Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I've heard this mentioned a lot on here, but I am just wondering...what exactly does that mean? Happy's surgery is only a week and a half away and he is fighting a skin infection that won't go away, and has some other sort of skin allergy that I had to take him to the vet for today. He was so miserable they had to give him a steroid shot, and now he is on even more meds and has to wear a cone on his head. I am so sad that he has to be miserable the last few days before he will be even more miserable. I have mentioned this "two weeks of hell" to the vets, and they are not sure what that means. They seem to think he will be fine on the pain meds and up and about...I just want to be ready for what will, or could, be. I know they're all different, but what is all the losing sleep and hell about exactly 
Every dog is different. Some, like our Jerry, bounce back immediately, quite literally. Others have issues ranging from leaky seromas to phantom pain or lack of mobility. But they all have ups and downs. You may find this video describing common post-amputation complications helpful.
The best advice we have is to prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and take things one day at a time.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh you poor thing, you are making yourself crazy. Experiences definitely differ. I personally didn't find it "hell" but from reactions to my posts, Ajax had a very easy recovery. And I, too, was absolutely nuts worried beforehand.
The few things that seem consistent to everyone: the dogs pant all the time, they may act wacky or depressed or anxious while on the pain meds (Tramadol in particular had this effect on Ajax, but we discontinued it with very little problem), and if the dog is used to sleeping with you on something high - like your bed, for example - you will likely be sleeping on the floor next to the dog bed for a couple of weeks. Also, some people with multiple dogs at home have trouble isolating the post-op dog to restrict activity while stitches are healing. Ajax is a spoiled only child dog so that wasn't a problem for us. Also, he is a Labrador, which means appetite was not an issue, nor was going to the bathroom. But he was younger than many of the dogs on this site (8 y.o.) and - except for the cancer - in really good physical shape, and it was a rear leg amputation, all of which I'm sure helped. And then certain dogs have other issues that Happy may or may not have, so there is no point worrying about them ahead of time.
I think the "hell" is everyone just feels bad, and worried, and uncertain, and tired. And we all know they are miserable in the conehead but do NOT let that sucker you into take it off. A ripped stitch or infection is worse than a conehead.
I'll let everyone else weigh in, but my advice is: read the book for tips like covering slippery floors, raised feeder, etc - those were all very helpful. Get your house prepared and then relax and worry about other issues only when they arise. you can always hop on here and search the site for whatever your particular question is.
I think I posted almost every day the first couple of weeks, and I know there are others who did so as well. I don't know if it will help you to read those, or just make you worry about too many things. Mine aren't too depressing, if you search Ajax you can get a feel for what our 2 weeks was like, though admittedly we did have it fairly easy.
Deep breath, and just try to make sure you get some sleep as a panting dog is much like a screaming alarm clock.
ha! or read the link that probably contains all this info that admin just posted!
we didn't find this site until after our amputation. the 'unknown' was the major hell. i'd read 'without regret', so that helped a bunch…but gayle just wouldn't stand the e-collar, so in order to keep her calm, i had to take it off and then stay awake to keep her from licking her sutures. i know it was about day three that i finally napped when she napped, which was glorious. the tramadol made her very 'wacked out' and she panted terribly…but it did address the pain. and using the sling to go in and out, and praying to god that i didn't drop her or knock her over with my 'help' and wondering if she would hate me forever for what i did….it was hell, but then it went away and there was a new normal. so, you'll have your own 'hell', it may just be a day or two, or it could be much longer…the good thing is that you have the folks here to help and you can always just 'vent' at will…
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Thanks everyone..this does help a lot. I already don't know what I would do without y'all! The panting is an indication of pain, correct? So, that is just normal pain, or can the meds sometimes take care of this? I know I will have my own little situation here and will learn as I go. Fortunately, Happy is used to sleeping on his own bed(the orthopedic one I got him), and is used to favoring his good leg, so that is a plus. I got him a little ramp since I have steps(he may not even need this, but it folds down and is convenient for the car, too. The back steps are pretty steep), raised bowl and yoga mats for the floors..Yes, I am starting to get pretty anxious about surgery day and the days to follow, but more because I am still upset that my sweet boy has to go through all of this after he has been through so much already. Then there's been more radiation talk(a month of it coming up as soon as he is able) and the prognosis gets shorter and shorter(showing me there is no way to know, but I think they are trying to prepare me for what they are thinking). Feeling kinda overwhelmed, but if the post surgery goes well(which i think it will) I think I will get past this hump.
**QUESTION** When we get home from the vet(we will have a two hour car ride), will someone need to be able to pick him up, farm animal style, and carry him into the house, or will he be able to walk to go in? I know this is probably a 'depends' question, but I am lining up a couple of friends to help me just in case...
The panting is usually more anxiety-driven, than pain.
Your anxiety can potentially add to the issues that your pup is having. If you are nervous, he's probably feeling it and it could actually make his skin issues, not to mention his recovery, worse (for both of you). Your anxiety is normal, but you need to try and maintain that strong, in-control attitude around Happy. And trust me, the more you shine it on, the more you will actually begin to feel it.
Yes, recovery is stressful, but you'll get through it. Just continue to be the good pawrent that you've always been, caring for your boy, and it will be fine... Try not to worry...
Micki and Rio
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Robin, I'll tell you how I handled our trip and arrival home. We were also 2 hours away. I had a monstrous crate that I put Dakota into in the back of my car. I padded the sides of the crate because we live up on a mountain with a winding road and I was concerned he would bump his wound on the wire crate sides. I cut up an eggcrate mattress pad and put it on the crate bottom and up the sides.
Dakota did well on the ride. He panted the entire way, but he is car-averse anyway. When we got home, it was difficult getting him out of the crate. He couldn't wear a harness at that point, but I had a padded sling and I got it under him and just took over. I swooped him down to the ground and he really hustled to get inside, still in the sling. I had to trot to keep up. He wanted in there very badly.
If I'd had him in the backseat of my car, It might have been easier to unload him but he would have been unglued back there. I'm not sure I could have had any help getting him inside because he really was booking to get to the door and he sent me a signal that he was ready to bail out of the car and I'd better be there. My husband held the door open and got the heck out of the way. Dakota drove.
Part of it also depends on how high off the ground your car is. I have a Jeep that would have been impossible to get him out of, so I drove my Subaru. The massive crate was harder to fit into the Subaru, but oh well.
As for the hell business, we did not have two weeks of misery. We had about 3 rough days. The first two weeks were not easy, but after day 5 things were a bit better each day. I also had no sleep issues because Dakota has always slept downstairs in our laundry room on his bed. It has a baby gate I can close if I want, and I have some portable gates as well. I just made him a cozy space big enough for his bed and his water bowl, plus about a foot all the way around, and I closed the baby gate . I deliberately confined him so he wouldn't be able to fall on anything hard. It was no problem at all because he just crashed and slept. He is generally a lazy dog who loves his sleep so I never worried about that part. Day 3 or 4 was our hardest. I adjusted meds and things improved. Don't worry in advance. You may be one of those whose dog has no problems whatsoever. I'll hope for that.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
How funny, I wonder what the vets thought when you mentioned the "two weeks from hell"?! It's something we just started saying here, because it seems that for many the first two weeks are the hardest. Vets don't usually get that two weeks thing, they don't see the dogs day and night like we do when they come home after amputation. For many folks, it's two weeks of losing sleep, worrying and questioning our decision to proceed with surgery.
Now I'm not saying that it HAS to be that way, because like Shari said, not everybody goes through it. But if you start to get this sense that it may be a bit bumpy, at least you know you're normal.
I would suggest bringing a friend when you pick him up after surgery. My folks carried me (even though I TOLD them it wasn't necessary), but they felt better about it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Y'all are really awesome. I had a bit of a rough afternoon, but I feel like I am as prepared , and will be as prepared as possible. I really feel like he is going to do well...It helps o just ask questions and talk through it, and I am so amazed by this community. Thanks so much!
Oh, and Shari, I'm amazed by the energy Dakota had to run in the house! I was wondering about that. I just have a regular car(wish I still had my Subaru!) but I was planing to put his orthopedic bed in the back seat and create like a little futon back there..cushion up the sides so he can't wander off.. I think it'll work..
And Micki, I'm glad to know the panting is more anxiety. I'm sure the pain meds must feel strange to a dog(I know they did me). I think I have kept my anxiety secret to Happy. The vet seemed to think he got bit by a flea and had an adverse reaction. I hope I have not caused the itching, but I have really only been emotional when not in Happy's presence. I'm really trying to just be normal with him. I get that he knows my vibe, and he just knows me..so I need to be strong and steady...I'm getting there..
Dakota's running into the house had nothing to do with energy and everything to do with momentum. Be prepared for the same thing with Happy. Once a leg is gone, momentum becomes the dog's new best friend. 
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I'll second that momentum. Ajax came home in a yellow cab and would not have let us carry him if we tried. That being said, it wasn't a long ride and we did make sure that there were 2 of us just in case.
You will be fine! You're super smart to ask questions. How fortunate that you have the time to be able to do that, so many folks here got blindsided with the diagnosis and had just a day or two to prepare (my pawrents included). You and Happy will do great but when he gets his momentum going, you may need to start calling him "Hoppy"! And you'll soon see what I mean. The Tripawd hop is adorable.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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