Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Judi,
My lab, Tucker, had his cone on until his stitches were removed at the two week post amp appointment. The vet said I "could" remove the cone if I could supervise him 100% of the time it was off but I chose not to remove it as Tucker had, just before his surgery date, pre-emptively decided to remove some of the sarcoma himself one evening so I knew the real "danger" of unsupervised time and an open site with my buddy.
Good Luck tomorrow to both of you!
Hugs
Linda and Tucker 
trituck said
Hi Judi,My lab, Tucker, had his cone on until his stitches were removed at the two week post amp appointment. The vet said I "could" remove the cone if I could supervise him 100% of the time it was off but I chose not to remove it as Tucker had, just before his surgery date, pre-emptively decided to remove some of the sarcoma himself one evening so I knew the real "danger" of unsupervised time and an open site with my buddy.
Good Luck tomorrow to both of you!
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Thanks so much, Linda and Tucker! The cone stays on! Thanks for your good wishes! Judi and Maggie
Welcome Judi and Maggie-
I'm a little late to the pawty and it sounds like you have received all the great advice! I have a feeling that Maggie will bounce back pretty quickly. Those little Cairns are such tough little dogs that nothing will keep her down. Shooter was only on pain meds for about a week and a half and most of that was for phantom limb pain, but he seemed to get past that fairly quickly. We did have to do massage therapy for the change in muscle use as he would get spasms, but I was lucky and he carried on with life without a lot of fanfare.
Best of luck to you and keep us updated. Glad you found us!!
Luanne & Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Judi! Yoj are foing to be sooooo prepared! Ou've asked great questins.
Maggie will be pretty drugged the first night at the hospital and will probavly be sleepingitoff mostof the night. So o worries, okay.
My Happy Hannah never did wear the cne and never showed any interest in her stitches. They make inflatavle "tire" type cones that are more cofortavle
Also some people put boxer shorts on the dog to keep them away from stitches too. Regardless, close supervision is a god thing.
You are going to be s pleased at ow quicklh she adjusts to walking n tnree legs. It will amaze you.
Remember, we are here for you. We will be checkngn for your updates and any questins you may have.
Lotsof hugs to all!
Sally and Hapy Hannah
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!
Sounds like you've got a good handle on things right now, I am thinking of you today.
As far as the overnight stay: Barret did not have supervision through the whole night, the surgeon worked until 2-3am on other patients and then the techs came back in at 6-7am. Everything was OK. Its hard, but try not to worry.
The dreaded CONE OF SHAME Our surgeon did not recommend one. Each vet is different. Ours had a onesie/tshirt that covered the wound and he wouldn't be able to pick at it. At a previous surgery to just remove the mass, they had given me a cone, but I opted for one of these http://www.pets.....d=12406695 because it was so much more comfortable. Like wearing a travel pillow all day.
Good luck and keep us updated!
Heather & Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
fourminipups said
Welcome Judi and Maggie-I'm a little late to the pawty and it sounds like you have received all the great advice! I have a feeling that Maggie will bounce back pretty quickly. Those little Cairns are such tough little dogs that nothing will keep her down. Shooter was only on pain meds for about a week and a half and most of that was for phantom limb pain, but he seemed to get past that fairly quickly. We did have to do massage therapy for the change in muscle use as he would get spasms, but I was lucky and he carried on with life without a lot of fanfare.
Best of luck to you and keep us updated. Glad you found us!!
Luanne & Spirit Shooter
Thank you Luanne and Spirit Shooter. My groomer even offered to do Reiki on Maggie when she goes back. I'm not sure what that is, but I think she'll love it! (My groomer is the one who found that cancerous growth!) She is wonderful! Thanks! Judi and MAggie
benny55 said
Judi! Yoj are foing to be sooooo prepared! Ou've asked great questins.Maggie will be pretty drugged the first night at the hospital and will probavly be sleepingitoff mostof the night. So o worries, okay.
My Happy Hannah never did wear the cne and never showed any interest in her stitches. They make inflatavle "tire" type cones that are more cofortavle
Also some people put boxer shorts on the dog to keep them away from stitches too. Regardless, close supervision is a god thing.You are going to be s pleased at ow quicklh she adjusts to walking n tnree legs. It will amaze you.
Remember, we are here for you. We will be checkngn for your updates and any questins you may have.
Lotsof hugs to all!
Sally and Hapy Hannah
Thanks, Sally and HH! Now if I can only get through today...!!! Judi and MAggie
BarretsMomHeather said
Sounds like you've got a good handle on things right now, I am thinking of you today.As far as the overnight stay: Barret did not have supervision through the whole night, the surgeon worked until 2-3am on other patients and then the techs came back in at 6-7am. Everything was OK. Its hard, but try not to worry.
The dreaded CONE OF SHAME
Good luck and keep us updated!
Heather & Barret
Thanks Heather and Barret! I think they will give me a cone of shame when I bring Maggie home. I plan to stay with her and leave it off as much as possible - only having her wear it when we're both gone. But, if it causes her discomfort, I will order an inflatable collar or try boxer shorts. Nice to have options... Judi and MAggie
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