Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Dharma's surgery was yesterday. She apparently walked today and I was asked when I want to get her as she can leave anytime now that they know she can balance. Her drain for fluids comes out on Saturday.
should I wait for the drain to be removed or just get her? The surgery was done 2 hours from my home so I would need to stay at a motel for the night (which will cost the same as leaving her so that is not be a deciding factor).
did anyone feel that they should have left the dog for 3 nights instead of 2? happy to get her but I have no idea what is best for her!
appreciate hearing others' experiences
Yay for Dharma! That's wonderful news, she's doing great.
As for drains, if it's a JP drain like I'm thinking of, they're kinda gross but not a big deal as long as you keep her calm and don't get her so active that she bangs it around. Your vet will show you how to empty it if necessary and of course your vet at home can help if you need it. Are you in touch with them right now? Do you have a backup clinic number you can call after-hours? That's always a good idea.
Most dogs stay one night, some a bit longer. I think what's best for her is what's best for you. Whenever you feel strong enough to go get her and have her home with you is what's best for her also. Remember, the stronger and more pawsitive you are, the more she will reflect that right back to you.
Hope this helps! Let us know what you decide to do.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey there 🌺
I left my girl Eurydice at the hospital for 4 days but that was mainly to do with the fact she was huge and I felt it would be better for her to be looked after by professional people.
Having said that, I agree with Rene, if you feel mentally prepared to have her back now, then do it.
And, of course, you've got us to guide you along the way, recovery may be demanding but it does not last forever.
Sending you a big hug and cuddles 😘😘🐮✨💫🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
When Murphy had his surgery, MSU was 1.5 hrs away. They worked with our regular vet for some things so that I didn't have to drive back & forth as much. Like when he had chemo - he needed bloodwork the following week, so my vet did that & sent the results to MSU. I was already driving there every 3 weeks for the chemo, so that helped a lot. Maybe you could ask if your regular vet could pull the drain? It really is a pretty simple thing.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
As others have said, a lot of it depends on you. My girl came home early, but that's because she had so many special needs and wasn't good with people at that point (except for her papa). If my other dog had an amputation, I would leave him at the hospital as long as I could manage because he's super active and reactive and I know I would have a hard time keeping him calm at home. He also is good at getting out of cones/bandages/etc and is basically a nightmare when injured. So that's another factor to take into consideration.
I’m thinking Dharma is probably home now either way. How are you getting on? It can feel a bit full on for a while, so please lean on us, we’re all here to support you. Looking forward to hearing how you and Dharma are doing (and possibly some pics???)
Big hug,
Meg, Clare and Angel Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
So we are 3 days into Dharma recovery. I picked her up yesterday and was so impressed by her mobility. Got in the car and had an easy ride home. Last night she slept but anytime she woke up, she struggled to get up and find a comfortable spot-- I am having a very hard time seeing her wake up expecting a leg to be there and losing her balance, plus the intense bruising and leaking a bit of blood from the incision.
It is really making me weepy and worried. She threw up this am after eating and giving her meds, and then started to almost hyperventilate-- heavy breathing, trying to catch her breath. AHHHH.
I know this is the hard part, feeling heartbroken. I wanted to read and watch movies, but my focus is really on Dharma. I hope it gets easier...
What did they send her home with for pain? Some of that is probably pain related. We often see on here that pets are not sent home with adequate pain control.
Murphy was sent home with Tramadol (narcotic), Rimadyl (anti-inflammatory) and Gabapentin (for nerve pain). Some also have antibiotics or a Fentanyl patch. The Gabapentin seems to be the one vets often skip, but also the most important one that they need.
The bruising could be a seroma . And some oozing is ok, as long as it's a clearish/reddish, but not blood, or puss. Keep it clean with just water (you can boil some water & let it cool to room temperature), don't use peroxide or alcohol. You can apply and ice pack, wrapped in a cloth, to the incision for 10-15 minutes at a time a couple of times a day. That will help to reduce the swelling. Also, some light massaging around the area will help her body to re-absorb some of the extra fluids.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
thank you donna. she has all the meds you listed-- rimadyl, gabapentin and tramadol. the oozing is a clear red, and it is minimal. she is all white with pink skin so the incision and bruising are overwhelming. right now she is outside, laying on a yoga mat, seems to have found a comfy spot. i know that tramadol makes her act weird-- anxiety. i just want to be sure she has adequate pain management so i am giving it to her.
I am going to stagger her meds a bit as it seems like she doesn't do well all at the same time.
she is managing quite well given that she is new to one front leg-- I have to get used to it. It is a dramatic change.
Hey folks, can we start a new topic in Treatment and Recovery now that Dharma is on the mend? Thank you!
Regarding Dharma's recovery....don't hesitate to let your vet know about the Tramadol's effects on her. It does the same to our Wyatt so he was given other pain meds during his last surgery. The less anxious she is, the better for healing.
Sounds like she has a seroma . Donna's suggestions are spot on (Thank you Donna!).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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