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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This post is more of me venting than anything.
My dog had a soft tissue sarcoma on her hind leg that we fought for years. My dog, Shy, had multiple surgeries to remove the tumor from her leg but it grew back. We chose to hold off on amputation and tried chemo to stop the growth but that was also unsuccessful.
After a year or so of a happy pup with an unsightly tumor growing on her leg the skin eventually opened. Shy was miserable and in pain. My family couldn't bring ourselves to call it quits and made the choice to amputate.
My heart is broken.
As a 15 year old pup she was already slowing down. I'm scared she won't be able to move around on her own.
Today is day 1 of recovery. She ate some food and peed twice in the yard. Moving around is a struggle. Of course, she's not hopping around like a young pup but just standing up in her bed is difficult and it kills me. I'm trying to stay positive but the anxiety gets the best of me.
Every day is a blessing and I'm grateful for the 15 years we've had but my heart aches.
Thank you for reading.
Welcome Kyle and Shy, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
Amputation recovery for 'mature' dogs is more challenging but we have had lots of older dogs here do well.
I think just about every one of us questioned our decision to amputate during the recovery period- I did. In fact I was sure I had made the wrong decision for several weeks as my Pug Maggie wasn't interested in doing anything but lay in her bed.
Actually- the fact that she is eating and peeing are great signs! The pain meds and her new gait are going to make it hard for her to balance and get around. But really at this point she should just be resting. Our surgeon said only short, leashed potty breaks were allowed for the first two weeks.
Do you have a harness for her? Since she is a rear amp you can use one now to help her get up and get around. Lots of people here use RuffWear harnesses- the Flagline and the Webmaster both have handles on top.
If you are interested in a harness HERE IS INFORMATION ON THE BEST HARNESSES FOR TRIPAWDS.
This is such a tough time- you are stressed and probably exhausted. Know that you made the best decision you could for Shy and you need to give her time to recover at her own pace. For many here the recovery is 2 to 3 weeks, for older dogs we often see here that it takes them a little longer.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Kyle,
How is she doing today? What is her pain management like? Good pain control is key to a good recovery.
I agree with Karen, there are great signs that she is having a good recovery. Many dogs aren't even doing half the things she is doing at this point in the recovery. And yep, right now she should only be resting and couch chillin' with you, at least for the next two weeks until stitches come out. And those pain meds will make her wonky and wobbly, don't panic. Once she doesn't need them anymore she will start to be the steady, rock-solid girl you knew.
As an older gal, she will probably have a slower time recovering, but that doesn't mean she won't get her mojo back at all. Just try your best to be patient, don't compare her recovery to others, and focus on the big picture. You are giving her a great quality of life without that awful tumor. She will get there!
See our Tripawds Quality of Life survey results to get a glimpse of how other pet parents felt after recovery.
Thank you both for the support. Your comments have given me a boost of positivity.
She's currently taking 300mg of Gabapentin twice a day. We have carprofen for her as well but the doctor recommended holding off if we can because she had diarrhea leading up to surgery. She doesn't appear to be uncomfortable so we are yet to give her the carprofen. The doc also has her taking probiotics for her stomach.
Im giving her CBD and turmeric as well.
She definitely needs a good harness. I'm using a small sling the vet gave us to support her but it's difficult to use. The surgeon also removed a small growth on her stomach so we are trying to avoid putting pressure on that spot. One of those RuffWear harnesses will be perfect after we get the stitches out.
As for as an update on Shy:
She's been peeing regularly and drinking plenty of water. Her appetite has decreased a bit and needs some coaxing to start eating.
If she's not up for a pee she's in bed sleeping or looking bored. She thinks about getting up for a while before she actually will try it. It's definitely exhausting for her to stand up and make it to the yard.
Hey Kyle,
That's good she is getting some type of pain control with the Gabapentin. How did she do today? I'm sorry I just now got a chance to reply.
Ok so eliminating and being thirsty is good! Low appetite isn't unusual. Remember she's not doing a lot right now. And sleep, well that is really medicinal at this point. Sleep allows the body to heal, and for an older pup it's definitely a bonus to be able to snooze and rest like she is doing.
Keep us posted on her progress OK? And watch for pain signals too!
Day 4:
Shy's slowly getting better at walking. She still hesitates to stand up but once we get moving she is more stable and confident. I'm still using the sling to make sure she doesn't fall and will use it to help her up and down the couple steps we have.
She's started to poop when we go outside but it's just a little bit at a time.
The doc has a drainage tube in her that we should be taking out today or tomorrow. She is still draining quite a bit - especially when she gets up.
Overall, it's feeling much more positive the past couple days. I'm starting to see the days when we go out for walks in her new stroller or go for a drive in her favourite car.
Thank you, Jerry, for that pain signals link. Shy is so tough that can be hard to know if she's in pain so I'm watching her closely. We will likely start the carprofen tonight just to be sure.
Wow that's really good news Kyle!
I think the hesitation to stand is probably because she's gotten a bit creaky from laying around. That's OK, it's part of the resting process. With you spotting her, she is in a safe and controlled environment which is terrific.
Adding the NSAID should help. It brings down inflammation, and my bet is that it will make a difference in her mobility, and even her pooping. Sounds like the stance to poop could be painful for her.
And with the drainage tube coming out, she'll start to feel like a new girl again! Let us know how that visit goes. I'm so happy you sound better too.
I'm so glad to see some progress. I know it seems like it will take forever, but she will get there!
I don't think my Pug Maggie pooped until day 6 or 7 after her amp. Good job supporting Sky until she seems more stable and confident on her feet.
Dogs are sooooo good at hiding pain signals ! My last Pug Boy had a bad knee (both went bad eventually) but he never yelped or noticeably limped. One day I noticed that his hip looked smaller and less muscled. I took him to the vet for a bad hip only to learn he had a bad knee that needed surgery!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Just catching up. As usual, you have gotten great jnput from Jerry and Karen.
I joined th is community on day six after my Hapoy Hannah's surgery and was in such despair because I thought I that I had made a horrible decision to proceed with the surgery. Like you, this community offered me the reassurance that I needed to know this early part was the roughest part. I was in the "What have I done TO my dog?" For the first week or two....maybe a bit more. But once her sparkle started coming back I quickly moved to being thankful I had done this "FOR my dog!"
As they said, the fact that Shy is drinking and peeing and pooping (some) is all GREAT news!! And to be mobile, even of she requires help, is also very encouraging this early on. Gove her whatever yummy foods she'll eat for now. Cheeseburgers and rotisserie chicken are usually winners.
Remember, she just had MAJOR surgery, all while trying to adapt to three and while bein so good pain meds. Hoomans would probably still ve in the hospital on a morphine drip!
You are doing an excellent job of caring for sweet Shy. Try and get some rest yourself. Ot's exhausting emotionally and physically getting to this point.
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!
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