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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Decision to amputate?... 14 y/o kitty with fibrosarcoma
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Member Since:
27 January 2021
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19 February 2021 - 5:20 am
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Thanks, everyone sp_hearticon2Surgeon just called, procedure went very well. Minimal loss of blood, no issues with anesthetic. He will update me again in a few hours. Monitoring for pain management and will discharge either tomorrow or Sunday only if pain is well under control. Before surgery I asked him to please add in a "kitty Valium" type medication for a short period when she comes home, as she tends to walk around restlessly for 24/36 hours after anesthetic, and I've read that helps the pain meds do their job as well. Want to give her that balance of not-too-doped-up but reasonably comfortable.

There was a slight swelling under the limb (below the tumor removal site) that I mentioned before today's surgery, concerned it was rapidly reappearing cancer. He said during surgery it appeared to be just residual edema and swelling from the previous procedure. He said the margins appeared to contain no abnormal tissue but of course we won't know until the biopsy comes back in 10 days. He feels reasonably optimistic that it might all have been removed.

Jane in answer to your question, yes her chest CT scan was clear and her bloodwork was absolutely fine. Of course we have no way of knowing if there has been microscopic spread, but there is no indication of that so far.

Having done the procedure I'm relieved and at peace knowing we made the best decision for her. Going to Choose Happy every day and enjoy it.

("Choose Happy "was my beloved sister-in-law's motto, she survived very aggressive Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer for 21 YEARS. We called her Wonder Woman and she is the angel on my shoulder through all this!)

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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19 February 2021 - 7:02 am
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YAAAAAY!!!  SURGERY IS DONE!!!   Now you can get some rest!

And yes, HAPPY is a great choice!  You do indeed have a very special Angel on your shoulder😇

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


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24 September 2009
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19 February 2021 - 12:55 pm
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Oh yay yay yay! It's a good thing you've seen her post-anesthesia before so you know what to expect. Great job! Keep us posted on her homecoming. 

(“Choose Happy “was my beloved sister-in-law’s motto, she survived very aggressive Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer for 21 YEARS. We called her Wonder Woman and she is the angel on my shoulder through all this!)

smiley_clapThis makes Admin and I SUPER happy to read! His sister (my sister-in-law) was diagnosed with the exact same condition, 8 years ago. She is doing well considering that every day since she's had some kind of treatment. It's wonderful to know your sister-in-law thrived for so long, and just made our day! Thank you for sharing. Yes!!!! CHOOSE HOPPY!!!!

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

Member Since:
1 February 2021
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19 February 2021 - 12:59 pm
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Hi from Melissa & Jonesy, who became a tripawd on 2/2. He is doing well! I only have a moment, but read through your thread last night and just wanted to let you know that we have been sending good thoughts today! 

Melissa - mom to tri-angel Jonesy and (only) four other felines

Member Since:
27 January 2021
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20 February 2021 - 7:39 am
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Hooray, Yum Yum is home (next midday after surgery). Discharged with Onsior (Robenacoxib) and Valium. On schedule gave her daily dose of Onsior and half the dose of Valium. She hopped over to use her shallow litter pan, ate a full meal and is snoozing now in her "recovery room" (XXL dog crate). I did 3 minutes with a cold compress on the site (all she would tolerate). Had a couple big drinks of water which seems to be normal for many new Tripawds. Snoozing now. All good indicators so far.

Anyone know how to post an Excel file here? I created a daily post-op care chart that can be shared around if anyone wants to modify and use it.

(Also can't seem to upload photos. Getting used to this forum interface)

- Jessica and Yum Yum (who is currently dreaming of pink dragons and giant mice!)

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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20 February 2021 - 8:25 am
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HOOOOORAAAAY!!  YUM YUM IS HOME!!!

And hopping already and drinking  and pottying....great news!!!  Yes, excellent  news!!

The techie genuis people will come along a d help with pics, etc.  Here's a link, that may help.  adding images .

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!

Michigan


Member Since:
11 July 2016
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20 February 2021 - 1:55 pm
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Welcome home, Yum Yum,
Hooray is right!smiley_clap

Great to see things are going well! No gabapentin sent home?

Yep normal on the water intake; as long as she eats wet food, she will get her moisture from that.

Rest is best; keep healing!

Hugs, Holly & Purrkins 💝💝💝

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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20 February 2021 - 2:26 pm
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Sounds like a textbook homecoming, that's terrific! And pretty awesome that Yum Yum even allowed icing for 3 minutes. Many pets won't tolerate it. Good job Nurse!

I responded to your PM about photos and the Excel file. Thank you for wanting to share it, we'll get it uploaded one way or another! Check your PM In Box. 

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

Member Since:
27 January 2021
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22 February 2021 - 2:20 am
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Yum Yum continues to amaze. She came home from the hospital (day 2 post-op), ate a full meal, hopped around a bit, used her litter box and settled in for some well-deserved nap time. Even had a bit of playtime with her new ball/circle toy. No signs of pain observed. Overnight she used her regular box to poo (no assistance needed, thankyouverymuch!). 

Day 3 post-op was spent snoozing (this was yesterday). She spent the evening in her snuggly bed on the ottoman in front of the log stove, purring when I gave her scritches.  She switched between laying on either side. She'd been snoozing in her round bed for about 90 minutes, stretching this way and that and lying on the incision side, exactly as she had before surgery. Would NOT tolerate a cold compress. She started twitching her tail furiously and a short time later scuttled under a chair to hide. Either a pain or nerve stimulation episode. (I had a spinal fusion a few years ago and remember the weird nerve flare-ups. It was like really bad restless leg - not painful, but you just had to MOVE). She had had her full dose of pain medication and 1/4 dose of Valium about 8 hours earlier (pain meds are on a 1x daily schedule). So I gave her a 1/2 dose of Valium along with some roast chicken (which she scarfed down). 15 mins later she was chilling in her recovery crate again.

This morning got up and came into the kitchen at breakfast time, ate a full breakfast and tolerated having her onesie swapped for a clean one. Now she's snoozing in her covered bed in the living room. Since we're on day 4 post-surgery I switched to a warm compress and she snuggled into that.

@Holly/Purrkins - no gabapentin, I am going to ask about changing her pain meds from 1x daily to  2/3x daily to see if we can level out any peaks and valleys.

Trying hard to remind myself that she's working this all out on her own terms, given appropriate pain management and lots of TLC.

Yum Yum's recovery album - with video of new new "hop" 🙂

https://photos......a4CjfGN68A

London. UK
Member Since:
10 January 2021
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22 February 2021 - 10:17 am
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This looks super positive.

You are absolutely right to look out for pain signals , but it is always possible that she is not feeling the discomfort that many cats go through. I would be cautious about using compresses that she does not like when she is not showing signs of distress.

In some ways having an older cat is easier, they do not tend to run about or jump in a way that that could cause issues.

Hopefully it keeps going well and she can continue to amaze you with her recovery, it really is a lovely time when it is going smoothly.

  

   

  • "what shall be done for these innocents? I have been warned not even to raise the question of animal immortality, lest I find myself “in company with all the old maids”. I have no objection to the company" - C S Lewis (The Problem of Pain)
  • "Mr Toplady was touched by the cruelty of the scene, and exclaimed, ' Who could bear to see that sight, if there were not to be some compensation for these poor suffering animals in a future state' 'I certainly hope,' said my grandfather, ' that all the bulls will go to heaven; but do you think this will be the case with all the animal creation' 'Yes, certainly,' replied Mr Toplady, with great emphasis, ' all, all!" - Josiah Bull (recording a meeting with the great A. M. Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages" in "Memorials of the Rev. William Bull of Newport, Pagnel")
  • "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God" Luke 12:6
On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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22 February 2021 - 12:33 pm
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Wow she looks REALLY GREAT! Thank you for updating and sharing the photos and videos. She's got sparkle in her eyes and is engaged, great signs that 100% healing is just around the corner. I also love the food puzzle you have for her. What's that one called? We need to carry it in the Tripawds Gear Shop !

Also wanted to add that I think unless you've had a major surgery yourself, as you did (me too, long ago), that it's more difficult to relate to the peaks and valleys of pain that crop up during recovery for our pets (who do experience pain the same way as humans). You do a fantastic job putting yourself in Yum Yum's paws. smiley_clap

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

Michigan


Member Since:
11 July 2016
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23 February 2021 - 5:07 am
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Awe Yum Yum is adorable and doing brilliantly! Whoo, hoosmiley_clapHer hop looks fantastic! Great job, Dad, keeping her mind active.

Yes, ask about your pain management protocol. Onsior is once a day unless there is an exception to that? Gabapentin is an excellent drug for amputation/nerve pain.

As we say here, all species feel pain. There is no one-size-fits-all but a guideline to go by. Cats are masters at hiding pain. If they are showing us, it isn't very pleasant. When we take a limb, we cut muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones. We humans would NEVER be so brave to come home in a day or two! We would not be up and out of the hospital like our animals and using the bathroom independently! We need pain management in all species!

You guys are doing an excellent job!
Smooches to Yum Yum, please!
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝

Member Since:
27 January 2021
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23 February 2021 - 1:06 pm
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Yum Yum continues to do well.

Yesterday added Gabapentin (3x daily, from her regular vet) as she was still hiding a lot and was vocal when handled. Discontinued Diazepam (Valium) as Gabapentin has a sedative effect. Tolerating it well. Vet said we can try cutting Gabapentin back to 2x daily so she's not so sleepy all the time. Can increase it back up to 3x daily if needed. This combo seems to be working well for her. This morning she was at the bottom of the stairs calling for her breakfast (her usual routine, first time since this surgery)

So current meds regimen is: 

Gabapentin (nerve blocker) 2x daily

Onsior (pain/anti-inflammatory) 1x daily

Wound check today at her regular vet's. Everything looks good. No fever or discharge and minimal swelling. 

Received an email from surgeon checking on her progress. Gave him an update. Also mentioned my own experience with spinal fusion a few years ago (I had both pain meds and Lyrica, a nerve blocker). Because of my own (and now Yum Yum's) experience, nicely suggested he consider making a nerve blocker (Gabapentin or comparable) part of the normal meds regimen for amputation cases. 

Hope everyone else is doing well!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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23 February 2021 - 2:02 pm
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GREAT JOB!!   Your pain management   sounds like a winner!  Yeah, Valium does nothing g for pain, whereas the Gabapentin  is made for that.

Love that your Vet is flexible  and willing  to work with you in a way that's specifically designed for YumYum's needs.

YumYum telling you it's time for breakfast is priceless!  We would love to see a video!!

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!

Michigan


Member Since:
11 July 2016
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30
23 February 2021 - 10:29 pm
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Ditto, excellent job getting the gabapentin!
Day 4 in recovery, right?  It is still very early. Sleeping is healing. Rest is best! 

Gaba is sedating at first, but they do adjust to it. Purrkins Gaba was every 8 hours in recovery.
Yaay!!! YumYum is demanding her breakfast. Great sign! smiley_clap

Hugs, Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝

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