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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Whew! I'm glad things are getting better and you got some rest. Yep, this is the education none of us ever wanted, but it makes us better pet parents when the ordeal is behind us.
Hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Jerry! Yes, this morning has started MUCH better than yesterday!! We had a good night.
Now to try to get the Metronidazole in him... I have yummy cream to chase it down with a syringe. Fingers & paws X'ed!!!
R&S
YAY FOR SLEEP AND YAY FOR EVERYTHING IN GENERAL BEING BETTER!!!! And it is still so early in recovery, so all these little improvements are BIG improvements!!
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!
Thanks, Sally! I needed a good night's sleep. Yesterday was so hard. Today is much better! Sky seems comfortable and getting used to the new 'normal'. That is good medicine for me 
Off to try to pay some bills. That never ends...
But I feel OK going out for a bit. He is good!
Rebecca
Today was mercifully uneventful. Sky is eating frequent small amounts, getting around a bit.. although I think he may be liking the space heater a bit too much. It's keeping him in one place. But I'm not going to push him.
It feels more normal here. Still I know we have some learning to do. And the pathology report will be coming in the next week. So I won't get too complacent. And it still shocks me sometimes when I see his missing leg and incision.
Thanks for all you do for me, Sky and all the other people and pets who are facing such challenges!!
Rebecca & Sky xoxox
We love uneventful and NEW Normal here!!
It has been what a week since surgery? Think of this surgery no differently then if we had an amputation what would be doing seven days after such an operation? Still in the hospital right. Our animals are amazing to come and hop on right away as they do.
Is Sky still on his pain meds? Purrkins would be active in little spurts and then sleep. Purrkins was on his pain meds Buprenorphine 12 days and Gaba 14 days.
How is Sky other than laying in front of the heater? He is eating little frequent small meals which are fantastic for IBD kitties, drinking and using the litter box ok? We always see a significant change when the stitches/staples come out which is also usually when pain meds are finished depends on the kitty. Purrkins stitches were taken out in 14 days. The surgeon gave Purrkins the FREE to be a kitty again that day no more restrictions or onesie for him.
The pathology report yes that is the next step I remember how nervous I was to hear the news. Remember you were taking the leg for Sky to have a pain-free quality of life that doesn't change when we get the results no matter what they say! The plan would have been the same!
One day at a time and we are all here with you on this journey.
Keep up the uneventful new normal.
Chin scratch to Sky, please!!
Hugs Holly & Purrkins❤️
I spoke too soon. I was putting Chlorhexadine on his incision and found poo stuck all around his anus and tail. Another mess. Albeit not as bad as first one as not diarrhea but bad. I tried to clean with damp paper towels but no go. So I put him in the sink again. Got some off but also got pooey water on other places. 
Just awful. I was so upset - I couldn't get him clean. Emailed my sainted vet and she said to bring him to her office tomorrow and she will shave the area. I really hate this shit. Literally. And figuratively. So upset to put him through all this.
So poo is not normal yet. Still on metronidazole and proviable. Small frequent food. Just up at 5:30 to give him some and he ate it all.
But not moving much. Still on both bup and gab pain meds. And Pred. A lot of stuff. Sky will probably be on Gab for the rest of his life. He has back issues. Arthritis I guess. Narrowing of some discs. Hoping to discontinue Buprenorphine soon though.
I'm upset. And need to get some more sleep. Struggling mightily here.
Hey Rebecca,
I don't know all that much about cats but I know that American Slippery Elm helped us immensely with all things diarrhea and vomiting during the periods of heavy medication. I do know that it's safe for cats, however, so maybe give it a try?
I am a little astounded that Sky is on Buprenorphine (but maybe that's a "dog vs. cat" thing) as Manni got that as a final option during his last months as hospice care and because I know it's addictive (opioid) and has a "getting used to" effect so usually requires bigger doses after a while. So you may want to talk to your vet about taking him off that gently.
This healing process always takes the biggest of tolls on us all and I hope you'll finally be able to get some rest.
all the best to you and Sky
Tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
I use slippery elm for Purrkins brother. You can make a gruel out of it.
I also am careful what meds I give him around that because it can absorb meds. Article on it below. It is a miracle herb for us!
http://www.litt.....ppery-elm/
I use the recipe at the end of the article fyi:) You can use either way mentioned. Important to have enough water. I syringe the gruel to Saxton, Purrkins brother.
author Anitra Frazier gives the following recipe for Slippery Elm Bark syrup in her book, The New Natural Cat, which applies equally well to our canine companions when adjusted for weight: Into a small saucepan place 1/2 cup cold water and 1 teaspoon powdered slippery elm bark. Whip with a fork. Bring to simmer over low flame, stirring constantly. Simmer 1 or 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Cool and refrigerate. Keeps 7 or 8 days. Give a teaspoon of syrup (5 cc) for an average-size cat (again, about 10 pounds) 5 minutes before a meal to minimize diarrhea, or to soothe and heal mouth ulcers.
Tina, it must be one of the differences in the country or cat vs dogs we were sent home with it too most kitties are great drug after surgery. ( good to see you
;)!
I'm sorry, you are having more poop problems I'm concerned with it getting in the incision of course as you are too. A warm washcloth isn't taking care of it? Is it because he is lower in the box since his amp?
Get some rest, and things will get better promise ok!! It is a roller coaster in recovery and Sky is doing great other than pooping thing! I agree with Tina it takes its toll on us but hang in there we recover with sleep and if someone can relieve you for an hour that will help!
Briefly, Sky was on it prior to surgery as he was in immense due to the disintegrating joint in his leg. Amputation was very much a pain relief intervention. We do not take the buprenophrine lightly. Hoping to start weaning him off it in a week or two. He will remain on Gabapentin. He still has other issues. He is 13.
I'm taking him to my vet today so she can inspect and shave the area. He has litter box issues with pooping. Uses it always for peeing but pooping has always been an issue - never more than now. So I don't expect that to change.
It's all very complicated and inter-related and no way to explain all here. Trust me, my vet and I will do anything it takes to care for him. There are times my limitations kick in as I'm a widow with no kids and very alone. It's hard.
Rebecca I'm so sorry to hear about the latest turn. Sounds like your vet is on it, and hopefully the shaving will help tremendously. Poor Sky!
You must be so frustrated and tired. Just know that you are definitely not alone here, we understand the ups and downs and send all our love for more healing to happen. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Jerry. I have "What have I done?!" moments. It's a lot to deal with and also make sure my other pets are OK.
I AM tired and frustrated. Hopefully we will get better.
NO, NO, NO!!! NOT ALONE!!! WE ARE A TYPO AWAY, OR A PHONE CALL AWAY: 1 844 TRIPAWD! NOT ALONE!
You ARE exhausted, depleted emotionally, physically and financially.
Let me add scared and uncertain and constantly second guessing everything!! You, like all of us were, are in the 'What jave I done TO my cat?" And in a couple of weeks, if not sooner, you will be saying "So glad I did this FOR my cat!"
It is extremely hard, extremely hard, when you are the only caregiver, fina cially strapped and not some physically strong young whipper snapper! We get it!
And we also know, just like you have said and have shown, your love for Sky is sooo strong, you WILL get through this rough patch.
I know it's hard to be objective right now. As Holly already noted, from "our" perspective, the actual recovery from the MAJOR surgery this early on is going well. The poop part is more of the hurdle. I know that doesn't make this any easier, but maybe it can help take the stress level down a bit.
And make no mistake about it,, lack of sleep is your enemy right now. I rhink the first five days and looong nights of Happy Hannah's recovery, I got about three hours sleep. I'm sure it was more, but not by much! During some of that time, she was sleeping far better than I.
Surrounding you with our support and love❤
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 Sally! Next time I'm in that horrible "don't know what to do" situation, I'll call. I'm used to being strong and independent. This brings me to my knees.
Just back from my vet's office. They shaved all the soiled fur off and cleaned him up very well. Also gave him fluids and an iron injection as his gums are too pale. He lost a lot of blood in surgery and needs to gain strength. He purred while they worked on him. He is so special!
When we got home he ate and drank and is now resting comfortably in front of the space heater.
I'm going to take a break. You are right I'm depleted in every way you mentioned. And I need to figure out $. Will be applying for that financial aid and hope it comes through. Would help a lot!
Thanks again!!!
Rebecca & Sky
Hello Rebecca and Sky,
I've been reading through this thread and feel your pain. Been there, done that 🙂 I myself wondered several times during my cat's recovery, if I'd made the correct choice of amputation at age 14. But his recovery went well overall with a minor hurdle, and my beloved cat lived post amputation for almost two and a half years. He could do everything with three legs, that he did on four. Once you get over this pooping thing, I'm sure you will feel great relief and will start to relax and enjoy watching the antics of your newly tripawd cat.
Looking forward to an update,
Hattie & Jerry (RIP)
Hugs,
Hattie and Jerry Cat (right front leg and scapula amputation due to chondrosarcoma at age 14, lived 2 1/2 years post amputation, succumbed suddenly to suspected lymphoma at age 16)
10/2001 - 10/9/2017 R.I.P ~ Love you always
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