Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Abby was discharged from the vet's office yesterday and has been home since about 4pm. She is doing great. She makes me so proud! I can't even put it into words!
She hopped out of the vet yesterday so happy to see us and so ready to get home. She looked so much better than I thought she would. She actually really looked like herself. Not like a dog who just had their leg amputated. Loaded her into the car alright, she even barked at a dog she saw from the window! Getting her up the stairs of our building was a real challenge. We wrapped her in her bed like a taco and carried her up the stairs. We tried a harness and a towel, but she is too skittish and it did not work. Does anyone have any tips?
We relaxed with her in the bedroom all night and watched the Bears/Packers game (we were happy the Pack won; her dad was not). She ate and drank and tried to get comfy. She woke up once and squealed and needed to relieve herself outside around 5am - we even got a little poop out! Ha!
Today she made it down the stairs on her own. I was of course guiding her and ready to catch her if she falls. She has been moving around our bedroom just fine on her own. I, too, am wondering if she's moving around too much. I am just really surprised and amazed by how well she seems to be doing right now. I know that we will have up days and down days, but right now, I am happy and pleased with our decision. Thank you again Tripawd friends! Couldn't have done this without you!
One more question...when did you first leave your dog alone after their surgery and for how long?
Sounds like so far so good!
Have you tried the shopping bag sling? Take a reusable shopping bag and split it down the sides, you have a temporary sling with built in handles. What kind of harness are you using? Is it new?
And congrats on the first poop! Sounds silly to celebrate- but some of us had to wait awhile- Maggie didn't go until day 5 or 6!
I was fortunate to have my dad help me with Mag's recovery so she was never alone until after the sutures were out. It was probably week 3 or 4 before I left her alone ( well, with little sis Tani) for a little while.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Abby & Family! Glad to hear your girl is doing so well! Hopefully the rest of her recovery will be uneventful. But keep in mind she might have a "crash" day. A little too much activity, then it'll catch up with them and their body will feel the affects of moving around so much. But, that's what all the meds are for, so just keep a close eye on your girl. As for leaving them alone, I remember it was several days before we did that, but Max also had his amp the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We picked him up the day before Thanksgiving, and I had the whole long weekend home with him. Then when I had to go back to work, my husband was able to stay home a couple more days. So I think it was a week or 8 days that someone was constantly with him. If you're nervous about your girl being alone, maybe you have a relative, close friend or good neighbor who could do some checks on her?
Please keep us updated on Abby's recovery, and be sure to post any questions, we've all been there!!
Hooray on her doing so well! As Maximutt says, don't be surprised if she crashes a little. She may seem very depressed, and that is totally normal.
For a sling, I folded over a bath towel and sewed handles onto it. But then, I have a pretty heavy duty sewing machine.
Afraid I can't help on the home alone question, as I work from home so didn't need to leave Abby for more than a few minutes here and there for quick errand runs.
All the best and keep us posted!
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!
That is *fantastic* news! Is Abby a rear leg amp? Loa is a front leg amp and while she can make it up the stairs on her own I still hold her collar going down the stairs (2.5 months post-amp)--we've had a couple of faceplants.
I'm so glad she's doing well. Be sure to get lots of rest yourself just in case she does have one of those "crash" days.
Soooo glad it's going well!
Hi Abby and Family,
We brought our Dylan home Friday, Sept. 14th after surgery. Front leg amputation due to myxosarcoma. Like you, Dylan is doing very well. Eating and drinking, a little hopping around to relieve himself. We have 5 stairs he has to go down to the yard. We used the shopping bag idea for a sling and it seems to help. We have a portable ramp but I think it's too narrow for him. We are going to have a ramp built to cover the stairs. He's a big guy. 121 lbs. We are pleased with his progress. He woke up this morning whimpering, he seemed very uncomfortable. He kept going to the door so we took him out but he didn't pee so we brought him back in. He just had his breakfast with his medications. The only way we can get the meds in him is to give him pieces of peanut butter toast (his favorite thing).
I was happy to find your post and I will follow your progress. It helps to know that we are not alone in this. My heart is broken that this had to happen but I am optimistic things will get better.
Helenmarie (Dylan's mom) and Dylan.
Glad to hear that both Abby & Dylan are home and doing well. Yep...there will be days of depression (which hurts to watch) but they are relatively short lived and then your amazement in Abby & Dylan will be exponentially great! I am still in amazement over Bart's ability & love of life!
As for leaving Abby alone - Bart came home on a Saturday and I left him alone that Monday. Bart has been crate trained from puppyhood and I had borrowed a large great dane sized wire crate that I lined with crib bumpers. He was safe and comfortable and I was able to check on him during lunch (or more if necessary). He did just fine.
Keep us posted on their progress! This is an amazing community and the knowledge and experience that is accessible here is invaluable at times like these!
Darcy & Bart
Thank you Darcy and Bart for your encouragement. I agree about this community. I am so happy and grateful to have found it!
Helenmarie & Dylan
Thanks again, everyone.
Today would be day 5 into 6 and I would say Abby is about the same to a little bit better. Like I said, she was doing pretty well from the beginning. Her fentenyl patch came off yesterday and we started the tramadol orally. As the patch was wearing off, she seemed a little more uncomfortable and yelped a couple times. We expected this. We are still having trouble getting her to settle at night. She paces around our room and we comfort her. Eventually she'll sleep. She's waking up to go out around 4am every night. We get her down and she does a 1 and 2, woo hoo!
Still having trouble getting her up the steps in our condo. We were outside for 30 min this weekend trying different methods. Yesterday afternoon, she finally let us do the towel under her rear! I led with the leash and my husband hoisted her as she bravely climbed with her front legs. We are trying so hard to get her confidence back.
We are a little stuck right now though. My husband has to travel for work, but has been able to push his trip back a day while we figure out what we're going to do. I'm not sure I can get her up the stairs on my own, so my other option is to head out to my parents in the burbs and bunk up Abby, our baby and me out there. There would be no stair issue but Abby wouldn't be comfortable and they have 2 dogs. I am so torn! I want to stay where we are all comfortable, but I don't want to be outside stuck at 4am with a baby sleeping, unable to get Abby inside. Thoughts/advice?
We ended up not having to leave Abby over the weekend. My in-laws came by to keep her company 
Also, if I take the dog to the burbs and she doesn't use the stairs there, I feel like she'll never get confident enough to do the steps at our house; then what?
Oh I see your dilemma. Is it possible anyone can stay with you to help while your husband is away?
Hi Abby and family,
I'm so hoppy to hear that your recovery is going well, overall. Yep, most of us have some challenges along the way but we eventually figure things out.
Now, about the stairs issue. How many are you dealing with? And are you having trouble going up or down or both? Have your people tried bribing you with yummy stinky treats?
I had 18 steps to conquer during my recuperation. It wasn't easy but eventually we figured it out. My Momma would stand alongside me while I went down (it's harder for a front legger to go down steps), and I would lean against the wall while I went downstairs. Do you have a wall you can lean against while using the steps?
If your Mommy searches the forums she will find lots of good advice about handling stairs too. I hope this helps and you have a great day! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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