Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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As Bob mentioned earlier we did take Emily off of her tramadol early because she did not react well to it. I wish I would have kept a journal of her recovery so I could tell you how long after surgery we took her off her meds because I can't remember. (That is good news actually because I bet right now you don't think you will ever forget a single moment.)
Easier said than done, I know, but try not to worry. Amputation is a very major surgery. Give Sadie time to recouperate. Remember, also, that first and foremost that Sadie is a pack animal. She will watch you to see how she should react to her missing let. I kind of have a problem assigning the emotion of depression to a dog, even ones so spectacular and human-like as ours! I think they may need time to physically adjust to having three legs but they don't have the emotional baggage about their physical body that we do.
My only other suggestions are to raise Sadie's food dish so they she doesn't have a work harder to balance when her heavy head is lowered to eat, and to start her on a good joint supplement, if you haven't already done so.
I think you will see that after the first couple of weeks you will see the old Sadie coming back. She looks like she is a pretty big dog and they can take a little longer.
Your girl is really cute!
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I know this isn't going to help a lot, but welcome to recovery hell. It just isn't a fun time for humans or dogs. There is a huge amount of learning and adjustment going on, and they tire so easily from the surgery and the extra effort it takes for them to do the simple things. The meds play a huge part for many of them, once they can do without the pain meds, most seem to step into the faster recovery lane.
Their recovery from major surgery is no different than a human recovering from surgery. There are some bumps in the road, and they don't always feel great, but with time it gets better.
Healing thougths for Sadie, and calming thoughts for you. Hang in there, it is difficult, but you will make it.
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.
Hi Sadie
You are a beautiful dog, with great parents, that's for sure.
So you aren't only dealing with amputation (which was enough – I lay low for 2 weeks straight), but also chemo. It is normal to be more lethargic about 7-10 days after chemo with Adriamycin due to low cell count. I'm sure Sadie's blood was monitored closely if she spent so long at the vet. You might ask the vet if he or she wants to do more bloodwork if Sadie continues to have accidents in the house. It is normal to be depressed and lethargic after surgery, but you also don't want the cell counts to get too low due to the chemo.
It must be hard to know what issues are related to surgery and what ones are related to the chemo. I know my Tazzie was far more lethargic after surgery than he ever was after chemo. In contrast, he had a good appetite after surgery, but not after Adriamycin. It came back though. The first thing I got him to eat after the chemo was straight up meat (no kibble and no canned food and no other human food). The next time around we used the anti-nausea pill before the chemo and he never lost his appetite.
The tramadol probably makes her more lethargic but is probably needed for the pain. If she does yelp out loud, you might want to ask the vet for additional pain meds, e.g, Gabapentin which is commonly prescribed for phantom pain .
As others said, you might just have to wait out the next week or two. But if she has accidents or yelps out loud, I'd take her in to get checked or at least talk to the vet.
Hi everyone! Just a quick update on Sadie. She is a lot better than she was last week. She has very little trouble getting around (she even re-learned the doggie door) I cheated because I went on a short vacation that I planned last year, and I boarded Sadie at the vet from Thursday (when she got her staples out), until Monday. She was a new pup when I went to pick her up. They said she did really well. The only thing is she had a lampshade on because she started chewing on a back leg and opened a wound. I bought one of the inflatable collars, but it isn't working. I'm a little concerned about using the lampshade because she's still learning to get around as it is, but I may not have a choice. The last thing she needs is to severely injure one of the 3 legs she has left (I try to tell her that but she looks at me like I'm the crazy one) Anyway, She just took off into the kitchen, better see what she's up to....
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
I'm impressed she has already relearned her doggie door. That seems like it would be really hard for a front leg amputee! You rock Sadie!
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hooray for Sadie! Thanks for the update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Way to go Sadie! I think you are doing great! Let's hope your cone-head days will come to an end soon!
Did Dr. Hoefle do her surgery?
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
So happy Sadie is doing better. Poor little lampshade doggie! I know they cannot be comfortable, but sometimes they are a necessity.
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.
Sadie's surgery was done by Dr.Walker. His practice is based out of California, but he goes to West Flamingo once a week. We used him because we were hoping to remove the scapula and spare her leg. He did a great job anyway. (I would use the quote thing when I replied, but I can't get it to work 
)
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
sadie33 said:
(I would use the quote thing when I replied, but I can't get it to work
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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