Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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thanks Paula - yes in UK.
I do try not to get down around him because he is a sensitive bear.
He's also a nightmare to give meds to, which doesn't help.
My Nitro was the WORST to get meds into! So I feel your pain. If I remember correctly, it was about 2 weeks for us that were really rough after the amp surgery. Many, many times I asked myself "what have I done?" Like Sally said in an earlier post, a lot of dogs really start feeling better after the staples/stitches come out. Coincidently, tomorrow is the 5th anniversary of Nitro's amp, so I've been doing a lot of reminiscing of that time for us. One of the worst times of my life, actually. But we came through it, and were stronger for it. Take it day by day, one step at a time; and don't be surprised if just as he starts moving forward, showing improvement, that he takes a step backwards. That happens, and is totally normal. This journey is definetly a roller coaster. We're here for you, we've got your back!
Paula and Warrior Angel
p.s. we have a blog about our journey if you're interested.....nitro.tripawds.com should get you there
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
thank you Paula. You guys have all been great. I'll take a look at your blog.
Ditto Paula and Donna! Great input as always.
It can be so hard tweaking the pain meds just right. Every dog reacts differently...some hyper and restless...some vlah and lethargic....and some nicely balanced in the middle.
And he is playing a little catch-up if healing is taking a bit longer due to energy going to try manage the pain.
And ditto again about highly likely he's tweaked a back muscle, or shoulder or neck muscle. That certainly can make them feel apprehensive about moving at all for fear of an ouch! Does he show ANY tension at all as you massage up and down his spine, neck, shoulder, etc?
We may have mentioned this, but ask your Vet about an appetite stimulant. Also, a dose of fluids can perk up the appetite and attitude too, even if they aren't showing any outward signs of dehydration. So pursue that also.
We know patience is so hard during recovery!!! Sure some dogs their sparkle back a bit sooner (but not all that many), and some sparkle is more visible around the two to three week maror everh longer! Sloooowly vut surely you WILL see sparkle!!
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 - have mentioned to vets before about appetite stimulant - will try again.
Just feel so frustrated and tired at the moment - everything seems to take so long to sort with vets waiting for call backs etc, meanwhile I have to watch my boy looking so sad.
lisaharvey said
I have to watch my boy looking so sad.
I think that's the worst part. It can be agonizing. Fortunately, dogs are honest. He lets you know how he's feeling. When he feels better, and I believe he will, you will see that too. Believe me, there is nothing like that joy. Hugs and prayers, good thoughts and wishes coming your way.
He just seems so weak as well from lack of food, lack of moving around and meds - is this normal 10 days in?
Have you been able to talk to your vet? Do you have a harness? I can't remember if you said. If not, we used the Ruffwear Harness by Webmaster, and wouldn't have been able to survive without it. In the beginning, my husband was almost carrying him like luggage, but it was great support for him.
Paula
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
waiting again to hear!!!!!! I haven't bought a harness yet because i read somewhere to wait until his staples were out.
I really fear I am going to loose him. I'm at work crying.
Okay, might be time to switch Vets! You deserve responses and uour concerns deserve to be heard!! Tell him you will be by to pick up the appetite stimulate roday! Or maybe you can have a friend or family member go by and get it. Tell him you want to stimulan, not the Cerenia (that's more for nausua).
And yeah, I think the suggestion on the harness is to wait until the staples get out.
Unless there is some unseen underlying issue going on, it does appear as you noted, weak from not eating mich and from not using his muscles. Vut anotjer Vet (not the one you are using) needs to assess him head to toe and see what, if anything is going on with his spine, or digestive sys, etc.
So stay focused on pursuing solutions with another Vet, or absolutely deman your regular Vet see him, assess him thoroughly. Temperature taking, full body assessment, bloodwork, make sure no infection, and yes, even a dose of fluids to help perk him up!
I know you're working in tweaking rhe meds fot consistency.
We have seen many recoveries on here and we I understand how emotioally defeated you feel right now! The stress and exhaustion while dealing with the rough recovery time is just awful!!! And yes, some recoveries take longer than others to see the sparkle start to come back. And in the long haul, ten days is still EARLY in recovery.
Oh, did he show any particular tension when massaging up and down spine, neck, etc?
AND, do you have a friend or family member that he really likes? Have them come ocer....get all excited...knock on the door....say the friends name, etc. Have the friend being a cheeseburger! Honest to goodness, we've seen this strategy perk dogs up and even. make them get up and hop to the door!!!
We've got your back....now go get assertive with that Bet of yours, or go get another Vet.....really!!
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!
I know "everyone" says wait till the staples come out.....I'm here to tell you we put the harness on Nitro the minute we picked him up from his amp surgery and it was FINE. We put a t-shirt on under it, and it didnt rub the staples at all. I would encourage you to get one right away, and start using it. It will help him out until he gets his sea legs back, so to speak. And maybe call you vet and say you aren't going to hang up until someone speaks to you - sometimes you have to really assert yourself and not back down. Sometimes hard to do, especially if you're shy like me, but my inner mama bear came out and I wouldn't let anyone push me around when it came to Nitro. Sending you hugs, and positive vibes....good luck
Paula
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
And let me tell ua'
Paula is a rough and tough DOG MOM. a
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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!
dobemom said
I know "everyone" says wait till the staples come out.....I'm here to tell you we put the harness on Nitro the minute we picked him up from his amp surgery and it was FINE. We put a t-shirt on under it, and it didnt rub the staples at all.
Yep, that's what we recommend if a harness is necessary for stairs or in situations like this. Paula's insight is spot-on. And a little tough love goes a long way to encourage motivation.
Please try not to think the worst right now. I know it is SO hard sometimes. You may not be able to control the situation but you can control how you react to it. That is great medicine for your pup, it's what is necessary to get through tricky situations like this.
We are all sending you lots of pawsitivity. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sally, you kill me! a
f
indeed!
Paula
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
I am at work and I had a post halfway done but I am in and out as I am able on workdays. As you can see I erased what I started with, because some of the best people I know in here have already said it and better than I could.
I KNEW there was somebody (Paula) and somebody else (I think) that was able to use the harness with a t-shirt and did wonderfully. In the meantime, maybe you can make a sling with a long beach towel, or a bag with handles.
And DITTO DITTO DITTO on the vet stuff! I had to change vets, and it was a nightmare which made our recovery even more stressful. Sometimes we need to advocate very hard for our furbabies during recovery... coming from the mama that was given THREE days of pain meds and I had to fight for every refill.
Sorry this took so long, it's Monday. Hang in there and stay close by. Between the procedure, meds, healing process, lack of appetite, is no wonder he is a bit lethargic. I use Mirtazapine for Mitchell's lousy appetite when he goes on his hunger strikes and it works like magic every time.
Sending hugs, please breathe and stay tuned!
Jackie and Huck 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
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