Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
Ellie, 7 year old back 50lb pit, had her back left leg amputated last week.
She is getting better about letting me know when it’s timw to go outside to relieve herself, but still won’t stand. I put a pee pad down outside in the area she normally goes in, and she did pee there. But she wants to crawl into the garden to poop.
Any suggestions, besides holding her back end up for 10 mins while she tries to go? Anyone tried fake grass outside, or anything else?
Thanks,
-smellies mom
Love Smellie's avatar picture! So cute!!
So basically no mobility at this point, is that right? Did she have any known orthopedic issues before surgery....arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc?
What type of pain meds is she on and how frequently?
Does she show any sign kf sore muscles if you massage up and down her spine, her neck and shoulders, etc? Has she overdone it in any way??
Have you tried using a towel as a sling, or a harness?
Has your Vet'or a Rehab Vet checked her out to see why she's not mobile yet? It does take larger dogs a bit longer sometimes to get mobile.
Sorry for so many questions!
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!
Sally has asked great questions that can help us pinpoint what's gone on. I have one more thought: what happens if you walk away once she's outside? Does she sit down? Fall down?
Many dogs don't like it when we hover over them while they potty. If she's crawling into the garden, what happens when you leave her alone to do it? Have you tried? And does she actually poop or just sit there?
Sorry more questions than answers!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi all,
Thanks for the concern/questions. It turns out Ellie had a seroma that became infected and abscessed. We took her to the ER last night when she felt warm, and started bleeding/leaking.
They put her under, cleaned out the area,put in a cathader and a drainage bag.
She did have arthritis prior to the surgery, but it was not severe, and never caused her issues. She didn’t overdo it, and the willing just made her buckle in half. She was on 50mg Tramadol, 400mg gabapentin, 1/2 a rimadyl (2xdaily). She never seemed to be in pain, and was constantly getting better. Until 36 hours ago when she started acting “depressed”. This was the infection kicking her butt.
The original vet had checked her (twice last week)‘, and wasn’t concerned. She was given a clean bill of health Thursday, and Friday is when’s she started seeming off. Now after speaking with the emergency vet, they are concerned she isn’t walking yet. She is going to see a surgical specialist tomorrow to make sure we aren’t missing anything.
You are an EXCELLENT advocate for Ellie! Really! Good job!
Seromas are no fun, but certainly do happen. Glad you've gotten it addressed.
I do think it's a good sign that she seems to feel pretty good (considering'everything shes's been tnrough....like MAJOR surgery)! Just getting the seroma handled should perk her up shortly.
It's a good idea getting to urgeon to check her out. Does she appear to have good feeling in her back legs in you pinch ner toes? Does she show the ability to move her legs, stretch them out when rubbing her tummy, etc? Sounds crazy and just tthrowing it out there, maybe there's something going on with the staples that's pulling or poking and making it uncomfortable or hard to walk
Let us know what the Vet says tomorrow. Sending lots of positive energy for continued good healing.
Lots of 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!
benny55 said
You are an EXCELLENT advocate for Ellie! Really! Good job!Seromas are no fun, but certainly do happen. Glad you've gotten it addressed.
I do think it's a good sign that she seems to feel pretty good (considering'everything shes's been tnrough....like MAJOR surgery)! Just getting the seroma handled should perk her up shortly.
It's a good idea getting to urgeon to check her out. Does she appear to have good feeling in her back legs in you pinch ner toes? Does she show the ability to move her legs, stretch them out when rubbing her tummy, etc? Sounds crazy and just tthrowing it out there, maybe there's something going on with the staples that's pulling or poking and making it uncomfortable or hard to walk
Let us know what the Vet says tomorrow. Sending lots of positive energy for continued good healing.
Lots of hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Thanks again for the good advice.
Will have more information later today. Had a visit with her yesterday, and she looked much better. They have her pretty drugged up right now though.
will keep you posted!
Update on Ellie:
reason for not walking is a mass or infection putting pressure on her siatic nerve. In her still attached hind leg. Had an MRI today, and 3 days in hospital and close to 10k later, she is being put on steroids and continuous antibiotics IV. Tried to asperate is, but couldn’t get anything through the muscle tissue.
They are going to have a surgeon specialist look at her tomorrow.
Still in good spirits, but things are getting pretty rough for this little ham.
Just had a goodnight visit with her. Will update tomorrow.
Geez, just shaking my head. This little"ham" has certainly had her share of the unexpected.
Your whole trilawd family is sending all the pawsitive energy we can muster thst this can be taken care of and get her back to health. It IS good that she is in good spirits! Quite a feisty pup!
Extra 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!
Oh Ellie, I'm sorry you got that news! I hope that the surgeon is able to come up with some good direction today so that you can get on the mend. Sounds like you have a great vet team looking after you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Holding you in our hearts. We are here for you no matter what.
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!
Hello All-
thanks for the positive feedback.
Ellie is home now.
They had to go in for an exploratory surgery on the hind right leg. They found that the fat around her sciatic nerve looked odd, so they took a couple of samples and we should have results sometime this week.
She is still in good spirits, and is getting round okay now with a sling and a harness. OFFICIALLY TOOK HER FIRST POOP OUTSIDE. With help from mom holding her, because there is still lameness in the right hind leg. But that was a major step in the right direction.
We are hopeful!
Will update once we receive the biopsy results.
Hoping for the best possible results from the biopsy.
Yay for poop!
My (15 pound) ham Elly sends healing thoughts and happy hops to your Ellie.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
HOORAY FOR 
That's always a good sign of more good to come!!
HOORAY FOR BEING "SOMEHWAT MOBILE" WITH A LITTLE HARNESS HELP! That is an improvement!! 🙂
You are soi g such a great job of holding it all together! Amputation and recovery are an intense and stressful time. Add the extra hurdles Sweet Ellie has had to overcome.....yeah, intense!!
Hearing "little ham" in good spirits says a lot abput her determination AND a lot about the positive and confident energy she is picking up off of you!
Hopeful indeed! Continuing to send heaing pawsitive energy to this little spitfire!
Lots of 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!
So so sorry Ellie is having such a hard time but glad to hear she is doing better. You are an amazing Mom!! she is lucky to have you. sending prayers for a full recovery. Po is 2+ months post op from front leg amputations and I can tell you... it gets better. Gabapentin made Po depressed. he wouldn't even get up for bacon. once the gabapentin was gone He made a 180.
Wish you the best. keep us updated.
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