TRIPAWDS: Home to 22969 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Need advice, dog with cancer, short prognosis, considering amputation
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
22 August 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
31
29 August 2017 - 7:51 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks Amy. I just spoke to the vet who said Badger is doing really well, he's happy to let him come home later today. He was weaned off IV drugs yesterday evening, went onto injections last night and is being weaned off them as of this morning and the vet said he is looking very comfortable. 

No doubt it's not going to be that simple once he gets home so thanks for the offer and I will be on here whenever I get scared, worried or paranoid which is likely to be often!! Looking forward to seeing him. The vet said he is getting around OK but I'll have a sling ready to make sure he doesn't bump the wound.

I'm about to finish prepping the house ready for his return.

Thanks for being there!!

Member Since:
22 August 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
32
29 August 2017 - 7:58 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

PS I'm on Aussie time so he'll be home in about 5 or 6 hours.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
33
29 August 2017 - 8:20 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

SUCH GREAT NEWS!!!!    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂    Badger will be so happy to be home!!! 🙂

My Happy Hannah basically froze when I tried to use a towel sling.  I think I tried to use it a couple of times p, but she really did better without my help.  Just play it by ear with Badger.  He may embrace the help...and may not! 🙂

Soooo excite thst Badger is coming home!!   Can't wait to hear all about it!   We're all here to help you through the rough spots...and a few rough spots are likely to happen!   That's called a "normal recovery".!

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
34
29 August 2017 - 8:45 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

You are such a pawesome parent to Badger, I have no doubt that your recovery will go well based on how prepared you are. I agree, play it by ear with the sling and remember that for the first few days, it's better for Badger to sleep and rest so try not to expect too much right now. You'll see in no time at all that he'll get back to his normal self. If you ever have any doubts, come here and we'll try to ease your worries. I think your night-time is our mornings, so we'll definitely catch up!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
22 August 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
35
29 August 2017 - 9:00 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks guys! Love the pawesome parent bit, haha thanks. There is a whole new world of tripawd puns out there smiley

Thanks for the tips on the sling, I'll see how stable he is and how he goes and if he needs help. He has lots of 3-legged practice I guess so it might come down to how groggy he is. I could just aim to hover around him and catch him instead!

I'm setting up a ramp at the back door but he might not like that either as I tried to use one to get him into the car once and he jumped right over it, he might prefer the step I guess - any advice on that? It's one slightly above average height step down into the backyard, 9 inches or so.

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
36
29 August 2017 - 10:07 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hmm. Well, Izzy was a front legged so going DOWN steps was her initial challenge. Badger will likely struggle coming up - so that is when the added support of the sling will come in handy. If the ramp will stress him, skip it. It sounds like it's an either/or set up you'll have, so he won't "have" to use it. 

You'll find yourself playing things by ear an awful lot ... It's good to be adaptable! Forgive me for forgetting - will you be home with him for a few days?

Fingers crossed for you both!

Amy 

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.

Member Since:
22 August 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
37
29 August 2017 - 10:15 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

OK thanks Amy will have sling and ramp available and see what works best for him. Yes he can go beside the ramp if he wants to so will have a choice.

Yep I'm working from home while he's in recovery and still on meds. If he's sooky I can move into his quiet space so he can lie near me, he's a shadow kind of dog and normally happiest when he is in body contact at least on someone's foot. But if he sleeps alone OK during the day I guess it would be better to try to leave him undisturbed for the first few days?

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
38
29 August 2017 - 10:36 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Yes, if he is comfortably resting alone,  just let him be.   Some dogs are sleepy and lethargice...some restless and just can't seem to settle down. You'll br avle to determine if he needs to be by your side for comfort and reassurance, or if he just prefers  bei g on his own.

heart

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!

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
39
29 August 2017 - 10:59 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I built three ramps over the years and Maggie would not have anything to do with them!  I found out later that some dogs have issues with things like ramps- I can't remember what it's called though.  Maggie also would not go up or down stairs that were open in the back, or walk on a deck if she could see down through the spaces in the boards.

I bet Badger will be find on one or two stairs, although keep an eye on him going up.  Maggie didn't need any help getting around, she came home the day after surgery.  Good thing too because she would freeze if she had anything around her torso so I don't think she would have hopped with a sling.

Try to keep things as normal for him as possible.  I slept on the floor with Maggie for a couple nights so I didn't have to worry about her jumping off the bed. Neither of us got much sleep until we went back to bed like normal.  In hindsight I should have put my mattress on the floor so if she did try and get down it wasn't too far, I didn't think to do that until my quad-pug boy had his first knee surgery.

Love the pictures!

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
22 August 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
40
30 August 2017 - 12:07 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

One hour to go to pick up my boy!!

Thanks so much for the input. Badger is nervous of bridges where there are gaps between pavers and also some steps so might well be like Maggie in that regard. He will do them if I'm with him and coaxing but given it's not a lot of steps I'll let him choose between them and the ramp then.

Love your dedication with the floor sleeping Karen!! I already have a very comfy mattress down on the floor big-blink Thanks to some tips on this site Badger and I had one night there with him on his bed right next to me before he went in for surgery. He's pretty adaptable as he regularly comes camping and travelling with me and is used to sleeping anywhere. Wherever we lay his bed, that's his home. In fact if I keep him up too long he'll walk to the front of the tent and growl at me to be let in so he can go to bed!

More news soon..

Member Since:
22 August 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
41
30 August 2017 - 2:48 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

OK Badger is home. Mobility is not an issue, he moves with speed and agility and is not interested in ramps, and shouldn't need a sling. All that three legged practice paid off! Everything moved much faster than I expected.

He was very agitated at the vet and at home, but I think mostly because he had the collar of shame on him at the vet and kept bumping into things on the way to the car, plus he was so excited to see me. When we got home he stood by his bowl and nagged for dinner and scoffed it down. Then he was really unsettled for a while, kept getting up and circling, maybe he was just agitated by the change of scene, plastic collar and suddenly being home. He also had some injectable meds earlier today and could still be a bit disoriented I guess.

He seems to have settled for now, he didn't want to stay in his quiet corner alone so I've got him in his usual evening spot on his bed by the couch near me. He looks at the wound occasionally and I've told him not to lick it, I'll only put the collar back on if I have to, he really hated it. He reacts to noise a bit. Once he's settled more I might try putting on some boxer shorts to cover it so he can't lick.

He was sent home with meloxicam, nothing else the vet thought that should be enough, has anyone had only those meds? We are on the end of day two after surgery now. He seems to be resting at the moment.

My heart's been in my mouth through the whole thing, uggh. I'm watching him for any signs of pain or further unrest. So far so good I guess, I think he is getting some light naps in and hasn't moved much for about half an hour. He twitches occasionally but he normally does that when he sleeps. This is nerve wracking!

Mason, NH
Member Since:
23 August 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
42
30 August 2017 - 6:11 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'm so glad to hear Badger is home!  It sounds like he is doing really well.  My Rocky had his surgery Sunday (three days ago) and he is doing about the same as yours.  He's a front amputee so a little different as far as getting around.  You mentioned medication, so I thought I would chime in on what my boy is on. He's on Gabapentin, Tramadol, Clavamox (antibiotic), and Meloxicam.  He will get weaned off the Gabapentin at some point over time, but this one is a nerve pain medicine good to help with any phantom limb pain and recommended to use with Meloxicam (NSAID) . 

Another friend of mine who had a foster dog who had surgery just last month was also on all the same pain meds as Rocky.  Her homeopathic vet also recommended "The Great Tea Mender Pills" during recovery which she did as well.  I am waiting for mine to come in, Amazon has them.

Hope this helps you.  I know my Rocky right now is doing a lot of sleeping and resting, not much movement.  But he is only 3 days into this and on all those pain meds. way-confused

Keep us posted on everything.  It helps me too 🙂 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
43
30 August 2017 - 9:08 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

HOME SWEET HOME!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 YAY!!   BADGER IS HOME!!   EATING TOO!! 🙂

Everything you've described so far is definitely "normal" for the first night..or two..or three...home!

EXCEPT FOR THE LACK OF PAIN MEDS!!!   Fortunately the hospital pain meds sre still in his system for a vit @o ger, vut he needs ro have stronger meds than Meloxicam.   That is basically an anti-inflammatory.    As Rocky's Mom mentioned, most dogs here come home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl (or Meloxicam) and an antibiotic.

Call the Vet and ket him know you want those for Badger!   This IS MAJOR SURGERY and it hurts!!!   Humans woukd still be in the hospital on a morphine drip!!   He's basically sent Badger home with a fancy aspirin!

Depending on the doseage,  Badger sill take the Tramadol every eight to twelve hours.....sometimes even six.   It's something you'll jave to monitor and tweak accordingly.  Of course, we are not Vets and not given Vet advice.     Some find it more effective to stagger the Tramadol and Gabapentin a couple of hours apart.

You're doing a GREAT job!   This part IS nerve whacking!  We are here to bust the whack!  Stay connected!  Update as you can!! 🙂

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
44
30 August 2017 - 9:53 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

SUPER glad Badger is home, but first, ditto on not enough pain medication. 

He was sent home with meloxicam, nothing else the vet thought that should be enough, 

The latest Pain Management Guidelines for Cats and Dogs tell us that a NSAID alone is not enough pain management for surgery of this scale. Yes, please call your vet back and get a prescription for at the very least, Tramadol and Gabapentin. Much of Badger's irritability and restlessness is likely due to not being medicated enough. It's the equivalent of a human taking an ibuprofen only after amputation. Ouch.

You are staying strong and have a great attitude though, you are doing great!  Please be sure to keep an eye on him when he is not wearing his cone. We have seen many cats and dogs destroy surgery incisions within seconds of their human turning away for just a second. It's costly and often leads to infection, so it's far better to leave the cone on. Once Badger is medicated enough, the cone may not bother him as much. It may, but there's only one way to find out. 

Keep us posted OK? 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
45
30 August 2017 - 2:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Ugh, tried to post three times today but keep having internet issue. SO GLAD everyone else already "raised the alarm on the pain meds".

Also noticing no posts from Badger's mom ... this is good ... I believe she may actually have gotten some sleep! Betting she's awake now so we may get more news 😀

Gooooo Badger! heart

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.

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 205
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17732
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256798
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG