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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.

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Post Op- Complication- Remaining Front Leg Swollen
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Member Since:
16 June 2008
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23 June 2008 - 9:05 pm
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I had surgery monday the 16th and had the same problem with fluid build up.  Since this was a biopsy and bone chip surgery the swelling was on my surgery leg.  We went to the vet as he wanted to make sure it was not infection and it wasn't so he told me to give it some time..  My lower leg swelled up like a big arm for a little collie dog like me but by friday it was back to normal.  So just rest alot and relax and hopefully your body will reabsorb the excess fluid so you don't have to get pricked and pinned again.

hope your doing well

riley

linda friesen

Member Since:
30 March 2008
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23 June 2008 - 9:10 pm
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Hello Sasha and Sherry.  Just wanted to let you know that my chemo sessions were to be every 3 wks.  After my 1st chemo I had to go every week to get a cbc done to check my whiteblood count and it was borderline so the vet made the decision that they would wait an extra week and see how it went.  My pawrents were very glad that they waited as by week 4 my cbc was much better and I had my 2nd chemo.  Instead of a 3wk interval we are doing a 4 wk interval.  I am doing very well with my chemo and as a matter of fact today I had my 3rd session and my cbc was great.  Hang in there and don't give up....KEEP ON WAGGIN!!!!!   Lots of licks Kellie and (mom) Isabel.

Kellie

Member Since:
17 July 2008
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22 July 2008 - 12:14 am
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Hello All,

I am having my surgery on Thursday morning and the vet will keep me over night. Is that normal?

My mom has been reading about what to expect after surgery. She says that I can have excess swelling, but warm compresses can help.

Are there other things my mom can expect post surgery? Also, my mom doesn't know if she wants to do the chemo, which could weaken my immune system or to use natural remedies to boost my immune system, which might fight off some of the bad cancer cells.

Thanks for your advice,

Lenny

Lennox

Edmonton
Member Since:
16 February 2008
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22 July 2008 - 11:39 pm
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consuelak said:

I am having my surgery on Thursday morning and the vet will keep me over night. Is that normal?

Are there other things my mom can expect post surgery? 


It is normal to stay overnight at the hospital after the surgery.  After all, amputation is a major and invasive operation.  It would be best to have the overnight monitoring just in case. Besides, with the anesthetic still not completely gone out of the body, a woozy new tripawd might bump into things at home and hurt the wound more.  Staying at the vet hosp allows good resting without distractions. 

Some might experience poor appetite, nausea, fatigue, no bowel movement for the first few days.  Some new tripawds won't have any trouble whatsover.   Each case is so different.

Here I wish Lenny a successful surgery on Thursday, and a speedy recovery!

Jessie

Member Since:
28 May 2008
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23 July 2008 - 10:07 am
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Hi Lenny...Zeus here. Good luck tomorrow...we'll be thinking of you.

I had my right front leg amputated on April 9th. I stayed overnight at the doctor's and came home the evening of the 10th. The first night was incredibly difficult...I didn't sleep at all and mom was a mess and really worried about whether or not she made the right decision...(she did by the way). I had difficulty the first few days getting around because I was still coming out of it and I now know that the pain meds made me woozy. Mom used a towel to help me up and down the stairs for about 2 days and then I got the hang of it. Since my surgery was in the spring time, I was able to spend a lot of time outside which I love to do and I think that really helped my recovery. My appetite didn't change and my potty habits were still consistent.

It took about 2 weeks for me to really start feeling good...once I got the bandage off and the stitches out I was like - OH BOY! But we still took things slow - this is major surgery and rest is very important for us tripawds.

Mom did chemo - we did carboplatin - 4 treatments of it. There were no side effects except being a little tired the day of treatment. She also has me on 6,000 mg of fish oil as directed by my oncologist to boost my immune system and stays very conscious of my weight - it's important that we stay at the weight directed by our doctors so we don't put any extra stress on our bones and muscles...hopping along takes a little more effort and energy.

So far there is no evidence of mets and I'm doing really well. The only thing that I can't really do anymore is take long walks...but I can chase the ball, I can climb up and down the stairs and I can jump in and out of the car...I'm a happy boy and Mom and I are together which is the most important thing to us.

Let us know how your surgery goes and your recovery. Tell your pawrents to stay positive and upbeat...we feel everything that they feel and it's important to our recovery for them to be happy.

Love and prayers,

Mom (Heather) and Zeus

Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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23 July 2008 - 7:22 pm
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consuelak said:

Are there other things my mom can expect post surgery?


Be prepared for a really ugly wound from the surgery. But don't worry. the hair will eventually grow back. There may also be fluid buildup near the incision after the first couple days. This too is normal and can be easily drained by your vet.

Pain meds may make you see pink elephants and feel kinda funny. So if you whine or howl be sure to let mom know it's probably because you just don't like the way you feel – not because you are in pain and need more medication!

Like Genie said, though, every dog is different. We've heard a couple horror storie, but the vast majority of us cope well and recover quickly. I too spent the night after my surgery. That's perfectly normal. We've heard of some dogs who spent a few days!

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

Member Since:
30 March 2008
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23 July 2008 - 10:02 pm
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Hi Lenny, welcome to the site and good luck on your surgery.  I had my surgery back in April and the first few days were a little bit weird but mostly because of my pain medication.  After I was taken off my medication I started to bounce back beautifully...just need to make sure to take it easy and not over due it.  I wanted to run and jump right away but my pawrents made sure to keep me quiet and now I understand why and thank them.  I also had 4 sessions of chemo (carboplatin and the last one was just this past Monday) and like Zeus had hardly any side effects.  Now, that I am done with my treatments I am ready to enjoy life even more than what I did...honestly being a tripawd has only brought joy to my life and gave me the opportunity to meet all the wonderful tripawds and their families through this site.  Again good luck on your surgery and please keep us posted!

Kellie

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