Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
My big beautiful Saint Bernard Odin was diagnosed with suspected osteosarcoma. Lots of tears later, we decided to amputate his right front leg. He had the surgery about 36 hours ago and has still not tried walking. All his vitals are good and have been the whole time and he's eating actual food for the nurses. We visited him the day after his surgery and the nurse told us he just mastered sitting up by himself. She did not seem concerned but I am really worried that he hasn't attempted to stand or walk yet. Nurse described it as him being nervous to use his legs.Â
Any thoughts? I've had dogs my whole life but never went through something like this and I am going through a bit of an emotional roller coaster right now.
Thanks!
odinsmommy said
Any thoughts?
Yes! It is still very early, especially for a big dog like Odin. Confinement and rest are all he needs right now.You may need to provide some assistance for very short leashed potty time right now, but there is no need for him to be up and wondering about yet.
If you continue to have concerns, please speak directly with your orthopedic surgeon. Or, consult with a certified canine rehab vet/tech (CCRP or CCRT ). You may even get reimbursed for your first visit from the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab thanks to the Tripawds Foundation .
In Loving Life On Three Legs there are also plenty of gentle stretches, massage techniques and exercises you can do to help Odin get strong in the coming weeks. While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sprry you find yourself here, but u der the circumstances there is no better place to be dor support and information!' We understand the emotional roller coaster, the lack of sleep, the panic, the uncertainties!''We ALSO understand the joy when we dirst start to see the sparkle come back, sloooowly vut surely!
A d just as Admin Guy said, it is soooooo early in recovery! Not unusual AT ALL for dogs to take a few days to get their sea legs...ESPECIALLY a large dog!
Odin is drugged and just got out of MAJOR surgery. The hospital meds will be out of his system in a day or so and he may..or may not....perk up a bit then. It is key to keep his pain managed though.
As hard as it is to be patient right now, just know that not being mobile is perfectly "normal" this early. It's not "nervous" about walking....it IS about MAJOR surgery and drugs!
STAY CONNECTED! We are here for you, okay? It WILL get better!
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!
Hi Odin's mama,
Just as the others said - it is still very early. Â I've read on this site how some dogs hopped out of the clinic and into the car 24 hours (!) after amputation and others took a few days before they got up. Â My Sweet Ted took almost two days before he figured how to roll over and lay/sit up. Â After that he got comfortable standing, then he learned to hop.... then he ran about a 8 days later. Â Trust me, Odin will get up soon and then he'll scare you because he is up and about really quickly after that! Â He will be up and walking soon....don't worry!
Wanda
Thanks everyone. We were told amputated spend 1-2 nights in hospital and he might need a third due to his size. Tonight is night three and I don't see any way he'll be good enough to come home tomorrow (okay, today, it's after 2am!) so I'm just concerned.
He apparently took a few hops once they gurnyed him outside yesterday. My husband visited him yesterday, too, and while he acted similarly to when we both visited the day before (groggy with moments of alertness where he rested his head on our laps), he did bark quite a bit when my husband left. Hoping that is a good sign.Â
We didn't have a biopsy done and two vets told us it was suspected osteosarcoma and that it was causing him a lot of pain, though he was hiding it pretty well from us. I just hope we did the right thing.
You did the right thing! You took away the pain and you made a decision out of love...And that's always the right thing 🙂 🙂
Yes, some dogs have to spend several nights at the clinic or longer.
Odin ks DEFINITELY showing improvement! ,,Keep in mind that, duri g recovery, e ery "little" improvement ks a HUGE improvement! 🙂 🙂 He hopped a few steps and he voiced his opinion when your husband left! That is DEFINITELY improvement!!
TRY a d get some rest whuke he's at the clinic. You still have some rough days and. Ights ahead when he gets home.
Hang in there!!! We're right by your side!
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!
Well we visited him today and my husband and I were able to take him outside to pee. He needed the most help standing up, but once he was up mainly just needed help balancing on his 30 foot walk to the outside! Feeling much better about his progress now. We are hoping he can come home tomorrow.
He barked at us when we got there and seems like he tried to stand to greet us, but ended up just kind of pivoting on the floor to face us. Poor guy was real tired after his hop to and from his bed and conked out. He didn't even notice us leaving.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR ODIN!!!!! In the the world of recovery this is GREAT news!! 🙂
Walking! Peeing! Barking!! GOOD JOB ODIN! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Yep, tiring out easily while being on drugs getting used to three legs.....all "normal"!
Pictures! We want pictures of this sweet boy!!
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!
Wow, that is a long walk to go potty! He DID IT! It does sound like he's making progress (or "pawgress" as I like to say) and slowly but surely Odin is getting there. So many big doggies just need extra time. We've seen it happen before, it's not too unusual.
We hope he can come home soon. Please keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We're picking him up today! Â Can't wait to get him home with his family and in his own bed, own yard, etc.!
Tried to put a photo in this post, but was unable...I was able to change my avatar at least!
YAAA! That's terrific news. What a great day!
Here's a post about adding images
to the forums. If that doesn't work, feel free to private message me for assistance.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAAAAAAAAAY!!!! CANNOT WAIT FOR MORE PICTURES!!! Smooching his avatar picture right now!!! 🙂 What a cutie!!!
STAY CONNECTED! Recovery is no picnic and we are here to help you through it, okay?
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 glad Odin is coming home. Â It is going to be good for him but it will most likely be a rough couple of nights for you guys while he gets comfortable and the rest of the drugs get out of his system. Â You are almost there... Â Hugs.
Wanda
Welcome home, Odin, and all best wishes for a speedy recovery. Update when you can. We're here for you!
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
WOOOHOOO! I hope his homecoming is smooth and he's back in his regular routine in no time at all. Keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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