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.
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!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Hi all
I'm new to all of this as well. Roxi, Shar-pei/lab mix is supposed to have her left back leg amputated on Friday. She's been running around carefully for about 8 months on 3 legs as she hasn't put much pressure on her left hind leg, so I think she'll do really well. My concern is her right hind leg and arthritis. The surgeon seems to think her range of motion and all is good so I'm going to have to trust him. Since she's been using only 3 legs for a while now, do you think it'll be easier for her? All so I've been reading a lot of the posts and just wondering if anyone has looked into CBD for pain and cancer?
Thanks!
Offline
Hi Mim and Roxi, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join. Sorry you had to, but we are glad you found your way over here, we get it!
Surgeons see many dogs who are and are not good candidates for life as a Tripawd. If Roxi's feels like she will do fine, that's great news! Yes, she's likely already learned her way around on three and the transition shouldn't be too hard. As long as she comes home with good pain management things should go smoothly. Did you ask to find out what drugs they will send her home with? That would be a good thing to ask. Here's a post that may help you come up with other questions.
Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Amputation Surgery for Dogs and Cats (Part 1)
As for CBD...that sure is a hot topic both in the Forums and in our Tripawds Nutrition blog. Follow those links for examples.
What is the reason for Roxi needing the amputation?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the quick reply.
Well, after reading on this site, which is great by the way, I had four questions for the vet. 1)do I need to start pain meds before surgery, 2) what pain meds would they send home with her, 3) how long will the surgery take and 4) I forget what this one was, it's on a sticky note at work. The receptionist wanted to know where I came up with questions. I told her from Tripawds site which the vet recommended......her response was "oh"!
Apparently Roxi has some sort of tumor on her leg that has been going on for a year. My primary vet and I kept thinking it was arthiritis but it kept growing. I knew something else was going on but didn't what to face it. I then took her to another vet who suggested I go talk to a surgeon. I talked to him on 4 April and here we are, a day before surgery.
Of course, they will do the blood work and chest xrays but I'm praying and believing those will be fine. Roxi is only about 4 1/2 and it's just too early to lose her. The vet says she is an amazing dog, which I already knew.
I have been giving Roxi the CBD for at least 8 months and truly believe it's helping her. I'll go to the places you recommended to see what others are saying.
Thanks again! Mim
Good Morning
I now have the 4th question I asked to vet's office, "will a drainage tube be placed in the surgical site?" As of 10 AM, 11 April, I've not heard from them surgery is tomorrow.
Thanks
Mim
Mim Anderson said
"will a drainage tube be placed in the surgical site?"
Every surgery - and every surgeon - is different. Many will insert drains, while many other s may not. Just as some will bandage, and others don't. It is great that you are asking such questions. The information will help you be prepared.
Search these forums and blogs, and you will find plenty of articles and feedback about post-amputation drains and wound care. The Tripawds e-books are filled with fast answers if you prefer to save time, and you can also search all blogs here .
Keep us posted, and please consider registering. Your future forum posts will all require moderation until you do.
Meanwhile, if you ever need help navigating the blogs, start here for help finding all the helpful Tripawds resources and assistance programs or watch this quick tutorial video.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Checking to see if I registered correctly.
Good thing is, I did hear back from the vet today on my questions and am feeling a little better.
Thanks
Mim
manderson said
Checking to see if I registered correctly...
Yup. Welcome!
Your future forum posts will not require approval. Start here for hlp finding the many other Tripawds resources and assistance programs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
manderson said
Good thing is, I did hear back from the vet today on my questions and am feeling a little better.
Fantastic! What did they say?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Update on Roxi!!
Chest xrays were clear - Praise God!
Amputation completed and surgeon said it went well.
I pick her up this morning and we will work on her recovery!
thank you all!
Mim
Wheeee! That's pawesome news. I hope you have a wonderful reunion. Remember that Roxi is still Roxi, and all she wants is to get done with recovery and get on with life. Stay strong and pawsitive and it'll be over before you know it.
Let us know if you have any questions, we'll be waiting for a pupdate!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good Morning All
Roxi is going on day 3 post-op. Last night was the first time I heard her yelp and I'm not sure what it was from. She is so amazing that she rarely has to wear her cone as she doesn't mess with the incision at all. I figure the next few days will be different because of the healing process. I have also noticed that she seems depressed, which is totally understandable, and that the gabapentin keeps her very low key, which again, is a good thing. I want her pain free and healing correctly but she's also getting a lot of prayer from me and many of her fans. Thank you again for such an amazing site, I was so scared going through with this but you all make it easier.
Thank you!
Mim
manderson said
...first time I heard her yelp and I'm not sure what it was from...
Sudden outbursts are a common symptom of phantom pain , and there are many things you can do to help - from a warm compress and using Farabloc to asking your vet about Gabapentin.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
manderson said
Roxi is going on day 3 post-op.Mim
I also agree this could be a sign of phantom pain . Talk to your vet about modifying pain management plan and see if that helps.
P.S. Would you mind starting a new topic in "Treatment and Recovery" not that she's graduated from the Diagnosis phase? Thanks so much!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just catching up on Roxi, and just as time to say YAY FOR SURGERY DONE AND FOR ROXI BEING HOME!!!
Recovery is no picnic for about two weeks. It IS major surgery. And. O, Roxi is not "depressed ", but she is nicely drugged on pain meds. She just needs rest and more resr for now.
Let us know when she poops. Yes, we are a strange bunch and we love to celebrate the first poop after surgery. The meds can slow things up so to speak, for several days.
Update when you can. Amd try and get some rest yourself!
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!
1 Guest(s)
