Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! It's been a bit up and down, currently down. She's eating a little and drinking so that's good but still no defecation. I gave her miralax beginning yesterday (she won't eat pumpkin). Her interest in walking on her own stopped yesterday so I'm sure that's the pain level making her scared to move. It's tough because I've never seen her so uninterested in her surroundings. When I've tried to get her up to move, she'll turn back to her bed. I know this surgery is major (only 8 days ago) so I have to keep that perspective. Just hard to see her like this, plus very hard to move her big body around when she's not willing to help. Thank you for the reminder that she's on her own timeline, plus she's a slow girl anyway so this is on brand.
I noticed that her back is very arched when hopping so I am trying to massage her when she sleeps. Is that normal?
Thank you as always for your support.
Amy
Hey Amy,
I'm sorry I've been away today and just saw your post. So, it could be that she's just so uncomfortable from constipation that she doesn't feel like doing much. The arched back is one of many pain signals that you're mentioning though (disinterest, low appetite), so that got my radar up. Does your vet know? If not please call them in the morning OK? She may need more help getting the poop to move along. Don't panic though because yes, 8 days is not a long time when it comes to recovery, but it is a long time to not poop so it's a good idea to have a vet convo tomorrow.
Are there any other concerns, like is the incision looking OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Online
Ditto Jerry.
And keep up the massages. Do you feel any extra tension spots when you massage up and down her spine, her neck, her shoulders?
So had she walked a little on her own and stopped yesterday? What are her meds, the dose, the frequency? They may need a little tweaking. On an antibiotic?
What's her water intake like? . Of course you want her appetite to pick up, but if she's the least bit dehydrated that could slow the. 
down too. So come on sweet girl, we need to do a hoppy. dance around here. You'll feel better!
Try not to be frustrated. Easier said than done, right? Just keep giving her any yummy food she'll eat. Maybe have someone come visit her she really likes to perk her up some. Keep your energy upbeat and strong and confident.
Keep us posted. Soon this will all be in the rear view mirror....just hard to believe it right now, but it's true-!
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!
Hello and thank you!
I've been trying to talk to my vet at UCD but it can be hard to get a response. I'll emailed my local vet last night and will follow up today with a call. Jerry, her incision looks good. The pain signal indication is interesting.. she's on 400mg of gaba every 8 hours but I'll ask the vet when I hear back. Sally, her back has always been tight, she has one of those long GP backs so I try to massage it. She's on 100mg of Rimadyl twice a day. Water intake was low yesterday because she didn't move at all. I just added water to her food. She only drinks water standing up. That's my goal shortly is to muscle her up and get her moving. Good reminder on getting some fresh visitors here to inspire her, Sally. I think she's done with me!
I'll also switch gears on her food so I can get more moisture in her. Maybe some boiled chicken.
Yesterday was really tough but today is a new day. It has to be the pain, and I think it scares her to move now.
Thank you both for all you do for us newbie Tripawds!
-Amy
Hmm. Yeah good plan to reach out to your local vet, give them a call soon if you don't hear back. Be sure to have all the symptoms written down so you are well-prepared.
That's a good sign that she will stand to drink! It really is. When a dog is feeling really crappy they will lay down to eat and drink.
Not a vet, but 400mg Gaba may not be enough for a dog her size. I've seen some go up to 600 x3 daily (our Wyatt was, during his most painful days) so check with your vet.
Also, I'm wondering if there's any way that a mobile rehab therapist can come to your home to check her out? If you'd like help locating one so you can call around let me know.
Keep us posted. We are sending Tripawd Power your way!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Jerry! Got my neighbors mobile vet coming this afternoon. And what a treasure she is.. fully explained what's happening in her system to put me at ease. I've seen you and Sally discuss the delicate balance of pain medication, so she essentially reinforced that.
Yes, I'm beginning the search for a mobile rehab therapist. Since she's been immobile for a while I know she'll need specialized help. I had a dog with DM/arthritis/diabetes and used one a long while ago so I'm familiar with how amazing they are. I started my search yesterday but couldn't find anything close, but I'll also ask my new mobile vet.
Tripawd power is working!
So glad you were able to get a home visit! 👏 This whole amputation and adapting to three is such a new experience and it's hard to know what's "normal" when you've never been there before! And hopefully never again! So to get some reassurances that she's on course for a good recovey, with maybe a tweak here in thereis all that's needed, is good news.👍
Had to chuckle at your comment about her being "do with you". Yep, we've seen it before. You've had to blend being her "annoying nurse" with being her BFF fun companion. If you have someone come over she likes and they bring a cheeseburger I bet she'll perk up and become engaged. Yeah, recovering dogs are funny like that😉
Yes indeedy, Tripawd Power is working! So is the good care you are giving your sweet girl!!
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!
WHEW! What a blessing that veterinarian is, how wonderful to be able to get some peace of mind today. I hope she starts getting some sparkle back soon! She will, just wait. It's a long haul for some and like Sally said, it's hard to know what normal is because every situation is slightly different.
I agree that a cheeseburger is in order!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello!
I apologize for not sharing everything in between the last post and this post, but I'm back to share additional details of our journey with a large breed (95lbs). Lacey fully recovered from her amputation at UCD (it took about 2 months) and has been getting walks at least every other day, and is still doing well. She spends her days in the backyard sunbathing and nights cozy inside the house. Her body is stiffening up, so I use the Assissi ring and try to give her circle massages as well as her night time rimadyl and gaba to help her sleep. I followed up the first round of carboplatin chemo about 4 months later with the torigen shot (Dr harvested her sample during amputation and Torigen put it on ice until we were ready). Her diet has been dry quality kibble with the instinct raw patties as a topper for the extra nutrition it provides. This fits my busy schedule and my budget. I also give her turkey tail in her food. Her days are pretty much back to normal minus all the Dr visits/etc.
She was cancer free until October 2022, which was 11 months post amputation. We began chemo but have learned the cancer is continuing to spread in her lungs and the Dr thinks carboplatin just isn't effective, so we stopped at the 6th chemo treatment. For now I'm just absorbing that for what it is and haven't decided what or if I have a next step. I certainly don't want to put an even more toxic chemo option in her at this stage. Aside from that she is doing great. Still yelling at everyone from the backyard, interested in getting love from the family, eating and all the other markers for what's normal for her.
I hope my story helps someone with this rollercoaster of a diagnosis. Lacey is celebrating 16 months since amputation, so to me, we're already beating the odds. AND, she'll be 11 in June. Not bad for a large breed.
Lacey is celebrating 16 months since amputation, so to me, we're already beating the odds. AND, she'll be 11 in June. Not bad for a large breed.
STANDING OVATION FOR LACY AND HER HOOMAN!!! 👏👏 Lacy's journey is such an inspawration and gives hope of what's possible. She's a larger gal and going into her "mature" years and yet here we are celebrating her sixteen month ampuversary! Lacy is still being Lacy and I think she intends to stay on that path for quite awhile!! From what I gather she's not showing any symptoms yet. Point being, even when (or if) any symptoms do start to show up, many dogs continue to get plenty of extended quality time after that. Options to relieve symptoms at that point are non invasive and cause almost no side effects but add another level of comfort. Of course, you can decide on a more aggressive treatment. No right or wrong.
Your update really does give so much hope to newbies, in spite of the mets. Lacy continues to defy the odds and we I think she continues to do just that!!
Your exquisite care of Lacy definitely is having a pawsitive effect. Thank you for checking in and sharing the nutrition, protocol, etc you are doing to keep Lacy strong.
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 Sally! Your words of encouragement are always appreciated.
Here's a recent photo of my girl:
https://www.dro......jpeg?dl=0
Hugs
Couldn't help myself..had tompost it so everyone could get "instant gratification"👍 Ahe is lovely, absolutely lovely. She's standing so proud and strong.
Thanks for posting g a pic that makes us all s ile big time😎 .
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!
WHEEEE! Lacey you inspire us! 
I'm so happy to see her (thank you for posting it Sally!), and to know that life on three has been good to her, and you. She is getting the royal treatment, and doing so well.
Lung mets suck, I'm so sorry. I don't know if this is even a possibility but you might want to look into the MIMIC lung metastasis removal procedure. It's minimally invasive and so far really successful for the small number of dogs who have undergone it. They're doing it in San Diego so not too far.
And if you don't want to go that route I totally get it. As you said, being 11 and a giant breed, she has already exceeded everyone's expectations so heck why not just make the most of every day? Totally get that. She is amazing, and we are so grateful you shared so that others can know that even older giant breeds can do great after amputation.
Give her extra smooches from us!
Thank you! I checked out the MIMIC procedure, looks promising and I like that it's a trial. I'll have a convo with them, we'll see. Thank you for that option, I had no idea. UCD options are pretty much different kinds of chemo so Lacey and I are done with that.
Many thanks for all your do here. The support here is AMAZING.
Amy
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