Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, everyone. I'm new to tripawds.com and very happy to be here.
My sweet Kira is 13.5 year old lab/German Shepherd cross. Her right front leg was amputated 12-23-13 to save her from a quickly-advancing soft tissue sarcoma. Her chest x-rays were clear and blood work was fine. She was hospitalized for 2.5 days after surgery, as we live 5-hours from the pet hospital.
We picked her up on post-op Day 3. At that time, she was reported to be doing very well. Kira had been up and walking, eating, drinking and doing her duty at a satisfactory rate. There were no unusual issues with mobility, other than what was expected. Kira was able to get into our sedan using our portable ramp and settled in comfortably for the long ride home. Once home, we used the vet-provided sling to help her out of the car and into the house.
While the hospital staff indicated Kira was moving around well with no obvious issues of concern, she has not responded very well at home. We understand that she's a senior dog who's just begun her road to recovery and learning how to navigate with one less leg. She's still on anti-inflammatories and a pain med, so the drugs could also be making her a little unsteady. However, she doesn't want to get up and move around the house or take more than four or five steps at any time without sitting down, then trying to lay down. We understand she is likely sore and that her remaining legs are taxed, trying to support her. She weighs about 75 pounds. We're just a little concerned because she seemed to do so much better when she was hospitalized. Maybe she wasn't sore then? Not sure. We are aware she could be experiencing some depression and/or even trying to get us to baby her. While giving her some space to "process", to whatever extent dogs do that emotionally, we've resisted bringing food to her. As a result, she skipped dinner last night. This morning, I began adding some chicken broth to her kibble and she scarfed it down! I have furnished water to her wherever she's settled so she'll stay hydrated but that's it. She's able to go out to pee and poop on her own with no assistance except for helping her get up and moving. We've seen her out the door, then stood nearby while she navigates, just in case she stumbles. She's pretty rickety but we expect and understand that. She has had a bit of trouble with range of motion in her right rear knee over the past couple years, so it's possible her hind quarters could be feeling more sore. Wouldn't pain pills and anti-inflamms help with that, though?
Anyway, I know increasing mobility is an individual thing and am not yet super worried about it. She is alert, interested in what's going on around her, engaged, etc. Are there any time frames for when she should be making more of an effort to get going on her own? I'm likely expecting far too much, too soon. However, after the great reports from the vet hospital, I'm a little puzzled...
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Actually, it sounds like Kira is doing GREAT for 5 days post op! Peeing, pooping, eating and drinking are all excellent signs that she is where she needs to be right now, plus interested and engaged! My opinion is that while at the vet she was moving well, but probably much less than she is at home. Many people here report a drop in energy after coming home. And after a couple days of being on three our pups really start to feel the strain of using muscles differently. It's good for Kira to spend the first couple of weeks resting, moving just to eat and do her business. Our instructions were to keep moving to a minimum until the sutures came out at the two week mark. My little tripug was actually quite a slug after her surgery, she spent most of 5 or 6 weeks in bed! Of course Maggie was a stubborn little dog who didn't like changes in her life. Most here see a spark around the two week mark, some sooner, some later. It does seem to take the older crowd a little longer to heal up.
Again, welcome, and we would love to see some pictures.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you, krun and Spirit Maggie! Your post is very reassuring! 
It's good to know the drop in energy isn't unusual. Also, it's really helpful to hear what your vet said about minimizing movement until the two-week point. We weren't given the same cautionary info but it sure makes a lot of sense. Kira's staples will come out 1-7-14, so that isn't far off.
Amazingly enough, I'd just finished the first post and went back to our bedroom, where my husband was getting ready to go run some errands. We were sitting there talking, with our other dog laying nearby, when in hopped Kira!
We were very happily surprised and encouraged. She also responded a few hours later by getting up and going back out to the living room when I encouraged her, after his return.
I'll definitely be taking your advice. For now, it'll be R&R for Kira and plenty of time for me here, reading and learning. Thanks so much!
Robin
Hi Kira and Her Very Devoted Family!
Yeah, if you jave to be on this journey, there's no better place to be thatn with people who understand and can share support and knowledge!
Ditto everything Karen said. And I now see Kira came hopping in to see you on her own just a bit ago!
Those first few days they're still high as a kite on hospital meds, so often times we'll see a "step back"as those meds wear off, muscles reacclimate, new ways to balance are learned, all while dealing with pain from a major surgery.
I'm one who favors the "babying side" at first...do whatever it takes to keep their energy up with nutrition and keeping them hydrated. If that means breakfast in bed and spoon feeding...so be it! 
My Happy hannah...a very "well muscled" (flabby fat!) Bull Mastiff jad, relatively speaking, a slow recovery with a lot of pain... didn't stop her from eatingof course
but jad a rough time getting her to drink. I don't think I saw a tail wag for at least the first week. Wll I could think was that I had made a horrific decision. We just celebrated her ten month ampuversary and moving forward (knockng on wood over here)...BEST DECISION EVER!!!!
Every day is a sacred gift and everyday is full of joy, love and happiness! Take lots ofpictures and, most iportantly, share with us!!
Yes, the antiinflma should help with her rear leg. Thisiis a lot of new pressure put on that leg so it may well be causi g her a little stiffness and slowness in getting up.
EATING DRINKING ' POOPING PEEING Involved, engaged, able to go out and move a bit on her own...all wonderful!
If any of this changes, you can have the vet check her out just to be cautious!
You are a wonderful advocate for her and you clearly have a beautiful connection.
Love and light and lots of hugs to all!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Stay in the moment..try not to worry (yeah, right!). and let NOTHING rob you of this blissful time together. Her pain is go e (after recovery) and she just wants to lap up all the loving and spoiling you want to pile on! I have a feeling that's a whole lot!
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!
It is indeed still early in Kira's recovery. There is no need for her to move about except to eat drink and do her doody.
Please consult your vet with any serious concerns, and try to take things one day at a time. It sounds like she's doing great for an older gal!
These first two weeks may be a roller coaster, then you can focus on rebuilding strength. Please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kira's mum!
I just wanted to reassure you that Kira is doing extremely well. From the things you have said, eating, drinking, peeing and pooping.... Sounds like Kira is doing fine! As Benny 55 said, there is nothing wrong with breakfast in bed now and then. Not too many snacks though, you don't want her to pile on the weight (our dog Yasmin actually put weight on after amputation) our vet was puzzled, how could she weigh more a week post-surgery than she did before her op. The answer... I felt so guilty I fed Yasmin meatball marinaras from subway and loads of treats... Oops!
Try to limit Kira's physical activity, ie no running and jumping, for a while. The more rest she has, the better. The first couple of weeks are a roller coaster, plenty of ups and downs. We're all here for you, there is usually a couple of us in chat, so come and join us when you can.
Please let us know how Kira and you get on and upload some photos when you get time, we love photos!
Sending you hugs
Kate and Yasmin xx
Thank you, everyone! I sooo appreciate your support and the feedback is invaluable!
Kira is almost two weeks post-op now. We see the vet Tuesday to get the staples removed.
Kira continues to do very well and is starting to get more comfortable navigating. For the most part, we let her decide when she's going to get up and where in the house she's going to settle during the day. She goes out a couple times a day to take care of biz. Yesterday, she regained some interest in exploring the backyard and ventured beyond taking five or six steps out from the house. When she started to tire, she headed back for the door and to her favorite rug for a rest. She gets up to greet people at the door, eat, drink, etc. and doesn't appear to be in pain or discomfort. Kira spends most of her time resting and sleeping. Her "sister", our 12.5 year old Aussie, has been really good about not pestering her too much.
Kira does have some mild mobility issues with her hindquarters, which have flared a bit with her change in balance and support. I ordered a harness that has a handle over the shoulder blade(s) and the rear so we can help her get underway more easily. I also ordered some booties to give her better traction
on our laminate floors (kitchen and entryway). The toughest part of the day for her has been getting up and moving first thing in the morning, so anything we can do to make it easier will be good all the way around.
kirasmom said
Kira does have some mild mobility issues with her hindquarters...
Loving Life On Three Legs includes lots of helpful links. professional tips and how to videos for at home massage, PROM exercises, stretching, strengthening and more. This rehab e-book is now available in the Tripawds Library. We also highly recommend consulting with a certified rehab vet.
Please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sooooo glad you're starting to see her engaged and involved with all the sniffing around tasks a dog likes to do on a walk
Andyeah, getting upinthe morning probably is the toughest after she's been sleeping on her "senior bones"! I'm sure after you read the Admin recommendations, you'll be able to give her some "wake-up" stretches and massages to get her joi ts moving.
CONGRATULATIONS Kira!! Recovery is taking place...slowly but surely all your glorious sparkle is coming back! And extra treats to her YOUNGER sister for being so good to her!!
(((((((((((((HUGS TO ALL)))))))))))))))
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!
My Sampson was about the same age as Kira, and also a front amp. He had mild dysplasia and arthritis in his hips and spine. Keeping that--and the trigger points that sprung up later--under control and his mobility and flexibility maintained were our biggest hurdles.
We did PT, as well as acupuncture, and I absolutely think they helped. Is there anyone near by who practices either of those? Failing that, could you take her swimming (or, walking in a shallow pool, I guess is what you actually do with a front amp ;-)...) or investigate some of the PT activities on your own?
Similar to people recovering from an orthopedic surgery, there comes a time where you have to get moving again--even if you are stiff/sore/out of sorts, b/c otherwise you lose all your function. It's hard, and you might have to do a little metaphorical butt kicking, but you can usually tell if they are in pain...or just not wanting to do something b/c there's something easier to do. (or not do)
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
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