Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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he had a really rough night last night.. for some time now off and on, he does this groaning, moaning and barking out like he is in pain. it went off from 2 am until about noon today... Needless, to say, I haven't had any sleep. I talked to the vet and she "uped" his pain medication. The skin is getting thin on his stump and there is a red area about the size of a dime... I hope that by increasing his pain medication tonight, it will him and me get some sleep. thanks for asking....
It may take a few doses for the pain meds to kick in. Hopefully though, you and Buddy can both get some rest tonight! I know you are going the holistic route, but you may ask your vet to include Tramadol for pain, in addition to the holistic pain meds. I really hope you give that a try if you aren't using it already.
Is there any kind of "cushioned covering" perhaps you could put around his stump? It's soooo nervewracking when our dogs are hurting. You are doing everything possible to help Buddy! Hopefully some of these things will kick in and help him fell better. Just one more crazy thought.....wondering if an ice pack would help!
BTW, I just read your previou post about all the other dogs who have been loved by you...and you by them...very lucky pups!
How is his appetite? My Happy Hannah had me convinced ice cream was a very important nutritional supplement!! I think a scoop of ice cream and maybe a little bit of dteak might do wonders for Buddy!
We are all hoping for some good results from some of the therapies you are trying. Update when you can. We know you have your hands full. Besides, being with Buddy takes top priority! I know hes loving getting all this attention!
Sending you lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
another rough night "benny 55". he just can't seem to get comfortable. he does fine during the day, has energy, goes outside, roams around the yard, eats and drinks good.
he is already on Tramadol. He takes 2 tablets twice a day. He is also on holistic pain medication and anti inflammatory medication... The mass on his stump is about the size of a tennis ball and it is always warm... I don't know if an ice pack would help or not but I might try it.. I wouldn't even know how to begin to put a compression bandage on it.
I make homemade dog food for them -have for a long time- and what I have been doing was approved by the vet. I do give him fish oil and glucosamine.
I will probably take him back to the vet within the next 2 days for her to look at his stump. where the skin is thinning is turning red/bloody looking so it's probably not long before it ruptures.
Hmmm...so it's more of a night thing? How about during the day, does he take naps? Does he seem to sleep okay during "nap time".?
My belpved Happy Hannah had a met and it did seem to subtly interfere with her breathing more at night. She was more "restless" then and seemed to pant more. Not a "pain" thing, just more along the lines of not getting real comfortable. At different times, she had prednisone OR piroxicam (a washout period inbetween),, and they seemed to help, along with some tram. It still may take a few more days for the holistic meds to do their thing.
Its really good to hear that Buddy is "still Buddy" and enjoying roaming around and catching the scents of nature. 
Sounds like Buddy is quite well @oved and thoroughly enjoys having his own personal Chef!
We would LOVE to see pictures of Buddy and all your pack!
Sending love and lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS...thanks for the update. Let us know what the vet says when you get a chance. Continue to stay in the moment with Buddy...one day at a time and make everyday count! Buddy is enjoying himself and not worrying about a thing!!
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!
Poor Buddy, I'm really sorry. I hope the vet can come up with a pain protocol that can help him feel better and treat the lump.
I do recall that with our Jerry his pain was always worse at night. We did our best to control his activity in the daytime so he didn't overdo things, because it all seemed to catch up with him at night. Also, if it's hot where you are, that could really play into it too. Try to keep him cool as best you can, hose him down if he'll let you, provide cooling surfaces for him to lay on, that kind of thing.
You are so awesome for cooking for him and caring so much about his well-being, he's so lucky to have you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
took Buddy back to vet today... looks like he has been licking the site on his stump where the skin is thinning and has drawn blood to the surface...I don't see him licking it but I am sure he does.... anyway, does anyone have any recommendation on how i can wrap the stump after I put some ointment on it to keep him fro getting to it? Of course, I have to be sure he is still able to go potty! The main purpose of her treatment is to hopefully shrink the tumor and keep it from rupturing. Once it splits open and/or ruptures, there is nothing else that can be done other than put him down. SO, I am looking for any and everything I can do to stop that from happening-- at least for a while. Any recommendation on bandaging a stump would be greatly appreciated.
She put him on an antibiotic and gave me Rx to help him sleep at night.
carolraine said
...anyone have any recommendation on how i can wrap the stump after I put some ointment on it to keep him fro getting to it?
An e-collar is the best way to keep pups from licking incision sites or other troublseome areas. You will find various cone of shame alternatives in the Tripawds Gear blog .
Boxer shorts may also be worn by rear-leggers (with the tail through the flap) to protect problem areas. But without an e-collar most dogs will find there way around those.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry to hear of Buddy's difficulties. I'm curious why there is a stump. Was there only a partial amputation? I'm getting the impressions Buddy is a rear leg amputee. Could he have his hip/pelvis removed?
Sorry for asking these questions, I'm trying to understand what his situation is. My cat Mona had her front leg amputated with her scapula so there is no stump.
Hope today is a better day.
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
carolraine said
has anyone ever heard of or used essiac tea?
See:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I used the term "stump" loosely. the tumor is right right the leg was amputated at the top of his leg so I call it "his stump". ( I don't know how to post pictures on here) no dr that he has seen (3 of them now) have mentioned or recommended any additional surgery. the tumor is about the size of a tennis ball and one regular vet and the hollistic vet both told me that "his demise" will be when the tumor ruptures. It isn't looking good right now. The hollistic vet is giving him medicines in hopes of reducing the tumor but I think it's all in vain. the skin is really thin and bloody looking. I stay with in 24-7 to watch him and make sure he doesn't lick it. I don't have a cone and really can't afford to go get one from a pet store.. I have tried to figure out how to cover it so I can put gauze over it but no bright ideas have come to mind yet.
carolraine said
( I don't know how to post pictures on here)
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts .
If you don't already share photos online somewhere, start a free Tripawds blog and you can upload them there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
thanks Jerry for the instructions to upload photos BUT I am not a computer guru and really don't understand the instructions....I am only familiar with loading from desktop or the old "drag and drop" method. 🙂
carolraine said
I am not a computer guru and really don't understand the instructions....
No need to be a guru! 
Sorry for any confusion.
Do you share photos anywhere online already? If so, follow these simple steps:
- View the image
- Right-click and copy image location
- Return to forums, and click Insert/edit image button in the post editor and paste into "source" field.
If you do not share photos online (Facebook, Photobucket, etc.), that's OK—it's why we offer free Tripawds blogs !
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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