Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My Golden/Australian Shepherd mix has her front leg amputated 5 weeks ago. She was doing great post up until last week. She started wimpering in pain with any movement and running a fever of 104. Vet put her on 10 days of doxcycline, gave her a steroid shot and suggested we increase her tramadol for a few days. Diagnosed her as having picked up a bug. 2 days in to treatment she was showing much improvement that lasted about 3 days. Today she is weak, lethargic, feels feverish again and can hardly move at all. Her pain seems to be right at the top of her amputation side shoulder. Incision looks great. No redness or sign of infection. I am at a loss as to what to do. We are pretty certain she had osteosarcoma and opted for an amputation when she started having swelling to the affected limb. She has never had pain like this prior to amputation. She developed the lump in late October 2015 and didnt amputate till May. No changes to show progression other then the swelling on that leg. Any thoughts?
Hi Cyna,
I'm so sorry to hear about your pup, that would be so stressful for everyone! First, breathe, and know that all of you can overcome this hurdle.
I don't know what's going on but it doesn't sound to me like this is related to the amputation itself. If you are concerned, as we all would be, take her asap for a second opinion. Can you take her elsewhere? A fever is not a good thing and I don't want to scare you but it's best to find a vet who can diagnose what's going on asap.
What kind of steroid shot did she get? Were any tests done to pinpoint the issue?
I'm so sorry, I wish I had better insight. Obviously I'm not a vet but hopefully our fairy vet mother Dr. Pam will see this soon. Please keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
A fever would suggest infection, but 5 weeks after surgery seems like it shouldn't be from that, but obviously that would be the first thought. Did your vet do any blood work? Or a chest x-ray? I would definitely be taking her back in for a more thorough evaluation of why she has a fever.Â
She's really cute! Her & Murphy almost look like they could be related 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & MurphyÂ
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17 Â
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
I read this and keep coming back to see if there is an update. Â I just can't think of anything to add except what Donna said - fever makes me think infection. Â
She is a very pretty dog - I'm sending good thoughts and hope you have a good update for us soon.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. Â His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hi Cyna, sorry to hear about the set-back. I agree you should think about a second opinion, or a more thorough opinion from your first vet. My Dobe developed severe pain about the same time frame as you're describing, but he didn't have a temp. At first I thought he sprained a muscle or something chasing after a squirrel when I wasn't looking. I was at a loss after several vet visits couldn't figure anything out. I researched acupunture/chiropratic care in my area and found a holestic vet who offers these treatments. We decided on chiro, got him adjusted, and it did the trick. His new gait caused a nerve to be pinched and resulted in much pain for him. But again, he didn't have a temperature. Good luck in figuring this out, and keep us posted, ok?
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 Â yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Â Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
It is possible to have a deep abscess even 5 weeks post op. Â Your vet needs to do a fine needle aspirate of the painful area to see what type of cells are there and run a culture of any fluid. Â Doxycycline is often not strong enough for an abscess and a steroid is not a good idea if there is infection. Â Xrays to check for pneumonia or lung mets are indicated to see if the fever could be due to something else. Â If needed go for a second opinion ASAP.
Pam
I was thinking the same thing about Doxy, Pam. Â Seems like an odd choice if you suspect infection, but it seems like this vet had ruled that out.
Wondering if Rocky was on abx for any time just after surgery? Â I know not all vets prescribe, but Pofi's surgery, since it involved nerve tumor in the brachial plexus, was very "deep" and we did 10 days of Clavamox.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. Â His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Thank you all for your advice and support 🙂 The shot she got was Dexamethasone and the Doxcycline is 100mg twice daily. No lab was drawn at that visit. I am going to take her back tomorrow for more testing. I am suspicious of the deep abscess because around her surgery site is where the pain seems to be coming from. It just puzzles me that she seems very unsteady at all on her legs and almost as if her back legs won't work right. Even when she is laying she looks uncomfortable and like her legs are all over the place. Definitely never seen her lay this way.
Pam could you tell me with lung mets could that be a cause of the fever? 5 weeks ago she was looking good on xray but had a couple spots that looked suspicous. I do realize the high likely hood of micro mets though and realize that could very well be an issue.
tazziedog said
It is possible to have a deep abscess even 5 weeks post op.Â
Pam, we 
YOU! Thank you for your insight, we always learn so much from your wisdom.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow! I just had a chance to catch up on member blogs and would you believe Romulus had the same thing happen, a month past amputation?! Check this out:
http://romulus0.....ication-1/
He's doing so much better. We have our paws crossed for you too!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lung mets can sometimes cause fever and even leg swelling although it is not common.
Pam
My husband is at the vet now with her. I am waiting to hear what he has to say. I hope that we can get relief for her. Her site itself looks awesome. No red areas or drainage at all. It is definitely painful to the touch though and it was never painful prior to this last week. Not even immediately post-op.
Keep us posted. Â Hopefully the vet will be able to figure out what it is and get it resolved.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
Catching up just now.
Alo g with all yiur tripawd family, I'll be watching for an update.
All'of us sending positive energy'your way!!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
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!
Ok so the vet has discontinued her doxycycline and started her on amoxicillin. Her temp was 104.5 today. She does have swelling at her amputation site but he said he does not feel any soft spots to aspirate at this time. He said he was leaning toward a post op infected underlying stitch or a lymph node which wouldn't be a good sign. He wants to see her back by the end of the week if she isn't showing improvement or gets worse. I'm praying this antibiotic will be strong enough :/ Thank you all for your support. I will keep you all updated 🙂
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