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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Licking and chewing?
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Member Since:
5 August 2013
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26 September 2013 - 1:27 pm
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Hi all

We are now about eight weeks post amp. Haven't been on here for a while as Yas has been keeping us busy. I have actually lost count of all the vet visits. The ongoing issue is chewing and licking where her leg was. She was on gabapentin for weeks pre amp and several weeks post amp. However, she won't leave her now healed scar alone. She had a neck brace for a while to stop her licking at it.

Saturday night she got bloat. Her stomach twisted, spleen, lungs and heart crushed, internal bleeding... The lot! Trust me this was the scariest moment ever. Please be aware of this terrible illness, it happens almost instantly, in minutes rather than hours. They cough and burp, try to be sick and then whine. Yasmin's stomach expanded so quick, she looked like a balloon. She was rushed to the vets and had yet another emergency op. The vet said it was 50/50 before he did the op and asked if we wanted to put her to sleep right then. He asked if post amp she had any quality of life and was it worth £4000 to try and save her. If he hadn't been the only vet in the surgery I may have put him straight to sleep!

Anyway, we told him to operate immediately and save her. He did a wonderful job and rang us at 3 in the morning to say the op was a success. Her spleen was saved and all the internal organs are fine. This time there was no arguing... Yas had a cone. She doesn't like it but tough. No more biting thru bandages, stitches and skin. When we took her back to the vets and they removed the cone she went straight for the amp scar. She is not bothered by the new 12 inch incision on her stomach. The vet was concerned and said she thinks there may be nerve damage. We have tried anti lick sprays but none of them are working. I don't think it is psychological it is obviously bothering her.

Does anyone have experience of this?

Kate and Yasmin x

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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26 September 2013 - 1:46 pm
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OMD!! I'm running late for work because I have just got to respond ever so quidky!!

Jasmin survived the ampYAAAAAAAY

Jasmin survived the bloar YAAAAAAAAY

She will get past the licking...I'm sure someonenhere has probavly experience the nerve damge thing....how vout the surgeonnwhodis the amp...what's their advice?

Okay! Jasmine is one tough pup and so is her mom!

bw down in awe! We'll all digure this out together,okay! Search vloat on nere....we've just had sme great discussions and a lot of dogs just went theough same ting!

HUGS AND LOVE and others will chime quicky too!

Sally and Happy Hannah

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!

Southwestern Ontario, Canada
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26 September 2013 - 5:40 pm
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oh my goodness.. what a horrible thing to happen. but good news is that she is a-ok now.. except for the licking... 

hmmm... sorry.. but I cannot remember if it was a front or back amputation.  If it was front, have you tried keeping a t-shirt on her that covers up the scar?

That was one of my biggest fears with Franklin... and not so much Franklin but our other Springer Maggie.. she's very motherly and licks and licks and licks.. the dog.. the cat.. anything that needs cleaned.  I wish she would like all the dust off around the house.. lol

Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥

Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012.  Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013.  Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack...   You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!

On The Road


Member Since:
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26 September 2013 - 7:09 pm
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Oh Kate how awful for you and Yas! I'm so sorry but how awesome that she survived! WOW! Amazing girl you've got there and how fortunate she is to have you.

Our own Wyatt Ray is recovering from a gastropexy surgery to prevent bloating. We've been scared so many times like this in this year alone, from his Tripawd friends who have bloated, that we finally did the procedure. There's some good information we recently posted about bloat here.

Well, as for the licking and chewing, that's a really tough one, I haven't seen that exact type of behavior here but that's not to say it hasn't happened. So you tried Gaba. What about trying regular massages to the area? Will she let you? Another idea is that it could be something as simple as the skin is irritated along the incision. Check it carefully, is it dry and tight from the sutures? If so, some pet-safe healing lotions or even jojoba oil or vitamin E drops may be able to help ease the itching.

Are other symptoms happening such as typical phantom pain yelling and yelping? If, so this Farabloc product is an interesting alternative to drugs.

I hope this helps and that others will have some tips for you. Sorry I missed you in the chat recently. I'm glad you checked in here.

 

 

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

Rock Hill, SC
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26 September 2013 - 8:00 pm
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Hi Kate.  Sorry to hear of all the issues.  We had a similar situation with our (non-tripawd) dog Merlin after a ACL repair.  He just would not leave the incision alone.  We finally noticed that he would flinch a little when bending his leg and that there was one very small part of the incision that seemed to not be healing together.  You could actually see down in that little slit/hole that wouldn't heal.  Turns out it was one of the internal stitches poking him.  With major surgeries, there is usually a set of internal stitches that you can't see in addition to the external set.  In our case, when the vet tied off one of the internal stitches, he left the 'ears' of the tie-off too long and they were basically poking him and, sorry to be graphic, but rubbing back and forth and not allowing that spot to seal off and heal.  Once discovered, they reopened the tiny outer incision just a little more, cut off the excess stitch on the interior set and everything healed up well.  I have also heard about dogs that have something like an allergic reaction to the stitches.  It seems odd that he would be so obsessed with one incision and not the other, so keep an eye out to see if it could be something similar!  Good luck with the rest of recovery.

Lisa

Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11.  A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/

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27 September 2013 - 11:30 am
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Hi everyone

Thanks for all the suggestions, keep'em coming please!

Before the bloat we had tried anti lick sprays and t shirts. The spray didn't work... Although it was quite funny when she licked it as her tongue curled up backwards! She still carried on licking. The t shirts looked very cute, but they weren't Yasmin proof, she chewed straight thru them to get to it. The scar is totally healed now and has been for a couple of weeks now.

The vet said it could be the internal stitches bothering her and they may take 6 months to dissolve! He also suggested that it could be psychological. I am not convinced. There are no signs of phantom limb, she isn't in any pain so we are at a loss.

I massaged her scar today which she enjoyed. I was quite rough as I wanted to see if the area was sensitive. She just stood in the garden loving it. No sign of pain.

Kate and Yasmin x

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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27 September 2013 - 12:00 pm
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The beautiful Yasmin just shoukd not be goi g through this extra "challenge"! Enough already!

For me, I would seek ojt a second opinion kf possible. I'm withyou, it's not in her head. And it clearlh is some sort of annoying constant pain. To me, tne proofwas when she didn't vother in bloat i cision but went tpstraight to the site as soon as you took the coneoff. The fact that massaging seems to bring somerelief tells you why she was trying to lick it and bite it nerself......that must have eased it a little..

It seems what Zeus/Lisa experienced could be Yasmin's issue too. If it is and if it takes that much time to dissolve, geez! Maybe the massage could "move it around" to a spot that bri gs so e relief every now and then.

I'm just so so sorrh she's having to deal with this too.

She is one determined pup though" What a survivor! And she has a champ for a mom too!

Keep js posted and take care,

Lots of love and hugs to you both!

SSally and Happy Hannah

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!

On The Road


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27 September 2013 - 10:13 pm
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I'm thinking the more you massage the better she will feel. I agree, move it around and desensitize the area, hopefully it will help. Keep us posted!

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

Member Since:
5 August 2013
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28 September 2013 - 4:09 pm
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Hi all

I have been massaging Yas a lot today. Every time I took her cone off to feed her, I spent about ten minutes massaging her. Wow, she loves it! She doesn't seem to be spending as much time licking as she was. I am putting the cone back on every time she tries to lick it, in the hope that if it is psychological she will associate licking with the cone.

I'll let you know how it goes

Kate and Yasmin x

On The Road


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28 September 2013 - 6:17 pm
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OOOOH! This is really great to know and it makes me hoppy that she's doing better. Massage can do wonders, I hope this resolves the issue.

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





Member Since:
16 October 2012
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28 September 2013 - 9:26 pm
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Massage Vit E oil onto the scar.  It may be the internal stitches rubbing a little and Vit E is good for scar tissue.  If she is enjoying it.  The oil will help keep it soft. 

 

Hugs

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

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."

On The Road


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28 September 2013 - 10:19 pm
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Michelle said
Massage Vit E oil onto the scar...

If the stitches have not been removed and the wind has not completely healed, please consult your vet before putting anything on the incision area. Every surgeon we have interviewed has recommended not applying anything directly to the incision site. If the area is dirty use a warm wet washcloth only and pat dry. So we've been told...

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





Member Since:
16 October 2012
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28 September 2013 - 10:42 pm
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I read she was 8 weeks post amp.  Yeah, don't do that to the new incision site.  I was referring to her leg amputation scar.

 

Hugs

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

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."

Member Since:
5 August 2013
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29 September 2013 - 2:46 am
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Hi all

Thanks for the advice. I haven't gone anywhere near the new wound as it isn't bothering her and still has stitches and staples. Thanks Michelle that is a great idea for the amp scar. I'm gonna go out and buy some vit e oil today.

Thank you

Kate and Yasmin x

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2 October 2013 - 4:27 pm
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Hi all

Latest Yasmin update:

Yasmin went to the vets today to have her staples and stitches removed. The vet was super pleased with the bloat incision.

We have continued massaging Yasmin's leg amp scar and it has vastly improved. The scar twitches regularly. It moves upwards by about two inches and then goes back down again. This appears to be happening most when she is sitting up in the kitchen begging for food. I am not sure if this is caused by the nerves that were left when they removed her shoulder, or a clever tactic to make us feel sorry for her and give her a treat! Anyway it doesn't seem to be bothering her now.

We have finally removed the cone and although she has had the occasional lick today she has not paid that much attention to either scar.

Soooooo glad to have our baby back to normal again. No cones, neck restraints, or lick sprays, just plenty of massage, cuddles and a special watered down saucer of her favourite bedtime treat... Horlicks.

Yasmin is now fast asleep snuggled up in the middle of our bed.

Kate and Yasmin xx

big-grinbig-grinbig-grin

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