Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Catie had her right foreleg amputated last Wednesday, January 13 and returned home on Friday afternoon. All in all, she has been amazing. She alternates between being really happy and spirited when visitors come and kind of listless and sad. Is this normal??
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
The first two weeks post amp are unpredictable. We often refer to it as recovery hell.
They need lots of rest in the first couple of weeks and the pain meds affects them all differently. That could account for the mood changes you describe. Trouble had a pretty easy recovery compared to some, but didn't fully become 'herself' again for a couple of months. The last thing that returned for her was the desire to play. It was well into the sixth month before she had any interest in playing.
I am sure Catie will continue to improve and become her normal self in no time. Try not to worry.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
That sounds pretty good for five days in. My Tazzie was listless and sad for 2-4 weeks, although brightened up when visitors came, and eventually returned to a state where he was happier than ever. She must still feel some pain from the operation, but probably pushes it out of her mind when people are around. Is she on pain meds such as tramadol? That will also affect her moods. Why did she have the amputation?
Hey - you are from Edmonton! I spent most of the last 25 yrs in AB, including a bit in Edmonton. You'll also see Genie around here who lives in Edmonton. (Don't tell Rene & Jim, but it looks as though we Canadians are taking over, shhhh.)
Welcome to the recovery roller coaster. Enjoy the ride! Once Catie is off the pain meds, her bavior will become much more stable. Right now she needs rest and time to recuperate.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome aboard! You'll find lots of help here. I haven't done an amp. - have a congenital from birth 3-legger.
Lots of best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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.
Hey, just to say hi to my neighbour! Welcome Catie!
Although I always say that the first couple of weeks after surgery is a challenge in most cases, Genie's first FEW WEEKS post-op was like hell.
Everything fluctuated... her mood, her energy level, her appetite, you name it. She slept 23 hours per day, and it was to a point I had to check on her every so often to make sure she was still breathing. She turned away on her favourite foods, she would rather not to eat, not to be bothered.
So I would say, given that Catie is only 5 days post-op, yes, that is normal. Wait till all the meds get flushed out of her system, she will only get better and better. After all, this is a major and invasive surgery, I was amazed how well Genie coped with it despite of the longer than normal recovery journey. If it were me who had a limb amputated, I think I would be whinning, moaning, groaning for months!
Wish Catie a speedy recovery! Hugs!
Sounds good! As I recall, by day 5 Yoda was starting to push me for much longer walks than he could handle, but other than that, he did not ever qualify as "spirited" til days later. Rest up, Catie!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Definitely sounds normal!! Jake had his ups and downs for the first 2 weeks... Everyone seems to have a similar experience...
Angel Jake'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!
Good luck, Catie! The first two weeks are the roughest... Holly also had some ups and downs during the first 2 weeks. Give her lots of love and be sure she gets plenty of rest. Hopefully she'll bounce back quickly!
Sending hugs her way...
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Sounds like Catie is doing pretty good to me. The first two weeks can be challenging but Catie will soon be back to her old self. Good luck with everything. I will add Catie to my prayers.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
1 Guest(s)
