Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is the place to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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pamelabrokenwolf said
Hi, I'm in the same exact spot now with my hound blend, Evie. I was going to ask this question and so relieved that someone else is experiencing this as well. Evie was diagnosed with Sarcoma with a tumor located on lower shoulder down through the upper part of her leg two years ago by an oncologist. She said amputation wouldn't be good for Evie because of her weight and she didn't feel her back legs where she was weak, would support amputation. During a physical in December, Evie's veternarian said she thought Evie could manage it. I decided with her doctor to amputate. She is nine and has gained 15 pounds over the last few years since my husband's death. She weighs 109 lbs. I am 69-years-old and live alone. I have no one to help me with her care. It took three vet techs to get her in the car after her surgery. I have five senior dogs who were all fosters with rescues and adoptions that fell through. I once had ten, but old age, heart disease and cancer have taken these Angels.She urinated two days after her surgery on Sunday, 1/9/22. Today is Thursday, 1/14/22 and she has not urinated since 1/9/22 and she has not passed any poo...period. She loves to eat and drink water. When I put a towel under her belly and pull her up, she will not use her front leg. I have been able to get her to stand for a few seconds maybe four times. She pancakes a lot. Her incision then drains fluid. I haven't seen any loss of stitches but the beginning of the sutures and the end of the sutures look different from the other sutures, as in there seems to be closure of dead space with these along the length of the suture. The end and beginning look like "nipples." There is no infection I can see.
I'm not sure where to go from here... if i help her up, she resists and goes down on the end of the sutures which then generates leaking of fluid. My greatest fear is that she will not be able to stand and or walk. I'm stressed to the point that my own body is aching along with my heart.
This post / discussion with Pamela has been moved here to a new topic:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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First of all, soooo reliefed you checked back in!!! I saw Jerry's response and then, when didn't hear back, was quite worried.
Don't worry about where you ppst for now, Jerry can help you woth that later. The important thing right now is thst you ATAY CONNECTED!!!
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!! We can hopefully help you navigate through this rough recovery and onto better days ahead!!!
I'm so sorry you have had to deal with all these hurdles. It does sound like the original incision and the follow up you got (before the ER visit), could have been better and more thorough and I'll leave it at that. Although the surgery was done by an Orthopedic Surgeon, more attention needed to be paid to the drainage, the opening and the infection! Geez! No wonder you were worried and exhausted and overwhelmed. And to do it by yourself while caring for other seniors....you clearly are stronger than you realize!!!
So your Surgeon needs to follow up with you. He needs to give you an explanation why he has taken so long to urinate. Were all the preliminary work ups clear showing no issues?
Did the Surgeon send you home with antibiotics?? And pain meds???
Usually dogs come home with Gabapentin, an a antibiotic and an a inflammatory like Rimadyl. What you are seeing as "depression" quite often is a pain sog al. So when you can, please update us on her pain management , okay??
Di you pup spend at least one night at the Vet? Most don't send them home at least until they urinate and stand assisted.
Not now, but maybe you can discuss with the Surgeon you would like a possible refund of at least a big discount, on the second suturing.
Is Evie drinking and eating on her own? Pooping may be I freq for now, but, as you know, the urination is important.
What did the Surgeon say reason for not urinating and did he say bring her back after "X" number of hours if she didn't urinate? It's not easy trying to express a bladder and van actually cause harm if not done right.
Important ...did the Surgeon do a culture of the infection and send it off? That can best determine the antibiotic needed, as well as eliminate MRSA . So have them give you an answer on that, okay??
Don't mean to ask so many questions, but your answers can help us help ypu!
You DO have some things to cele that ARE victories and ARE improvements!!!
You DO have Even if it was on her side, it counts as a victory!!!! YAY FOR
And Evie IS standing and IS taking a few steps! HUGE VICTORY!!
I know to be dealing with snow on top of everything else is making everything so difficult!
Do you have a friend who could bring some puppy pads and who could maybe help you take her outaide?? She may piop and pee in her bed for now, but that's okay.
If you are having to use a sling to try and take her outside she may just freeze and refuse to try and potty. Many dogs will do that with a sling?
Do not hesitate to email the Surgeon or call! You would like an answer on the urination situation.
Evie, and you, have both been through a lot!! This is MAJOR surgery....then infection... then another surgery..and probably not proper pain management .....so recovery will take longer.
You are doing an exce job! Stay the course and, again, STAY CONNECTED !!! You can never give is too many updates at this point, okay???
You need to take care of you too, okay??? You have to be exhausted emotionally and physically, as well as sleep deprived and full 0f so much worry.
You ARE on the right path now, okay? Fet some sleep!! Eat and you need to stay hydrated too, okay??? This kind of stress can take a toll×
We'll look for more updates and answers to the questions
((((((((Hugs)))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
And you do jave scatter rugs for traction ???
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!
Sally you always have such great feedback, thank you. Evie's topic is now here:
https://tripawd.....-helpless/
I copied/pasted your feedback over there for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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