Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So, today is Alexander's first day without any pain meds. I made the executive decision after thinking about how sedate they are making him and the fact that he will not eat. He seems to bedoing well. He is not showing any signs of pain or discomfort, though he is still pretty lethargic. He has ALWAYS been sensitive to any type of medication, so I am thinking that the opiates in the Tramadol really took a toll on him.
We have had to use Mirtazapine as an apetite stimulant to get him to start eating. A side effect of this medication is sleepyness, but it is nowhere near the sedation caused by the pain meds. I am happy to say he ate last night and this morning. Hopefully, as the drugs get out of his system, we will not have to use this very long and he will begin eating normally again.
He still moves stiffly and a little unsure of himself. I try to ignore it and not feel badly for him, so he does not feed into it. I am hoping he straightens out and leans a little less once his muscles build and he gains more confidence.
Alexander The Great Dane
Suspected Osteosarcoma July 12
Diagnosed Officially 7/16/2010
Amputated 7/27/2010
Became Spirit Xander 2/20/2011
Wooohoooo Alexander!
You're looking good, dude! Yay! You ate!!!! Doing happy dance for you!
Great picture...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Finally, some good news today! Love the picture of him. Sounds like he is truly on the mend. We're doing a happy dance here!
GOOD FOR YOU for making the "executive decision"! You do know - those decisions get you one step closer to getting your honorary Vet degree (like many of us have from Google University! 
)
So glad to hear! He's looking mighty fine - maybe even better with 3 legs! 
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
You're on the right track! Lots of pups are just wayyyyy sensitive to meds, especially Greyhounds. It's so good to see Xander out there sunning himself, and know that he's eating again. Yeay!
Keep it up big boy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Let me make this very clear - No one knows Alexander as well as you - No one can observe him as well as you - You are right spot on!
This sounds very similar to what we experienced with Miss Cherry. I will never say that the chemicals were not useful, but Cherry's real improvement did not take tract until we eliminated the chemicals from her system. Some were so very bad, like the tramadol, that we had to remove almost from the start. Each of our community responds differently to these meds, so you have to do just what you did. We salute you for have the courage and strength to take charge.
Sending Pawsitive Thoughts,
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Oh, that's a very handsome, very noble picture of Alexander! Glad to hear he's feeling better. Whew. Yucky old Tramadol. Man, I was glad when Catie was off that stuff.
Happy dances here too. 
Carmen (Catie and Riley's mom)
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
What a handsome boy! It's great to hear the big guy is feeling better. I 2nd that Carmen, I was really glad when Fortis was off of the Tramadol as well.
Keep up the good work Alexander.
I'm so glad to hear that Alexander is feeling better! Is the appetite stimulant working yet? He looks so handsome sunning himself in the grass. I just want to squeeze him!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Ooooooooh, he is PRECIOUS! Recovery is hard, but it really is rewarding when they start to act normal again. I think the first time Jack jumped on the couch after his amputation I called my boyfriend at work and was freaking out I was so excited! Its also interesting to watch how they learn to balance using their 3 legs. Jack started out standing like he always had, and now he stands with his front leg in the middle of his body, making a triangle with his two back legs. Having a tripawd is like having a puppy - you get excited when they do things for the first time, and everything is a big deal (like eating and pooping!). I guess it takes a special kind of person to get excited about poop, but hey...we've got ourselves some very special dogs
<3 Laura and Jacks
Thanks for the good update- and he does look very regal in that picture.
Maggie did not tolerate tramadol well at all. I took her off as soon as possible. I know it knocked the pain down, but it really freaked her out, she tended not to sleep when she took it.
He will figure out a new posture and a new gait- those are some looong legs he has to learn to balance on!! Mag was a rear amp, but like Jack she started out with her 'normal' stance, but soon figured out that she did better with the remaining back leg more in the middle. He has to rebuild and retrain muscle too, but he will figure it out.
I hope he keeps getting better and better.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Yay! Thanks for posting under the new happy title, I was so glad to read it! WHAT a handsome handsome picture, he looks great (and not miserable at all). We skipped the tramadol altogether b/c he got so loopy on it. However, by days 7,8,9 he seemed to be in some pain (we had run out of rimadyl and the fentanyl patch had worn off). When we went for the stitches to come out, we discussed this w/ vet and she gave us another week of Rimadyl. He tolerates that well (though I understand it can also cause digestive issues) and it made a real difference.
Glad to see Xander feeling better.
Looking grand there Alexander! What a nice piece of grass you have to lie on...glad you're feeling better and eating.
Keep up the good work and looking forward to more good news.
hotty totty!!!! alexander, you look MAAAVVVEEEELLLOOUUUSSS!!!! so glad to hear you are off the drugs, and getting your appetite back!! don't forget the medicinal naps, and never pass up a chance to get one more little treat!!! paws crossed you get your 'sea legs' under you real soon!!
gayle & charon
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
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