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.
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The operation went as well as can be expected ... he's drank 300 ml of water and is on an IV drip anyway. They'll try him with some chicken later on. He's not got up yet, but he has rolled over. They'll try him on his feet tomorrow/ The vet put a shunt delivering local anaesthetic to the wound site, so he's well dosed up, plus they have a vet nurse staying with him constantly.
I feel as if I've been hit by a train.
glad the surgery went well Dizzy came home 24 hours after her op and was ok and able to go out to the garden to do what she needed to the first few days will be hard but you have found the place to come for support and advice. When is he likely to be coming home
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
They think Thursday or Friday ... they are taking my own health issues into account ... I can't lift something his size easily, and have suffered what they refer to as a "cardiac event" in the past, tho it wasn't as much fiun as that makes it sound! I've ordered the ruffwear harness in red. He suits red.
Glad to hear Rowan made it through his surgery okay.
I don't know if you'll be able to use the Ruff Wear right away, since the straps might rub against/injure his sutures. Some of the folks on here have cut the sides of a cloth grocery bag and used it as a sling to help their pup. We used a towel sling, although it was really hard to hang onto because of the bulk.
We'll be sending you lots of good wishes for an easy, speedy, trouble-free recovery, and hope that your boy will be back, bouncing around in no time.
Micki and Rio
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Glad to hear the surgery is over. Whew!
Many people who weren't entirely confident letting their dog come home the next day after surgery have their vet keep an eye on the dog for a few more days. It costs more, but people say it was a worthwhile expense.
yes, I agree, wait to use the harness until you know it won't irritate his stitches. While we've never had anyone say it has, we recommend using the cut oopen canvas grocery bag as a sling.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
he may surprise you Dizzy needed help only to get on and off the sofa and up the stairs and after 3 days she was able to do the stairs up
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
Thanks everyone for your concern and kindness.
It's 10 am here and I've just spoken with the vet. She is "very pleased indeed" with Rowan ... he's been fine overnight and has now managed to get himself up twice without any help or support and been out for a pee. He's drinking and is being hand fed .. but there again I was doing that for the last few days.
She said he's nervous - well, I understand that, I am 5'11" and after my knee surgeries I was terrified of falling - it seems such a long way down. So he needs his self confidence buidling up. Tomorrow they will try reducing some of his pain meds and see how he is. But if all seems well, he could come home tomorrow afternoon.
I read about the canvas supermarket bags as a sling and have one earmarked if we need it. I also begged some old t shirts from my son - which are actually a lot better than the tatty ones I asked my husband for. (But there again he's "careful" with money whilst my son's a bit of a fashion plate!) I have been given the name of a couple of companies here in the UK that make fleecy jumpers for dogs, and I was thinking that I might get a couple made with some padding where the right foreleg should be. It can get very cold here - we're in "Lorna Doone" country on the Exmoor foothills here - and he always wears a coat in the rain and snow once the mercury drops.
Had my evening call from the vets ... they report he has been out for a mooch about on the grass several times, and is clearly gaining in confidence with each outing, tho he's tiring easily and is spending much of his time asleep. So no change there then.
He didn't like some small yappy dogs they had in, so they have moved him to a quieter room by himself. And apparently he's not looking for help - he seems intent on sorting himself out. She said he's getting lots of cuddles, that he's charming the birds down from the trees and has won everyone's heart. I started blubbing at that point.
I will start posting in a new thread under the recovery heading.
Glad to hear Ro is doing well and gaining confidence with each new day! How exciting!!
It took our greyhound, Boo, about a month to heal (many post-op complications) but you will be amazed at how well they adapt to life on three legs! Boo is now 2yrs post-amp and is doing great! The first few months are crazy - but it does get better!
Boo became a Tripawd Warrior Princess on Sept 8, 2009. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 2.7 years later on April 29, 2012. Run free Angel Boo!
Wow… Just read this topic.. Sounds eerily familiar. How is Ro doing now? Did they do histopathology on the leg?
I've just posted our own greyhound story in this forum… As I said, bizarrely similar…
Anyway, I hope Rowan is making a good recovery.
Heather
Hi, great reading your stories and so pleased to hear all these hounds are doing so well... I've just joined this forum as my greyhound has just returned home from having her op - she is now a tripod.
I have no experience in this and really didn't know what expect when she came home, and all i want to do is help her through her recovery and keep her happy. Any advice of what i can do in the week post op would be greatly appreciated!? xx
emmak1 said:
Any advice of what i can do in the week post op would be greatly appreciated...
Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of links to the best advice and care tips, or consider downloading the Tripawds e-book for immediate answers. You should start a new topic or a blog to shre your story so people can reply directly to your concerns without their comments getting mixed up in this thread.
Welcome, your future posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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