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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YAAAAAAAAAY FOR HOME!!! Best feeling ever! Let the recovery begin!
Yep, ditto everybody! He may indeed not feel quite as chpper once the hospital meds wear off in a day or two. Must rest and potty breaks for now. And yeah, he wouldn't lay in his amp side if it was too painful. Actually, my Happy Hannah didn't lay on her amp side for five weeks!!!
Looking forward to more great updates!
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!
Awe bet you're so glad he's home! As rough as these first few days are its always good to know they're with you so you can keep an eye on them. I'm sure he's glad to be home too. The last few days I've been doggie sitting my nieces Boxer while she's home here visiting from Memphis. What unique and loving personalities Boxers have. I have an almost five year old collie and Teagan is almost five too. I had forgotten what it's like to have two active dogs together. Got some real quick lessons 😳😳. Keep us posted on your beautiful boys journey. Hugs ((()))
Linda, Riley & Spirits Ollie & Mighty Max
lynn said
My boy is home! And I couldn't be more happy.
Hops through the kitchen to the door (slowly) just needs help down the 3 stairs by the door. My fiancé carries him down. 80lbs! Hoping he'll be able to eventually do them on his own.He does want to lay on the side that his surgery is on.. So I just left him that way. Going to call the vet today and just make sure this is ok.
sounds like hes doing great..yayy!!!.. Hell figure the steps out, I had to carry my girl too 78#, then after a while I used a harness to help lighten her load up and down as to not risk a fall, Im overly cautious. My girl also layed on the amputated side, actually often preferred it, I think the compression helps some. (from my experience with human amputations).
so glad you guys are doing well, each day at a time, hell be pain free without that nasty tumor.
Love and paw prints for you
Angel Neka & her Guardian
Angel Neka
7/4/2003-4/5/2016
2.5yr 3x cancer warrior survivor
Well when you all said he may crash... It's been a long night and day. Been in touch with surgeon this morning in upping his dosage. He was sent home with tramadol and metacam. 3-50mg of tramadol every 8 hours (4 days worth) and metacam every 24 hours. Got it upped to 4-every 6 hours. Only one problem.. He's gonna run out on a Sunday. Been trying all day to get a prescription sent. Frustrated and frantic!
He finally had a poop after 4 days. ( with the help of some pumpkin) he's been very gassy and I'm thinking he has a severe stomach ache? He has some fluid built up and I've been gently massaging and ice packing it. Some bruising as well.
I really hope these are all common side effects. I'm trying hard to stay calm and strong. Just needed to vent to all of you, that understand so well.
Thanks for listening Lynn and Hooch.
Okay, first of all...YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOP!!! 🙂 🙂
I'm no vet. HOWEVER, .most dogs, are given at least a two weeks supply of Tramadol and Rimadyl (or Metacam...both effective anti-inflammatory). Some dogs, like my Happy Hannah needed some form of pain meds into the third week. Some dogs start dosing down at avout 1 1/2 weeks. Every dog is different though.
I DO hooe you got his pain meds filled today. Update as soon as you can. And a little grrrrowl to that surgeon for just giving you four days worth of pain meds! Hope he never has major surgery and just gets four days worth!
Anyway, reducing the hours in between should help. Now, just to make things a little crazier, sometimes it's the pain AND the Tramadol .making them whining and restless and panting. Id rather have their pain managed though, even if it meant a little "side effect" from the Tram.
And yes, some swelling and bruising happens. Check out seroma . You are doing exactly as you should with the gentle massage and ice pack. My Happy Hannah had wuite a "sagging" fluid build up for several days. It would even go down some and come back. And her bruising was wuite colorful. I did one or two trips to the vet just for reassurance. So certainly if you have any concerns, check with your vet.
The pills can mess up his tummy. Just try and make sure you give with food. Did the vet give you an antibiotic also? They can upset the rummy too.
YOU are doing an EXCELLENT job of staying strong and calm! This recovery stuff is no picnic for humans or dogs!
Stay connected, okay? And don't hesitate to call the Tripawds Helpline if you have any questions or just need support.
Love and 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!
We just got prescription sent here and filled!! Thank goodness. Another whole 4 days worth!! He's finally resting after a whole day of being uncomfortable. Really thinking it had something to do with his stomach. He's been eating and drinking good.
We didn't get any antibiotics, she said they gave him a shot during surgery and didn't think he needed some to go home with. Other than the fluid and bruising his incision looks really good. And his balance is quite good. Haven't gone too far though. Just for bathroom breaks.
Feeling relieved that he's finally resting comfortably. Again thanks for the reassurance! Really needed it today as I was feeling very guilty and responsible for his discomfort., 🙁
Lynn and Hooch
We alllll sure understand the need for reassurance! So thanks for letting us know your concerns! We understand completely!
So glad you got more pain meds! You absolutely are NOT responsible for the pain med "distribution"...or lack thereof! If I calculated right, this will be a total of pain meds for eight days. So don't hesitate to ask for another five or six days worth if needed. Yoi are a wonderful advocate for the adorable Hooch...smoochable Hooch! 🙂
Hopefully you can get some sleep too! This is so exhausting at first. As you can see though, it does get better....slowly but surely!!
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!
I'm glad to hear that he's doing so well! I remember Tommy loved laying on the side with the incision as well and it made me so nervous! But as long as he's not throwing himself on that side and there's proper padding underneath he should be fine! In fact, Tommy favorite side to lay on is still on that side haha the extra leg was uncomfortable I guess 
So, I think we are experiencing "phantom limb pain"? Hooch is not wanting to lay down much today, as all of a sudden he yelps and jumps up. I noticed some twitching and movement in his shoulder area. He is still on his meds that are now more often but they are starting to make him unsettled, and uncomfortable (panting, up and down constantly) and they are obviously not helping with the nerve pain. I've spoke with someone at the clinic.. this morning.. Still waiting for them to call back.
When I first picked Hooch up from the hospital, I specifically asked about the phantom limb pain, and the nurse/tech said she hadnt heard much of that with the amps that they've done.?
Another concern.. he's still got some fluid that goes down and comes back. But now I've noticed it down in his groin area and around his elbow in the other front leg. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this?
I've messaged the surgeon, as she wasn't in today. Waiting patiently for her response.
Lynn and Hooch
lynn said
...now I've noticed it down in his groin area and around his elbow in the other front leg. Is this normal?
Like bruising, or a seroma ?
Check out the Tripawds post-op photos gallery for lots of photos to compare, and please consult your vet with any serious concerns.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know its hard ro believe, but recovery doesn't last forever! Really!!
The twitching is normal. You'll see from so e of the links Admin gave you that bruising and seromas go woth the territory too. But do consult with your vet. I think I mentioned earlier, In my Happy Hannah's case the fluid would subside as the fluid was reabsorbed, only to fill back up again.
As far as the Vet Tech not being familiar with phantom limb pain...WOW! We do see that every now and then. It is clearly documented in humans and animals. Ask the vet for GABAPENTIN. This has been known to block the pain of nerve ending s firing off to a leg that is no longer there.
Let us know how it's going today..
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!
lynn said
When I first picked Hooch up from the hospital, I specifically asked about the phantom limb pain, and the nurse/tech said she hadnt heard much of that with the amps that they've done.?
It's not too unusual for vets & techs to say that, only because they don't see as many amputations as we do here. pain management vets also know that the average pet parent just isnt as astute at recognizing it, so it goes unreported.
Beyond phantom pain , there are also other types of post-op pain that experts are now learning about, such as myofascial and hyperalglesia. Symptoms overlap. You can read more about post-amputation pain here:
http://tripawds.....ts-part-1/
Treatments include gabapentin as well as incorporating dry needling acupuncture into the patient's therapy. That usually helps symptoms subside. Talk to your vet about it and if it continues see a certified rehab vet who has a better understanding of the latest pain management protocols. You can find a vet like that at the International Veterinary Association of Pain Management website directory.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He is still on his meds that are now more often but they are starting to make him unsettled, and uncomfortable (panting, up and down constantly)
Tramadol can cause agitation. My pug Maggie did not do well on tram, she wouldn't sleep, although my other two pugs have taken it without side effects.
How much does Hooch weigh? Is he still getting 200 mg of tram every 6 hours? That sounds like it is on the high end of the prescription range and you may be able to lower the dosage and keep him comfortable and maybe get rid of some of the side effects.
I am not a vet or an expert, be sure you are talking to your vet about all of Hooch's reactions. In my very own, non expert, I live very far away, opinion I don't think your clinic is up on the current pain protocols. There are very few pups, if any, who can be comfortable on only four days of pain meds after a major surgery! Eight days is better but might not be enough so keep a close eye on him.
You are doing what you have to do and are being a great advocate for him- keep it up!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Today was a way better day. Hooch has been resting comfortably all day. Snoring... And dreaming... 😊 I only did 2 doses of 4-50mg of tramadol the one day as it made him very uneasy. (he is 80lbs) Been giving him 2 every 4-5 hours. Seems way better. We also were able to get gabapentin today! Hasnt yelped all afternoon or evening. And since he's been resting, the fluid has disappeared a little, not as bad as yesterday as he wouldn't lie down from the nerve pain.
Still drinking water, however his appetite is not as good. I gave him some boiled chicken and mixed it with water and his kibble. Seemed to work.
Tomorrow is day 7.. I've barely left his side since I brought him home... Took a week off.. How am I gonna be able to go back to work?? I am so attached, protective, (over protective!) worried.. So many things.
Thank for all the positiveness, feels so comforting when I come on and hear back from all of you.
Lynn and Hooch
The gabapentin should definitely help. And time, too will help. We were lucky, I work 3 days a week, plus our adult son was living at home and went to school 2 days a week, so between the 3 of us we had pretty good coverage to be home with Murphy. It will get better!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
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