Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our dog, Salina, has an open wound on her rear bone area from falling on her rearend while trying to sit. She recently had her left rear leg amputated from self-mutilation, her right leg has feeling but is always stiff. I have tried home therapy by bending her right leg (which is difficult due to the stiffness) but it appears to hurt her. So when Salina sits down, she falls on her rear end, which literally caused a hole about the size of a quarter. That wasn't discovered until she was shaved for her surgery last Thursday. We were told to keep the wound open so it could heal, and try to tape a donut style cushion around it. Well, that wasn't quite possible, either it fell off or she chewed it off. Spots of blood are left around the house from this open wound and I am worried about an infection. We use a hot compress on it about 4 times a day. Any suggestions? Also, should I continue the "therapy" on her leg? Her illness stared with a paralysis in rear area, from inflamation in her spinal cord, she tried to self mutilate her left foot several times (her left leg had no feeling).
do you have a cone to put around her head that would keep her from licking, chewing at the dressing?? if you can keep her tongue/teeth from the area, could you then pull a pair of boy's briefs over her rear end to cover the sore? maybe you could strap a stayfree pad inside the briefs?? these are just ideas - i know other tripawds have used stayfree type pads to obsorb and cushion areas. paws crossed for salina, you are doing your best and there will be an answer.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
It sounds like you are describing a pressure sore over the pelvic bone area (where she sits). It is hard to pad this area but you could try applying some triple antibiotic or Silvadene ointment under a large bandaid and then cover by putting on a pair of boxer shorts (put the tail out the fly opening). You might have to modify this since she only has 1 back leg.
Is she on any medication? If she still has spinal disease or numbness then she might benefit from tramadol for pain as well as gabapentin for the nerve issues. Even though the leg has been amputated she probably still has nerve root pain or inflammation.
Pam
We were told to keep that sore open so it can heal. Her back end is also very narrow, I would have to sew boxers to fit her. She was on antibiocs - took the last one today. The only other medication she is on is prednizone. She doesn't appear to be in pain, she moves around and goes outdoors as well. She hasn't gone near her incision, just a few licks here and there, but it doesn't seem to bother her.
We have an appointment tomorrow to remove the staples and a quick check by the vet, hopefully all is well.
Thanks for the update. Hopefully you can get her off that Prednisone soon. Best wishes, please keep ups posted on her progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Jackpot! I bought girls 2T undwear, right leg and tail through the leg holes with a maxi pad taped on the back. A little adjusting with a safety pin, but it seems to work ok for now. I am going to try the concoction of honey and sugar...any other suggestions?
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