Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Last day of pain meds? Elvis is only 5 or 6 days post op isn't he? Please keep an eye on him- most pups and kitties are on pain meds for two weeks or more after such a major surgery. A few lucky tripawds do OK off pain meds so early but not very many. Don't be afraid to call your vet and ask for more.
He looks pretty good to me trying to hop- you can see his amp side moving so I think his brain is still looking for that other leg. His remaining leg is under him and propelling him forward. He will need some time to strengthen that leg and get used to his new balance.
Going back to one of your earlier posts about seizure meds and weight- I totally get that! My quad-Pug Tani had epilepsy caused by hydrocephalus and was on phenobarb for most of her life. She was always hungry and on the heavy side. When I cut back on her food she ate anything she could find- bugs, rocks, etc. When her arthritis got bad I had to get her weight down and finally found a way to keep her full and reduce her weight. I moved away from kibble and added things like green beans that were low in calories and helped fill her up.
For now though focus on getting Elvis though his recovery (hopefully without anymore toxic clean ups!).
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Today is day 5 and I was pretty surprised about the pain meds too, although they said I could come back and get more at any time if I feel that he needs them. Off the pain meds he was sitting and laying on his incision the majority of the day. He started getting really crabby and angrily vocal tonight so I gave him the last dose of meds that I had thinking that it was pain... instead it was nasty gas, I should have known as he did this to me a few times the last few days. Has anyone else had this issue or have any possible solutions? He is like a baby... when he is gassy he is just plain nasty! You would have thought I was murdering him the way he was yelling at me when I tried to move him from his bed to the floor not realizing that he had gas! He let out and ENORMOUS burp and then was back to happy, fun kitty! Wondering if there is anything I could do to help him?
I will definitely look into what I could add to his food that would be low calorie to help with his weight. He is ALWAYS hungry and sleeps so much on the phenobarbital!
His brain is definitely still looking for that leg because I could see him trying to scratch his ear today with the leg that is no longer there, I could see the muscles contracting like he was trying to itch. I felt bad for him! Considering his weight I am surprised at how well he able to get around... WHEN HE WANTS! lol
His brain is definitely still looking for that leg because I could see him trying to scratch his ear today with the leg that is no longer there,
I called that the 'air scratch' when TriPug Maggie would do it. It seems to me that she stopped doing it a month or two after her amp.
My Tripawd Elly, a rear amp Pug mix who is almost 3 years past her amp still does the air scratch so I'm guessing she always will. I figure it's her way of telling me that she needs a scratch.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Well... someone has gotten used to always having a human with him at all times and I think he has gotten a little spoiled! Not sure if it is out of anger or fear but on the only two occasions that we have left him alone to run errands for no more than an hour he has managed to completely mess himself!
On a different note... about how long did stitches last on average for everyone?
Sutures are removed 10-12 days after surgery. Did they give you a date for sures suture removal? If not then you should call and make one. It's not good if they stay in too long, can make removal uncomfortable.
I'm sorry he's doing the potty dance when you leave. If you have an opportunity to try to leave for short periods and then lengthen them so he knows you're coming back? Even if you go around the block for 5 or 10 and then go from there?
❤️❤️❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
No date for suture removal... they used dissolvable so will come out on their own. Was wondering when to expect them to start falling out. He is in a kids t-shirt or onesie at all times to discourage licking/biting but I can tell one or two have come out already. Doesn't seem to be an issue at all, was just wondering out of curiosity.
Wow, ok then, lol. With dis solvable sutures the timeline can change. Are they all underneath so that you cannot see them? I would look for incision healing. The dis solvable can take longer. Once his incision has healed to the point where he does not want to bite and lick at it I guess you should be ok. If he still goes after it and 10-12 days have passed you might want to call your vet. I have seen them become irritating and almost reactive itchy. You can try warm or cool compresses on the area and see if that gives him some relief. The skin might just be pulling and itchy as it is healing.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
YAY!!!! If I had told you before how exciting elimination would be, you'd have laughed, walked away, and called me a crazy woman 🤣😂🤣😁
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
HAAPY PEE DANCE!!!!😁😁😁😁😁 GREAT PICTURE OF PROOF!!!🤣🤣
HUGE VICTORY!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Our movement has gotten so much better! Today he actually hobbled all the way to his old litter box, HOPPED in, went, and then ran into the kitchen to try and steal his brothers food... just like old times!!! Just wish there was something I could do to help with how itchy those stitches are!
YES!!! OMC he is handsome, and he is getting around VERY well. You said he is quite pokey, I have to tell you .. his walk will probably be similar to that if he is always slow. When they run it is like they have 4 but the slower they are the more pronounced it seems to be. Let me find a video of Huckster...
I think this is a good one because it shows him running a bit but mostly hopping. I hope this helps. You are going to find your "new normal" and that is just fine 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
This makes me so happy to see how well Elvis is doing! He really is mastering the art of mobility on three!😁 Seeing their personality return is so gratifying!
Jackie, that's a great comparison video of Huckleberry. It's so hard to believe he was once a feral cat
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Love seeing the hop of Huck... he is so much more graceful than my big chunker and he figured it out so much quicker! I have a feeling that what you see in E's hop is what he is going to look like from here on out, his hop hasn't changed much the last few days!
Just out of curiosity, qt what point was the incision no long a concern... meaning licking was ok (no cone of shame )?
We have a follow-up appointment Thursday so I am sure I will find out soon enough but I was just wondering what everyone's experience has been. I am so sick of the onesies and t-shirts to keep him away from the incision, as is he lol!
Hi there! So good to hear E is thriving!! He looks just wonderful 
I did not have an e-collar for Huck, that in itself was a challenge!! He was probably the most feral kitty I have ever met and considered adopting. I would have lost limbs trying to put that around his neck, lmao
I did not relax regarding his incision until it was healed. After staple removal he had a few scabby areas which I really kept an eye on, but once the scabs fell off then I allowed him out of solitary confinement to see his new home. As a matter of fact, that video I shared with you was just that. His first venture downstairs checking out the house.
E is almost there, hang in there! I look forward to hearing how he does with his recheck exam
Lots of hugs to the both of you,
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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