Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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One thing you might try is put a dry towel in the fridge or freezer to get it chilled and try introducing that before trying the ice pack again. The cold is less intense that way and if she tolerates that you could try the ice pack again. When I was icing quad Pug Obie's repaired knees I would at first barely touch his knee with the ice pack- I use the gel kind. I gradually increased pressure so more of the ice pack was touching his knee. Sort of like letting the skin acclimate to the cold.
If it's the amp shoulder it could be the area is more sensitive than the wrist. It takes a long time for the nerves to all settle down, and in my experience with my surgeries sometimes areas around the incision feel weird for years.
The other thought is that if she is really sore in those areas she just doesn't want them touched. You might have to wait for her to feel less pain before icing will work. It would feel better sooner if you could ice, but it's really hard to convince them 
.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oooh Karen that is a great tip about icing the towel first, thanks! And I agree, post-op incisions do feel weird, even years later. I have a couple that even I can't stand to touch.
I hope ShuShu feels better soon! Let us know what works for her.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It is sooo hard to be patient when we want our pups and cats to hurry up and feel better!😣
We know one thing for certain, Shu Shu could not be in better hands!! Perfect partnership meant to be!
Slooooow and easy. Shu Shu needs time to heal. All the muscles are sore as they adjust to everything that has happened. Rest, reet, slow and easy. Progress IS beibg made!! Celebrate each "little" improvement. On this journey, all improvements are HUGE IMPROVEMENTS!😃
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!
Try not to worry, what's important is that she is getting the care she needs now. And you are doing a great job of it! You will both find a new normal that keeps her happy and safe.
And yes, rethinking what means 'fun' to a dog takes some work, but you are doing a great job of it. Most people think that throwing a ball and playing frisbee, or chasing dogs in the dog park, is all a dog needs to be happy, but now we are learning that there's much more to helping a dog have fun and age gracefully and safely. Brain games and mental challenges are equally important, if not more so. When a dog is too old to do all those crazy physical activities she used to do, she will have other skills and talents to engage her mind and keep her happy. Their aging needs are much like humans'.
In time you will figure out what she is capable of and her 'new normal' can certainly include small parts of what the other dogs enjoy too, like the dog park and play sessions. You will also discover things about her that you never knew she was capable of and what fun that will be when you both start learning those activities!
Good job!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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