Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Bronco just got home 3 hours ago from his amputation. I was trying to be strong when I picked him up but I fell apart. This entire process has been such an emotional roller coaster for me and I believe the swiftness of the diagnosis and onto the amputation has just been a lot for me to handle. Bronco is home now and Im trying to be as normal as possible with him. I have a designated area in the living room where his food, toys and bed are. The medications he is receiving are amoxicillin, tramadol and rimadyl. He is crying out but is consolable at times and from what I have read on these forums this seems to be the norm. He came home with no dressing on and metal sutures in place. Was wondering if anyone else had experience with the metal sutures and was wondering if it would be okay to put a t-shirt on him to keep the area covered? I feel so grateful for this website. So many inspirational videos and stories have really helped me through this difficult time. Today is the first day of his new life as a Tripawd and I feel grateful that we had the option to join this community.
Welcome to Tripawds.
I'm sorry you are dealing with amputation, was it due to cancer?
Since you ask about a tee shirt I assume Bronco is a front amp, it should be fine to put a tee shirt on. It might keep him away from the staples and will keep the area clean.
How often is he crying out? Was his surgery today or yesterday? Balancing paIn meds is difficult- pain and the effects of pain meds are similar. If it is OK with your vet you might try icing the incision occasionally.
Sounds like you have a good setup for him in the living room- rest and activity restriction are important for a good recovery.
Get as much rest as you can too, the recovery period can be full of ups and downs. We are here to help however we can.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Bringing a loved family member home from major surgery is extremely stressful, especially if it's an amputation. And Karen is right, finding the right balance for the pain meds can be tricky. Remember to call your vet when you have questions or feel sketchy about something. You've paid them a lot of money, so they can stay on the phone with you for awhile to answer all the questions you have.
Also to remember to sleep when Bronco sleeps, that's really important. Bronco is the patient, but you need your rest too so you can properly care for him. Don't let him do too much. Walking around the house and outside to go to the bathroom will be enough for the first few days. Don't panic if he doesn't poo for a few days, that's pretty normal due to all the meds he's on.
The next couple of weeks will be up and down for you and him. We didn't see our boy Max's "normal" personality come back until about 4 weeks after amputation. Come back and ask questions as often as you'd like, we've all been where you are!
BRONCO IS HOME!! Surgery went well and that calls for a big CONGRATULATINS!!
Ditto to all the great advice above.
Now, know this to be true.....you are strong!!! You made a very brave decision to do what's best for Broco and thst takes a strong soul to do that!
These first few weeks can be really difficult. Some dogs have smoother recoveries than others. Soeti es larger dogs and front leggers take this major surgery a little harder. My Bull Mastiff was well to her third week before I felt like could breathe.
And that reminds me......B R E A T H E.....innale deeply and slowly.....B R E A T H E .....exhale sowy.......B R E A T H E..........
Next.....give yourself a big hug! Really! Yes, really! Come on ..... I'm watching.....yeah.....that was a nice hug!! Good job!
These first several days can be a little whacky. The hospital pain meds will start to wear off in a day or two...then balancing the right pain med doseage becomes important. Some vets add Gabapentin to the Tramadol.....you can ask yor vet avout that if Bronco seems to be in too much pain. It's so hard watching this...we all nderatand.
When Bronco does start recovering steadily and hs sparkle does start to come back, you will be so thrilled and so hapy!! And he will get better!
My Happy Hannah is celebratng nine months amputation and movng forward (knocking on wood) BEST DECISION EVER!! We are havng the mlst joyful lovng fn tme I could ever have imaganed! We live n the moment...in...the now...being more dog...livng li,e a dog!! And you will too!
You are not alone! Stay connected to us! This site pulled me back from the abyss many times those first few weeks and I've stayed connected ever since!
And do let us kow when Bronco has first pee and first poop!! Yeah, we celebrate anything around here!! And let us now when you sleep five hours straight....okay.....at least three hojrs straight!
YOU ARE DONG A GREAT JOB!! 
Sendng you hugs,
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Welcome Bronco-
It is good he is home and can now start on his recovery. I'd like to tell you the hard part is over but the next couple of weeks can be challenging at times. They can also give you reason to cheer as it is always good to celebrate the small things - eating, peeing, pooping and tail wags.
I know how that whirlwind of diagnosis right in to surgery can be, but there will come a time when you will be able to catch your breath and look back and see just how strong both Bronco and you are. This is also a time when your bond with him becomes stronger and stronger and is really unlike anything you have experienced.
As a front amp and a larger dog, I highly recommend an elevated dish. It just makes life so much easier for them. And don't forget lots of area rugs on hard floor surfaces to prevent slips.
Sending pawsitive thoughts your way. Hugs to all of you.
Take care-
Luanne & Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Yay for Bronco being home!
How are you and Bronco doing today? I hope you're both starting to feel better with this new day ahead of you. You can definitely get through this, as the wonderful folks here have already told you. It's not easy but it's not permanent either, he will bounce back much quicker than you ever thought. One day you'll wake up and realize that he is a brand new dog with a great attitude. Talk about inspawration!
And yep, a t-shirt is fine, not a problem at all usually, you'll just need to knot it on the bottom to keep it in place.
Don't forget to check out Jerry's Required Reading List , it will help keep you calm when you think you're about to lose it (and that's OK if you do, we've all been there and done it).
Many hugs to you. We're here to help OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just wanted to add some words of encouragement. I just brought my guy home on Friday, and had a similar experience in that the time between the first vet visit for lameness and the amputation was short. It is a little mind boggling, but things do start to slow down. And you will see, Bronco will get better and better each day. I'm glad you found this community, they have been an amazing resource for me, and I'm sure they will be for you, too.
Hang in there and take care of Bronco, but also yourself! My thoughts are with you!
Thank you all for your encouraging words and advice. Bronco first day home was a rough one (Nov.22). I slept maybe a total of 3 hours in the first 24 hours. The night was the hardest with the up and down, he couldn't get comfortable, I really felt like he was mad at me for what I had done. His cries only got louder at night when I wasn't consoling him. It was just easier to lay a pillow right beside him and close my eyes when I was able. Broke my heart to hear. The next day (48 hours post amputation) Bronco was remarkably better with his pain. I have him on a strict every 6 hours 150mg Tramadol and every 12 hours 100mg Rimadyl. His cries are reduced to whimpers and he is able to sleep for 3-4 hours at a time. He is able to hop around the house some but is still unstable. I am glad to here that I shouldn't be worried he hasn't pooped yet because he hasn't. The surgical site has minimal drainage, if any, which is relieving. The hardest thing is letting him do things on his own. I haven't quite figured out what is too much or too little in terms of guidance and assistance. Sometimes he is okay when he is peeing, other times he topples over and I have to catch him. When will I feel like it's okay to leave him by himself, if just for a couple hours so I can do some shopping or even shower at this point?
Thank you,
Jesenia and Bronco
Jesenia and Bronco!
Good job everybody! Sloooooowly bt surely recover is taking place! And you actualy gor a little sleep! Very little but it cou ts!
Yeah, it's perfectly "normal" to notpoop for several days...it'll happen! Can't wait to celebrate that!
Let Brnco do what he safely can on hos own (obviously no jumpiing or stair climbng yet). And keep doing what you're doing...be "near" should hehave a stumble and need sme support.
You now your dog better than anyone.....even on drugs! You certainly should be able to leave him alne a few hours. Just keep him in a confined area where he feels comfortable and secure. DOes he need "the" cne to make sure he doesn't mess withhis stitches? My Happy Hannah never bothered hers so she never had to wear a cne.
Take Bronco's lead. He will amaze you at how he mnitors his own actions. I know I slept onthe floor next to Hapy Ha nah for over three weeks! I thinkmit was the fourth and fifth week that I started pulling back a little. Yeah, I probably indulge her too much.....but she loves it and so do I!
Just take it a day at a time. You still have a lot of ups and downs to go through. I thinkit was the third night andintothe fourth daynthat I saw a little sparkes come back...only to have her "seem" to take two steps back the next day! Yeah, all part of the ride!
You realy are a diligent mom and realy are doing a very good job! You'll start to relax more and more as all this settles in and you move further and further away fromthe surgery!
Here's hoping for FIVE HOURS sleep tnight! Give that sweet boy a big hug forus!! And chocolate for you!!
Take care!
Sally and Hapy Hannah
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 know it's hard but his recovery does sound very normal. Judgiing how much assistance is needed is a little rough. Just do your best and know that he understands you have your best intentions at heart. As hard as it is to go through the recovery, this is something that will give him such a much better quality of life in the long run. Try to picture that day when things are back to normal and you will get there.
Sounds like your pain medicine protocol is perfect for him. Keep it up and don't waver from it unless you talk to your vet.
As far as leaving him alone, if you have a small room you can confine him in he should be fine. Try to leave when he's settled down and calm from the pain meds and he'll probably just sleep while you're away. Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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