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'm sorry Huckleberry shot has wore off. I thought they were sending you home with meds to apply to the gums?
Call in the morning or tonight and leave a message, have them give you something you can give at home or take him in for another shot. If you don't think you will be able to get him to take the meds then get the shot or a pain patch.
I wouldn't take the chance he is going after his incision and hate to see him have to be restapled. Yep it is like bringing a baby home in recovery. With the big difference of pain meds or lack of, the rest yes.
If someone isn't watching him 24-7 with no cone then I hate to say it but then he has to have the cone put on. It's not worth what can happen. I am glad to hear he ate for you. I know you don't like this place but call them or take him somewhere else to get him some meds. Its just been 3 days he has one staple out and how many loose? He needs the cone on !
Not all cats get the same meds and dosage and days vary from Vets! Just as a example Purrkins meds & duration below. Which is more then most cats get . He stayed in the hospital on meg meds 3 nights . We were sent home with 3 days of the Bup. we had to call for more when Purrkins was in pain. Growling, hissing not letting me near him etc.
14 days Gabapentin 100 mg capsule 1 capsule by mouth every 8 hours
12 days Buprenorphine 0.3 mg every 8-12 hours
I would like to see these surgeons, go home with a amputation done and only have 3 days worth of pain meds? It would never happen! Whats the difference between a cat, dog or human ? I'm sorry but this upsets me I was upset when Purrkins was in pain & many kitties after him that ends up being in pain. We have to advocate for them!
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
I will try that. Yes, the stinky cat box. I clean it every time he uses it but it still stinks. Of all places...I have tried a couple of boxes that are lined with towels, blankets no luck. I think I'm going to take everything out of the cardboard that's in there now and see if he'll go in that way. Maybe I switch the locations and see if that will work. I thought we were over the laying in the litter box. Room's quiet, low music, low light, crate covered, pheromone diffuser plugged in. I just don't know what else to do shy of trying to squeeze in there, close the door behind me, and sleep with him. Even that might not work. "Hiding all cameras in the house"..
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Yes, I agree Holly. He needs better meds. Maybe we can do that tomorrow. I hate to try the cone after all this trust but I just don't like how this is going. Its probably why he's laying in the litter box again. I thought the no lick ointment would work but its not like the band- guard was. That stuff was great. His incision still looks good, i don't want to ruin that. He had been so good until now.
He's on one 100 mg gabapentin capsule a day, that's it. He is a bit standoff-ish but I can talk him out of the litter box as long as I stay with him and cuddle. Then he eats, relaxes a bit and falls to sleep. We have to do something.
❤ Jackie
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Good morning,
Prince Huckleberry has an appointment this morning for a recheck. I did not even bother to text the doc. I told the girl that booked the appointment that the meds are not working, he is hiding in his litter box, and he is very painful. I also told her about his missing staples. I did not leave room for discussion or other options. When we take him in I am going to request staying with him and let them deal with it. I think at this point I could probably calm him some. *sigh*... fingers crossed for Huckles. He's probably going to come home crowned.. er..coned 
First is a couple of days ago, second is yesterday
Huckleberry, Jackie, and David
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Good Morning ,
Good Job Jackie!
! Fingers & paws crossed let us know how it goes. Your did the right thing and I hope he does not need restapled!
It looks good but he has really given with those staples a work !😳 I think with pain meds he will leave them alone! But that’s no guarantee but pawsible! 🙏
Glad to see you got in!
Hugs
Holly & Purkins❤️
You are a powerful voice for Huckleberry!!! Good job Jackie!!
Vets don't see what you see during recovery. They just see the surgery and that's it. You've done a good job of assessing Huckleberry's situation and you have a clear idea of what he needs.
Recovery doesn't last forever...it just feels likenit! Update us 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!
Good for you! I'm not used to see a read leg amputation. Is he swollen or is that all hip bone? The vet will assess that and hopefully Mr. Huckle comes home with what he needs.
Hugs,
Kerren and the Catz
Darling Jackie and Brave Prince Huckleberry, I feel for your frustration, this part of the journey, really is very hard. Try not to be so hard on yourself... the stress & worry build up, it’s hard to maintain pawsitivity and everything seems to be going wrong... take deep breaths and then take another breath... youre doing an incredible job for Huckleberry and things will get better... way to go for being Huckleberry’s advocafor pain management ! I don’t understand how the vets can think that just 3days of pain meds is okay... it’s not!!! As Kerren and Holly have pointed out, I also believe that it is too soon for his cone to come off, even with Stewie, I kept his incision covered until the stitches were out.
It is very obvious that Huckleberry trusts you impeccably. If he didn’t he could have hurt you quite seriously... but he didn’t! He is telling you so much when he cleans you, my gongazes He adores you! I do think he’s telling you that he is in pain. I hope you are sussessful with the vets and they are able to see that he is needing more assistance.
Best of luck my dear and I hope to hear that Huckleberry is accepting visitors outside of his box soon! Andy will be missing him!
Keeping you in our thoughts.
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅 🐕 🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his 🐈 siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾 🐾
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
Remember...“live in the moment!“
His amputation is below the pelvis. They took from where the break was and down. His bone that was left was smooth and not splintered. I think it is more normal to take all the way up to the pelvis but I'm glad they didn't have to with him because it really seems to help his balance, so what you see is a little stump
We went to the vets. I told them how his behavior had changed and that the gabapentin was not doing anything for him. I was shocked, he was a perfect gentleman with a blanket around him. She gave him 2 shots and we talked about options. They had to add 2 staples to his incision. We opted to let him stay in the hospital at least until his pain was under control. Will take it one day at a time for now.
He probably hates me now because he was glued to his litter box when we tried to transfer him so I had no choice but to scruff him for the transfer
that just broke my heart. Going to go clean his crate and his room and get ready for his return. This totally sucks. 😢😢😢
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Jackie,
i know it’s hard sweetheart, but try not to feel bad about what you are doing For Huckleberry (not what you are doing to him!)
it sounds like the vet was very understanding and is willing to help... I’m sorry that your boy has to stay in hospital, but as long as he is in good hands then, you need not worry. (I know, what a stupid thing to say... of course you’re going to worry, as I would!)
sending you hugs and lots got healing power to Huckleberry!
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅 🐕 🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his 🐈 siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾 🐾
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
Huckleberry will not hate you!!!!! He was glued to his litter box hurting ! He is going to start feeling better with the meds even if that means he is not home.
Did they cone him at the Vet? I think they will have to, to keep him away from his staples.
I was afraid they would have to restaple a few. It’s fantastic you took him in before things got worse!
Take one day at a time & keep tabs on him he shouldn’t need to stay long, I don’t imagine. Either way he is going to feel better and be delighted to see you visit or to come home!
I know if feels like it sucks but you did what is right for Huckleberry and as Petra said you are doing this for him NOT to him!
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins❤️
Jackie, I've been away and am just catching up. Sorry about the rough road you and Huckleberry have been on! He's in good hands right now though, now they can study him and figure out why the medication isn't working. All creatures are different in how meds work, Huckleberry is certainly a unique kitty in this way too. You are doing SO good by advocating for him, be proud of that! And noooo he will not hate you. Animals do not know hate, or anger, or blame....they are so free of those crazy emotions that drag us down. When this is all over you will see that he's still the same cat who always loved you. Hang in there OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, I am just really frustrated, angry, and disappointed. The vet is a young girl (late 20's-30ish) and she was so cock sure of herself when we picked him up the first day. David and I were really surprised that they wanted us to take him home the same day, and I was less than happy about the whole pain med theory. She didn't feel that it was necessary, there would be no need for further pain management . I knew better but she wasn't going to give until proven wrong. She learned a valuable lesson... unfortunately it is at our expense. When we walked in and she listened and saw for herself she did a total turn around. Then she was offering whatever she could do to help. David and I went back and forth a few times over what would be best and I just decided rather than one more ultra uncomfortable task of bundling him up and dragging him back that it would be best to let them get him comfortable first and THEN take him home for the rest of his recovery. It angers me that so many losers abuse drugs of this nature so that you have to fight to keep your fur baby pain free.
Tomorrow is our anniversary, I need to get my act together and take care of my big papa dawg 🙂 Sometimes I think he is part saint for putting up with me.
The vet sent me this a little while ago:
That's my boy
Hugs,
Tired mama Jackie and tired papa David
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
First of all we are all wishing you and Papa David a very very happy Anniversary for tomorrow!
Sometimes these challenges are given to us to bring us closer together... it sounds like David has as much love for his boy as you do and that bond between you both is huge! It’s a stressful time for you both...
Huckleberry looks like he is doing okay... certainly not the ideal situation for him, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Try to enjoy your time with your saint of a husband, maybe a glass of wine (or 2?)and know that Prince Huckleberry will be in good hands for the time being...
warm hugs are being sent your way. Remember... Huckleberry loves you to pieces, he just doesn’t understand all the fuss! He is a cat after all and they are usually the ones in charge! 😽😻 stay in touch lovey and we’ll be here for you...
Hugs and kisses from Stewie👅 🐕 🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his 🐈 siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾 🐾
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
Yup, that's your boy, cuddled in his blanket. I'm sorry you are going through this. Many tripawd cats and dogs needlessly go through the lack of pain meds. Most vets are good with pain management , unfortunately some aren't. When I told my vet that I considered taking the Buprenophine myself when Mona escaped from the house he said I would have been disappointed and recommended a drink for next time.
I'm happy to know Huckle has no swelling. Now is your time to rest. Maybe he'd like two litter boxes, one to pee in, one to sleep in!
Take it easy,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
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