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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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when will oliver be back to his normal self?
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Member Since:
6 May 2016
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19 May 2016 - 9:42 am
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oliver is 9 days post op, and i know it's silly, but how long until he is back to being himself? he's been through so much in the past 6 weeks. restricted movement for 3 weeks due to limping, finally discovering tumor (synovial cell sarcoma) and surgery for biopsy week 4, amputation week 5. i think we are all just anxious for our new normal to be here.

he is doing great as far as physical activity goes - he can go up and down stairs unassisted, as well and get on and off the couch and bed on his own. he's happiest outside on short walks, although i think he'd go forever if we let him. once inside he seems so down ... he already isn't a big eater, and now he skips food every other day. he sleeps a lot (to be expected, and probably best for him), but he just seems down. we have taken out the middle dose of tramadol as of yesterday, and his staples come out tomorrow (yay!). our hope is that both of these increase his spirits. 

any other recommendations on things we can do? how long did it take for your pooch to be back his/her spunky self?

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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19 May 2016 - 10:32 am
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Hi Oliver and family, welcome! We're glad you joined. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.

I'm really hoppy that Oliver is doing so well overall. You're right, he has been through a LOT in the last six weeks, and with just nine days out from surgery, it sounds like he's doing pretty well overall. As humans we tend to forget that our dogs need recuperation time just like we do. So, put yourself in his paws, and imagine where you would be nine days after amputation surgery, if you had been through all that Oliver has. I'm pretty sure not as spunky and getting around so well, I know I wouldn't. Silly humans, we're just so impatient. Give him time, he will get there.

Now one thing that got my attention is that it sounds like he's doing too much, actually. This might be why he seems down, skips his meals and sleeps a lot. For starters, the pain medication needs to work its way out of his system, so you'll see the sparkle come back soon now that he's off. But the major thing I'm guessing is that he's just exhausted. Remember, it takes a LOT of energy to move around, learn how to readjust the body and get strong again on 3 legs. Try it yourself and see how hard it is. Get on your hands and knees, lift up the same leg Oliver is missing and try to do what he does. You'll quickly see that it's very, very difficult.

Are you focusing on any type of core-strengthening activities? Oliver needs time to build up strong core muscles, then gradually build up his endurance, in order to not be so exhausted. Our e-book Loving Life On Three Legs talks a lot about that, and you can also check out our Tripawds Gear blog and Tripawds Downloads blog for lots of tips. Search for "core strengthening" and you'll find tons of ideas.

Others will chime in too, so stay tuned OK? We're here to help you both!

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

On The Road


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19 May 2016 - 10:33 am
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P.S. No, it's not silly at all to ask your question, we've all wondered the same too, you're not alone.

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

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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19 May 2016 - 10:48 am
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Ditto everything Jerry said!! I truly have nothing to add. She really covered all the bases!

For my Happy Hannah it was three weeks before I could finally say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!

Check with your vet, maybe he coukd give you something to coat his tummy or an appetite stimulant. Try a cheeseburger drive thru...that should help 🙂

Try and take his activity down a couple if notches. It could be that he's sore when he comes inside and that's why he appears "down".

But really, it is still soooo early in recovery from MAJOR SURGERY. Patience is hard, but it sounds like he's ahead of the curve.

Update when you can!

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!

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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19 May 2016 - 12:05 pm
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Otis was not nearly as active as Oliver.   Once the staples came out, I started seeing his old habits (like jumping up on the sofa and sleeping upside down) reassert.  We took our first short walk at just about a month, and he figured out the stairs at almost month 3.  With everything Oliver is doing, I am not surprised that he just wants to sleep when he gets inside.   Maybe moderate the activity a bit, but the good news is that he is obviously going to do fine as a tripawd.   My vet's analogy was think about hopping everywhere you need to go on one leg - I doubt I would make it to the kitchen!

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Copperas Cove, TX
Member Since:
12 May 2016
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19 May 2016 - 1:54 pm
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My Bandit is wanting to be very active also.  He was so pitiful the other night I let him walk to the mail box and back.  Once we got home he crashed for the rest of the night.  I could almost hear him saying alright Mom you win.  I understand now.  Bandit still wants on the couch with us but we help him.  We are not letting him bear all of the effort on his own.  He wants to play ball. So we have modified it from chasing a ball around the house and yard to teaching him to back up after he brings me the ball and I throw it so he can catch it.  It seems to keep him happy for now.  

Brain games.  I learned on this site that brain games can keep them happy and actually tire them out too.  The other night I took red solo cups and placed a small treat under each one.  It took a few times but he learned to move the cup for the treat.  When were done he had a goofy smile on his face.  He was happy.

I think it was Otis's Mom or maybe Murphy's???  Can't remember but they suggested stuffing a Kong and freezing it. It last longer and they love it.  I will get my Bandit a kong this weekend. This is my Bandit before surgery. 

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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19 May 2016 - 2:30 pm
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I love the Solo cup idea.   Kong idea wasn't mine - Otis has shredded Kongs in the past.  big-grin

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Member Since:
6 May 2016
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19 May 2016 - 7:51 pm
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you guys are the best! it's so nice to have a place to go to get advice! we've toned down the activity the past few days, so hopefully he'll rest up and get back to himself :). a few things are unavoidable (we live up stairs and we can't pick him up without him being in pain), but we don't let him on or off the couch/bed without help, and everything was lowered before surgery, so even if he sneaks past us it's not a huge leap ... more of a slink.

i sent my husband off to get him a cheeseburger, so hopefully he eats that. we're seeing the vet tomorrow, and i'll be sure to ask about those pills. he's already a slim pooch, i don't want him to lose all those nutrients!

again - thank you everyone for all the help! i love the solo cup idea ... i wish i could get him interested in treats!

Maryland
Member Since:
28 March 2015
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20 May 2016 - 4:26 am
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Just another idea on pills---my quadpaw Toby has allergies so the vet advised we can put pills into marshmallows. Toby goes insane when he smells the marshmallow. I keep them well sealed in a canister so they stay soft and smelly and I just squish the pill inside. Now, I've never known a dog to have a sweet tooth like my Toby, but it might be worth a try.

Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise

Copperas Cove, TX
Member Since:
12 May 2016
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20 May 2016 - 6:38 am
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Marshmellows?!  Really!  I've got to try that since Bandit is getting very persnickety!  Love it that we can share tips!

Member Since:
14 April 2016
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20 May 2016 - 6:53 am
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It gets better. The first I'd say 12 days I questioned my decision and then after the staples came out it only took a few days to see improvement. We are now 3 weeks out and she is getting back to her old ways. It does take time but you will soon see the joy begin to come back for them! Good Luck

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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25 May 2016 - 9:57 am
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Hmmmm . . . never thought of marshmallows.

Well, I just wanted to add just a wee-bit more to what's already been said.

"Normal" is really relative. "Normal" for my Melody, as a puppy, was pooping ADT signs for about 2 weeks. THANK doG that "normal" is in the past!!! We had to replace all the wiring on both boats, the GMC 4-wheel drive, the car trailer, and the ATV. Don't let anyone tell you, "Here's a free dog!" She is now a very balanced six-year-old. I prefer her new normal over the old normal any day!

My point, Oliver will get back to normal, but it will be a new normal. The sparkle will return and you'll once again laugh at his antics. The best part, he's no longer suffering a bad leg. Who knows, he just might surprise you with some new "tricks"!

heart

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Member Since:
6 May 2016
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25 May 2016 - 12:08 pm
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thank you everyone - and how right you are! yesterday was two weeks post-op and he is starting to get comfortable with his new normal and be back to himself. yay!

i know this is weird - but do i need to be putting sunscreen on his shaved parts? 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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25 May 2016 - 10:59 pm
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Nope, not weird at all.

Perhaps a t-shirt would do better. Less mess, not able to lick it off and no risk of allergic reaction.

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!

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