Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Bob is four days post-amputation. Since he was basically a tripod since September I'm surprised at how difficult a time he is having. He had surgery on Monday, we brought him home Tuesday afternoon. It's now Friday night. He isn't really doing much of anything and I'm wondering if that's normal?
He's still drugged up, so I'm not expecting him to be normal, but the surgeon had me thinking he'd be in a much more mobile by now. He is not a happy camper. His sutures look good. He's eating like normal. He's using the litter box, albeit it took him two days to poop.
I feel so bad for him!
Eating! Using the litter box! Good news! 🙂
Bob is such a smart boy. Bob is doing exactly what he needs to do...as little as possible!! Rest, potty, eat and drink...repeat.
Bob is recovering from MAJOR surgery and is on pain meds. It's not unusual at all this early in for him to jave trouble finding his "sea legs".
Some of our "kitty experts" will chime in, but I don't think you have any reason for concerns. Talk with your Vet, but maybe if you feel like Bob is TOO druggy, you could reduce his meds a bit as long as he's not showing any pain.
Hang in there! Recovery doesn't last forever and Bob WILL start getting his sparkle back, 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!
I wondered how you guys were doing!
What meds did they send you home with and how often are you giving them? Most importantly you want to make sure Bob is not in pain.
Ditto Sally "Bob is such a smart boy. Bob is doing exactly what he needs to do...as little as possible!! Rest, potty, eat and drink...repeat."
Purrkins slept a lot. He would get up for a bit eat drink potty move around and back to sleep. Some days he was up longer then others.
Eating , Drinking and using the litter box are Fantastic! Incision looks great👍🏼 Normal on the poop also, pain meds constipate. 2 days is great! I would be celebrating all of the above.
The surgeons do not come home with us and they do not see or know what happens when we get home. We were even told that!
I was told Purrkins would be up the next day and moving and he was not. He did not move until I brought him home 2 days after surgery and got him out of the carrier. Keep in mind all animals recover differently! No one size fits all . Sounds like Bob is doing great.
Hugs!
Holly & Purrkins
They have him on Buprenex. I was giving it to him every twelve hours, along with his antibiotic (Clavamox).
You're right, the surgeons don't come home with us. He just led us to believe he'd be up and about a lot sooner than this, so we were concerned. He told us he'd be bouncing around in 2-3 days. It's been a week today and he's still having issues getting around. I think the onesie is also inhibiting his movement. He just doesn't like it on.
I didn't give him pain meds this morning. I want to see how he reacts without them. I only have one day's worth left anyway.
I'm not sure how to upload photos. Are there instructions somewhere? I have some of FrankenBob and of him rockin' his onesie. 🙂
When you say trouble getting around what do you mean exactly? Is he face planting, flopping ETC.?
Please watch today to make sure Bob is not in pain . You can always call the surgeon for more pain meds if needed. Purrkins had to be on pain meds longer then others. Here are some links on things to watch for just in case .
http://tripawds.....s-in-pain/
http://tripawds.....-and-dogs/
Purrkins signs were growling, hissing, and not letting me near him. We encountered that on our 6th day we were stretching our meds to every 12 hours on Bup. we were on the last of our meds too. Thats when he said this hurts! He was on Gaba also for 14 days. Again all animals are different on how they recover, Bob may do just fine but be aware and watch for the pain signs.
I cant wait to see Bob in his onesie. Have you tried taking the onesie off and watching every second so he does not lick or scratch? Give him a break from the onesie while watching him.
Here are instructions for adding photos
http://tripawds.....-photos-1/
If you don't already share photos online somewhere, Facebook pictures will not show up on here, you can start a
http://tripawds.....#supporter
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
When he tries to walk with the onesie on it's like he's a 'low rider'.....getting as close to the ground as he can. I think he just wants the thing off. I don't think he's in pain, just annoyed.
I just spoke with the surgeon and the pathology results are in.
NO MORE CANCER!
Here is one from this morning! Bob is rockin' the onesie! He is just so friggin' cute!
🎉👏🏻🎊🎈
Thats the news we love hearing ! Yeah!!!!
Oh Bob you are too cute 😻!
That maybe the onesie , it might just be how he is learning on 3 too. He was on 3 before but its still differnt with the leg gone.
Purrkins is sometimes low to the ground now, it depends on what he is doing. And how fast he is trying to go;)
I guess you'll know when he is onesie free. Purrkins did not mind his.
You will see big changes when Bob is off his meds and stitches are out. Be patient Bob will get this all figured out ! I promise you that!
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
P.S. Way to go figuring out the pictures!
What about cutting the onesie a tad more? Just a thought , Cut like 3 monster guys up and see if that makes a difference. Tuck or cut the arm off might help too. Just so the incision is not out, Just a idea? You could give Bob the option of cone and onesie see which he prefers 😉. I did that with Purrkins and he did understand oh I don't like that cone.
He HATES the cone! Death to the cone!
You mean cut up from the bottom so it's shorter around his belly? I was thinking about doing that. His other leg fits fine, just looks weird in the picture. There is a large hole cut for his leg. He doesn't bother with the open arm at all.
Yes thats what I was thinking. Here is Purrkins in hes baby t-shirt see the difference.
Great he does not bother the arm hole! Good boy Bob!
Had to look further for a onesie length;)
No advice, but just wanted to say. ADORABLE!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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!
We braved the Blizzard of '17 to go back to the vet for stitch removal. Onesie is off, stitches are out and Bob is happy, happy, happy. He has been grooming non stop since we got home! Picture looks a little red since the stitches were just taken out and the surgeon said that was normal.
He is getting around ok, getting used to being on three legs but so far, so good.
I give you Hobble Bobble:
Bob looks fantastic !😀 Glad to hear he is back to being Happy Bob.
He will continue to figure this out & Bob will amaze you! Free of his onesie and no meds, free to be, this is when all the magic really starts to happen;) There will be some mishaps learning. Those will become less every day, every week etc. Just wait and see!
The worst is behind you and now you guys can enjoy hopping on! Keep us posted please.
Hugs & Chin and Ear scratches to Bob
Holly & Purrkins
YAY FOR STITCH REMOVAL!!! 🙂 🙂
So glad to hear how well HOBBLE BOBBLE is doing! 🙂 Bob is just adorable!
As Holly says, it gets better and better! 🙂
Stay safe...Spring should be here soon...should be here NOW! 🙂
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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