Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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YAY PATRICIA AND MARC FOR SURVIVING THE SURGERY:-) 
WE ALL KNEW ATLAS WOULD:-)
Yes, it's still early and you ma see more whimper I g and signs of discomfort AND you ma not!!
You panted such a great visual of the homecoming felt like was there!! And YAY for sixty year olds (that's 142 in dog years) jumping over rails and doing sprints!! See, amputations bring about the best n everyone:-)
Yes, for Happy Hannah, stump (even though there's o stump really) quivering and incision quivering went on for quite awhile thanks form sharing all the in details of such a joyous homecoming. Yeah, I agree with Karen about the physcidelic squirrels Atlas is dreaming about.....I bet they all have acorns in their mouth the size of basketballs:-)
Hugs to all...and Sophie too, Sally and Happy 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!
Looks like Atlas is resting and recovering quite nicely three days post-op... we look forward to following his progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just quickly checked the forum to see how gorgeous Atlas is doing (we are in the middle of packing to move country)
Atlas you are a ROCK STAR!!!!!!! what a wonderful update.
I was told that the pain of the tumor would be more than the amputation, Porthos was on less medication after the amp than before.
Porthos also had the twitching at the incision site,I think it was all the nerves adjusting.
Thinking of you all!
Kisses for Atlas!
Amanda & Angel Porthos
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Oh I just remembered, someone told me that once the stitches are out to gently stroke the area of the amp, apparently it can help his mind and the nerves in the area to realize that the leg is gone, it may help diminish any phantom pain .
We used to trim Porthos' hair in the summer here as it gets very hot, I have to say he did look very similar to Atlas when he coat was trimmed! I think they have a similar mask on their faces and also the long nose.
I wish Atlas a quick and healthy recovery so that you can all get back to enjoying life.
Amanda & Angel Porthos xxx
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
Great news. Nicky is 12 months plus from losing his leg and is great. He had no pain after a few days and is a happy dog.
Keep going Atlas. Big hugs to you and your handsome man.
Ok y'all the first 24 hours has been a huge learning experience. Atlas is having trouble finding his balance and I'm so scared he's going to fall I keep messing up and getting in his way and I feel like I'm making it harder instead of being support. Last night was our first time getting him up to go potty and it was a disaster. I think when the staples come out and we can have a secure handle to assist him it will go much smoother but the slings we are using now just keep slipping. When we got him up and to the door, I went first to body block if needed and dad had the sling. Well he took off down the ramp and right out of the sling, bumped his poor head on the railing and gave Marc and I a terrible scare. We regrouped and he did manage to pee and come back up the ramp no problems but just that 5 minutes wore us all out! I know I'm hovering but I'm so scared he will fall and hurt his incision site or worse.....it's a LONG way to fall. I will feel better about his judgment and letting him figure it out when he's off the tramadol and not so drunk. He slept good and even migrated two feet from his bed to get in the bed with mommy. (Marc and I are taking shifts in order to get quality sleep in trying to take care of ourselves as we'll) I just watched and let him do it on his own because I have the whole room padded. He did well until he got to my bed and then did a head dive face first into the mattress. It tore my heart out, but I kept it together and just 'what are you doing buddy, come on, come on. (all the bed are on the floor) He did, he squirmed and wiggled his way up until he got just where he wanted.....pointing that big cannon right in mommy's face, but I won't take it personally. I just grabbed my pillow and turned around to hug him and kiss his face. He was happy, gave me kisses.
We just have to learn this with him....when to help support his weight and when to back off. Once I let go of the sling and he dropped right to the floor on his tummy. Damn it! Then once I dropped the sling and he stood and took a nice long pee. Just figuring out when to be there and when to back off is very hard.
You are doing fine! There is no one way that our pups heal, there is no set amount of help that they need. If he is peeing with you near that is GREAT! Sleeping well- yea! Giving kisses and happy- definitely a rock star!
And at some point- he is going to fall, it happens to all of them. It would be best not to fall the first week or two, but it happens. Maggie was a rear amp, and pretty small, but she fell throughout her life as a tri-pug. At first it was a disaster for her, she would get so discouraged and I really had to coax her to try again. Later it became a way for her to change directions.
His incision area looks great too- smooth and clean. A little bruising, but that is normal.
Hang in there- it gets better!
Karen
Oh I know, this is so tough! You just have to walk the line of giving some tough love and letting him figure it out, while making sure he doesn't hurt himself. A lot of times when pawrents hover they are well-intentioned but it actually makes it worse. You may not even need the sling with him, watch him and see what he does when he gets up and starts to move around.
These CARE videos may help especially the one about amputation recovery tips.
Try to remember, he is reallllly dopey in addition to just recovering from major surgery. He will figure things out as soon as he stops seeing pink elephants. Give it a few days. As long as he is urinating and drinking water he's probably just fine and normal, but of course call your vet if you are at all suspicious something unusual is going on.
Hang in there! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Patricia, Atlas is behaving like he should. So are you! It doesn't make it easier, but emotionally at least know you aren't messing up.
I don't know if both you and Marc are home during the day, so I am going to assume you are. Here is a suggestion: One of you goes out to the ramp first, before Atlas, and stands in the middle of it to slow Atlas down. He will have to hop at the pace of the person in front of him. That person shouldn't dawdle because Atlas needs momentum right now. But giving him the entire ramp and yard may be too much. He's barrel-assing down the ramp and that's when he'll fall. If only one of you can be there, will Atlas stay if you tell him to? If so, then go out first and leave the door open and release him from his stay so he can be behind you.
Second, I did things differently from most everyone else here. I did use a harness on my dog right away. However, I put an old baby diaper in between the strap and the incision. I folded it several times so it would pad and so it wouldn't work its way out. The strap was snug against the diaper and it didn't do any harm. (Any soft, well-washed and lint-free rag will work.) If I had to choose between multiple falls and a padded harness, I'd choose the harness. My dog took his sweet time figuring out how to move easily and well. Without the harness, I'd have been screwed.
Again, you're doing fine. I well remember the face plants onto the comfy, padded bed. Dakota couldn't figure out his dismount for a long time and would just hurl himself right into the safety of his bed. Then we'd both take a nap.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Ditto to everyone e else. YOU ARE DOI G A FABULOUS JOB! It is sooooo tough at first and hard to accept that what you are experiencing is so NORMAL, but it is!!
As you will see, every experience differs and every experience is the same!!
My Happy Hannah wanted nothing to do with a sling in any form so that solution was off the table. And as Shari said, they need momentum to get going, yet you don't want them to go too fast.
Atlas is adjusting and is quickly discovering his own pace and his own solutions. Try as best you CA and still being diligent to let him find his way. He's not thinking this is a big deal so he needs that kind d of calm supportive entry around him....and you are doing a great job with that:-)
All the unsteadiness, all the face plants are normal:-) Part drugs and part adjustment!
My surgeon also said not to worry (good luck) about hurting the surgery site as it was well stitched and "designed to be sturdy"....whatever that means!!
Lo e your updates! ATLAS IS DOIG GLORIOUSLY WELL!
Sally and Happy 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!
CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE, DANCE THE POOPY DANCE! What a difference a day can make! About midnight last night Atlas gave me the look.....I gotta go mom. So out we went and he was hemming and hawing not sure how to go, then wonderful sissy Sophie said here like this Atlas and did a big pile which inspired Atlas to go....yeah! He's always been a poop walker so we were a little concerned but dang if he didn't do his poop walk on three legs and boy did he have a bunch in there! 
The best part was the celebration afterward. Marc and I did a happy dance with lots of applause and kisses and he just ate it up. You could tell he was so proud for pleasing mom and dad - even did his happy wiggle dance too!
As if that wasn't great enough, he stood by himself to eat breakfast and went on his own down the ramp to pee and back up the ramp all on his own. Of course daddy was right there with the sling if needed. We tried to keep Sophie inside, but these Danes are so smart they can open lever handle doors. she bout gave me a heart attack getting too close to him, but he actually does better when stick to the normal routines and include Sissy. I just can't believe he's only five days post op.
of course we put him back to bed straight away and he is resting quietly. One question- did anyone find their baby liked the floor better than the bed when recovering? He has orthopedic mattresses all over the room, but chooses to get off them after an hour and moves to the floor. He has been a bed guy his whole life.
Tried to get a couple clips this morning, lets see if I can post these....
AWESOME VIDEOS!!!! He is looking GREAT!!!!! WOW! He is doing so great so fast! Isn't it amazing! I love hearing the happiness in your voice - it brings back so many memories 
You are going to be so happy you have these videos - I tried to document everything I could through Jill's recovery and I love looking back on it now seeing how far shes come! and also seeing how great she did after surgery!
About the floor.........is he laying on carpeted floor or tile/wood? Jill liked to lay on the tile floor I think because it was cold and felt good on her booboo
Keep us posted! Keep the videos comin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I'm sitting here watching the
video saying, "Goody boy....whadda' good boy....". Trying to give I'm a proud hug right through the computer!!
YAY ATLAS A D VIKING WARRIOR AND MARC AND SOPHIE:-)
Poop walkwe.....like that term
Everyone is doing a stellar job!
So happy for you!
Celebrating and dancing the the poppy dance:-) Sally and Happy 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!
Yeah, wanted to add that Happy Hannah was very wrestless for awhile and would rotate "spots" from her bed, to floor.....agree with Jill, think the Cooler floor felt good sometimes
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!
Atlas you are PAWESOME! Geez you are amazing! I am realllllly hoppy to see this great update.
I put your videos in our Tripawds Playlists 'cause they're so inspawrational.
Keep it up kiddo, you're a rock star!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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