Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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nyoom said
I'm starting to get really stressed out..
That is perfectly understandable. Just don't show it around Hazel! She will follow your lead.
That's why we created these forums, the live chat and Tripawds Helpline . It's also why we say Be More Dog - and that is not just some silly saying.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I spoke to a lovely nurse again this morning who gave me a more detailed update on the pain meds Hazel is on and how she's managed a short walk and I'm feeling a little better.
Hazel is staying in again overnight and depending on how well she does we might have a clearer picture of when she can come home!
I just want my baby back
nyoom 
Oh that is great news! Vet nurses are so pawesome aren't they? Sounds like they are taking great care of her and really, it's not unusual for a dog to spend a second night in the hospital.
I'm so glad you are feeling better. Hang in there! You'll have her back soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So glad you finally got a good update with specifics that let you know Hazel is doing just fine. She's in good hands, getting some good rest and pain meds, and hopefully, you are finally able to get some good rest too.
Thanks so much for taking time to update us. We are all cheering for your sweet Hazel and look forward to her homecoming. Now, recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. So stay connected and let us know how we can help you as questions arise, okay?
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!
Thank you all for your continued support of me and Hazel! I'd like to make a little announcement:
HAZEL IS HOME!
I spoke to the surgeon and some of the vet nurses and they agreed Hazel was getting a little stressed in kennels so I immediately jumped in the car to get her. I thought I was ready and happy to see her but the first step she took out of the vets she ended up falling flat on her face. I just burst into tears and ran to her and gave her all the pets and head kisses I've been saving up over the past few days. I was just so relieved to see her. She made it the short hop to the car and the vets informed me she had only done short walks of 3/4 hops up until this point so not to worry if she's very tired when she gets home.
The surgeon told me when removing the leg they found a very enlarged lymph node which they've removed as well and sent off to histopathology for testing and we'll get a call in about a weeks time with the results from that. They reccomended hydrotherapy for Hazel (thankfully my insurance covers this too!) so I've been looking in to a fee places that I'll be able to take her after lock down.
I did notice Hazel seemed a little wide eyed when hopping from the car to the front door, looking almost a little scared? I'm not sure if this is normal or not but she immediately calmed down once we carried her upstairs and put her in bed. She's been at home asleep for the past hour settled very well it's given me enough time to put the last couple of mats down for her and assemble her new raised food and water bowls.
I'm a little concerned that Hazel hasn't wanted to eat a thing since her surgery on Tuesday, the vet nurses have managed to get her to eat small pieces from their hands but not enough to count as a meal. Now she's home I hoped she would want to eat in a familiar environment but she's not taking anything from me either. How was the appetites of all your fur babies after surgery?
I'm just going to let her sleep for now, I have medication to give her in an hour and I'll try some more food then too.
I finally feel like a tripawd mum!
nyoom
YAAAAAAAY FOR HAZEL!!!😁😁 HAZEL IS HOME😁 THRILLED TO FET THIS UPDATE!!😁
And yes, hopping "just" a few steps is not a "little" victory.....it's a HUGE victory!! GOOD JOB HAZEL!!!
No worries about not eating. Woth all the meds in her system, being at the Vet, etc, having MAJOR surgery can play havoc with the appetite.
Just find any of the yummiest foods you can...warm chicken, cheese pizza, cheeseburgers, stinky liverwurst, baby food, etc. A little hand feeding seems to help too. If you have access to Fresh Pet in the refrigerator section of Targer or Whole Foods, etc., dogs love that. The main thing is to get enough in her tummy to coat it with the pain meds
What meds did they send Hazel home with? Dose and frequency.
And yes, Hazel ,at have a few rare plants as she adjusts to her new gait and while on pain meds. She'll figure things oit. She may not poop for a few days, that'll normal. Drinking and peeing are important though.
For now, lots and lots of rest. Short leashed potty breaks and then back to bed. No jumping, running, stairs for now. Ahe probably won't feel like doing that right now anyway.
Staying strong and confident and upbeat AND patient...all very important to her sense of "all is well".
STAY CONNECTED and keep is in the loop!!!
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!
Oh my goodness, Nyoom - that is the best update ever! I'm so glad that Hazel is home!!! While it feels very unusual to you, everything you described is normal in terms of behavior after surgery. A cheeseburger is what did it for Griffin his first night home, and fried chicken on the second night. Now is not the time to worry about not feeding human food - give Hazel whatever she wants because she deserves it! Thanks for taking the time to update - I was thinking about you all day after your last post about Hazel staying another night at the hospital. I'm glad she made her feelings about that situation known and got herself discharged. Sending healing vibes to Hazel and hugs to you from across the pond! Stacy & Griffin
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Welcome home Hazel!
Yep, lots of pups don't have much appetite after surgery. Try anything for now, especially so you can get her meds down. Keep the vet informed if it continues to be an issue, there are appetite stimulant meds that might help if it goes on for too long.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi, just catching up and happy to read Hazel is home.
I believe you wrote that Hazel is 10? No worries there. My Brownie was 10 days before his 12th birthday and did great! Just remember all dogs, no matter of age will recover at a different pace. Brownie had no issue in recovery, but it did take about three weeks to get his Mojo back. Brownie did stay at the vet for two days. He was loopy from the Anastasia.
As far as eating have you tried some stinky food. Brownie could never say no to sardines, and the omega 3 is really good for them!
Hang in there. And, yes you will need to care for Hazel during recovery, but no doubt in my mind she will be caring for you again.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Oh, I forgot. I gave Brownie his meds with a spoon of cottage cheese. He would take it right off the spoon.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
First of all thank you all so much for helping me to stay calm about Hazel and to Benny especially for the baby food comment! It's the only thing that she's been able to eat and it's perfect for mixing her meds in too.
Hazel is doing so much better than i could have hoped for! She got up by herself and hopped all the way to the kitchen, not on the short mat covered route we prepared but her usual long route of about 10 metres all on the hardwood floor! She's managed to get the hang of turning around in a small space too so she can get comfy on her big bed We went from falling over when trying to pee yesterday to walking a good few metres in the garden, successfully squatting and walking back to the front door.
I'm so so proud of her!
nyoom
We have a big box full of stinky foods to try and tempt Hazel with once we manage to get her eating more than a couple of spoonfuls at a time. We have salmon trimmings and squeezy cheese so we can really treat her!
The one thing I'm a little worried about is that even though we've set up food and water nearby she hopped past it and went straight to the kitchen where we normally put her bowls. Should I just move her bowls back as that's where she goes to get water or should I try and get her to learn the closer spot?
I'm giving Hazel so many pets from all of you!
nyoom
I am so happy that Hazel is doing better!
Would it be possible to put bowls in both areas, and let Hazel pick? Just a thought.
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
GRINNING EAR TO EAR OVER JERE!!😁😁😁 Looooooving this update!! Way to go Hazel!!👏👏
Great idea Jaxkie....bowls in both places.👍👍 But if she's good with going to her usual spot for food and water, and not having any issues, that's perfectly fine. Dogs like a routine.
Thanks for the great updatr!
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!
Would it be possible to put bowls in both areas, and let Hazel pick? Just a thought.
I like this idea! It will challenge her a bit when she feels up to it, but also be there for her when she isn't.
How wonderful things are going well. Having her home must be such a relief!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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