Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm so sorry Carol, i have heard a few stories of how people with dogs and cats that have had a way to go during recovery. Some had complications that were unforeseen, some had post op infections. There were other things also, like the occasional suture that was overlooked or even a reaction to dissolvable sutures that ended up having to find out, but once the problem was discovered and rectified most did just fine.
I wish i knew what was going on with Blitz. It sounds like something but i really have no idea and i know that's not incredibly helpful for you. There are a lot of people here that once the recovery process was complete had no problems afterwards.
Does your vet have any suggestions at all?? I really have a hard time grasping on to him just being miserable because his leg is gone. Unless he is having phantom limb problems but again that would be painful. If his leg is gone and he's not hurting he should not be crying out and acting this way.
I wish i could be more helpful, I'm really sorry that this has been such a tough road for you.
Jackie
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
I know we've mentioned this a couple of times, I have you brought up to the Surgeon checking out the incision again to make sure there are no nerves still exppsed that need to be closed off. Nkt sure of all the medical terms. Please get a secomd opinion if the surgeon is not familiar with this as a possibility!!!!!!
There IS an underlying issue that needs to be properly identified and addressed.
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!
Hi Benny55, how does a vet determine if there are nerves that were not closed off? Is this a second surgery?
Hi Carol - so sorry to hear this turn of events. I'm sorry you are second-guessing your decision to amputate, for how much stress you are feeling, and how miserable Blitz feels.
Unfortunately, the rollercoaster continued for us the entire 3+ years, it seems; but for very different reasons. More about that in a second....so he had a GREAT day, fishing by the water. YAY!!! Maybe, just maybe, he overdid it a bit, and the next day or two he was like a human weekend warrior who overdoes it - he was sore, and seemed to be backsliding. In my heart, I feel like he needs the correct combination and dosage of meds (I know the consensus might be that he should be off meds by now), and needs to take it slow and easy for a time. I could be way off base, but that's what I think. I know you're feeling the pinch of the cost of recovery - especially if you feel it's all hopeless right now. Have you done any research about a vet who does chiropractic adjustments in your area? I mean a vet who is trained and licensed in this specialty. There are some here who don't believe in this, but I will tell you in all honesty, Nitro WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED without this. We didn't find our holistic vet until he was about 4 weeks post amp, and he was in a lot of pain - mostly in his neck/back area. Even after the first visit, we saw a noticeable difference. Maybe Blitz has some kind of pinched nerve or something that is inhibiting his ability to recover.
Next, I know how stressful this is - I lived with that stress for 3 years, and it does take it's toll; how is your outward attitude around him? Do you feel you are able to be positive and upbeat in his presence, or is this terrible stress you're under transmitting to him, even subconsciously? They are SO in tune to our feelings, seeing things in us that we don't even know we are projecting. I remember in the early days of recovery, feeling like it was dragging on so slowly, like he would NEVER get through it. "Why is it taking so long?" The time could never pass quickly enough for me (but as his life was nearing its end, it moved way too fast).
Back to our rollercoaster....we had many, many ups and downs over the course of 3+ years. As he mastered the "tripawd thing", he was faced with new challenges along the way. Old age, failing kidneys, arthritis in his hind end, decreasing mobility, loss of appetite...we experienced all of this with him. And all of this was as stressful as his early days of a difficult recovery from surgery. And you know what? As hard as all of it was, from the beginning to the end, the alternative was a thousand times worse....if we had chosen to end his life instead of proceeding with the surgery, I would've never known what a warrior he was, what a warrior I was. The bond we formed the last 3 years of his life is priceless...
Now all of this rambling leads to this...you know Blitz better than anyone. Only you can know what is the right path to follow. My story is not necessarily your story, and no one here will fault you for any decision you make. Right now you are sleep-deprived, out of your mind with worry, and stressed beyond belief. Sending you prayers that you can figure out what is going on with him.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
p.s. as always, feel free to give me a call if you need to vent...I sincerely mean this
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
benny55 said
I know we've mentioned this a couple of times, I have you brought up to the Surgeon checking out the incision again to make sure there are no nerves still exppsed that need to be closed off.
As was the case with Ollie. Here is his story:
Puppy With MST and amputation
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Rene for sharing this. Also, I just want to say.....Carol, remember how you felt on Friday, when Blitz was having a super fantastic day. Try to keep this feeling in mind as you move towards an explanation/resolution of his issues right now. You've seen a glimpse of what life can be like for him once you figure out what the problem is. Don't give up hope - hope kept me going for a long, long time with Nitro. Speaking of, I've asked Nitro to whisper in Blitz's ear to tell him it will be ok, and to send some of his positive warrior energy your way - to give you strength and courage to move forward. Hugs to you friend!
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
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'm also wondering if you plan to contact one of the pain management vets near you....they might be able to solve this riddle. 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
Paula you just sent me goosebumps all over when i read that. Literally...
❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Well said Paula❤❤ Good perspective and insight!!
Yes, Rene, ot was Ollie's story I'd referenced. Thank you for pulling it up. '
Agree with Paula about the consistency in the pain meds and about easily overdoing it early on. You did have a consistent dose going on that seemed to be working. Were you still maintaining that when this pain flared up??
Many, many dogs need to stay on some form of pain meds several months after surgery. Humans are no different. Some dogs don't require a maintenance level, some dogs do. Some people dont require a maintenance level, some people do. All brains react differently to pain and a threshold that's tolerable. Pain meds are a great invention and can provide great quality!!
Ao glad you are comfortable expressing how you feel here!! We get it!! The thingnis, try and keep your frustration (well deserved frustration) from escalating beyond what's real and true!
What's real and true is there is an underlying root cause (as Cashew and others said) that has yet to be properly addressed!! That's the reality!! NOT all the scenarios you have created to beat yourself up over!!!
You are understandably fearful and exhausted amd uncertain and impatient! Again, we understand and that is not "wrong" to have all those feelings under the circumstances, not at all!!
Those feelings are of no value to you though!! They keep you from focusing on everything that IS good right now!!! They keep you focused on everything negative and they keep you from being dully present and upbeat with Blitz!!
You have some hurdles without question! Seeing dogs in pain is beyond awful!!
Vlotz is relying on yoi to stay focused in solutions. Blitz needs you to stay focused on the fact that he IS having many moments of joy pain free!! Blitz is a WARRIOR.....AND SO ARE YOU!!!!! Make no mistake about it, as down in the dumps as you might feel sometimes (and again understandably so), you have shown INCREDIBLE STRENFTH AND FORTITUDE!!!
Now, qith all of us by your side, jump into a state of empowerment and let's get this hurdle over and done with, okay?? Let's visualize more and more GOOD TIMES!! Visualize and feel them!!
No more second guessing our friend. No more beating our friend up. No more giving energy to thoughts that disempower you and keep you stuck in a state of regret!
We are Blitz's Army and we are helping uou lead the charge to get this handled!!! Again, keep him on the meds that were working for now. If he has another episode..VIDEO IT!! Post it here. Send it to your Vet. Send to the Surgeon.
TEAM BLITZ ON THE MARCH!!!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
And yes, in Ollie's case the Surgeon did have to go back in, vut it was a fairly minor surgery.
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!
Yes there was another too that just had to have the area debrided and a couple of extra sutures. I'm trying to remember who it was but there was a night and day difference after.
Big hugs and positive warm wishes
❤️❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
I am sorry I am late replying. Everyone is giving good advice. Hang in there. Yes, Ollie was the one I have been thinking about as well. I know this is really hard and do not beat yourself up. You have been doing what you can do. Some dogs take longer to be weaned off pain meds.
I would seriously have another vet evaluate what is going on though. Maybe a fresh set of eyes and ears about the problem can come up with a good solution.
Hang in there
xoxoxo
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Blitz Postop 4 wks & 1 day. Thanks so much everyone. Today Blitz will try acupuncture once again. This time the focus will be neurological vs pain. We are hoping this will better address the phantom pain . Yesterday as the afternoon progressed Bitz seemed better for about 2 hours. Tail wagging and wanted to go outside. We walked to the backyard and for about an hour he was a pretty happy dog. But it did not last long. Soon after, he was biting at his missing leg and crying out.
Has anyone heard of mirror therapy for amputees? It is a method used for veteran amputees and with much success I might add. I wonder if it has a potential for our canine friends. Tricks the brain into thinking the leg is still there and somehow reduces or even eliminates phantom pain Mirror Therapy for Amputees
Wish us luck for with our acupuncture today.
Thanks so much for all you do!! 
Good luck Carol and Blitz!!! I'm glad you had another bit of time to see him relaxing even if it was brief.
❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
So aomethng seemed to help yesterday for a little bit yesterday, so that was good! Do you think being back on the pain meds consistently helped, at least for awhile?
Don't mean to be asking so many questions, but we're all just trying to support you as best we can. So here we go.
You referenced pahantom pain again, so I DO hope he is on Gabapentin consistently, right?. So crucial.
Have you made of video yet of these episodes??
Have you researched to see if any Pain Specialist are available, at least for a consult by phone if not in person?
Have you thought any further about having Blitz checked for the nerve issue in the incision area?? If not with that Surgeon, perhaps another one? I so hipenuoj can do that. At lesst that could eliminate that as a cause. And if it is the cause, itm s sooooo fixable and Blitz will be the happiest dog evvver...all the time!!! Of there is anything we can do to help facilitate tjat inquiry, please let us know. I know a video would be very helpful to a surgeon.
PLEASE, PLEASE make sure the Acupuncturist is FULLY aware of the traumatic pain Blitz went through after the other visit. IF...IF...there is an exposed nerve issue as we've mentioned and as you've seen in Ollie's thread. it seems the needles would NOT be a good idea. But perhaps this visit will work. Certainly hope so.
You know we are all here supporting eveything you do and only throw out stuff to try and help.....no matterr how whacky it may be!!
Love qnd 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!
Update when you can on magnificent Blitz❤
If you haven't had a chance to se this, just know that the site will be down for maintenance starting Thursday morning and lasting anywhere from 4 to 36 hours!
http://tripawds.....migration/
The TRIPAWDS HELPLINE 1 844 TRIPAWD will still be available, as will the chat room (see the link I posted). I know you have contact our beloved fellow Dobie pal (and Westie pal) Paula. So we're all still here for you in one way or another❤
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!
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