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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Sophie had surgery today. Trying to learn a lot quickly.
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Member Since:
23 August 2016
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23 August 2016 - 9:11 pm
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Our 14 year-old shepherd mix Sophie had right front amputation today.  I am learning a lot through reading everyone else's posts as we try to prepare for her return home.  I am sure we will have lots of questions and it really helps to know there is a place to find answers and support.

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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23 August 2016 - 9:30 pm
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Hi and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

Are you dealing with cancer in your girl Sophie?

Jerry's Required Reading List is a good place for links to info on what to expect with amputation and recovery.  You might also consider downloading one or more of the ebooks available from the Tripawds Library.

Traction is huge for tripawds- be sure to cover any slippery floors with throw rugs or yoga mats.

The first couple weeks after surgery can be full of ups and downs so don't get discouraged if Sophie is not herself.  We have often seen the more mature pups take a little longer than average so keep that in mind.

We know how hard this is and we can help!  There is a lot of information and support to be found here.

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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23 August 2016 - 10:12 pm
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So surgery is done and Sophie is high as a kite and seeing pink elephants! I'm sure you're exhausted too so I hope you can get some good sleep tonight.

As karen said, more "mature" dogs may take a bit longer to get their mobility flowing smoothly. It is major surgery and Sophie may not have much of an appetite for a little bit. Drinking and peeing are important. Pooping may take a few days though!

Most dogs here come home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, Gabapentin and an antibiotic. Keeping the pain meds dosed on a consistent basis helps stay ahead of the pain. Some have a Fentanyl patch.

The first two weeks Sophie just needs rest and potty breaks. Some dogs are whiny and restless and it's hard for them to get comfy. Some dogs sleep a lot and have to be coaxed up to pee.

You may have to help Sophie stand with a towel sling at first.

Plan in sleeping on the floor next to her for awhile! She will be comforted, and you will be too!

Oh, when you pick her up, don't even bother to look at her incision (although it's hard because they shave so much fur!). Just look into her druggy eyes and kiss her and tell her what a good girl she is and how proud you are of her!!

Stay connected! Update when you can! We are here for you!

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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24 August 2016 - 11:40 am
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Sophie and family, welcome! We're so glad to hear things are on track for a good recovery. For some extra inspawration, check out Hector's news here, you'll enjoy reading about it:

http://tripawds.....-diagnosis

Please let us know what we can do to help OK?

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

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
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24 August 2016 - 6:07 pm
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Welcome to the club, Sophie and family! 

I hope her first day as a tripawd has gone smoothly. I was such a nervous wreck when my Izzy had a front leg amputated just before her 12th birthday last year. I can tell you that she took it SO MUCH BETTER than I did! laughing

Area rugs are a must if you have areas that are tiled, etc. My entire first floor has either wood or tile, so I bought carpet runner from Home Depot (the kind where they cut as much as you need off the spool) and although it felt like a whole lot to spend, it was totally worth it! When I rolled those out a few days after surgery, she got right up and hopped into the kitchen for a drink of water. So smart!

Amputation is such a scary journey, especially for us parents, but I will tell you that I have never been so amazed by an animal as I have watching my old girl adapt. If I weren't already completely in love with my dog, this experience would have done the trick! heart

Please keep up posted!

Amy & Izzy, too

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Member Since:
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24 August 2016 - 10:10 pm
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Sophie Update:

When we saw Sophie last night she had not yet woken up from surgery, but she looked comfortable and resting for the first time in several weeks.  

Tonight (24 hours post-op) I was nervous about not knowing what we would see when we got there.  I know she is still on lots of meds, but she motored into the visiting room with just a little support and I was amazed at how well she seemed to be doing. They told us that she hadn't yet eaten a lot, but she let me hand feed her a fair amount and her doctor was really pleased. She was able to get up and down from the floor on her own.

Sophie has two very worried brothers at home (Lucky, Stanley), so once we saw that she was doing okay we let Stanley come in to check her out.  I think it was good for all of us!

We will bring her home tomorrow and after seeing her tonight I feel like we may be able to handle this.

I know that we are just starting this journey, but I feel like a giant weight has been lifted.

Susan

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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24 August 2016 - 10:30 pm
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Sophie will likely come home on several pain medications - make sure you keep up on them for adequate coverage.  Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin.  Some dogs come home on a Fentanyl patch and some have antibiotics.  You can use an ice pack with a towel to protect the skin, for about 10 minutes or so a couple times a day.  We never used a cone for Murphy, but kept his incision covered with a t-shirt.  Our other dogs did good with Murphy - just kind of let him have his space.  She will be doing a lot of sleeping and just potty breaks at first.

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

Donna.png

Member Since:
29 July 2016
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25 August 2016 - 12:37 am
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Sophie and family , glad you made it here.

I'm sure a weight as been lifted for all of you.

Its amazing how well our dogs can adapt. Our girl Mya is now 22 days post op, right front leg, and we cant keep her down any more. I picked her up from the vet visit today and the vet was almost running out with her . As soon as she hit the door to the lobby she made a B line for me.  I think we are the only thing realy holding her back. She has developed a bladder infection now which is halting the chemotherapy for now, glad we found it before we started.

Keeping ahead of the pain with the doseing intervals was key for us. Infact under medicating her at one point before the diagnosis is what brought on some obvious pain and prompted the further investigation / diagnosis. For now the more quality sleep Sophie gets the better. We used a coller and short leash when we took her out to the bathroom. Mya can be stubborn and wanted to stay out side more after a few days but we would just give her little love and a nudge and she would come back in. We didnt want her laying in the grass/dirt, too much bacteria, and it was too hot. We found keeping her cool realy helped her sleep. We opted for the T shirt instead of the cone and it worked out good but we did have to watch her all the time. If the shirt is too big we cut a slit where the center of her back is on it and tied the corners together. If its too baggy they can trip on the sleeves etc. We used soft ice packs in a towel for a short time (about 10 min) a few times a day when the swelling got a little excessive. It did help with the swelling and seemed to ease her discomfort a bit. She may be a bit constipated from the surgery and drugs, a few table spoons of plane pumpkin (canned no spices) or apple sauce worked pretty good for Mya, with her food or as a treat.

Dont forget about her brothers in all this confusion, they see Sophie getting extra attention but dont know why. So spoil the crap out of all of'm...

Member Since:
23 August 2016
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26 August 2016 - 8:43 am
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Sophie Update:

She is home and seems to be resting comfortably.  Her brothers were excited to see her and stuck close to her last night.  She isn't really anxious to go outside to go potty, but goes when we get her out there.  We have been carrying her out on her pet bed to go, then she will walk herself back in (even up the steps).  She has been eating pretty well, getting spoiled with things we know she likes.  Lots of sleeping, which we expected, but she seems much more comfortable than she did prior to surgery when she was on the same pain meds. One day at a time.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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26 August 2016 - 9:51 am
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Oh yay Sophie! That's fantastic news. Rest up and don't overdo it. Watch those stairs OK? You don't want your stitches to come loose. Enjoy the spoiling and live it up, you are a rock star!

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

Member Since:
6 August 2016
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26 August 2016 - 8:46 pm
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So glad to hear Sophie is doing well.  This is such a hard journey in the beginning..  I love that you are posting and letting everyone know how things are going.  We all do care how she and you are doing!

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23 August 2016
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26 August 2016 - 10:31 pm
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Sophie Update:  

Was worried that today would be very difficult, but Sophie seems to be tolerating all this very well.  She slept a lot and took many short trips outside.  I took a picture of her in her new superdog  t-shirt today - perfect for National Dog Day.  We will start decreasing  her pain meds tomorrow, but today I am very relieved that  she is doing well.  Don't forget to hug your fur babies, you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Susan

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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26 August 2016 - 11:41 pm
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So glad to hear she's home and doing well!' I know Stanley and Lucky are happy too!

And her avatar picture...ADORABLE!!! 🙂

Some others have said they felt like their dogs felt less pain from the major surgery than when they had their bum leg! Looks like Sophie may be one of those!!! Itsw still really, really early, so hang in there.

Stay connected......sleep when you can....And spoil, spoil, spoil! 🙂

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!

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
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27 August 2016 - 10:58 am
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Wonderful that Sophie is doing so well.  And she looks stunning in her new shirt!

My pug Maggie was on pain meds after her amp for two weeks, we started tapering around day 10 or 11 I think.  Many here have been on them for 3 weeks.  Be sure you are following your vet's instructions for tapering, but if she seems at all uncomfortable talk with your vet about delaying the taper.

All dogs deal differently, some lucky pups are able to go off the pain meds sooner than most!

I hope Super Sophie continues with her smooth recovery.

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo


Member Since:
11 August 2016
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27 August 2016 - 3:57 pm
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Hi Sophie's Family,

We are about 48 hours post-op (what day is it??) with my beloved Buddy and reading Sophie's thread just now has been so helpful.  It's been a rough 24 hours since he came home.

Buddy's Momma

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