Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Everything checks out ok physically. She was on tramadol for 3 days, now just rimadyl and an amox. I had some leftover tramadol from my husband and I tried giving it to her for 24 hours on day 6, it didn't seem to make a difference. She doesn't seem in pain. She does seem to be stiff from lying down so much. I haven't been home with her during the day for tha past 3 days, my hub has and I don't think he makes her get up. I was actually thinking an outing might help. I know the physical recovery is going to be long and hard, but she has just lost that sparkle in her eyes. I think because the surgery wasn't a medical necessity, I chose to do it to hopefully prolong her life and improve her quality of life. So now, yes, I am thinking...what have I done!? I just didn't want surgery on an old and very large dog, or to be making end ôf life decisions because her back was all jacked up due to walking on a short deformed leg. Thanks for listening and the chocolate does wonders for my butt too!
I'll second what Sally mentioned: have someone special come over! We did and it was excellent! Or a car ride? A new toy? Get your little lady outside to see something new or familiar. She'll return to her sparkle! No worries. I swear!!!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Okaaaay....the big "I'm no vet.......but", ....and it may be entirely different with pups...and I'm sure it is.....however, she was just on pain meds three days, except for that ne time intervention? And I'm probably cnfused (as usual), but was Trinity spayed at the same time of the amp or am I thinking of someone else?
Okay, we've gotta do a little work on mom.......she sais, " I wasn't a medical necessity I just did it to prolong her life and iprove the quality of her life!"
Hmmmmm.......sounds pretty much like a medical necessity to me!!
As I mentioned earlier, I seco d guessed myself brilliantly for at least three weeks......I was so upset with myself.......just o e of the most intense scarey times. And this community is what ulld me through! I stayed stuck on here like clue, 24/7. And "they" PROMISED me it would get better! They shared experience after experiencs, yet, it was veryhrd for me to believe my dog would ever get better based on what I was seeing and hearing!
BEST DECISION EVER! Each day is full of so much joy nd happiness, non-stop love and so much laughter! And peole like e re heretotell people like you....I PROMISE TRINITY WILL GET HIS VIBRANT SELF BACK...and more! Sometimes you see a bit of the magic happen when the stitches are out
Do try little simp.e things to make her ove a little more....put her fod bowl a little farther away...make her get up to come a get a treat. Okay, may sound crazy....but do a lot of claping and "ya-hoooing" for every little step she takes! You show her wht sparkle looks like!! Oh yeah, and we must have video!!
Maybe try a .ittle massaging (there are links on here how to do that...just search massage) and see if she "stiffens up" in any particular area.
Hang tough, you are doing a great job! Trinity is one lucky pup to have you as her hero! Keep us posted......I look forward to your ypdates...especialy because I know soon, very, very soon, they wii be so uplifting!!
Try a whole bag of M&M Chocolate Covered Peanuts too.....let 'em warm up in your hands just a touch
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!
When Snoop had his surgery he healed fine physically but I think sometimes he was truly melancholy. The vet said dogs don't feel those emotions.... Well I beg to differ. When our older dog Barney passed Snoop was sad for days after. When I had my surgery three years ago he never left my side, when I had to go back in to the hospital my husband said he stood by the door each nite waiting and crying. When my father became ill and was hospitalized his dog stopped eating for days. So i feel they FEEL! And experience sadness and depression as they feel happiness.
Amputation is major surgery, just make sure there's nothing else going on, pain ,infection. Like us everyone is different in healing. Hope Trinity starts to pick up soon.
Positive thoughts
Esther and her Snoop
I would like to add that for our puppy Chance, it took 2 full weeks for him to be back to "normal" as he is a sunny boy. And I think another week to two weeks before I really saw his flying helicopter tail and happy, happy face. We were worried that he was depressed. I can't say your girl will be the same, but give it a little more time!
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