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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Murphy's almost two months post amputation, and he's had to round of chemo so far, with little to no side effects (yay!!). But, I still have to put a soft collar cone on him while I'm at work or if I have to be out of the house. When I've left him alone, he's managed to still lick the incision area and irritate the skin. His hair is still growing back, and the vet gave me some medicate spray, but that doesn't seem to work. Plus, it's not good for him to lick the meds off himself either.
I've also tried boxer shorts and other clothing options to cover the incision area (rear left leg) but he can easily get out of clothing (which I wasn't anticipating). I know that the incision is healed, but I know Murphy that licking and biting his skin isn't good either. Has any one else experience this? I'd greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions about how to either help him stop licking that area or ways to cover that area. Or just hear other stories to know if you've experience something similar.
He really hates the cone (he's started running away from me when I pick it up), and I hate to think of him at home wearing it. Plus he always leaves a sad trail of misplaced furniture or things he's knocked over that make it seem like he struggles to move around in the cone (even if it is a nice soft cone.)
Thanks!
Murphy, became a tripawd on August 17, 2015. Went to the rainbow bridge on July 5, 2016.
Awwww Murphy, the visual of you running away fron the cone and then evidence that you've bumped into things with that stupid cone on....awwww.
I wishI could come up with some help, but I can't think of anything. Ugh! There is somepthing called "bitter apply spray" but I doubt that would deter the sweet boy Murphy.
Not sure why he's still itching unless the fur growing back itchy and scratchy somehow. It'll be interesting to see if others have first hand experience AND solutions.
Murphy, we'll get you out of that cone! Hold on, okay?
Hugs!
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!
Have you tried an ace bandage (or similar) secured with some stretchy tape? Unfortunately, dogs are really good at getting out of that kind of stuff. I hate to suggest it, but a basket muzzle might work? He'd be able to open his mouth, but the tongue can't escape. Makes it a long with without water but the cone makes water bowl access tough, too.
Sorry that I don't have better ideas!
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.
Has the vet checked the wound in case there is some fur growing in the incision, I would guess that could be quite uncomfortable, otherwise is there a degree of pain still from the amputation and he is trying to 'scratch' it by nibbling?
My only other suggestion is putting something like E45 or sudocrem on it if its a bit dry and sore
I'm thinking that jackdog is onto something. Scar build-up material could be bothering him. I have a bad knee scar and when the wound was brand new it really bothered me. Have you tried gentle massage around (not on) the incision to see if that helps? Twice a day, just some short gentle sessions might help.
Also, what is the area like when he's not licking it? Dry? Flaky? If so, some vitamin e oil may help, and there are various pet-friendly scar balms and sprays you can try too. I really like Vetericyn's wound care spray, it works fast.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
izzysmomma said
Have you tried an ace bandage (or similar) secured with some stretchy tape? Unfortunately, dogs are really good at getting out of that kind of stuff. I hate to suggest it, but a basket muzzle might work? He'd be able to open his mouth, but the tongue can't escape. Makes it a long with without water but the cone makes water bowl access tough, too.Sorry that I don't have better ideas!
I have tried wrapping it but it's so hard to get anything to stay, it seems like it will but as soon as he moves everything falls off! He's a magician.
Murphy, became a tripawd on August 17, 2015. Went to the rainbow bridge on July 5, 2016.
jackdog said
Has the vet checked the wound in case there is some fur growing in the incision, I would guess that could be quite uncomfortable, otherwise is there a degree of pain still from the amputation and he is trying to 'scratch' it by nibbling?
My only other suggestion is putting something like E45 or sudocrem on it if its a bit dry and sore
The vet didn't mention anything about the fur, though there is a lot growing back there. I'll look into getting something to help with the dryness.
Murphy, became a tripawd on August 17, 2015. Went to the rainbow bridge on July 5, 2016.
jerry said
I'm thinking that jackdog is onto something. Scar build-up material could be bothering him. I have a bad knee scar and when the wound was brand new it really bothered me. Have you tried gentle massage around (not on) the incision to see if that helps? Twice a day, just some short gentle sessions might help.
Also, what is the area like when he's not licking it? Dry? Flaky? If so, some vitamin e oil may help, and there are various pet-friendly scar balms and sprays you can try too. I really like Vetericyn's wound care spray, it works fast.
I haven't tried massage, but that's a great suggestion. Also I am going to looking into the wound care spray. The area actually looks really nice, it looks like newer skin, with some hair growing back. After he licked it, it looks red and irritated.
Murphy is prone to skin allergies and has a record of not being able to stop licking and scratching when something is irritated. Thanks for the advice!!
Murphy, became a tripawd on August 17, 2015. Went to the rainbow bridge on July 5, 2016.
1 Guest(s)
