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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Jack is 6 days Post Op
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Member Since:
15 October 2014
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21 October 2014 - 10:07 am
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Thank you all for the great words of advice, encouragement and sanity. 

He has had his first 24 hours of doing well. I am so proud of him. He ate great yesterday and this morning. He took his meds without a fight. He enjoyed being outside for a couple hours yesterday and a little bit today. Besides waking us briefly during the night for his meds we have had minimal crying.  He was whining a lot this morning while my daughter and I danced and goofed off before school but we are positive it is because he could not join us. This is the first day I believe he noticed he was not included. I am so proud of him. 

Tomorrow afternoon we go back to the vet to see if we can get the drains out for him. His bleeding and weeping are very minimal so I am hopeful that it is not too painful for him after the excitement. It is hard to believe tomorrow is a week. Our lives have changed so much in such a short amount of time. He still won't eat standing up, even at the elevated bowl, doesn't want to drink water unless he is outside. BUT he is eating and eating plenty of ice cubes (that has always been his favorite) 

I am starting to laugh instead of worry when I see him use his back leg to push at his neck when he is trying to get up. He looks like he is rocking himself from the back end to get the umpf to get into a ready position to stand up. My husband is still happy to carry him downstairs in the morning and back up for bedtime. True love! He is getting better on his ramp and learning to plant is nails down into the carpet threads to keep his grip going in and out of the house. 

After thinking I was going to say good bye forever 2 days ago and seeing his progress today I could not be more on top of the world. He still hasn't pooped again but I know if he did it once he will do it again soon. I am keeping the fiber going and ice cubes hourly. A little more activity and this will come again too. I have faith in him. 

Wish him luck on a pain free and stress free drain removal! Thank you all. His recovery suit is supposed to be delivered tomorrow and I will try to figure out the picture part again then and let everyone one how well it works. I know it is a week later but hopefully it helps on the remaining time with the sutures and scar healing. 

Martinsburg, WV
Member Since:
3 June 2014
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21 October 2014 - 10:21 am
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That's wonderful news.  I'm glad his whining/crying has subsided.  Perhaps the tweaks you made to his meds are helping.

Regarding the eating our Leland didn't eat standing up after the amputation and honestly he hadn't stood to eat for several months prior.  I think his knee just hurt too much and he preferred to just lay down and eat.  And I was fine with that...at least he was getting some food in him.

I'm sure Jack's pooping will get back on track eventually.  I think all the different meds can mess with their system and throw things out of whack.

I'll definitely send Jack positive thoughts that his drain removal is uneventful and not painful!

You're doing great...hopefully after this coming week things for you and Jack will start settling down as it's usually the first couple weeks that's the roughest.

Hugs

Sahana and her Angel Leland

smiley 

Leland

November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014

May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 October 2014 - 10:42 am
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WHOOOHOO!!! clapYou've all come such a long way, 3-paws up to all of you! Isnt' it amazing what a difference seven days can make?

One thing I forgot to mention and can't recall if anyone else did: if he has fur growing out from between his toes, use some scissors to clip it. That will also help with traction .

Here's to more poops and hoppiness!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Member Since:
17 May 2014
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21 October 2014 - 12:43 pm
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Hello, Jack´s mom.

Glad to know Jack is recovering well.

Regarding the eating: my boy is a front-leg amp, and since his surgery he only eats laying down.  He always used elevated bowls, and he will drink from the bowls, but for feeding I believe it is too much time standing and he gets tired. 

Will try to post a picture.

Daniela

Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet.   Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues.   Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle.  October 17:  started having seizures.  Taking fenobarbital for seizures.  April 18: started prednisone.

Member Since:
21 October 2014
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21 October 2014 - 1:37 pm
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Hi Jack's Mom from me too.

I am new here and our dog has not yet had her leg amputated, but I hope I can help a little. Our dog just had surgery where they tried to remove the tumor on her leg and we went through the same things you are experiencing.

The anesthesia can make them whine and our dog did for about 40 hours straight. It was awful and depressing to hear, but our vet said it has more to do with them simply feeling odd from the anesthesia and not "crying in pain."

As for pooping, same thing. She was eating, but didn't poop for three days. The minute we thought about calling the vet about this, she finally did. Then it was 2 more days to the next poop for some time. It took almost two week to be back on schedule. This is completely normal (even humans have this issue after some types of surgery). 

I actually had a drain in my side from human surgery and the best day was when that thing came out. Best of luck to you!

Westminster, MD
Member Since:
31 August 2013
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21 October 2014 - 2:51 pm
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Yay Jack, so very happy that you are doing well after amp surgery !! I am sure he will do great for his drain removal. And don't worry, he will poop soon!! It takes awhile sometimes, but he will, and when he does, you have to let us know because we celebrate EVERYTHING here !!

Keeping you and handsome Jack in my thoughts, 

Bonnie & Angel Polly

Member Since:
5 February 2014
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21 October 2014 - 4:21 pm
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Yeah for Jack and his humans!

Things will get better day by day.  You may have a few roller coaster rides (maybe) but that's ok... stay positive and keep cheering him on.  He will learn to do things it's amazing how the tripawds figure it out.  The only thing I did not let my Bailey do was the steps.  She had a fear and with her long body being a Great Dane I did not want her to fall and get a spine injury.

Sooo here's to continued health and wellness and Jack keep improving and healing for all of us.

HUGS,

Tracy and Bailey

Member Since:
15 October 2014
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22 October 2014 - 8:27 am
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Reading everyone's posts have helped us out so much. He is night and day from the weekend. No sooner did I post about his poop and BAM he went while he was outside the last time, and even better was he did AGAIN already this morning. One happy Fur Momma here. Despite me telling him to wait for me when I go room to room, he apparently doesn't want to. He is my Shadow again. I fell bad he is moving so much but at the same time I am so excited for his progress I let him wag his tail as he moves about the main level of the house following me around.  I will trim his hairy feet in a little bit and see if that helps him. He has long hair everywhere.

Welcome Longhairchi! This site is amazing, I can't express how fantastic they have been for us all. Words of advice, wisdom, experience, sanity and the cheers have made what I felt was impossible a day of celebration today for us. I hope one day I am able to return the favor and pay it forward. For now, I still feel like all thumbs getting through this but I know in time I will have helpful words as well. 

He went on the back deck for the first time this morning which was another milestone. He loved laying out there and looking over the pond area watching ducks and all the other animals around. We have always had it gated so I am not worried about him on the 10 wood steep steps going down. 

He has a handsome red wrap on today ready to show his vet his good style and a fantastic smile on his face! He owns the day. Looking up higher and higher every minute. 

Thank you all again. 

Westminster, MD
Member Since:
31 August 2013
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22 October 2014 - 8:58 am
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YAYYYYYYYYYY Jack !!!! Happy Poop Day !!!!!!!!! And so great to read he is up and around so well, and has become your shadow again. It may be rough getting through the first few days after amp, but our pups and kitties can really surprise us when they start feeling good and like themselves again.

Best wishes at the vet today, let us all know how it went, and keeping you and Jack in my thoughts today,

Bonnie & Angel Polly

Madison, WI
Member Since:
5 December 2009
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22 October 2014 - 9:26 am
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Typical - the vet visit rolls around and all of a sudden your fur kid is feeling great!  "Heya Doc.  I don't know what my Mama was so worried about.  I've been just peachy this whole time - really!  How about a treat?  Got any treats?"  That's the kind of thing I expect Gerry would have said (fibbed) at many a vet visit of his, if he spoke English.  Haha!

But nonetheless... WAY TO GO JACK!!!clapclapclap

Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.

He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.

Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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22 October 2014 - 10:44 am
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One potty

Two potty

Three potty

YAY!!!!

Glad to hear things are moving right along. Let us know how the vet visit went.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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