Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home 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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Hi everyone - I'm having a hard time helping my dog Logan figure out how to walk again. He's a big guy, 140 lb Great Pyrenees, and was still walking on all fours prior to his amp on Monday (his front left leg). They kept him at the hospital a couple of extra days but thought he might do better in his home environment so we brought him home yesterday. He's so wobbly, and has had a few face plants which I find very distressing. He doesn't seem to want to get up and I'm not sure if I should force him to help him get stronger or just let him rest. We're helping him with a sling and trying to coax him to take a few steps by gently pulling on his collar without a lot of success. We've also ordered a harness but it hasnt come yet - plus he still has his staples in. Has anyone had a similar experience?
Hi, Logan is Gorgeous!
Our Pyrenean Mastiff (Porthos) had his leg amputated on Thursday.
I found that I was slowing him down by trying to keep the towel under him as he was hopping.
Its really scary but Im keeping him on the lead and letting him find his 'new' walk. His walk is kind of wild at the moment! he needs to hop fast, if I hold him back he starts to loose his balance, at the same time he keeps spinning round to lick the shaved area where his leg was.
Im not sure if you should be incouraging Logan or letting him rest (im sure someone on here with more experience will help) I just wanted to let you know your not alone, and that im sending positive thoughts to you and your pup.
Amanda
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
If he's able to walk far enough to pee/poop, I don't think I would worry too much at this point. This is major surgery and everyone on here calls the first two weeks 'hell weeks' for a reason. Although Zeus came hopping out to us at the vet and was up and down a bit that first day, he crashed after that and just stayed put and rested. Other than going out to the bathroom, Zeus barely moved for at least a week after his amp. We even brought his water bowl to him. Not only are they learning a new walk, a new way to stand while they drink, a new way to stand up/lay down, but their body is also trying to heal itself from the surgery. It is a strain on them and I don't think it is unusual for them to just rest and recover! I would imagine that this is harder on bigger dogs b/c of the sheer size and the fact that momentum probably makes it harder for them to balance when they are moving.
Sometimes I worry that we confuse new members by stressing how quickly the dogs recover. In the grand scheme of things, they are back to 'normal' much faster than a human would be but that doesn't mean that the first couple or three weeks aren't hard.
Hang in there for now and give him a few more days to adjust and heal. If he's just lying around for now, maybe it's a good time for you to do the same and catch up on some sleep!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Thanks for the great advice Amanda! You're right...sometimes too much assistance can be detrimental to helping a new Tripawd figure things out.....
Hi Loganator,
Yep, being home is definitely a good thing for your boy. So if he just got home yesterday I'm guessing he's still pretty doped up from the pain meds. What is he taking, and how much? Most times, it's the pain meds that keep Tripawds from being stable on three paws during the first few days.
Try not to be distressed. He will take a couple of spills, but again, that's usually due to the drugs. As long as you have slip-proofed your floors, he should be OK. But when he does take a stumble, remember it's worse for you than it is for him. This is a big change, getting used to a new way of walking, and he will get used to it. Just stay pawsitive.
As for helping him walk, you may just want to let him rest right now and sleep off the major trauma he's been through. What's his appetite like? Don't get discouraged if he's not eating...again, that's a sign that the pain meds are working by keeping him dopey and sleepy (this is great for healing!). Also, is he peeing and pooping? If he's at least peeing, you are on a good path. The poopin' may take a while, it does for most dogs, as the pain meds tend to clog up the system.
Above all else, remember that if you are concerned that something isn't right, listen to your instinct and call your vet. Never hesitate to call them, it's why you pay them.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
zeuspod said
Sometimes I worry that we confuse new members by stressing how quickly the dogs recover. In the grand scheme of things, they are back to 'normal' much faster than a human would be but that doesn't mean that the first couple or three weeks aren't hard.Hang in there for now and give him a few more days to adjust and heal. If he's just lying around for now, maybe it's a good time for you to do the same and catch up on some sleep!
Good point! Indeed, all dogs are different in how they recover, and how quickly. All in all, most dogs do need at least a few weeks to even start to feel good again and find their "new normal" way of doing things.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have a really hard time remembering those first few days with Spencer home. Spencer was small compared to your guy; but he was 85 lbs before amp. The first day he was home he was entirely dependent on the sling. The next day I had to use the sling to get him any distance; but then for him to go to the bathroom he had to figure out how to take a few steps away from me on his own. He wouldn't go to the bathroom with me right by him. It was definitely babysteps though. First he took a few steps away from me to go to the bathroom, then each day he could go a little further.
Good luck!!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Thanks everyone, I'm trying to stay positive. He's had one pee today and spent the rest of the day sleeping inside which was probably good because it's very hot and humid outside, much more comfortable inside. He's on tramadol and metacam and also an antibiotic. I was getting concerned that he wasn't even sitting up this afternoon but he did eventually sit up and has now eaten and had some water. I find that right after I feed him, he gets very fidgety and wants to lick his incision so it's back to the cone. I wish I could fast forward a week or so into the recovery...
Thanks again for all the kinds words and encouragement. Honestly, this forum has been a lifesaver.
Kathy, Dan & Logan
His pain meds are pretty routine, but the tramadol can make a lot of dogs super dopey. Plus, with hot weather like that, it's definitely no fun to be doped up and recovering from major surgery. Oftentimes larger dogs do take longer than smaller ones to get their groove back, this isn't unheard of.
If he's eating ad drinking, these are great signs! Hang in there, day by day, things WILL get better. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kathy and Logan,
Welcome and sorry you had to find us here. Like jerry said, sometimes it does take the bigger pups longer to get up and around. You are still deep in the weds of recovery, but it will get better!
Hang in there,
Jackie, angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Fast Forward one week...
Logan was making some progress since the amputation. Wasn't too keen on moving around a whole lot, basically making two trips outside in the sweltering heat to relieve his bladder, and poo'ng once every two days. He was walking on his own, although baby steps at first, but we did see improvement each time. He wears the lampshade while we sleep, but we remove it during the day when we are nearby.
Logan developed an open pressure wound on his good elbow. When he came home from the surgery, we were told to keep an eye on it with extra padding when he laid in his propped up position. It progressively got worse and one night we could see right into the tendon or bone, had some oozing and smelled bad.
We contacted the clinic, and they suggested to bring Logan back to them in the morning. Logan was admitted and has been bandaged up for the past 3 days. We are due to have his staples removed on Tuesday and consult for chemo, hopefully we can bring him home if the wound is on the mend. We're hunting around for a good bed for him so we don't have the pressure ulcer issue again.
Daily reports from the clinic say that Logan is now moving around on his own, tail is wagging and wants to go for walks outside more often. They say he's such a gentle guy and is making friends with the other patients and staff.
In the image below, Logan climbed up a bit of incline with our assistance to his usual sitting spot on top of our lilies 😛
He's laying on a blanket, was a warm day but he seemed to be enjoying his stay in the shade!
Will let you know how things go this week.
We "prepared" ourselves for sweetpea's post op time. Had a sling, pill pockets and a comfy bed. Then we went to get her used the sling, she was still groggy, so we carried her. Got home and tried the sling again and she wouldnt move at all and my husband & I looked at each other, than she looked at us and off she went without any assistance. I am sure we were more nervous than her:) Pill pockets - were worthless to us. We didnt even think about it, but taking 16 pills a day - that is a whole bunch of pockets. As far as the bed - that didnt work either, I think it was a little too soft, she laid on a towel on the floor and slept fine. Our lesson learned: all our prep failed, except for giving us a feeling of doing something for her. Your doggie will let you know if he needs anything and in our case- when she didnt need it:)
Logan looks great! He's such a handsome boy! I hope his pressure sore is healing up well.
It will be nice to have his staples out. He should be a lot more like his old self after that.
Keep us posted,
Jackie
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Oh Logan, I'm sorry you had to go back to the hospital! That pressure sore sounds so painful. Glad to hear you are doing better overall, however.
Avoiding those nasty hygromas is a challenge, for sure. etGayle made herself a pawesome elbow patch using these plans, and yes, firm mattress in his favorite spots really helps to reduce the chance of the pressure sore opening up again. Our Gear blog has some ideas that might help you narrow down your choices.
Good luck this week, do keep us posted. We hope his recovery continues to improve!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Logan is gorgeous! I love Great Pyrs, they are so beautiful! I'm sorry he is having a rough go of it. We are sending him healing thoughts!
Spirit Chili Dawg's pack
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Welcome to you Logan! Handsome indeed!
We'll be sending lots of healing wishes his way!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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