Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yesterday I braught Penny home 
! Earlier that day I had been crying. It was like all stress and anxiety just let go. I had slept little during the last weeks as well. But I think it was good it happened. Because when I came to the animal hospital I felt quite ok. First I met an animal nurse in the reception and payed and all that. Suddenly she said: "Such a wonderful dog you've got!" Then she took me to a corridor and down at the end was Penny with a nurse and Penny stood there waving her tail and looked so alert. I was sooo amazed! I knew she was feeling good, but I couldn't think she would be THAT alert. I felt so happy! Now I really could see the difference from before with the hurting leg. She had been very tired as well the last days before the amputation. This was really the "old" Penny back ! We talked with the wonderful nurse and then went out to the car. When we passed the waiting room there were some people and a couple of dogs. At first they looked a little bit shocked when I was coming there with a big grin on my face and a very happy bullmastiff with three legs, but soon they started to smile and Penny looked at one man and did a: "Boof", and her total body just moved and said: "Hey, do you want to play?" Sooo cute! So happy! And it seemed she was out of pain! I'm so happy! Thank you all for your support! The first night home she was quite restless and went up and down. Out in the garden, peed, in again and so on. We didn't sleep much, but I slept a couple of hours today, so it's ok. I was a little worried about poo, but she did some yesterday evening and this evening. So it really is ok. She is eating her normal food if I put something in it, like chicken 
. Everything is very good with her and Wilbur. I think he got used to the three legged Penny very fast. Bye for now!
I'm so glad to hear your girl is back home with you! Wishing you an uneventful recovery!
That's terrific news! It is amazing to see how well a lot of dogs handle the post-surgery days isn't it? Much better than people, that's for sure.
I hope that she continues on this smooth road to recovery. If she does seem to slow down a bit, don't get too worried. Sometimes dogs overdo it by trying to do too much, too soon. Monitor her activity carefully so that she doesn't get too fatigued, and everything should be just fine!
Hope that you're feeling better about all this and getting some rest.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you! Not so much sleep this last night either, but I slept during the afternoon a couple of hours, so it's ok. Yes I take it easy with her. We just go out in the garden for some minutes every time she wants. We should walk only 10 minutes about for times per day for about two weeks, the animal nurse said. Penny is walking around quite a lot indoors as well, so I really think it's enough for her now. I've got some questions: A little while ago this after noon Penny walked around, breathing intensively, licking her mouth (I don't know how to say in english) the tongue went in and out in and out. Then after a while she layed down and started to sleep deeply 
. Have you noticed this behaviour in your dogs? I thought maybe if she got pain, but then when she fell a sleep I think hopefully that isn't the case. I also wonder how many days you've waited until starting with chemo therapy? The vet. has told me the wound shall be healed first. Maybe in ten, forteen days. Thanks in advance for answers!/Gunilla
Sounds like she is doing great!
Do you mean she was panting? If so, that is a fairly common side effect of the pain meds,especially tramadol. (is she on tramadol? I wonder if you have different drugs there...)
And yes, 11 to 14 days seems pretty common for starting chemo.
Hope she continues to do well!
Jackie, angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
gunillas said
I've got some questions: A little while ago this after noon Penny walked around, breathing intensively, licking her mouth (I don't know how to say in english) the tongue went in and out in and out. Then after a while she layed down and started to sleep deeply
The vet nurse's advice to limit walks is exactly right! As for Penny's behavior, that kind of sounds to me like she's nauseated. Was she drooling? Sleeping is a good thing though, she needs her rest.
When it comes to a time to administer chemo, the standard protocol has been to wait about 10 days, but some vets are speeding that up and doing it sooner. In my non-medical opinion, I think waiting those 10 days sounds better though, since it gives her time to regain some strength and stamina.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
AngelAbbysMom said
Sounds like she is doing great!Do you mean she was panting? If so, that is a fairly common side effect of the pain meds,especially tramadol. (is she on tramadol? I wonder if you have different drugs there...)
And yes, 11 to 14 days seems pretty common for starting chemo.
Hope she continues to do well!
Jackie, angel Abby's mom
Yes panting is the word. It has been better today. Think she is a little more tired now, but she has walked around a lot inside so it feels it just good if she rests more. Our vets use tramadol here in Sweden as well, but Penny had a Fentanyl plaster (Durogesic) that I took off Saturday evening. Now she just gets Metacam (antiinfllammatory and against pain). It doesn't seem she gots pain. She is pooing normally now, maybe because the plaster is off. Thanks for answer !
jerry said
The vet nurse's advice to limit walks is exactly right! As for Penny's behavior, that kind of sounds to me like she's nauseated. Was she drooling? Sleeping is a good thing though, she needs her rest.
When it comes to a time to administer chemo, the standard protocol has been to wait about 10 days, but some vets are speeding that up and doing it sooner. In my non-medical opinion, I think waiting those 10 days sounds better though, since it gives her time to regain some strength and stamina.
Yes, it's possible she is nauseated, but she hasn't thrown up. No she is not drooling. She is more tired and I also think that's good that she sleeps more. Good to here you think the time for chemo is right.
Hooray for normal poo! 🙂
Glad to hear the panting is better.
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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