Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Lookin' good Harry. Welcome home!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Thanks for the meds tips! I was just going to post about this. He isn't eating today. He just wants to sleep and I was thinking about options for the gabapentin because it is the capsuls, as you've described. I thought I would put it in with his metacam this dose...sardine or tuna or wet food juice was my next plan. Good to know others have tried.
I retried the ice pack and he kind of moaned but not in a bad way, really.
Harry is not a big cuddler, quirky, but he is chill. He'll come to me for a snuggle maybe once per day, and once in a blue moon if at my parents will get on one of their laps. The rest of the time he likes to sit near people and watch, and get the odd head scratch. He does have a playful side though. I need to activate that more once he's up and about to get the weight moving.
Harry looks adorable in his onesie! Much better alternative to that cone!
The good tips keep coming in from our kitty family!!
Hugs!
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!
🙂
Does anybody have insight on whether I should take him to the litter box and at what point? He has slept/dozed literally ALL day. I assume this is good and he's healing....
He hasn't eaten in 13-14 hours. He had a small bite of food when I put it directly in his mouth, but just doesn't seem to have the energy or interest, even when I hold the bowl right under his face. I've felt like this is ok....although now I'm wondering if he's too lethargic?
Anyway, my main question was about litter because I figure that's something that will happen whther he wants to or not. Should I be taking him to his litter box at certain intervals?? Or just wait until he decides to move?
Also, should I start new threads for my questions or keep posting here?
Oh my gosh, it's like he reads my mind! Harry just got up and hobbled himself off the bed (i'd removed the box spring) and over to the litter box where he, somewhat clumsily, climbed in and had the world's longest pee. He then ate :'D It makes me so happy to see him getting around, wobbly or otherwise!
Sleeping is the best thing for them. I would be asking that exact same question on the meds if I was you is it too much? I hope others will have some advise. I would call the after hour vet number you did before just to be safe! You can be at ease then!
We didnt have the Metacam or the tramadol. Harry is home sooner then Purrkins was. He was on a lot of meds in the hospital and being monitored.
As for his litterbox if he isnt eating or drinking I wouldn't be too concerned . But to be safe you could defiantly take him to the box when he wakes. You could also put several towels under him to lay on in case he has an accident! He could be so out of it he would just go and not know it. If he was eating and drinking I would see that he got to the box soon afterwards. If he gets up and even looks like he's not sure what he wants to do then again go to the box.
Do you have any stinky wet cat food? If not even just the tuna or sardines you have might rally him to eat. He might drink the tuna juice or sardine water also . All would be great for him to do. Stonger the smell seemed to work best during recovery. Not something I usually feed him but it worked. I was willing to try anything . Purrkins did eat and drink for me, just less then normal and thats ok.
Sorry i was late hitting submit ! Im thrilled to hear that! Yes celebrate the longest pee lol and eating! yeah Harry way to go!
Now he will clean himself and go back to sleep! Do try sleeping as he does , you will hear him if you fall asleep . Lay right beside him you also will feel if he moves. Your on mom alert you will hear him!
He really is doing fantastic ! He came home the same day and doing this well thats huge! I still would want to make sure about the meds and if its too much. Maybe they can just dial one back a bit or he might not need all three? The vet would be the one to ask. others will chime in too.
As for the thread or topics. I think its easier to stay in one in recovery, we are all subscribed to you and will get the mail you have posted . If you post somewhere else some might not see it as fast. Let the admin. or moderator telll you whats best on that. Until then stay right here. 
Yeah, Harry is spoiled. He mostly eats wet canned food. He did eat, but didn't finish, and it was his usual serving size.
I'm a bit frustrated by the "see how things go" approach to medication. I just want to be told what's right :/ I mostly don't want him to be in pain, but if he's on too many drugs that's not good either....
He seemed fairly close to his usual self when he went figuring out getting down and getting into the litter box, just more tired and easily worn out. Maybe I'm being too hovery. I've done up a drug schedule that will have me giving him everything around work hours by Tuesday and the Tramadol weened back to every ten hours instead of eight.....He's only on the gabapentin for 5 days. I don't know about the others......I'll keep him at 8 hours over night. It's only been 30 hours since surgery. Then call the vet tomorrow.
oops. now I missed your last two and posted! 😛 yup, he's lying on the floor now, dozing again. Thanks for the posting advice too!
How soon did you leave your wee one alone? Tuesday suddenly seems very soon. Although hes making huge steps.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR PEEING IN THE LITTER BOX!!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR EATING.!!!
Sounds like Harry undersands very well the need for rest. That's good! 🙂
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!
I agree you don't want him to be in pain or on too much drugs! The thing is there is no textbook on each animal they all react differnt. Thats what I learned anyway. Purrkins had to be on pain meds longer then others did.
Fairly close to normal is great. Thats all normal what you saying . Him being tired and figuring things out! Thats also why I say he's doing great 30 hours and he is home and moving! Purrkins wasn't doing that well when he came home!
I was able to be with Purrkins for the full two weeks. I'm sorry, I was fortunate we knew in advance and could plan. I also had Mark and he would take over when he came home. We did shifts .You dont have a choice do you ? Do you have anyone who can come check on him or help out? He is definatley making huge strides see how you feel about this tomorrow. Tomorrow might be entirely differnt!.
Yeah, I understand that it's difficult to know for individual animals. It just sucks. :/ I do feel like he's doing really well, but knw that things could change and am mainly comforted by the fact that I'm here to watch him.
Unfortunately, I'm on my own here. Family is 12 hours away and the few people I know here I work with. I have sick days at work, but not animal recovery days. I can come home at lunch, and I will, and will not book any after school meetings this week...so I'll only be leaving him for four hours at a time.....but that seems scary right now. I suppose I could put him in his cage. I think he sleeps most of the day away when I'm at school anyway. Except when he's dragging my slippers around the flat. . .I' just afraid some unforseen thing might happen while im not on top of him.
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