Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Cooper is on Metacam for pain and antibiotics…..He doesn't seem to be uncomfortable. He is resting a lot.
But has a great appetite and seems to be very happy to be home with his family.
We are now on day 4 and Cooper is still doing good. He has a lot of bruising, and some seroma . It is not draining and so he is swollen and floppy. I spoke with my vet yesterday and she said it is okay. I have read the articles that where kindly linked for me and I am keeping a close eye on it and the incision.
Cooper is quiet….he sleeps most of the time. But doesn't have a problem going out to pee and poop and his appetite is still very good……It is very hard to see him so quiet…yesterday was a bad day….for me…..
It is very hard to see the uncertainty in his eyes when he goes to go outside. I have to be right beside him or he won't move.
Sounds like all is going well indeed. Thanks for the update! FYI: We had the vet drain Jerry's seroma once it got pretty squishy. No problem there. Try to remain strong, Cooper just needs rest and time to recuperate. Best wishes...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the encouragement.....it is very helpful to read everyone's posts on here about their own experiences....It makes all this a little less scary. Is the seroma painful? Maybe I should call the vet and ask her about draining it??? It seems to bother him having it flop around...I would assume it hurts the bruising. I have a t-shirt on him...instead of using my soft E collar.....he seems to like this...
I don't believe the seroma fluid pocket hurts them at all based on Jerry's vet's reaction at the time. His got pretty full before we had it drained too! 😛
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Today is day 6 and it is a beautiful day. Sunny and mild...for November. I was thinking of taking Cooper out in the back yard for a while. I will take his bed and he can lay in the sun or walk around a bit......does this sound like a good idea? I don't want him to do t o much but I was thinking the fresh air and sun would make him feel better. (He has a t-shirt on to keep him warm)
It sounds like a wonderful idea. Just keep him from being too active until the stitches are out. Trouble LOVED laying out in the yard after her surgery. Regardless of what I did, she wanted to lay with the amputation site to the ground. I finally bought her a toddler long sleeve Tee and let her enjoy the cool ground.
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.
We went out for a bit.....he used the bathroom, hopped around a tiny bit, laid beside me on his dog bed for about 10 minutes but then wanted to go back in...he is now sleeping. He just wasn't content to be outside.....It is supposed to be nice again tomorrow...so we will try it again for a short period.
I am sure Cooper loves his time outside, and I bet he still yearns for the comfort of his recovery bed quickly. I say keep it up! And when he stumbles, watch how quickly he shakes it off too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
These short excursions are great. As in my first post here, I have a tendency to remind to treat the spirit as well as the body, and it sounds like Cooper really enjoyed his short outing. This is great progress in less than one week. Also, you mentioned that he is wearing his Tee-shirt. I am sure that you will keep him warm as he goes outside, but if you are considering chemotherapy, please note that many humans report a problem staying warm both during and after the treatments. As a front amputee, it is much harder to find sweaters that work so you may be interested in the sweater that I made for Cherry. The pattern has been specially adapted to a TriPawd framework and I am making a third presently. You can link to this project.
Keep up the great progress,
Bob & Cherry
Cooper continues to get better and better. Yesterday,on day 11 after surgery, we decided to take him to the park. We expected to sit at the picnic table and drink our coffee and let Cooper lay in the grass and take in the scenery. Cooper had other ideas. As soon as we got there he started running and sniffing....looking at the water. Hoping he could go swimming. We only stayed a short time because we didn't want him to over do it. It was wonderful to see him smile and to look so happy. There were some kids there who came over to pet him. Cooper loves children so that helped to make it the best day he had had in a long while. He came home and had a good sleep and seems much more himself today. Even going to the toy basket to pick out a toy to chew on.
To repeat myself from an earlier posting, we are sooooo hoppy that Cooper is doing so very well. We always say that they will amaze you with their ability to adapt, but right now, Cooper has to be a candidate for a Poster Child on that ability. Just don't tell him that he should be slowing down!
Paws Crossed and Still Sending Pawsitive Thoughts
Bob & Cherry
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