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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Awwww, such a great report! YEY! You've got plenty of time to rest with Brody, watch him master his new normal, and guide his recovery. You've also got the time to do some research here and talk with professionals about chemo options. There are lots! Keep Brody in mind and you can't go wrong. We were advised that if your pup doesn't like the vet or traveling, then doing chemo at an onco practice might be mean. The vet isn't Jackson's favorite thing, but visits were and are so quick (IV chemo for a 60lb dog took about 15min) that we figured he'd be fine. And he was! No side effects. Plus, it meant a car ride, which J LOVES! We were able to afford it and thankfully, for whatever reason or reasons, he's still here and doing marvelously. I wish the same for you and Brody. Keep in mind that your spouse will be around longer than Brody, so also make sure you don't resent Hubby if you're pressured into doing something otherwise....
Speedy recovery, Body!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Well tonight is the 1st time he refused his cheese (with meds) and everything else I offered him. I chatted online and was given a link to a video for hand feeding pills but I tried and he locked his jaw up for me. I also noticed some dry blood around his staple, which concerns me. I called and left my vet a message but haven't heard back yet. He won't go outside to pee. He has been eating and drank alot last night and this morning. The last time he peed was at 630pm last night all over the house, which I gladly accepted. I was just so happy he peed I didn't care! I am going to try the pills again in a little while and then I guess Ill just leave in the cheese in from of him? He is definitely looking more doped up. His eyes look empty. He is moving around good. He occasionally has panting spurts where he does for awhile. He did let me cold compress him 2 times today. He pants heavy when I do that. I wonder if that caused bleeding? Poor boy. I don't see any bruising yet. Luckily he layed around all day except for one time when he panted and stood for about an hour. I am of course nervous for him right now. I am going to set my alarm and check on him for my own piece of mind this evening. I figured out how to post a picture. So here is pre and post amp. I will keep you all updated. Good night, Julie
Oh no. It sounds like Brody is crashing. Most pups here do at some point post-amp. It's upsetting, especially since you've seen such good things prior to today. My heart knows how you're feeling. Here's how I'd approach it: he'll pee and poo when he needs to. If he'd rather hold it and be miserable, then let him. If he has another accident in the house OK. If he eventually gets up and follows you outside OK! He'll go. He'll go soon. Try to just let that be. As for his meds, I can understand the desire to get those in there. I don't know what you tried, but cheese can be pretty magical. However, during his slump, you may have to bust out other items: cream cheese, peanut butter (that's the trick for Jackson!), ice cream, or even sardines!!! And with his refusal for taking pills, he may need some extra special cooking. Have you changed his food? Good 'ol rice and chicken? Hot dogs? Steak?
Again, try not to freak too much. Just find a way to get his meds in him, then let him be. He'll be better tomorrow. Why? Because it's more time. Time marches on and he'll get better each day. Some days may be slower than others, but he'll get there!
Another tactic is to have a special person come over. Who does he adore? Who gets him so happy (besides you, of course?!)? Have that person come over. It'll invigorate him and he'll pee! Just make sure you temper his excitement some. We had a special person come over when I think Jackson was depressed and it helped a lot! He didn't have much energy to enjoy Chuck and Jen, but having those 2 special people over really perked him up and made him forget his pain or discomfort.
As for dried blood - good call calling your vet. You'll get an answer soon. Any sign that Brody is licking? Dried blood is WAY better than fresh, liquid blood. Try to relax. Compressing sounds ideal. Keep it up! Brody is in great hands and will get through this. He WILL. Promise.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Check out Jackson's wound. This was taken the day after his amp. See the dried blood? Bruising got way worse, but cleared up nicely within a week.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Sounds like the roller coaster is getting a little wild but I'm 99.9% it's only temporary. Many dogs lose their appetite, and it's hard for humans to witness that because we associate food with wellness. But Brody has the instinctive knowledge that he should save his energy for more important things like eating, which is why he's refusing food. I'm going to bet that in a day or two he'll start eating again. If you're concerned let your vet know but this sounds like a typical "down" part of the ups and downs of recovery. Be strong and pawsitive, you can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Wow Katie, that is a lot of bruising. Poor Jackson. Looks like the incision for the hind leg is much bigger or he's just a really big dog. So glad he is doing so well. What is the winter warriors?
Here is Brody last night when I noticed the blood. After looking at your pics I think what I thought was smeared blood is actually his bruising. 
You've already gotten great advice from very knowledgeable people.....and they gave me the same advice when Happy Hannah crashed. I remember around day three or so she showed a tiny spark. I thought YAY, she's on the road to recovery! Well, that lasted about a scond and then more "crash"!
So when everyone here promises you it will get better.....believe them, because it will! This "crash" happens at various times.....and so etimes several times over.....but it pretty muchhappens for most all dogs.
His incision site looks GREAT! No worries there! Happy Hannah's looked much more like Jackson's, onl with a seroma to boot!
It's so hard not to worry. And we hate seeing our dogs not feelig well. But Brody will soon be pain free and thoroughly enjoying life to the fullest. Promise!
Hugs to you. Look forward to hearing from you.
Sally and Happy Hannah
Just want to add that Tramdol is apparently a very' very vitter tasting pill. Once a dog gets the slightest taste, its very, very hard to conceal it from them. But yes, you do want to get the pain pills in him. Whatever you try...give him two or three pieces of the "treat" and then toss him the one with the pill in it in rapid succession.before he jas time to think!
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!
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