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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hollypie said
Well we are 5 days post op and she is coping really well on three legs. She is eating and drinking well but sleeps most of the day which I assume is normal. One thing I have noticed over the last couple of days is that when she gets up after a long sleep she cries for about 30 seconds. We cuddle her and it stops so I am not sure if it reassurance she is after or in pain. How will I know if she is in pain? Before her op she couldn't settle and was up and down so I knew she was unhappy but now she sleeps really well and just randomly cries at us then stops and goes back to sleep. Any ideas? Thanks Steve and Di
Hi:
She is so lovely - I had not had the chance to comment on that yet!
It surely sounds like her pain pre-op was worse, but perhaps it is not quite fully managed post op. What are the meds she is on - dosage amount and frequency / timing?
Pofi was about 32 kg post amp. He took 100 mg Tramadol 3 x daily, 75 mg Rimadyl 3 x daily, and 300 mg Gabapentin 3 x daily (plus antibiotic 2 x daily for 10 days). We used this pain med regimen for two weeks prior and two weeks after surgery. Once or twice in early days post op, I gave the Tramadol an hour or so early because it seemed like he wasn't quite lasting a full 8 hours without pain, but we settled into the above routine and it worked well.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Ah wow in that case we are way off the mark. Our vet told us to medicate her with painkillers when we thought she needed them. Clearly we are getting it wrong. She is on her antibiotics which finished today. I have been giving her 375mg of paracetamol once a day. Metacam once a day dosage for her size which is 35kg and 2 x 50 mg of tramadol once a day. Pofi weighs just less than holly and was getting far more painkiller. I thought that as she was sleeping then she wasn't in pain. I will revert to her post op medication and see if the crying stops. I know she can have that amount as she was taking them prior to amp. Thank you that is really helpful. Steve and Di
Steve and Di:
Some vets are a lot more conservative about the pain management - mine all happen not to be. They all say, what is the point of the dog having pain if we can safely, proactively prevent it. With a major op like this, pain is inevitable. The op is trauma even though the cancer source of pain is removed. The tissues left over are traumatized and nerves are sometimes jangled by the whole process. That is what will cause "phantom limb pain". I would definitely do exactly as you are saying and see if there is improvement. If there is still whining or crying out, you might ask your vet specifically about Gabapentin as it specifically addresses nerve pain. The other meds you have for her are different modalities. Going back to the pre-op dosing for a bit might be all that is needed, but if it still seems not enough, do ask about the Gabapentin!
Lots of good thoughts for you all!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
hollypie said
How will I know if she is in pain?
You will find many helpful Pain Management Posts & Podcasts in the Tripawds News blog , including this one with tips from the IVPMA (International Veterinary pain management Association)...
Is Your Dog or Cat in Pain? Here’s How to Know the Signs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for all your advice and links regarding pain management . I have increased her dose and she seems much brighter. She has even been for two very short walks today and is eager to go. She is now looking about and even chasing bees which is what she normally does. I hope I have now got her pain under control and she feels better. Thanks again Steve and Di
hollypie said
Thank you for all your advice and links regarding pain management . I have increased her dose and she seems much brighter. She has even been for two very short walks today and is eager to go. She is now looking about and even chasing bees which is what she normally does. I hope I have now got her pain under control and she feels better. Thanks again Steve and Di
What great news! So happy she is feeling better and you have to be feeling better, too!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Well these last few days have been a serious roller coaster. After having a good day on Sunday she had a really bad night. She screamed twice during the night and on getting up on Monday she had a noticeable limp. So I rang our vet as I thought the cancer had spread to her back leg. On seeing the vet he was confident it hadn't spread but was more adjustment to being on three legs. When he examined her she was noticeably sore on her rear left hip and right rear knee. He thinks the screaming was due to nerve endings. Well she got the next day and although still having a limp she was a lot brighter. She has now had her staples out and her ears and eyes are back being interested in her surroundings. We are now looking into hydro therapy for her joints and if the limp doesn't improve then she is going for laser therapy ( whatever that might be). Hopefully she has turned a corner and now on the mend.
Wow you guys it's a roller coaster indeed. I'm glad you saw the vet and he eased your worries. Yep, most of us jump to that same conclusion about cancer spreading but thankfully it doesn't happen too often at this point in time. It's good you're considering rehab therapy. Just be sure that your therapist is CCRT or CCRP certified to get the most bang for your buck and keep her safe and injury free. And if you do go to a certified rehab therapist, Tripawds Foundation will even reimburse you for the cost of your first session!
Keep us posted OK? We hope the coming days are easy for both of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Steve and Di,
Just wanted to weigh in on this and share a little info with you. My super awesome dog had her front limb removed, including the shoulder blade, after we discovered that she had an OSA related break. She was nearly 12 at the time and so you can just imagine the worry I had about removing a limb - especially in the front - at such an advanced age. Izzy did so great and adjusted well, though we definitely suffered some of the same hiccups after surgery.
I started Izzy on Glyco Flex 3 to help out with the added stress on her bones and joints. She's almost a year post op and, while she just recently developed some trouble with one of her hind legs, I feel really strongly that this supplement has helped her stay active and able. Your pup is much younger, but I figured I would suggest it anyway!
Hope the rest of the healing goes smoothly!
Amy & Izzy, too!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Wow! Congrats to Izzy for one year post-amp. That is really great!
And so glad that it sounds like Holly is doing better!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi Hollie and family ❤️
Eurydice just started hydrotherapy (3 sessions so far), it sounds like a wonderful option for Hollie as they get to exercise without putting any pressure on their joints.
Also, even if they are confused about what to do in the beggining everything becomes clear after a few sessions and I am told most dogs and cats love it❤️ so it's a win win situation.
Sending you and your sweet girl hugs and cuddles 🐾
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Izzy and Amy congratulations 🎉 For your 1 year ampuversary coming up
Champagne bottle in the fridge 🍾 let us know when she has her ampuversary so we can properly raise our glasses to both of you 🍸🍸🍸
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
It is like Holly has turned a corner. She is brighter. Laying on her bad side and she now has all three legs in the air and her dad is tickling her tummy. Our friends came to see her today and she ran to great them. Thanks for advice re supplements I have purchased some today. It has been a difficult few days but seeing her today I would make the same decision again. What I am a tad fed up of is her thinking it's okay to stick her nose in my face nearly every hour throughout the night. But whilst she is recovering I will contend with it but when she is back to full health I may have to evict her from our bedroom as it will be me that needs a doctor not her.
I will admit that the quality of my sleep has been poor since Otis' amp. Kind of like having a new baby in the house.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
haha - just wait! Tripawds figure out quick just how to wrap us around their little paws! 
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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