Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Unfortunately stumbling early on happens - and it IS hard to watch. It takes a bit for them to learn to shift their weight to the new "Tripawd Stance". And about 60% of their weight is on the front legs. Do you have a harness or sling yet? Pain meds also make them a bit loopy, which can add to the unstableness. It is so very early in her recovery, remember that....it will take time for her to build up some stamina and strength, but it will come back. Nitro could run like the wind, and go up and down 12 stairs with ease - all in time. Hang in there, better days are coming.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Thanks Paula, I think one of my worries pre op with her age was whether her other legs would be strong enough to cope and seeing her front one give way on her just reminds me of those concerns. It helps to hear how much Nitro could manage. I've got a sling for her which we've been using for trips to the toilet but she was just moving herself in her bed when this fall happened, her front leg just sort of gave way as she moved and she landed on the wound.
And sorry paws I meant to reply before, she's on cocodamol and loxicom for pain relief, does that seem enough? She seems fairly comfortable but I'm not sure I trust how she seems after how well she coped with the osteosarcoma because she's far too brave
I've never heard of those meds....probably a UK thing? Nitro was on Tramadol and Gabapentin when he came home. I bet her front leg "collapsing" might very well be due to being a little out of it because of meds. The first couple of weeks are the hardest...I thought to myself many a time "what have I done to him" and totally second-guessed our decision. A common theme around here. When they get their staples out (usually about 10 days to 2 weeks), then they really start to get back to their old selves. So try to be patient, and remind yourself it's still very early in her recovery.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Hi, and ditto to everything Paula said.
Brownie also took a few falls at first. He use to use the wall for balance. I think some of it was the meds. I remember the first time Brownie tried to hike he fell on his face. My heart sunk.
Brownie had a very soft bed. But the problem was when he would hop on his leg would sink and he lost his balance. I purchased the Urban Sprawl Bed and he loves it. It is firm and he can really stretch out on it.
The best advise I ever got was to be Patient he will come around, and he did. Ava seems like she is doing great, so just hang in there.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
I know how early it is and I’m probably worrying about this way too soon but her front leg seems to give way on her at times rather than her stumbling because she loses her balance. It’s like it struggles to hold her weight. Is that normal this early on?
Yep, it's pretty normal. Our Jerry stumbled a few times during the first month. It was sooo hard to watch and not panic, but I noticed that the less I panicked, the less upset he got too. It's like a little kid who falls. Don't make a big deal out of it and they won't either.
Not sure if this happened but if her bed is too lumpy, she may have tripped on the stuffing. Firm beds are always a better option for Tripawds.
I'm not sure of the first painkiller you mentioned but I do know that loxicom is the UK version of Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. My guess is that the first one is similar to Tramadol, a mild opioid. Perhaps one of our UK members can chime in. If she is not showing any pain signals then she's probably OK on that end of recovery issues, but if she starts panting, whining, crying, or looking anxious throughout the day then it's time to ask your vet how you can re-adjust her medications to keep her more comfortable.
Oh and speaking of recovery, now that she is on the recovery path, please do start a new topic in Treatment and Recovery. She's graduated from this forum (yay!) and now her journey can be chronicled there so that others in the same situation can learn from it too. Thank you so much.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I looked it up and the co codamol seems similar to our Tylenol with Codeine. I am not familiar with that medication in dogs, so like others have said, just keep an eye on her and get in touch with your vet if she starts showing signs of pain.
On top of the pain meds in her system, she has a whole new set of muscles to start using on a regular basis for balance. All in all it seems like she is really doing well 🙂
Will look for a new post from you in Treatment and Recovery so that we can continue to follow you 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Can only say DITTO yo sall rhe above.
As a Nurse, I can only imagine how you would be reassuring an amputee who had a stumble just a few days after major surgery....while on pain meds. Of course, one ,major difference is the hooman would have assistance with a walker, rails, etc. Our dogs have to do it without any tools to help balance.
A FIRM bed is crucial to recovery. As Jerry mentioned, a squishy bed with a lot of "give" just doesn't give enough suppprt as a dog tries to stand or sit. It's an investment, but one that I cannot recommend enough for bigger dogs is The Big Barker Bed . They are made specifically for larger dogs. The ten year warranty is not a joke! My oldest Big Barker Bed is approximately seven years old and has not changed shape one bit. Obviously I have first hand experience with this bed, but their are others in the Gear shop too.
YOU'RE DOING GREAT!!
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!
Hi, was just wondering how Ava is doing?
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Hi everyone, thanks for your replies, I had chance to read them and they've really helped but I'm sorry I've not had chance to reply. My son had been staying at his Dad's immediately after Ava's op but came home Monday so I've been juggling a 5 year old, who then wasn't well himself, and a recovering Ava.
I'll start another post in the treatment and recovery section but she's doing amazingly, I really can't believe it's only been a week 
Good morning, so glad Ava is doing well! I am adding the link here Ava's Recovery
This will make it easy for everypawdy to hop on over and get an update on her pawgress
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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