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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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Wound Care Advice
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Member Since:
29 November 2017
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3 December 2017 - 2:36 pm
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Hi just brought my 8yr old greyhound Buck (Boc’s Where’d He Go) home 4 days out from front limb amputation.  They gave him to me without any bandages/wrapping and no cone or detailed directions re:wound care.  They did mention that alternating warm & cool/cold compresses could help with the bruising, swelling & weeping.  I justforgot to ask specfics how often, how long, how warm/cool/cold.  I’ve already called twice about other things i forgot to ask (pill schedule for today & walking instructions [no backyard]) and was thinking someone here might have some experience/suggestions.  He is a bit swollen but seems more gravity collected fluid in his chest/arm pit area.  I know the cold compresses would help w/swelling but am more worried about the weeping fluid collection which orobably would be better helped by warm compresses, no?

if there’s a post or video with instructions on materials(I’m thinking of cutting up a terrycloth bath towel) preparing (is it just warm water (tap, distilled, filtered?) placing & time frames for compresses I would be very grateful.

And then there’s the question of cover — should I put a shirt on him now or wait a few days when he’s feeling less sore?

a lot of this stuff is probably already here, i’ve just never been a chat-room/forum user and find this really confusing & hard to negotiate.  I’m sure I’ll get better as I go along; so thanks 4the help...

On The Road


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3 December 2017 - 3:32 pm
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Hi Buck and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away! Just curious but what was the reason for the amputation?

Sorry your vet didn't give you good instructions. That sure doesn't help! I know this all seems so overwhelming. We created the Tripawds Start Here page to help ease you into finding the information you need, as well as Jerry's Required Reading List . Hop on over and check 'em out! Meanwhile I'll try to answer some of your concerns and questions:

 He is a bit swollen but seems more gravity collected fluid in his chest/arm pit area.

Very likely a harmless seroma . Click on the link for tips.

They did mention that alternating warm & cool/cold compresses could help with the bruising, swelling & weeping.  I justforgot to ask specfics how often, how long, how warm/cool/cold.  

See: 

Heat and Ice Therapy Tips for Tripawd Cats and Dogs

 things i forgot to ask (pill schedule for today & walking instructions [no backyard]

Your vet needs to tell you the pill schedule. Just curious but what medications did they give you? As for walking, he should only be on short leashed potty walks at least until stitches are out. Keep activity to a bare minimum, rest is medicinal.

if there’s a post or video with instructions on materials(I’m thinking of cutting up a terrycloth bath towel) preparing (is it just warm water (tap, distilled, filtered?) placing & time frames for compresses I would be very grateful.

See the massage link up top for tips on that. You can certainly use a human warm/cold compress, just make sure you have a towel between it and your dog's skin.

And then there’s the question of cover — should I put a shirt on him now or wait a few days when he’s feeling less sore?

Most dogs go commando unless it's super cold, there's kids in the house who might be traumatized by the incision, etc. 

Let us know if this helps. Feel free to call the Tripawds Helpline too, we have folks on live this evening but you can call and leave a message any time. Stay tuned for feedback from others!

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

Member Since:
29 November 2017
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3 December 2017 - 7:13 pm
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Thanks Jerry! Amputation was 4 bone cancer; waiting 4 pathology results to know more.





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4 December 2017 - 8:41 am
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Welcome to the club no one wants to join.  Rene aka Jerry has given some great tips.  I am sorry to hear about your baby's cancer.  

hugs

Michelle & Angel Sassy

sassymichelle-sm.jpg

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."



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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4 December 2017 - 9:40 pm
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Hi Buc and family 🌺

I cannot believe you were sent home with no instructions 😳

Pain medicine is really important so, as Rene asked already, what are you giving your boy?

Most dogs are sent home with Tramadol (for pain) Gabapentin (for phantom pain ) and an antibiotic.

My girl Eurydice was also a front legger and I used a tshirt to protect her incision and a soft harness on top to help her getting up and hop for pee/poop.

If you have slippery floors it is crucial to create paths for him using carpets/rubber underlay/yoga mats, slipping can be dangerous and it is quite a confidence killer when learning to hop on 3. 

Make sure your boy has lots and lots of rest, things should improve enormously after stitches are out. 

Good luck and please do not hesitate to ask any questions, big or small, we're all here for you and Buck!

Big hug and cuddles 😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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 :-) 

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5 December 2017 - 2:18 pm
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I also put a shirt on my girl - mainly because she kept trying to reach the incision to lick it.  We did cool compresses below the incision for 10 minutes three times a day and that seemed to help with the redness/swelling. 

Bobbi & Maddie a/k/a ManiacMads

Front leg amputation 10/17/17 due to Osteosarcoma

She's Madeline, She's Madeline

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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9 December 2017 - 6:37 pm
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How is your baby doing?

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

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