Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all!
Samdog has been doing so well that I just realized I haven't posted in a while.
This weekend was a long one for us and we decided to take advantage and take Sam on a road trip to visit friends in New Mexico. It was great! Yesterday we took a day trip up to Great Sand Dunes National Park an we took a very short walk on the sand. It was very difficult to hop on sand and we abandoned the effort and instead headed over to the nature trail over in the aspen trees.
We were taking cues from Sam for how to pace the day an we hiked 1/2 mile with lots of resting and he was soooo happy to be hopping like a fool!!! He was tired but we didn't think anything of it. He was happy and sleepy last night and woke up with a goofy grin this morning.
Until we noticed some fluid tinged with blood leaking fron the center of his incision. It has been 7 weeks since surgery and we haven't seen leaking since the first week.
So, I guess our question is, did we over do it and this is normal? or is it something worse that we should really worry about? It doesn't seem to hurt and his attitude is the same. I don't see any signs of infection. Anybody else seen leaking this late after surgery?
Thanks!
Samdog's mom.
PS. Dang autocorrect... The title of this post should have been, "we might HAVE over done it, again". Oh well.
Samdog was a 10 yr old Golden and retired SAR dog. We found a bone mass on 8/17/12, needle biopsy showed sarcoma 8/22/12, amputation on 8/23/12, post-amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma on 8/28/12. Sadly, we found lung mets on 11/27/12 and my Spirit Sam earned his wings on 12/2/12.
We didn't know where we were headed and we don't regret a single step along our path. It all happened too fast, but he left a legacy of love that we will always cherish. Good bye my heart.
You can find our story at http://samdog.t.....ipawds.com
What a fun way to overdo things! You're such a lucky pup Samdog.
The leaking is kinda unusual because I can't recall anyone leaking fluid that far out from surgery, but honestly if it were me I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as the area isn't inflamed or smelly, or looking like it's opening up again. If the liquid was more watery than bloody it sounds like classic seroma fluid. Could just be the fluid finally worked its way out. Is there any more today? And other than that, how are you feeling? Limping or slow? Or just your usual gorgeous self?
Keep an eye on things and if you're at all concerned call your vet, just for peace of mind.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That sounds like a fun trip! Hooray for goofy grins. 
I also dont' remember hearing of any pups that had leaking this far out after amp. Hopefully it's no big deal, but a phone call to the vet might be a good idea.
Keep those goofy grins coming!
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!
Thanks guys,
His appetite and energy are good. He doesn't seem to be sore, though we were discussing during the ride home, what a three legged limp might look like... He got a bath and I looked more closely at the site. It mIght be an abrasion on that sensitive, hairless, pink, nubbin skin. We are due for a blood draw this week and will keep an eye on it. The vet can check it out when we go in.
Thanks for your insight and caring. We will try to get a blog entry in tomorrow to share this most recent adventure.
Hugs and kisses from the three legged red.
Samdog was a 10 yr old Golden and retired SAR dog. We found a bone mass on 8/17/12, needle biopsy showed sarcoma 8/22/12, amputation on 8/23/12, post-amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma on 8/28/12. Sadly, we found lung mets on 11/27/12 and my Spirit Sam earned his wings on 12/2/12.
We didn't know where we were headed and we don't regret a single step along our path. It all happened too fast, but he left a legacy of love that we will always cherish. Good bye my heart.
You can find our story at http://samdog.t.....ipawds.com
I'm so jealous right now! NM is my home and at this point, I'd love nothing more than to be back there.
Good luck with recovery; I imagine it was probably a combo of slightly over-doing it and fluid just needed to get out. I'd keep an eye on things, make sure there is no inflammation or smell, and hole up for a day or two to recover!
Jack - adopted with a crooked leg at 4 months old, managed for six years, and now much-happier Tripawd as of 5/24/2012!
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