Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Zelda came home yesterday. Osteosarcoma-left front amputation. Clear chest x-ray, although two vets told me it probably has spread microscopically and we just can't detect it yet. Zelda is an 8 year old Doberman. Largest dob I have ever had, 92 lb. She urinated in her sling once yesterday when we carried her out. Besides that I can't see that she has gone again. No poo yet. I haven't found diapers big enough. I have human bed pads under her, but they get bunched up. We put her in a bed sling and carry her outside. She has tried to get up twice, but isn't totally committed to the idea yet. Of course, we are expecting heavy rain through Sunday....to a tune of flash floor warnings. I do have a covered back deck, which will remain dry. Any ideas on how to deal with any urination/poo issues would be greatly appreciated. She is eating and drinking so I know she will have to go. I just don't know how to help her. BTW.....last night was the longest night ever. LOL Even beat bringing that first newborn home! I don't have any experience, but the only thing I can offer those bringing your baby home, just plan on spending the night on the floor with them. That was the only time she seemed at ease. My name is Ginger. thanks to anyone who answers
3042save said
Any ideas on how to deal with any urination/poo issues...
As Jerry's vet told us, when they need to go they'll go. Constipation is a common side effect of pain meds. You can help get things moving with a little olive oil in the food, but be careful what you ask for! Search these forums and you will find many topics discussing the issue.
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
Love Zelda's avatar picture and can't wait to see more!
Yeah, pooping may be delayed for a few days due to all the meds, but peeing is important. Check with your vet about how to espress her bladder if needed. We also have a video in the site about doing that...must don't know how to find it! Sorry! The drugs, the sling, all are making it difficult for Zelda to get her balance and recognize the need to pee. Maybe puppy pee pad would help motivate her to pee.....the ones with a scent on them that are used for training to potty. Others will chime in with more input.
My Happy Hannah whined and was restless for the first three nights. I don't think she or I slept more than five hours total thise first several days.
Have to head to work. Just want to say we are all with you and you are not alone!!! Recovery DOES get easier and it doesn't last forever! You are in the roughest several days and nights now.
Hang in there and stay connected!! And plan on sleeping in the floor for many more nights so get some comfy bedding! 🙂
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!
Hello and welcome Ginger and Zelda.
When was the surgery? Did she come home the same day or next day? What pain meds is she on?
The surgery meds and other pain meds do cause constipation and sometimes a pup is just too doped up to try and stand. My pug Maggie didn't poop until day 6 or 7 post op.
If the vet didn't give you a sling you might try a cloth shopping bag, you cut it open on the seams and the handles are built in. If that isn't sturdy enough for your girl you might try a towel or even a long sleeve shirt.
You might try putting the pee pads under a sheet or towel. I have made pee pad holders out of towels folded in half with the two sides sewn together and they stay in place pretty well. I had incontinence and seizure issues so pee pads were a constant in my house for a few years. Just be sure the sheet or towels can't get tangled up in her feet.
The first few days of recovery are tough! Most of us went through the 'I made a huge mistake' phase at least once during recovery. Hang in there and stay close to this community. We all made it through and you and Zelda will too!
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
Hi Ginger and Zelda,
As others said, poop can take a while to happen.
My girl Eurydice took 6 days to go and I was very worried but the surgeon kept telling me not to because it would happen in due course.
And so it did.
In the middle of a terribly rainy and windy night ... (it seems we might share that 😁🌧🌧🌧)
The rain didn't stop me from cheering madly grinning at the 💩💩💩
I bet you're gonna do it too 😆
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your cutie pie 😘😘😘💕🐶💕
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thank you to everyone. I have had several "what have I done" thoughts. Zelda is miserable and tired. I am guilty and tired. However, after reading all of this, I know we will make it through. I love my girl and will do anything for her. Amazing how comfortable a hard wood floor can be!! Thanks to everyone-Ginger
Yep, welcome to the "What have I done" Club! It took me abput three weeks before I could finally say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!
You and Zelda will indeed ge through this...with flying colors!! 🙂 Sloooowly but surely her sparkle will come back. All her normal routines will start to rerurn and you will cry happy tears!! 🙂 🙂 The guilt faded away and you realize her pain has been removed and you have given her extended quality time for loving and spoiling!!
Hardwood floors need non slip scatter rugs, which you may slready have done. And it will make the nights you sleep on the floor more comfortable for you too!! Many of us moved matresses on the floor next to them for a few minutes of shut eye here and there!
Hang in there ....stay connected! And eat lots of CHOCOLATE...it's better than sleep sometimes!
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!
Yup, we've all been there, sugar!
It is still very early days, you will both make it and you'll be surprised how well your baby girl will do.
Life will be just the same except with lots more treats for sweet Zelda 🌭🍔🍗🍖
Be patient (easier said than done...) and lean on us, we're here to guide you through this as best as we can.
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your cutie 😘😘💕🐶💕
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
It happened...Zelda pooped!! In the middle of a driving rain storm (of course). Now life seems to be getting better. We are having drainage and she seems to be set upon licking. I have wrapped her with sanitary pad, rolled gauze and vetwrap. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Nonskid boots show up tomorrow, so that will help with getting around. Right now cheap yoga pads from Wal-Mart cover the house! We are 4 days post-op and it feels like 4 years! Thanks for ideas......any other advice is MORE THAN APPRECIATED!! Thanks Ginger & Zelda
3042save said
...any other advice is MORE THAN APPRECIATED!!
Please start here for help navigating the MANY helpful resources this community has to offer. Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List , read the FAQs, search the forums and blogs with specific questions, or download the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR
!!!!!! And in a rain storm too!! Good job Zelda!! 🙂
Booties, yoga mats...all good.
Just continue to stay a strong and confident pack leader. You still jave a bit of "rough" part of the recovery to get through, but you and Zelda are, indeed, moving through it together!
Rest and potty breaks, managing the pain, lots of snuggling and cuddling, yep, that's all you should be doing now.
Keep a little notepad around and mark down anytime you see a bit of sparkle come back....a tail wag, ears perking up when you say "cookie", these are all signs of tbe sparkle starting to come back slowly but surely!
And STAY CONNECTED and let us know how things are going! You're doing great 🙂
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!
Wiooohooooo 🎊🎉💩💩💩🎉🎊
Ginger and Zelda, we are officially sisters now 💕👯🐶🐮💕 having gone through the first 💩 during a storm 🌂☂️💦💦💦💦
You are doing such a great job, I totally agree with Sally, lots of rest and tons of cuddles and before you know it recovery will be over 🌈
Sending you a tornado 🌪 of hugs and zillion cuddles to your cutie pie 😘💕🐶💕
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Yes....I thought of you the whole time we were standing in that storm!!
At what point and how did you leave your babies alone? Zelda came home Thursday and I haven't left unless one of my boys were home with her. Today they both go back to work.....I continue to work from home. BUT I do need to run a short errand this morning. Would love to say I have someone to babysit, but no luck. I am scared to leave her alone. Ideas please?
Well, youvew probably already run your errand...or not!
Anway, the main concern is to make sure Zelda doesn't get to her stitches or the drain. You mentioned she was trying tomlick them before. So just make sure you jave a cone, or whatever it takes, to make sure she can't get to those stitches!!
Additionally, if she's fairly confined and can't do too much walking around, or trying to go up stairs, etc. she should be fine.
So let us know how the day is going?
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 to Eveyone!!
I fabricated a pressure bandage/wound cover from a pair of Spanx and a Kotex....doesn't look too pretty, but it sure is functional! The only time we have drainage issues is when Zelda goes outside to potty. There are three stairs to the outside. I do my best to help her, but she weighs 90 lbs and I weigh 115, so I am sure to watch the two of us does have comedy value! She only goes outside twice a day for potty. The vet feels the draining will be ok, we have an appointment next week for staple removal/rehab evaluation. What is the verdict on Chemo? I need knowledge before I go to the vet office. Please give me experiences/thoughts. I have no way to thank all of you for the help during this bumpy ride. Because of everyone here, I am able to stay strong for my girl.
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