Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks! They did give me a heads up about not pooping for several days, but did not advise to change the litter. We use pellet litter and I had not planned on changing... but when she took her first flop onto the litter tray I immediately adjusted our setup thinking I wouldn't want the rough pellets to rub on her incision. She has some in her puppy pad-lined tray, but not where she'd be likely to fall/lay on them (mostly just so she knows that's where to go).
Oh yes, is there something you have used with success in the past? I think I might give her an option. It is differnt with her type of surgery and the back leg. The biggest thing is dont force a change give her the option. I did not have that concern, We used our regular grass clumping litter. Big difference for front and rear leggers and getting incision in the box.
I think it will be harder to balance in the pellets too. I am NOT one to say change litter but in this case I would say have an alt option if at all possible for few days as Nancy gets her footing under her. She might do just fine you will have to see.
We used clumping clay litter years ago, which I know she'd be fine with but don't think that's much better for incision purposes. I'll pick up some options just in case, but she did remarkably well with a similar setup to this in the hotel and car on our trip up to Ohio. It's more puppy pads than pellets at this point. She wasn't using her left leg at all prior to the amputation and I was so impressed with how well she managed the litter box. Fingers crossed!
Fingers crossed you don't have to change anything. Nancy will be your guide.
They are amazing and adapt!!!
We will be around this weekend if you need anything hop on someone will be here or get here. You are both going to do amazing your as prepared as you can be. You got this!!
HUGS
💝💝💝
Well she’s actually moving around a bit too much for my comfort! I thought she’d finally settled so I took a quick shower and fixed a bite to eat. When I returned she’d used her litter tray! No sign of a struggle but I wish I’d seen how she managed. 🤷♀️
She still can’t quite figure out how to eat or drink with the collar. I let her try to eat with it on each time I fed her, but ended up taking it off. I do hope she can learn to manage water as she drinks plenty with her kidneys.
Yes, I told you they figure it all out😉. Whoo hoo Nancy. I had an old phone with an app I used as a camera when I had to leave the room. It would alert me if Purrkins got up and or moved, but Honestly, I did not need that early in recovery. She is a spitfire for 17, and I say that as the greatest compliment. I'm shocked and do hope she will settle down and take a good rest for you. That is the zorbium fueling her.
Does she have the big, clear, stiff cone? I would take it off for her to eat & drink and when I had my eyes on her. I was so thankful not to deal with the dang cone. Maybe look into the soft cones if you haven't already.
Keep it up, Nancy, but do take a nap, please. Sleeping is healing.
Hear me when I tell you to nap when she does; you're going to need it!
Hugs and smooch to Nancy please. Heal Well girl.
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Great idea about the camera. I have one I use when I go out of town, so I'll get that set up.
She does have a clear, hard cone. I ordered a soft cone to test and see that supervised breaks will be necessary for her. I definitely want to give that incision time to heal.
She's stubborn and does things her own way - that's for sure! One time she got stuck inside a sofa bed. I came home from work and couldn't find her anywhere. She didn't make a peep. After nearly an hour I saw the back of the sofa moving and thought I'd have to cut the fabric to get her out... but she managed!
🤭oh, nancy. How scary being stuck in the sofa! I'm glad she managed ok, and she was unharmed. Yes, set the camera up and keep her contained & coned when you can't watch 24/7. You will use that more than ever. Test the soft one when it comes, and be sure it does the same job. (Keeps her away from her incision)
Stubborn is good and has got her thus far. She will do excellent as a tripawd; having that painful leg gone is a massive relief.
Your nerves may be another story. You will likely be up all night.
(((hugs)))
WELCOME HOME NANCY DREW!!!!
She already has eaten something??? Great news!
It's hard to ve patient, but keep in mind she just had a really major surgery, all while trying to adjust to three. She'll figure out her mobility in time.
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!
Aww Nancy Drew! Welcome home! Really happy to see this news.
You are already showing everypawdy how strong and independent you are! I'm so happy recovery is sounding pretty smooth.
You were right, Holly, neither of us got much sleep last night. I honestly don’t think she’s closed her eyes since we got home yesterday. She got more agitated today and essentially tried to use her cone to bulldoze out of her pen (I swear she was systematically testing it for weaknesses!). I am sticking to a rigid gabapentin schedule and she finally calmed down this afternoon for a couple of hours (but still wide eyed).
Nancy’s still eating well and pooped today. It was a bit traumatic for both of us, but I’m glad to have another milestone passed. She is hit or miss with the litter box still, mostly because she has a hard time remaining upright. My help seems to stress her out more, but I do try to remove her cone when she’s trying to go so there’s less flailing about. Otherwise she’s doing a great job sitting up, so I know she’ll get the hang of it in a few more days.
Despite the restlessness and agitation, I’m happy to see her so determined. Here’s hoping for some sleep in the next few days!
YAY for poop, whoo hoo.
Yes, she will figure this ALL out, and the dang cone helps no one with balance. It's an added challenge on three. I'm hoping the soft cone works out when it arrives. Be less stressful on Nancy and you, knowing she can drink and get around easier.
No guarantee, but you are likely in this mode for a few more days at least. Recovery is no picnic. Our Saxton was like that on buprenorphine. He would be up and wide-eyed and exhausted both. Purrkins was great with his mix, and it kept him more mellow and down to heal until we ran low on the buprenorphine and had to get a refill.
I'm happy to hear all sounds better than usual and thats BRILLIANT Nancy has pooped and peed, even if it is not exact, and is eating, drinking, and being a bull 🙂 Yes, that's all good looking in on this side regarding helping in the box or tray; if it bothers her more, I would resist and let her do it alone. Of course, you will be right there if there is a NEED. You know she did on her own yesterday. Yes, you didn't see it, but she managed. The rest will come, we promise you. And yes, rest will, too, and I will hope for sooner, but I'm not banking on it.
You know you are allowed to bump up the gaba keep that in mind.
You are both doing excellent!!!
Give Nancy a chin scratch from us and tell her we are asking her to get some rest and heal.
Thanks for the update!
(((HUGS)))
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Let me join in on the hoppy poop dance! Yet another Milestone you can check off!
Can't remember, but did you say the Zorbian made Nancy Drew anxious when she was on it in the past?
I know you want to be extremely cautious because of her kidney situation, but maybe now you could ask about the combination of Buprenorphine and Gabapentin. Hoping for some rest tonight. I remember all too well when my happy Hannah came home I don't think she know I slept at all for the first three nights. It did take some pain med adjustment to balance things out a little better.
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!
Sally, the Zorbium lasts four days. They are committed in that regard but Meg has permission to increase the gabapentin if needed. I know we are being cautious with kidneys but yes, if it were me and I had the permission already, I would bump it up. FOR YOU BOTH. Nancy needs to rest to heal and you need to rest when she does. I also hope you still have buprenorphine left over still after the zorbium wears off. You have your family vet near you. You can get something more if needed. Will take each day as it comes.
Hang in there recovery last 2 weeks the biggest hurdles are usually the first week. Pain meds may need tweaked and tweaked again.
(((HUGS)))
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