Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our "pup" Odin (read 6 year old, 100 pound lab/chessie mix) was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right front leg 2 weeks ago. He underwent his tripawd surgery last Wednesday and came home Thursday afternoon. Six days as a tripawd and he is steadily progressing, of course with some things quicker than others 🙂
The one thing Odin seems most stubborn about is wanting to lay on his right side, incision and all. I guess he wants a change of position. We thought "well, if it hurts, don't do it" would be enough to keep him from laying on it, but he keeps trying. Winces while down, then decides it's not worth it and changes position again. I'm worried he's going to pull stitches, get incision infected, or interfere with internal healing. He doesn't have a compression wrap, so we use a soft t-shirt to keep him from licking his stitches etc. As of now, someone is always at home to keep an eye on him, but I'll have to start back to work in a week, and worry about him laying on his incision during the day. Any suggestions? I guess he'll be a week more healed but it's still daunting to me to leave him alone during the day.
We had him to vet yesterday to check on drainage and appetite loss/vomiting. All well with incision, and more meds for tummy. Odin is back to eating and keeping food down. Vet is hesitant to do compression wrap as he feels at this point, it would be more uncomfortable to Odin, and overall healing is coming along well.
Thank you so much for this site! It's been helpful and encouraging to know we're not in this alone-
Hi Odin's Mom! Saw you in the chat a few times but you never said anything. Remember, to talk to others you need to scroll down and wait for the chat box to pop open.
Your vet is right; he probably doesn't need a compression bandage at this point if there's no excessive drainage or seroma . Sounds like overall he's doing pretty darn well! As for him laying on the amp side, if it's any comfort we've never had a member tear his stitches because he's trying to lay on that side, that kind of thing usually happens when they're doing too much activity, hopping on furniture, that sort of thing. If he's already trying to lay on that side I would let him do what comes naturally, he will figure it out. If anything he may need more pain control, you might want to ask your vet about gabapentin to help alleviate the nerve pain.
You are definitely not alone. Any questions you have, just holler, we're here to help. Odin sure is one handsome fella!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Odin's mom,
My girl, Shelby, layed on her amp site from the day I brought her home. It never seemed to bug her and she seemed more comfortable that way. She was a rear amp and I think she had probably always layed on that side. She also wore a soft cone (like the cone of shame ) to keep her from going at her stitches. I went back to work 48 hours after I brought her home and just kept her confined - in a crate - while I was gone to limit her mobility.
Good luck!
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Thanks Jerry, that's reassuring to know. Odin is still on tramadol for pain, I talked to my vet regarding gabapentin, but he hadn't heard of it being used for amputation surgeries, just for chronic pain issues, so is reluctant to give until he looks into it himself. Odin only winces when in the process of laying on his right side, otherwise he seems ok; Wags tail when someone comes over to him, even went to the door yesterday to say hello to someone. Most of the time he is sleeping/resting (which is what he needs right now) I think trip to vet and being up and about yesterday tired him out.
I have checked into chat a few times, but life interrupts, so not much consecutive time to be logged on.
Glad you mentioned it to your vet. Lots of Tripawds here get it for pre and post-op amputation pain, I'm sure your vet will find it acceptable to prescribe.
Odin is doing GREAT! Yes, a trip to the vet can be exhausting at this point. In time he'll get his stamina back, you'll see. You have a great attitude, keep it up.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Online
ODIN, loving your avatar picture! A very.handsome boy!
Yeah, sounds like everything is going well...maybe even alittle "ahead of the norm" for.a big fella' so early on!
As Shelby said, some dogs lay on their amp side very early. My Happy Hannah waited a full five weeks! We're all such worry warts around here....worry if it's "too soon"....worry if its "too late"....I remember how hap o y I was when she finally did! Yeah, just let Odin do whatever is working for him right now.....he'll figure it all out.
Glad to here hesq eating and his tummy is all better!
Yes, we are all here as a family who understand this journey as no others can! Stay connected and update when you can! And we love pictures around here! Hint!
HUGS!
Sally and 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!
Thanks too Alison and Spirit Shelby! Guess I'll have to fence in an area for Odin to limit his mobility. He outgrew our crate a while ago, and that's the largest sold in town. We live in AK, and shipping is extremely expensive for over-sized items, I'd rather the money go to his chemo. Hopefully he'll watch tv and sleep all day, or maybe it's an excuse for me to come home at lunch.....
Hi Odinsmom,
Your sweet boy Odin, is simply gorgeous! Just want to let you know, that my precious yellow Lab Polly also was a front right amp, due to hemangiosarcoma. The second day she came home from amp surgery, I also found her on her comfy bed, amp side down. I did worry a bit, because when she tried to get up, she yelped in pain. Somehow, after that painful experience, she remembered to NOT lay on that side until she was a bit more healed. I truly think they forget, when their pain meds are keeping them comfortable, that they had major surgery. I was also very fortunate, in that Polly never missed a beat from the time we picked her up from her surgery, till the time she had her stitches out and then subsequent healing. She made a few adjustments after realizing she no longer had her front leg, and there was no stopping her from then on.
Hoping all continues to go well for Odin and you, keep us updated on him, as well.
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Odins wincing seems very normal. They all have trouble getting down until they get coordinated. As for laying in the site the pressure must feel good. Sounds like all is great!
Laurie
My Jake was a front amp also and would lay on his incision side after surgery. He was on gabapentin as well. The way our vet described it was, when they remove the leg they have to cut nerves. Those nerves don't have anywhere to go and they still try to do their job, only when they fire off signals it gets stopped in its tracks. I guess its the concept behind phantom leg pain too. Odin sounds like he's doing well. I don't see any harm in letting him lay on his incision side, it probably feels good to get in a different position!
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Those Lab/Chessies are a stubborn lot, aren't they?
Murphy's amp was over a year and a half ago, and I don't really remember how long it took for him to lay on the amp side. He had several surgeries on the other hip right at the same time, so we did have a bit of a different experience. The other thing that I have noticed that was different here was that our surgeon sewed Murphy up with hidden stitches. He never had external stitches that showed,
While Murphy needed to be confined, we had him in one of those small exercise pens. I made a pad for it using a double layer of eggcrate foam covered with some sweatshirt fabric. I think you might be able to find one of those at Petco or another pet store. He didn't have any inclination to jump out. We did have the advantage of being retired, so we could spend all day at home when we needed to. We still use the pen (we bought a second one and hooked them together) when we take the dogs camping.
I saw from your other post that you live in Alaska, but not in Anchorage. Do you mind letting us know where you live? We had thought of making a move up there when we were younger, but I am afraid the time has passed. Still love to visit, though.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Odin looks like such a sweetie pie! I actually think it's amazing that he is lying on his amp. side. We threw a little party when Emma *finally* was able to lay on that side (over 4 weeks).
Glad the food/appetite is better. I just think as long as they are on all of their meds it messes up all sorts of things - different things for different dogs...but don't get me wrong ---- we are very thankful for the meds!! We just have to keep telling ourselves that they won't be themselves until they are off the medications.
Please keep us posted and keep coming back - this is the best place to get information, encouragement, and where others understand what you are going through!!
Gamom & Emma
This is such a wonderful supportive group, thank you for ALL your valuable input. As with any recovery, 2 steps forward, 1/2 step back. Odin's "off his feed" for the last day. Been in contact with our vet to see if too much pain meds, or too little, so waiting to see how this plays out. Forgot vet gave him a shot of B vitamin at his Monday visit, that must have been what perked him up that afternoon.
He is drinking, and doing his business outside (and not vomiting!!!). Wanted to lay in the sun this morning 
, but the ground isn't sterile, so had to rouse him to another place. Focus on the pawsitive, focus on the pawsitive, focus on the pawsitive...
Awww you're doing great! Loss of appetite is common, here are some appetite tips from the Tripawds Nutrition Blog that might help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YES! Odin and you are doing a spectacular job!!
It is so very very early in recovery and not wanting to eat is still so.ewhat normal during recovery. I'm all for spoiling them with anything they'll eat in the recovery period when they aren't eating well. Chicen, steak, macaroni and cheese, and feeding...whatever it takes!
Wagging, going to potty, resting in thesu, resting well.....YAAAAAAAAY. ODIN!!!!! His sparkle WILL come back! Yes it will!!!
HUGS!!!
Sally and 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!
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