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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Glad to hear that surgery went so well. I too had a facility that gave Cherry full time care after the amputation up to the time we picked her up. She did not even have to move! It does make a difference.
Many do extrememly well, make it home, overdo the first night home, and then have some set backs later. This is normal and do not panic if it does happen. Like people, Tess will be so very glad to come home but she will need to take it easy for a while. Also, I did not mention, but you probably will want to elevate the water and feeding bowls (if you do not do so already.) This is one I often forget to mention for I always fed Cherry from an elevated bowl, but with a fore-leg amputation, it is important so they do not loose their balance.
Keep us posted.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
My advice for the next few days is really simple - REST. Rest when Tess rests. You will hear her if she needs you. It is common to spend the first few days 'watching' to be sure everthing is ok and take it from someone who had to learn - it is much better to rest when they do. I would sit and watch Trouble sleep - about day 2, from all the emotion surging, and no sleep, I was exhausted!
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.
Tess was so lucky to find you! I don't have much to add to all the wonderful advice you've already gotten...just love her and try to relax, it's better for both of you if she doesn't pick up on your stress.
I look forward to your updates!
Pat, Angel Ruthie and Tess (yes, I also have a Tess in my life).
Well, I can honestly say if I had not had all this wonderful advice and been warned about how difficult this can be, I might have lost it tonight. Tess needs total support to get around. At the vet's they needed three people to get her up since she keeps trying to back out of the sling. I used a harness for her back end and my arms to support her front to get her into the house. Thank goodness I had the foresight to put the dog bed right by the door. I positioned her on her "intact" side and she almost immediately fell asleep. I suspect she is still a bit out of it from the pain meds and is literally just exhausted. My new harness from AST should arrive tomorrow and I think it will be very helpful.
Thanks again for all the support and advice. I really can't express my gratitude enough.
Thanks for the update, hang in there. Once off the meds Tess should improve greatly. What's she on?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said:
Thanks for the update, hang in there. Once off the meds Tess should improve greatly.
This pretty much says it all and is the voice of experience. Remember the suggestion about keeping a detailed journal? Well, if you did, you will be able to look back and see exactly what is going on now. I still refer to my journal before answering some postings, just to make sure that I got it right. I really do have to admire those of you who are battling this with a large dog like Nova, Tazzy, Cemil, and Fortis. We will always be her for support.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
At the vet's Tess was on dilaudid IV and now is on tramadol and rimadyl (the meds she was on preamputation). She seems more alert this morning so I think the dilaudid has worn off. She still won't eat but is drinking water well. And she is definitely peeing. I picked her up this morning and it went all over me, her, and the dog bed! When taking her out this morning I supported her back end she did try to hop forward with that remaining front leg, so I think that is progress - right?
Progress the first couple of days will come in small steps (almost literally). Trouble didn't try to get up except to go outside for the first couple of days, but after she began to try to move on her own, she no longer needed the support. It just takes a little time for their confidence to build as they learn a new balance.
Hope you guys have a great day.
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.
hugapitbull said:
Progress the first couple of days will come in small steps (almost literally). . .
Cherry's first chemotherapy treatment was just hours after the amputation, as her body returned to room temperature. It was the taste of the chemotherapy treatments that caused her to totally loose all appetite. So, this is a problem where I have some experience. If Tess is still drinking but does not want "solid" normal food, try some Soy Milk or even better Ensure. This will add nutrition to the liquids. You might also try chicken broth which will also sooth the stomach.
Keep your spirits up and get as much rest as you can.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Any progress is progess...stay positive!
I like Cherry's suggestion of Ensure. Rich chicken broth is good...I used to buy chicken parts and make my own for Ruthie...she would lap it up or I'd mix it in with her food!
Pat, Angel Ruthie & Tess
Thanks so much for those ideas. I mixed chicken broth and rice and she ate a little bit - it's a start!
She has improved so much in the last 12 hours, it is really extraordinary. Tess can now pee outside (with support) and is taking a few steps at a time in the harness when I am not supporting her. It seems like the hardest part is maintaining her balance but I see improvement every time I get her up to go outside. These animals are truly amazing! Their capacity to adapt is extraordinary. Right now Tess is laying on her amputated side so she must be pretty comfortable!
Troible laid on the amputation site all the time. It worried me at first, but she seemed comfortable enough. She had no bandage, so I did begin to put a t-shirt on her to keep the wound clean.
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.
I just have to share that 4 days after surgery my only regret is that I ever doubted my Tess. She now hops around really well. Of course, I am still by her side with the harness in my hands and she needs to rest every few steps, but I am just being a safety net and not holding her up at all. This afternoon she went out to pee and squatted and got up all on her own! And she is now eating well. My Tess is simply amazing and inspiring! I just can't believe how much she has improved in such a short period of time.
By the way, the AST harness is awesome!
Hoooorrrraaaaaaa Tess! That is a fabulous report to bring even more sunshine to our Sunday afternoon! Keep it up!
P.S. Yes, it is really amazing how humans wonder if dogs can handle amputation, isn't it? They are SO much more resilliant than people can ever imagine, and you never know it until you go through something like this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Amazing how these k9s just move forward with life (after the anesthesia wears off) with
little regard of what was. I have been waiting for this post and So relieved to hear of tess’ progress. Now, keeping them from doing too much and getting their diet balanced is next (I think)…
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