Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all! I know I haven't been around for a while. Clyde has been doing well, it will be 4 years in June since his amputation. Unfortunately, I came home on the 25th from my own surgery to find that he'd developed a very large abscess on his remaining front leg elbow. Took him to the vet, who placed a drain and sent me home with antibiotics. He really looked bad until yesterday, where he seemed to turn the corner. So yesterday, I had to leave him for about 3 hours. During that time, I think he fell on his elbow. Drain popped out and the abscessed area broke open leaving a huge wound over his elbow. My vet was closed by the time I discovered this so I took him to the doggy ER. Well, it was a very young vet who wanted to admit him and do surgery at the cost of $1800. I explained that I had an appointment already with my vet for follow up on Monday at 9 so could it wait - she tried to push it and sadly, I had to refuse. I just did't have an extra $1800 and plus, I was really not comfortable leaving him overnight there. I asked them to wrap it up, so they did do some wound care and wrapped it. Today he looks great and the wrap has stayed in place.
So - I'm very concerned about whether my vet will be able to do something to repair/heal this very sensitive area. He obviously developed it from using it so much, and I'm concerned that this will be really hard to heal. I've tried things in the past to protect his elbow but they've all failed because he doesn't have an opposite leg to anchor the protector thing to. Anyone deal with this and have any ideas?
Elbows are notoriously hard to heal and hard to keep wrapped properly. I imagine your vet should be able to debride and repair the surgery site unless there is a shortage of skin in which case you have to leave an open spot. I think that DogLeggs and Therapaws can custom make elbow protectors for tripawds. Have you tried them?
Pam
Even under these circumstances, it's ALWAYS good to hear from Clyde!! Going on four years, WOW! We use him as an inspiration to newcomers alot around here!!
Bummer you are dealing with this. I have to say though, I am REALLY glad you didn't follow the ER suggestion!! Expensive and extreme!!
Somewhere in my limited memory it seems that their have been successful ways to protect the elbow, even for a front legger. Can't remember if it was homemade or a product. Hopefully someone can come along and point you in the right direction. Hmmmmm.....seems like Eurydice had a protector...maybe?
As far as healing, it seems that a cabbage poltice, believe it or not, has been used successfully. High grade pharmaceutical Manuka Honey has also shown good results. Now, how to search those in here.....another techie eill come along and do that.
Give that RockStar a smooch and extra treats for us! And YOU take care of YOU!!! Geez, coming home Christmas Day...what a gift!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Following up on Sally's fine memory about Eurydice's elbow protection: https://tripawd.....e/#p209864
You'll see others also recommend Dogs Leggs that Dr. Pam suggested.
Here's the page with the photo of the protector she had made: https://tripawd.....rotection/
4 years!! Good going Clyde. 
Kerren
OK first, a big round of applawse for Clyde's FOUR YEARS post-amputation! WOW! Here's to a new year with more celebrations!
I'm really sorry about the abscess. Elbow hygromas are tough. Good for you for holding out until your vet visit though, I would have too. Meanwhile here are some other ideas to discuss with your regular vet:
How Manuka Honey Helps Heal Wounds
https://gear.tr.....?s=hygroma
This product isn't necessarily for treating hygromas but it can cover the bandaged area:
https://vetmedw.....1078279283
Let us know what you try OK? We can all learn from this as hygroma's are common in Tripawd dogs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, at first Brownie was getting those hot spots on his elbow. I bought a pair of boys socks, cut out the foot and made a sleeve. It worked and only cost about three bucks.
I know those spots are hard to treat. As soon as I thought Brownie was over it another one would pop up. Now his elbow is like rubber. I guess it toughen up..
Congratulations on 4 years! That's awesome!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Hi Everyone! Thank you so much for all of your responses. I wanted to give you an update:
Went to Clyde's regular vet on Monday. He said that the wound could not be closed due to tissue damage, etc. He recommended sending him to a 24 hour care center with a wound vac. I about died because that would've been so expensive. The nearest specialty hospital he said would have one even he didn't recommend due to cost. The next nearest one had one but not all the parts. So, we've been doing daily bandage changes at the vet. He does use the honey wraps, and Clyde has remained on his antibiotics. Vet was really concerned this wouldn't work due to the size of the wound and infected area.
Well once again Clyde proved everyone wrong! He has made an outstanding recovery. The vet talked to me yesterday and said Clyde made him look like an idiot! He also said that Clyde is a healing machine and that we probably only need another week of bandage changes. He won't need laser therapy, which we were going to do to help the process.
I am going to try to measure him today in order to purchase a custom dogleggs product for front leg amputees in order to protect his elbow going forward. I've tried all sorts of things in the past, and they've just failed. Clyde's bandage is anchored to his EZ dog harness, so if the dogleggs thing doesn't work out, I might try fashioning something myself that I can anchor to the harness. He doesn't mind wearing it full time and it actually makes it easier for me to help him out.
So that's the update, and again, thanks everyone for your input!
That's great that Clyde is a healing machine. I'm sure he'll do well with your persistence, your vet's advice and Clyde's healing powers.
I know that front-leg amputee dogs can have this problem and I wondered why cats don't have it so I observed my cats more closely. My cat with four legs does lie down with his front legs extended like a dog. However, rather than extending her front leg when lying down on her stomach, my front leg tripawd Mona tucks her remaining front leg across the front of her body. This seems to keep her balanced. She tends to sleep on her side and usually against a pillow.
I realize cats are more flexible than dogs and it would be difficult to teach Clyde new ways to position his body. I hope Clyde's elbow heals quickly.
Hugs to both of you,
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
YAY CLYDE! That's super duper wonderful news, I'm so glad your elbow is on the mend and your people didn't have to do the expensive treatments. I know those aren't cheap. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE that your vet did the honey wraps. I'm sure that made a huge difference. Keep on proving them wrong my friend, you're a rock star! 
Kerren that is a totally smart and astute observation about Mona! If you're able, we would love to see a photo of her different laying around poses at some point (in a new topic) so that we can discuss that with a rehabilitation therapist some day.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
CLYDE JUST .LOVES, LOVES, LOVES TO MAKE VETS LOOK LIKE IDIOTS AND PROVE THEM WRONG!!! And in Clyde's case, I don't think Vets mind at all!😎
Soooo glad to get this update! A healing ,aching indeed, as well as an inspiration machine!!😁
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
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