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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Oh be still my heart! What a sweet dog!!
I’m so glad you figured out photos, thanks for sharing.
May you both have a very restful sleep when the snoring contest is over. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Long night. More me than him. He did get up and want to go outside 3 times so that was positive. He ate a good breakfast laced with all of his meds and we’re just hanging out now. He’s having a hard time getting comfortable so I took off his cone. That just means have to watch him constantly. It’s like had can’t help himself but to lick.
His eyes aren’t so clouded like yesterday so I’m starting to see the real him in there. I’m just worried that he’s hurting. I’m just going to sit with him for now and see if he can’t get some sleep. I figure that’s a good sign if he can relax enough to sleep.
Thanks again for all the support. This is very difficult.
Yes, relaxing enough to sleep is a good sign. Y Hppy Hannah was so restless and whiny the first couple of nights, she, nor I, hardly slept a wink.
It sou ds like his pain is being managed. What meds he on, the frequency and the dose? How much does he weigh?
Yes, taking the cone off while watching g him like a hawk will help him be more comfy.
Eating g, peei g....really good signs!-
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!
He is about 60 lbs. and has A LOT of meds although most are for GI comfort.
He still has his fentanyl patch until Monday, but vet said it probs lay would dry up by tomorrow night. We also have Gabepentin. He didn’t do well on Metacam before surgery so we had to stop that. Tryanzidone (sp?) for relaxation as needed. All meds are every 12 hours.
As I type he’s settling down and closing his eyes. Could be that medicine takes a little while to kick in.
Yeah, the patch can definitely make them a vit whacky. Some dogs get zonked out on it....some completely opposite.
The Gabapentin is really good dor surgery pain....and it is MAJOR surgery.
If he's showing g signs of discomfort before his next Gabapentin dose is due, you can ask the Vet about dosing every eight hours. The twelve hour stretch may be too long inbetween, especially as the patch dilutes. But talk to your Vet.
And the Trazedone is just for "anxiety" but does not help pain at all.
I know this is exhausting, mentally and physically. So now that he's resrting....you try and so the same!! You are doing a great job and he is too! Sloooow and easy. Recovery is no,picnic, but it does get better and better...promise!
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!
Hey Michael, I hope you've both managed to get some rest. He's on some good pain control. If he seems agitated or restless ask your vet about bumping up the timing of the meds to every 8 hours. And whatever you do, don't fall behind on giving meds to him. Your goal is to stay ahead of the pain by sticking to the schedule, so you don't let it spiral out of control. It takes twice as long to bring it down when the schedule is off.
Glad that he's eating and showing some sparkle! Awesome! If he's every shown signs of being a picky eater, you may want to hide his pills in something other than his usual food. Dogs KNOW when pills are in food and if he ever has appetite problems he will associate food with his meals and not want to eat. Experts suggest giving pills with anything BUT their regular food. Here's some Tripawds Nutrition blog pill taking tips.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It’s been a lazy day. A lot of sleeping for us both. Couple of trips outside to pee and a good dinner. Things seem to falling in to a routine which I know will help him.
He’s moving pretty well but tires easily. I guess that’s understandable.
The best part is he took a second to growl and bark at the neighbor across the street. That’s the usual game he plays with him. Not sure why but I liked that it was another normal thing.
And I built him a nice fire in the wood stove. Other than food, probably his favorite thing in the world. So all seems good right now.
Oh good, lazy days are just perfect during recovery! His tiredness is totally understandable and yes the routine will help. Your goal is to normalize things as much as possible while monitoring his activity so he doesn't hurt himself. Growling and barking at the neighbor's dog is totally allowed!
Give him some belly rubs in front of the fire, from us. Sounds like things are going really well!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good evening. Another day down.
My kids volunteered to stay with Toby last night so I could sleep. I woke up about 5am to find everybody asleep and poor Toby in his cone of shame
. We went out for a bathroom trip and everything went well. About an hour later, he wanted to go out again. This time he pooped too. That was good news but apparently he was having stomachs problems because he had a few accidents inside too. We got him cleaned up and changed out his bedding for fresh sheets.
After that excitement, it’s been a sleepy day. He’ll sit up when my daughter comes in but mostly sleeps. I watched the Angel Animal Hospital video about pain management
and feel much better about the way he’s been acting. He is just like the restful puppy so I think he’s fairly comfortable.
Thanks for the encouragement. I can tell we still have a long way to go but we’re (me and the family) are starting to be a little more comfortable with knowing what he needs. Have a good night!
—Michael
Sounds like Toby has a little bit of sparkle showing because he growled and barked! Definitely calls for a celebration!! Showing interest and sitting up ,when your daughter comes in, another bit of sparkle to celebrate! And 💩 is another reason to celebrate, even if a bit of it is inside!
So glad he's resting comfortable. That this the best way to heal. And glad you got some sleep too!
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!
Team Toby is rockin the week, this is really pawsitive news! Sorry about the accident, is his stool firm at least? If it's soft, mention that to your vet in case the meds are upsetting his belly. Otherwise though everything sounds good, you are reading him very well. It's funny how this situation brings you even closer together doesn't it?
Here's to a relaxing weekend. Give your kids a big high five from us, and a belly rub for Toby!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
He is so dang cute! I love that you wrote "He is making us proud". That is the best feeling ever! What a wonderful attitude you and your family have.
Great job Toby! You have earned extra treats!
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"
Hi Everyone. Still hanging in there.
Toby seemed to be feeling pretty good this morning and afternoon. I think I let him overdo it a little though. He doesn't like to be close to anyone for his potty breaks, so I let him wander off a little. I don't think I should have done that. It was a little much for him. We also had a family get together outside tonight and he was left out. That got his energy level up and we had a hard time calming him down. To top it all off, later in the evening, he took a misstep on the ramp off the porch we built him and I don't think he hurt himself but seemed to lose a lot of confidence. I guess it's safe to say not the best day and he's a pitiful guy right now.
But...... we know this is hard and that it's going to take time for him to feel better. I see what I can do to help him better so we'll just keep on going. I'm going to sleep on the couch again tonight to be close in case he has any more trouble. Wish me luck!
Have a great night everybody! Thanks for the support!
Michael
Oh Toby, you just did not want to be left out of all the fun your pack was having at their get together! Of course you were stressed!! 😉
You are doing a great job of watching over him and trying to monitor his activity. Yes, most puppers want to do their bidness away from their hoomans. I think Toby's using the "need for privacy " to his advantage so he can meander a little longer. Smart boy!
Hooe you get a good night's sleep. I'm sure Toby like having you as his nignttime companion .
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!
Hey Michael, hope that last night went well and you both got some Zzzzs.
Toby definitely outsmarted you on the potty walk! Well, if you have a longer leash that may help him feel more comfortable going potty under supervision.
It does sound like he got too much activity in one day, but don't beat yourself up. We all did it during recovery, it's really a trial and error thing to understand what our dog's capabilities are during those first few weeks. The good thing is you understand what caused him to be so pooped and now you know the outer limits of what he can do right now. Keep up the great job!
Cheers to you and Toby's pack, you are handling this so well! Hope you have a restful day.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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