Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My dog had his hind leg amputated 5 days ago. Prior to surgery (even with a lame leg) he was VERY active, always wanted to go for walks, be outside, lounge outside. Since surgery he has been walking fine with no issues but does not want to go on walks, does not want to lay out in the backyard. He will do laps inside the house so I know it's not due to walking issues. I feel so beyond stressed out and just want my old routine back. Really struggling with this new "new".
Pola & Bury
First of all, I love the avatar picture of your pup. He looks as cute as can be.
It's good to jear he is mobile already. Some dogs take a bit longer to get their sea legs and don't do mich more than a few hops.
Keep in mind, your pup just had MAJOR SURGERY!! While trying to recover from that, he is also adapting to being a tripawd. Right now, he is using all his energy to heal and to develop muscle disease for hos new gait.
All your dog needs at least until stirches are out, is a couple of LEASHED, SHORT potty breaks and back inside for rest, rest and more rest. This needs to be his routine for about two weeks. Would even keep his walking around the house st a bare minimum for now. This early on ot od soooo easy to overdo and tweak a muscle. No taking him out for walks, that will happen soon enough.
Is he eating drinking okay? Peeing and pooping? What kind of pain meds is he on? Dose and frequency? Sometimes the meds need tweaking of not enou to handle the pain, or even of too much.
You and he will get your routine back. We k ow ot' hard to be patient but, again, he just had MAJOR surgery. Hoomans would just now be getting out of the hospital and would be on heavy pain meds.
We'll look for your feedback. Reco doesn't last furever, ot just feels like ot at first!
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!
Thank you for your response and support. I suppose I took his ability to walk as a green light that he's fine and recovered. I know he is not but my heart didn't want to listen to my brain.
For medication, he just had a Fentanyl patch removed yesterday and continues to take 300-600mg Gabapentin 3x daily and Metacam 1x daily as well as an Antibiotic for 7 days.
Hoping my anxiety goes away and we can get back to a normal routine soon enough. Thank you for your support.
Pola and Bury
Pola & Bury
Ditto what Sally said. Bury is going to need some time to recover and build his stamina for his new gait. "Normal" may look different, even after recovery and that's OK. Follow his lead and you'll figure it out together.
Thank you everyone! I practiced patience and today went much better (only my perspective changed) but I'm hopeful my Bury will get his mojo back soon enough 🙂 thank you for reminding me I'm not alone in this. You're support is appreciated 👍
Pola & Bury
I know it's hard to be patient but as the others said- rest, rest rest!
Lucky for me my first rear amp Tripawd was a Pug who leaned on the lazy side. It was hard to get her out of bed for weeks. Dang that girl was stubborn!
I adopted my current rear amp Tri when she was 10 months old, Elly lost her leg after being hit by a car at 7 months old. She was 2.5 months past surgery and fully healed but not at all strong. So we started an exercise program to work on her core and leg strength and slowly built up her stamina. Elly was full of puppy energy but her body couldn't keep up so we also did lots of food puzzles and games to burn energy and keep her busy, they also help with balance and core strength.
When you think about it - it really is amazing how well our pups get around right after surgery. Dogs are so adaptable. Just be patient with Bury and you will soon see that sparkle!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
It will all come around. All on their schedule, and then one day, they are gonna shock you with what they can do.|
My big lug spent the last month or so not doing much, I thought it was because he wasnt feeling well, or maybe another issue. Turns out it was his way of saying "No walks man, it's too flippin hot out!"
Finally a cool front came through and we had time to try again.
Strapped on the 'fakie' and dude bolted for the door. Bonus, he got to watch some football practice. ( he is ball obsessive )
Be patient, and it will all come in a 3-leg stride.
yeah....that was cheesey. LOL
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