Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, my 8 years old Boxer mix Millie underwent a front right leg amputation yesterday due to osteosarcoma. The first night was really rough, everytime she moved she would yelp in pain. This morning I was able to get her to drink water and eat her food. I even got some tail wags and kisses out of her which is great. I have spoke to our vet and he is not worried but strongly urged me to get her to go pee since she hasn't gone since she been home. I have a harness to help her walk but I am worried about hurting her incision and she doesnt seem to even want to go anywhere. She took one step than laid back down and is sleeping soundly now. I am getting anxious and really want her to pee but I also do not want to rush her to walk if she is not ready. Does anyone have any tips on how to get her to go potty? I have pee pads in the house but she has never used them before in her life so I dont feel confident she will use them.
Any advice or help is appreciated. This is my first time dealing with a major surgery for one of my dogs and want to make sure she is as comfortable as possible but that I am also doing everything I can to help her.
Hi Smantha and sweet Boxer Millie.
Yoir post has been approved and we are here to support you during the recovery journey.
but strongly urged me to get her to go pee since she hasn't gone since she been home
Yes, getting her to pee IS very important.. Definitely continue to keep your Vet in the loop. Surgery and pain meds can interfere with her desire to urinate, that's for sure. Keep in mind she still has strong hospital pain meds in her while shaking off all the anesthesia. However if she hasn't peed for 24 hours you may need the Vet ro express her bladder. There are how to videos on the internet but you really want to be confident in that technique as you can cause more harm than good.
In the meantime, can you carry her to one of her favorite pee spots? Sometimes that can. help stimulate her to pee. Once you get her there, maybe you can try and hold her up with a towel sling I atead of the harness. Continue to entice her with water.
This happens sometimes after surgery so try not to worry. Remember, the Vet can express her bladder of necessary, okay??
It is good she did drink and did eat some! Good job!! As you already know, bringing her home same day of sirgery was really rough, so good job ....you handled it👏👏
Keep us posted
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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Hi Samantha and Millie, how is it going today? I'm hoping by now she has urinated but if not here's an article that has some tips:
How to Help a New Tripawd Urinate After Amputation
Update! We are 9 days post op and Millie is doing amazing! Day after surgery she did not pee for over 24 hours, and the vet wanted to see her. we were taking her into the vet and as soon as we got her outside she peed! Then after peeing she walked on her own for the first time. We are now back in Chicago, where we live, after going back to my hometown of St. Louis for the surgery and Millie is doing soo great. She is going outside and becoming more active everyday. I am curious about recovery and when to let her start to do her favorite activities again like going to the park, even just to lay in the sun, and get in bed with me. Any advice on recovery would be appreciated!
WoOHOO! Go Millie!
Oftentimes all it takes to get a dog to urinate again is to invite another dog over. I'm so happy she went!
As for gauging her level of activity. Right now it's still pretty early. You want to give her at least a few weeks to regain strength and stamina. The best way to find out what she is and is not capable of doing now and in the future is to have her evaluated by a canine rehab therapists. These pros can evaluate her and let you know what kind of activity is helpful or harmful. And Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first rehab visit !
Here are some fun recovery games you can try:
Such a great update!!! YAAAAY FOR. PEE!!!! 👏👏👏 YAAAY FOR STRUTTING HER CUTE SELF INTO THE VET!! 👏👏👏
As Jeery said, gett her evaluated by a Rehap Specialist can help you greatly on so many levels. Generally, not always, dogs can resume some of their normal routines after stitches are out....in moderation and s,ow,y at first.
Millie will be able to sleep with you in bed again after that. . You just want to make sure when she gets off, she has some sort of platform to soften the force on. her front leg or use stairs if possible. With my front legger Frankie I had a Big Barker Bed pushed up next to my bed. He would use that to help him Step Up and use it as a soft, but firm landing pad as he got off.
Thanks for the great update..keep em 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!
Feel like starting a new topic somewhere else? Just so that folks in the future don't get confused. Thanks for considering it.
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