Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Mandy,
Good news- you are over the first hurdle. Rest up tonight- as we have said the first couple of weeks can be hard so you need to rest when you can to be at your best for Kenmore.
Looking forward to the 'Kenmore is home' post!! We are here to answer whatever questions you have and offer support.
Karen and the pugapalooza
p.s.- as a suggestion- you might start a new topic in the Treatment And Recovery forum with a title like 'Kenmore is home'. It allows everyone to keep track of where you are in this tripawd journey. Of course feel free to keep this thread going if that is easier for you.
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I've just caught up on your journey - glad to hear Kenmore made it through surgery without event!
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
We will continue to keep our paws crossed for Kenmore and so happy that he's doing well following his surgery. This is going to be a difficult next couple of weeks but as everyone has said, everything will be ok. Be sure to rest up before he comes home as you'll probably have some sleepless nights worrying about him and making sure he's ok. I ended up sleeping downstairs on an air mattress for the first several nights just so I could be close to Mackenzie. Wish you all the best and a speedy and smooth recovery for Kenmore.
Kami, Mackenzie & Kobe
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Kenmore had a bad night in recovery- they are having problems controlling his pain. He woke up from the sedation howling....they are trying to find the right "pain med cocktail." He is under sedation to let him rest, since he is tripping on the pain meds now.. How should I feel about this? He wont be coming home today & I cant see him, since they are trying to keep him quiet. He was sitting up and Dr was petting him. The $3500 estimate is blown.
any one have any insight for me- I'm worried
kenmoresmom said:
How should I feel about this?
You should feel happy that Kenmore is in good hands getting the care he needs! But above all, you should stop shoulding on yourself.
Visiting him is indeed a bad idea since he would just become anxious upon seeing you, and even moreso after you left. Hang in there and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sending good thoughts to you and Kenmore. Admin is right, he is being well cared for. They will work out the meds, and it is better for them to see the effects than for you to bring him home prematurely and have to load him back in the car to go back for a checkup. I know it is hard, but 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.
Sorry to hear about the bump in the road. I'm sure they'll get the meds all sorted out pretty quickly. Much better to have it all under control before you bring him home. Looking forward to hearing your updates when you get your boy home. Try try try to get some sleep if you can.
Sending positive thoughts,
Laura and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
I won't say not to worry- 'cause that is going to happen... it's what parents do.
But- for now it is better to let him stay with the pros so they can work out his meds. I know you want to see him- but that would just add to his agitation, you have to do what is best for him now.
And don't beat yourself up- you made the best decision for him to end his long term pain. The pain from the surgery and recovery is short term and should be manageable, there are lots of pain meds for your vets try.
Karen
Very sorry to hear that Kenmore seems in more pain than usual. That would be horrible news. I am drawing a blank - what breed (breeds) is he again? Some breeds (from what I have been told - I am not a vet) seem to be far more vocal than others. Vets I know say that huskies or malamutes tend to howl.
Also - ask them about Gabapentin. Lots of dogs use it for what seems to be 'phantom pain '. My Tazzie did not have that, but many dogs wake up at night crying with sudden bursts of pain, and Gabapentin seems to help a lot with that.
Spending another night at the clinic is fine. I kind of hate to see dogs go home the day after. I'd rather be sure they are nice and secure, medically, before coming home.
You and Kenmore will get through this hurdle. Really you will.
kenmoresmom said:
any one have any insight for me- I'm worried
Sorry to hear the news, but take heart. This is unfortunate, but not uncommon. Every dog is different, and the docs often have to do some trial and error to figure out what's going to work for a particular individual. Don't worry – they won't send Kenmore home until they've got a pretty good idea what works.
Understand this – no matter what they give him, the first two weeks home are going to be very rough. II'm not trying to scare you, but the more prepared you are, the easier this will be to deal with. Meds will help, but there will still be plenty of moments of pain, sudden yelps, and crying (both him and you). But it WILL get better. The worst discomfort tends to last two weeks or so. Then another two or three weeks before the nerves that used to go to Kenmore's leg die off and he'll start getting back to normal. You'll know things are better when he starts laying down on the amputation side. That's a sign that it's not bothering him anymore.
But the biggest part of the recovery is YOU. Never let what you're feeling show in front of Kenmore. Keep a smile on your face and a happy tone in your voice around him, even if you're dying inside. If you have to break down and cry, leave the room. Dogs key in on their people's emotions, so you can't allow yourself to be upset in front of him. And this is vital – take care of yourself first! You're going to want to hover over him, and you'll unconsciously start neglecting your eating and sleeping habits. Resist that urge! You're no good to either of you if you make yourself sick with worry and stress. Take care of yourself so you can take care of him.
And most important of all, don't second-guess yourself. What's done is done, and Kenmore's leg is gone. Don't waste your time with guilt or wondering whether you made the right decision. You did, but even if you don't entirely believe it, there's no going back. So all that remains is for you and Kenmore to get through this. Post often and ask a lot of questions. We've all been through this, and we'll get you through it as well.
Kenmores mom.. as with so many of the other posts I have read everyone has come forward with excellent advice and support. And I must say Maxidad has really covered the bases! You could hardly get better advice, I only wish I had been involved with the group more before Cooper had his surguries. The day I picked Cooper up - I would NEVER have believed that I would ever see him look or act normal again. Now as I sit typing this , if I shift in my chair - he hears and jumps up just like in the old days to see if Im coming to visit him. He screamed howled and cried alot after his second surgery and I think kind of freaked the group at the clinic out and the doc seemed real worried when we came to pick him up. What our vet didnt know is that when Coops is upset he is VERY vocal and he really talks! Which he did a lot of when we picked him up. But after we got home he barely whimpered a bit after the first hour. It sounds like Kenmore is in excellent hands and they sure seem to be doing the right things! We are sure looking forward to the Kenmore is home post! Take care!
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Well, Kenmore is in better shape today, therefore I am too. The "bump" was due to the reactions of the pain meds & sedation cocktail. Our vet thinks he must have some "sight hound" in him because they have similar reactions. Kenmore is a rescue- so we only know that his Mom was a GSD (she was rescued with the litter) - but dad??? Always thought dad was smooth haired collie- but maybe greyhound? saulki? borzoi? Anyway, vet is weening him off sedation and IV pain meds last night & today.
The good news is he was eating a bit, whining for attention for someone to come pet him, peeing & POOPING! This morning he even tried to STAND UP!! So, things are better and Dr will assess him later today for possible release to us. He'll need us to help him outside until he gets his stability back- he is 98ish pounds.
So once again, my friends, you have helped me through the ruff spots. My greatest gratitude, the more I learn from you - the better caregiver/Dog Momma I can be and Kenmore deserves the best. I will update later ...thanks again, Mandy & Kenmore
That is great news! Hope Kenmore gets to go home soon to his pawrents. It sounds like he is on the road to recovery! We are wagging our tails, and sending pawsitive thoughts & golden hugs to you!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
Glad Kenmore is doing better!!! FWIW, Collie's (herding breeds) can have the MDR1 gene as well....if that is what the vet is talking about? Drug sensitivities? I had my dog Maggie tested after her really bad 2 week recovery...trying to find an answer as to why she was so sick after surgery. In the end, her MDR testing was normal - but did my Aussie at the same time and she is mutant/mutant...NOT a good thing and must avoid certain meds/treatments such as some chemo drugs or even Ivermectin or Immodium.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Just got the call- Kenmore has been running around the exercise yard for the past hour at the Vet's. We are picking him up tonight- he'll have a cone of shame (those catz better not laugh at him!).
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