Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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When I initially posted, I forgot to mention there's a slightly graphic picture attached,
I know we're all tripod parents and supporters, but I just don't wanna startle anyone!
Eva is doing great! She's pooped, peed, ate, drank. Granted she doesn't eat as much as she normally might, she's been having those problems anyway because of the cancer.
Now I know some fluid and bruising and yada yada are gonna happen. Eva has all internal stitching as well as two bandages over the incision (really one and a half so that there's no adhesive on the injury lol) and I am able to check the incision itself through a tiny break in the adhesive at the top of the bandage that i regularly use to "peek." E is really good about letting me check it out and I was advised I could leave it bandaged for a week if it doesn't fall off on it's own.
The little dark red stuff, I know it's gotta be bruising. But sometimes you just need the reassurance. I don't wanna run off and email my vet already as I have called a trillion times and everythings going perfect, and I know that if it really really worries me later (it's only noon where I live) I would call, but it's small and localized and I basically just want someone to look and be like "yep that's a bruise." 
First of all, do NOT feel badly about calling the vet! This IS major surgery AND you've also paid big bucks!!
It's the week end and you need some reassurance. Go ahead and send that email off. I do not think you have any concerns but nothing feels better than reasp...and on a week end!
They may offer suggestions loke an ice pack (or frozen bag of peas) a couple of times a day for a few minute. They'll sdvise if they go that route, but you'll want a thin towel in between the bag and the skin.
My Happy Hannah did have a lot of colorful brusing for several days, as well as swelling that was a seroma . This is not unusual but is always good to keep an eye on it.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOPING AND PEEING, EATING AND DRINKING!!!
You are a wonderful advocate! Keep up the good work!!
Love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni 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!
The bruising is normal. If it was dark brown I would be concerned. If you feel more comfortable sending the email go ahead. We aren't vets here and sometimes we feel more reassured to have our vets check things out. Trust me I will be the first one to call my vet if I feel the need.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hello ! looks quite normal to me, but if the vet can look at it and reassure you that all is fine, even better.
Make sure to keep the incision clean. Each vet has a "protocol" - my vet instructed me to clean the incision once a day, others prefer to keep it covered with a bandage for a couple of days. Keep an eye on the stitches/staples. And don't be shy to call on the vet because the post-op until the stitches/staples are out are part of the whole package.
The first five days are very tense, with each and every one, but things do get better after the fifth day.
As Sally would say, treat yourself to chocolate or a glass of wine. You deserve it!
hugs from Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
I'm not terribly worried about it. I mean she's not agitated by it, she sleeps comfortably, lays on it without any problems. My vets are available 24/7 even on holidays so I got kinda lucky with that. I'm gonna maybe wait til tomorrow before I get nervous enough to send off photos because she definitely told me how bad E's bruising was gonna be. The little area around her nipples are still normal colored even tho they are in the same section as the bruise, and it's only about three inches long. If things seem troubled in any aspect I definitely think I will email them over a photo just to ensure it's safe bruising! 🙂 Figured I'd show you guys first since you are all always so helpful and reassuring! 
Daniela & Johnnie said
Hello ! looks quite normal to me, but if the vet can look at it and reassure you that all is fine, even better.Make sure to keep the incision clean. Each vet has a "protocol" - my vet instructed me to clean the incision once a day, others prefer to keep it covered with a bandage for a couple of days. Keep an eye on the stitches/staples. And don't be shy to call on the vet because the post-op until the stitches/staples are out are part of the whole package.
The first five days are very tense, with each and every one, but things do get better after the fifth day.
As Sally would say, treat yourself to chocolate or a glass of wine. You deserve it!
hugs from Daniela & Johnnie
Eva's vet said not to do much with her incision. She said the bandage can stay on for a week, if it falls off and I am nervous about putting another one on I don't have to, but we already changed it once and it was an okay experience. I keep my eye on the incision but she didn't tell me to clean it. Also, she doesn't have stitches or staples, all of her work is done internally (lucky for us her incision looks beautiful) we have a really great board certified orthopedic surgeon who did her surgery who has definitely made me feel comfortable enough to message them if I am worried about something. Everything about her attitude and behavior seems to be what I would expect at 2 days, thanks so much!!!
How interesting! that's the same technique I had with my C-sections: only internal stitches and an approximation of the skin with a breathable bandage. Sure worked on me. Here in Brazil the surgeons use stitches. I have noticed that in the United States the most common are staples. Make sure Eva gets enough rest and keeps quiet during the healing period. They tend to over-exert themselves when they start feeling better, especially with younger dogs.
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
With Murphy the dressing didn't stay on for more than a couple days. They did tell me to put ice packs on for about 20 minutes at a time a couple times a day and to massage around the area to help reabsorb the extra fluids.
Looking at the picture from a nurse standpoint (I can't help it! lol) it does look like just bruising .... and it tends to go dependent - meaning lower than the incision, so that's normal. It doesn't look swollen or anything.
Looking good Eva!
donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
midnighter94 said
With Murphy the dressing didn't stay on for more than a couple days. They did tell me to put ice packs on for about 20 minutes at a time a couple times a day and to massage around the area to help reabsorb the extra fluids.Looking at the picture from a nurse standpoint (I can't help it! lol) it does look like just bruising .... and it tends to go dependent - meaning lower than the incision, so that's normal. It doesn't look swollen or anything.
Looking good Eva!
donna
We're on Day Three. Bandage is still there. Well I sent the pictures over to the surgical techs and they said she's all good. Actually today it doesn't look as rough! She's kinda trembly though and I can't tell if it's puppy dreams (it was weeks of bad sleep before now, she's soaking up rest in her queen sized floor bed) or if she's uncomfy. But if she was uncomfy the techs said she wouldn't be resting as well as she is. She's not like unresponsively lethargic, and she gets up to go outside *when its not torrentially raining* or cuddle or play if you tell her to get up. I guess I shouldn't be worried about pain but I just know how hard it is to wrangle once it's out of control!
You're doing great by keeping her pain management needs on your mind, nice job! Glad to hear she is resting, it's exactly what a new Tripawd needs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah, this rain is a pain!
The medications really made Murphy not be Murphy. It was hard to tell if he wasn't feeling well or in pain. He was on Tramadol, Gabapentin and Rimadyl. So it sounds like she's doing just fine!
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank you both! They don't have eva on Gaba, although I have it at home from a previous pet. Wondering if I should call and ask them about it. Also, no rimadyl for Eva because she had a horrible rimadyl overdose in april. The cat got into the bottle and knocked them all down to her and she ate three thousand mgs. so, they have her on meloxicam and tramadol. and she also takes some alprazolam on occasion to take the edge off and to help keep her nice and sedated.
Gabapentin is for nerve pain, so I would think it's good for this type of surgery.
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
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