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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Kaiserin home from surgery
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Member Since:
9 July 2018
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3 August 2018 - 6:44 am
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Well, I was the one panicking a few days ago about the amputation. The surgery was done on Wednesday and she came home yesterday. She was only in the hospital one night because she was refusing to eat and they thought she would be better at home and more likely to eat. So I picked her up. The incision is kind of tucked under her hip and doesn't look as shocking as I expected although it was a bit upsetting to see her struggle and see a leg missing. She had peed a few times at the vet and has a couple of times since coming home. She looks awkward and needs support. She also pooped just before we brought her into the house after picking her up. Then five minutes after being home she ate some chicken and yoghurt had more this morning with her meds. She is taking metacam, tramadol, gavapentin and antibiotics. She looks kind of glossy eyed and very stumbly when she tries to get up and walk. I expected her to be a little more mobile than this. But it seems things are going well. What do you think, how are we doing?

Oh, and I was reading that you should slowly wean of gavapentin and not just suddenly stop but it doesn't say that on my instructions, just said take until finished! Did you guys wean off or just stop one day? 

Member Since:
26 January 2017
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3 August 2018 - 8:27 am
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Sounds like she's doing really well so far. Peeing, pooping and eating are all good. I wouldn't worry too much yet about being glossy-eyed and stumbly. They're on some strong meds at the hospital and it takes a few days to get them all out of their system, so she may still be a little loopy from them. There may also be a bit of a "crash" where she doesn't feel as well 3-5 days after she gets home and all the hospital meds are out of her system. And, of course, it takes some time to re-learn how to properly balance on three. But she'll get there. 

I don't have any experience with Gavapentin, but I weaned Rocky off his Tramadol. You can always follow up with your vet to see the best way to handle the meds. 

So far, so good. You're in the middle of the toughest part right now, but you'll get through it and be amazed on the other side of it. 

David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)

Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.

He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know. 

Montreal, Quebec
Member Since:
10 July 2018
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3 August 2018 - 8:56 am
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Happy to hear Kaserin is back home and eating!

First week is not easy, so just lots of test and TLC...i am only seeing a bit of a better mood in my girl after 1 week post amp. 

Gabapentin, we are winding off gradually as per the vet's direction. I read it needs to be removed gradually so give your vet a call on when and how to do it.

Cuddles to your brave girl and sending good vibes!!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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3 August 2018 - 10:40 am
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DITTO all the above.    Peeing, pooping, eating, drinking, really good news!  

Zeeo wprries about mobility  at this point.   As David pointed out, she's on good pain meds and still has the hospital  meds in her.  Glassy eyed and wobbly is better than being in pain.  Once the hospital  pain meds are put of her sys, you can better guage if the pill meds are effective at current  dose, or need to be indcreased or decreased.

Happy Hannah's  Surgeon never even mentioned  tapering off the Gaba either.  .  The site is where I first heard about it.  The only thing I've  learned is apparently  some Vets don't  think tapering is necessary  if just used for a "short time".  Of course, "short time" is a relative  term!  My Happy Hannah was on it about two weeks.   So maybe that's  why it wasn't  mentioned  by your Vet or mine.  

Anyway,  check with your Vet, but I would do a taper when the time comes just to be on the safe side.  We are not Vets and not giving Vet advice.

Your pup just needs complete  rest right now.   Again, no worries about mobility.  She's  doing just fine for a druggy gal just out of major surgery.

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!



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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3 August 2018 - 2:41 pm
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Hey Natasha and Kauserin 🌻🐾

So wonderful your girl is back home and there’s a lot of progress already in the pee and poop department 💦💩

Ditto to everybody’s comments!

Take one day at a time and before you know it  recovery will be over.

Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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 :-) 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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3 August 2018 - 6:18 pm
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Whooohooo! Go Shepherd Girldog, you rock!

This is soooo early. Don't expect much right now, she needs her rest and the pain medications will make her dopey, but that's OK. Try to put yourself in her paws, how much would you be moving around the day after amputation 😉

All in all this sounds quite normal. Regarding the gabapentin, talk to your vet. We have been told that yes, weaning off slowly is better to avoid any problems.

Take things slow, there is no rush, she's doing GREAT! 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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