin. These Gabapentin pills are smaller ones than she had previously and from another vet, and I could only get 2 if the 4 down her throat, so she’s on a half dose. She had also JUST gotten the meds 10-15 minutes before this started.
I’m wondering if it’s either pain from bumping the incision in the car that is creeping up or whether it’s the meds just hitting her system otherwise? We had carprofen before her surgery, and I wasn’t sure if maybe it has different side effects too? I’m hoping some good rest and a night apart will allow them some time to settle down.
Hi!
we didn't experience this, but in our take home notes from the vet, it did say gabapentin can cause irritability.. I wouldn't worry too much!
Glad your baby is home with you!!
Hugs
Ditto all of the above about pain meds. She still has the hospital meds in her system some too. It's MAJOR surgery and it hurts
Plus, In her mind she is a wounded animal and very vulnerable, She needs her space right now and she's letting him kmoe. This will pass,
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!
Is she only getting Rimadyl & Gabapentin? Does she not have like a fentanyl patch or Tramadol?? To me it seems like she has pain but I am not a vet. If those are the only 2 drugs they gave her maybe see if they can add a Tramadol or something to it.
Also some dogs can get kind of growly when they come out of anesthesia. Is she used to being in a crate that can also make the difference as well.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Exactly what I was thinking Michelle. You might want to check and see what they gave her for pain meds at the hospital first. She will likely need another pain medication.
She may also be feeling vulnerable, and sometimes the anesthetics and hospital meds can exacerbate that so she might be protective and in self protection mode. Can you take a blanket and place it between the crates and over the top of hers? That may help make her feel safer.
I would try to do something like that so that they can go back to being best buds once she is more herself. If they get into it right now, there is a chance it could change their relationship, this is just my opinion and I am not a vet.
I think you will see a big change in a few days, a lot of those meds need time to wear off. Hang in there!
Jackie and Huck 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Thank you all. I did call the v eat and they indicated that they thought the amount of pain meds she has was sufficient. She had been on some pretty high doses of morphine throughout her surgery and immediately after and additional other meds, so I’m wondering if it’s still working it way out maybe?
She does seem to be comfortable for the most part. She has done a lot of napping but also gotten outside a few times for a couple of sniffs, peeing, and even a poop!
This morning has been a bit better. We gave their kennels a bit of space and they can both be in them in the same room. I also set up a baby gate separating them from the main room she is in so that they can see each other and get a bit more used to everything new without a ton of face to face interaction. We are giving them separate bathroom breaks since pre-surgery they can play pretty rough in the backyard. I’m thinking of trying to bring them out together leashed this afternoon to see if they can get a little more interaction but still have it be controlled.
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