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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You are so welcome! Yeah he's probably pooped out from moving around after lying still for so many days and being a good patient. Glad he is eating, that's awesome!
Silly boy has our hearts too. He's a smoochable kiddo. Hope today is going well. Sorry I missed talking to you last night.
He was really happy to see me when I got home from work today! He’s doing ok today. I picked up a prebiotic, cerenia, and famotidine for him today. Hopefully it will help restore some of his gut flora and help with acid and nausea to get his appetite going.
Thank you for seeing the beauty of my loyal, lovable boy. I had a work call yesterday and couldn’t get your call when it came in. Hope you had a good day!
Yay! It sounds like with each day he is making big, important steps to a full recovery. That had to be so hard to go to work today!
Let us know if the GI meds help him feel better. Paws are crossed!
I know it's hard to see tight now, but based on everything you've shared, Bo is doing just fine this early in recovery! Good job, both of you!!
Yeah, we call recovery a roller coaster ride because up one down, down the next, repeat. His up days will become more and more consistent soon.
Co tinue to B R E A T H E. Bo is doing very, very well. Reme, recovery doesn't last furever!
And yes, he is a very handsome boy! Those eyes melt hearts, that's for sure♥️
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’m trying to get his pain meds at the right level. Since he is already on gabapentin for separation anxiety I’m being told it takes a higher dose for pain. His appetite has improved a little but still isn’t what it normally is. Has anyone else experienced this? I’m not sure how long his appetite can be affected during recovery. His stitches and incision look really good so I’m very happy about that.
I’ll be scheduling him for a rehab appointment today. Does anyone have any advice on the best way to transport him in the car? Backseat or trunk area(SUV)? Any pointers on what would make him most comfortable? It will be a 45 minute ride each way.
Jist cont to give him any yummy foods he''ll eat, but it does sound like his appetite is starting tompupick up a little. Every3 recovery is diff as far as appetite. My Happy Hannah never missed a meal but didn't want to drink water for the first two weeks. I had to bribe her. Some dogs are good at drink water but will lay off eating much for a week or two.
Look at it this way. He just had MAJOR surgery, isn't moving aroun much so not burning a lot of calories. All that can make him want to eat less right now.
Woild try and let him ride how he "normally" does, whether thst's the trunk area or back seat area. The trunk area would probably be a little. more "secure" should you have a sudden stop, sharp turns, etc. You might also give him a Kong or som like that to chew on to keep him occupied.
You are doing an excellent job!!!
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!
Yeah I would agree that since he's not expending any calories, he's less hungry. It really hasn't been that long, and the body is more focused on healing that eating right now. Two to three weeks is a minimum for a recovery and all the things that go along with it, like appetite loss for some dogs. Definitely mention it to the vet but try not to worry.
I think the way he is most used to riding in the car is the best way to transport him right now. If you need help getting him in, that's where a friend comes in handy. But I wouldn't make any major changes to his routine right now.
Oh my gosh, Bo is a cutie. I have to chime in when I see a lab. Brownie was almost 12 when he had front leg amputation. At first I though I made a terrible mistake. He had no medical issues during recovery but I felt like they gave me the wrong dog back. He was just not being Brownie. Then a couple wise women on this site (I think you have met them) told me seniors take a little more time to get their mojo back. And it did come back in about three weeks Brownie was being Brownie again.
Yes, you are going to have bad days and good days, but the good out weighthe bad❤️
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"
Isn't he adorable?! Thanks for chiming in with Brownie's story. I always think of him when I see a brown Lab!
Thank you for telling me Brownie’s story! I must say I’m partial to Labs, especially chocolate ones😉.
Bo’s pathology on the tumor came back and the results are not as positive as we hoped. Originally, the diagnosis after biopsy was stage 2 intermediate which was very hopeful. After surgery and pathology the tumor was graded stage 3 aggressive. From what I understand, there is a higher chance of metastasizing and reoccurrence. I’m hoping when we have the rehab appointment they will be able to advise about alternative treatments since they are holistic vets with a specialization in Chinese Herbalism. I just want to give my boy the best chance at a happy, healthy life.
He got his stitches removed today and did fantastic. He hopped in the car using the foot rest area and then jumping to the seat. He also did great walking in the parking lot and got love and praise at the vets office. He’s eating more and more energetic. We went for a short walk to the corner of our street. He would have liked to keep going but I didn’t want him to overdue it. This sweet, goofy boy owns my heart. Thank you everyone for your continued support and advice! I greatly appreciate it.
If anyone has experience with the Flagline harness , I could use some help fitting it. Thanks in advance!
It was so nice chatting with you on the Helpline, Alice.
As I mentioned, even the best pathology report is not a fortune teller or crystal ball. You never know what will happen and all we can do is hope for the best. You are absolutely giving Bo the best chance, he's got a great team on his side with or without chemo or radiation!
Don't forget to celebrate that his stitches are out. That is HUGE for both of you. YOU DID IT!!! Maybe a no-bun hamburger treat is in order for Bo's dinner tonight?!
Oh and don't forget our convo about sizing the harness. You want the Flagline to be snug with 2-fingers between the straps and his body. If you can get a pic of Bo wearing it we can give you more guidance.
Be sure to have a little pawty today, this is a big big milestone!!!
Thank you Renee! It was great chatting with you too! I’m definitely taking every opportunity to give Bo a great life! Treats are definitely in order! He did so well today.
I’ll get some photos of him in the harness next time we put it on!
So, I am good to tell you what the vets told me after Brownie had amputation. They told me he had two to three months. Brownie didn't listen. He lived an additional one year and eight days. Brownie passed a few weeks before his 13th birthday. The statics say a choc labs life spand is between 10 and 12 years so Brownie didn't listen to that either.
What I am trying to say don't waste time trying to figure out how much time Bo has left. Just enjoy each other. In the beginning when we were two months post op I basically started counting the days. I regret doing that. That was energy that should of been focused on Brownie.
As Brownie taught me embrace each day, the good days and the bad days.❤️
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"
And congrads Bo for getting those stiches out. I know youust feel better!
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"
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