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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I went up 1ml more the next round too since the vet kinda said maybe could if that was needed and yes, her eyes look wider, she’s so much more alert, and her whole body much more relaxed now. I’m sure getting water and food in also making a difference in her demeanor.
Absolutely thrilled to hear this spectacular update! You know those first many days can be very stressful oh, but we also know what's progress is made it is the best news ever! Thanks so much for making our day and keep these good post coming!
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!
That's so nice that you're able to adjust the liquid Gabapentin in such small increments. I'm so glad it worked. Cheers to a really good week of relaxation and recovery for both of you 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
After Chloe getting a little frustrated part of the day yesterday for not being able to get around as easy as she wanted I have some more positive news today. She used the litter box all on her own! Yesterday when I took her to the vet to get her drain removed I mentioned to them that she hadn’t used her “cookie sheet litter box” that I placed in her cage they suggested holding her up in it a few times a day. In the cookie sheet it was a no go but when I held her in her regular high sided Rubbermaid tub she went. I thought we would be doing that every day for a bit but I still decided to cut a big square out of larger Rubbermaid tub to make it low to step in and lined it up with one of the openings to the cage for her to use when she was ready. And wouldn’t you know it, a few hours later I came back into the room to find her in the litter box. Mind you it wasn’t the prettiest because once she got in there she must not have had the strength or balance yet and laid down in there getting poop on her tail but I’m still so relieved to know that she can do it on her own and that I don’t have to worry about that anymore. For sure ups and downs with this recovery process but small strides every day.
Yes indeedy! We celebrate 
on the tail! Whatecer it takes to start returning to "normal" use of the litter box! Huge victory!!!
And glad the drin is out too. More signs of progress. Good job of staying the course and for recognizing it does get better slowly but surely!👍
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!
YAY Chloe! Small strides every day indeed. You are seeing it! 
All those little "ordinary" things are suddenly HUGE and mean so much. Meanwhile our animals look at us clapping and they're probably thinking "What?"
It was so nice chatting with you on the Helpline yesterday. I hope she's doing good today. Is the medication still working? Drop us a line and let us know when you have a sec.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
For sure, you as well. She seems to be doing really well pain wise like doesn’t even seem to be an issue and I’m just continuing with the regimen she is on for a bit, the vet said I can see how she’s doing at the 1 week mark so I guess I’ll re-evaluate then? But there is a new obstacle today not sure if I should be concerned. Today she went into her litter box then didn’t seem to want to come out just laid in there. When I picked her up out it send she has diarrhea likely from the antibiotics (despite me trying to give her probiotics in her food each day) anyways of course she was covered in it. I tried to get her as cleaned up as much as I could and the litter box cleaned out, but now shes gone back in there two times now and just lays there for a while. The first time I picked her up and the second time she did eventually come out on her own but with no 💩 or pee to show for it. I’m thinking maybe she feels like she might have to go and sits in there a while? She seems fine otherwise.
Ohhh poor Chloe, what a mess. I'm so sorry this happened to her. Sounds like her belly is feeling blah. How much longer does she have to be on the antibiotics? I would say watch her appetite and thirst, if those change, let your vet know. I wouldn't panic yet. Lots of new Tripawds have a slight "crash" after surgery, where all the new ways of moving around catch up to them. If going into the litter box is her biggest physical movement of the day, I can see that happening. It takes so much effort to get the body moving differently.
Yes, evaluating pain levels at the one week mark is pretty typical. Stay the course, you're doing great!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She’s got about another 5 days of antibiotics so might get rough lol Up until about an hour ago the moving into the litter box was really the only big movement she’s tried as she hadn’t attempted leaving the dog crate despite it being kept open most of the day. But then as I was washing dishes in the kitchen I see her little body hopping around the corner. I was surprised as I thought maybe it would take longer than that. I she must be feeling pretty good based on the way she hopped along. But I don’t want to stress her out too long or let her get too far away from the litter box especially with the diarrhea happening so after 10 minutes or so o brought her back into my bedroom and figured I’d let her attempt to explore a bit tomorrow if she seems like she wants to.
Good job catching her on the move! Smart move to keep her close to the litter box and curtailing her activity right now. So yeah maybe she just go so tired from moving around that she couldn't make it out of the litter box earlier?
Being mindful of how far she moves around is wise. Great job! It's good for her body so it can heal, and easier on you too in case she has more runny poop. I hope she gets through tomorrow without any incidents! Let us know how it goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chloe!! Youq are a Kitty Tripawd RockStar! So glad to see you fet some sparkle back. Slow and easy is the name of this recovery game.
Bummer about all the Keep your Vet in the loop.
You are doing such a great job of caring for your sweet Chloe♥️
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!
☺️ Her vet said she can stop the antibiotics now so that should help her tummy situation. Tomorrow will be 1 week from her surgery and the vet said I can evaluate then her meds. It’s a little hard to tell exactly how much is left in the Buprenorphine bottle as the shape of the bottle is awkward and it’s getting hard to draw it up until the syringe (might need to move the rest of it into a different container). How many days do cats generally stay on that? She has plenty of gabapentin left to last a while. She looks very comfortable and is even occasionally laying on the amputated side now. Today she hasn’t tried to leave the cage again just slept most of the day which for a 14 year old who generally sleeps most of the day anyway isn’t too abnormal lol
I'm so happy things are moving along for you and Chloe! It really does sound like she's on a good recovery roll and it should be smooth sailing now. Generally most animals are on pain meds for 7-10 days, sometimes 2-3 weeks. Chloe sounds like she will fall into that first group. I really like the way your vet is thinking about evaluating at the one week mark. My guess is you have just enough Buprenorphime for the 7 days. After that if she does seem painful the Gabapentin should be enough.
If she is laying on the amp side that is an excellent sign! I hope her belly is calm now. No more accidents today?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, I think so. She looks good. No more “accidents” per say as she’s getting a little better in the litter box now if she does she just comes out with a foot covered because she slid a bit in there lol
I talked to the vet and I’m gonna give her 1 last dose of the Buprenorphine tonight and then try not to give it tomorrow and see how she does and just continue with the gabapentin if all goes well. 🤞
thank you both for all your support, I don’t know what I would have done without this website and hotline ❤️
Love all the progress that's being made. ASounds like you and your Vet have a very open line of communication and that's wonderful.
As Jerry said, generally when laying on the amp side that is a good sign of healing,
Give yourself a pat on the qnd a big hig from is. Upu are doing a great job!👏
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!
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