Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Molly J is close to 13 years old. She's 5 days post rear leg amp. We went to the emergency vet last night because of drainage from the site. She has an infection. Belly was purple and swollen, and she had a handful-sized fluid pocket that was traveling along her belly. That vet added another antibiotic and increased pain meds. It drained all night, and her belly is closer to its normal pink shade. However, she's shaking and is restless. The vet also injected fluids to reduce the fever. I know the shaking could be pain, but could it also be her fever breaking? She's still wagging her tail, but I'm still not sure what to expect from all of this. I think I'm just looking for anyone else who is going through the same thing.
We didn't deal with this in post surgery with Snoop. To start, a tail wagging is a good good sign. The shaking could be a combo from meds we've had that with Snoop. Also could be from fever still. To make you feel more comfortable you could monitor her temp at home to see if her temp is dropping and going back to normal. If she's lying down it should be easy to do. Make sure she's drinking as much as possible, easy to get dehydrated from fever. We've experience that with our other dog who had a fever. Don't hesitate to call vet or clinic and ask anything. They are there to help you.
This stage can be tough, for everyone involved, but it gets easier. Remember to also take care of yourself too.
The first couple of weeks can be ruff between meds and starting to heal well. A lot of rest, remember to hydrate her well, and a lot of tlc, which she's probably getting an abundance of. She's a senior as is my boy, it can take a bit longer.
Jump on live chat, there are usually folks on at nite. It helps everyone here is wonderful in offering any support advice or just to listen.
Hope all improves quickly,
Esther and her Snoop
Awww, sorry sweet Molly is having all these "challenges". If it helps....they all sound like pretty "normal" challenges.
My Happy Hannah had a very colorful fluid dangling pocket of seroma that just seemed like it took forever to be reabsorbed! And yeah, she had a whole lot of "colorful" bruising for awhile too! It seemed like it got even more "colorful several days after the surgery. Infections to pop up but it sounds like you and your vet are on top of that! Good for you!
I'm really glad Molly's seems to be clearing up fairly quickly.
It does sound like she may be experiencing pain. Shaking, restlesness, whiny, ears pinned back, all can be sympton of pain. And yeah, dogs are such magical souls, they'll still wag even when hurting just because they love us! For me, and I'm no vet, I'd rather err on the side of giving her more pain meds than too little. Check with your vet about upping them even a bit more. Now, just because this jjourney is soooooo whacky.....sometimes the symptons are the same if it's too much meds!!
How much does Molly weigh? Is she on Tramadol and Gabapentin? What's the doseage? How high was her fever? Is she eating, drinking, etc? And YAAAAAAY for tail wags!!
Check back in when you can. This recovery is no picnic...especially the first week or two!!! My Happy Hannah took three weeks before I started seeing her sparkle come back!!!You are not alone, okay? We are all here for you!! Stay connected to us! We are right by your side! Do you see us?? You do??!!! Aw..awwhh...
Sending lots of healing hugs!
Sallyand Happy Hannah
Tell us more about Molly and post pictures!! We love pics around here!
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!
Sorry to hear about the symptoms. Fluid collection at that time post op was normal for us. They sent us home with only a T-shirt but no bandaging. I got some 4" coban and large ace bandages, this seemed to help immensely with the swelling. I did not do research, but I know when my human patients had swelling or a "free space" the solution is always compression. Needless to say, it really helped. I think it made our Sarge more comfy too. I just wrapped around the chest (our baby is a front leg amp). If the drainage is thick, yellow, green or smells bad, to vet ASAP. Also if fever above 102 I would take in for eval. Wagging tails are always a good sign. Like others on this site have said, this journey is a roller coaster. We are just getting started with ours... Chemo Wed! Keep us updated on sweet Molly J!
I would suggest monitoring her temp at home. If it does not go down or rises more, get her rechecked. They can get dehydrated very quickly. Also, if the fever persists, demand, don't suggest a culture of the draining fluid. They can determine what antibiotic to best treat specific infections. Check back and let us know how you are doing. Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Thanks to you all for your encouragement and support. It means so much. Molly J seems to be improving as the day goes on. She's eating, drinking, and taking all her meds so easily. For pain, she's on Tramadol 3x a day and Carprofen 2x a day. Tramadol was added yesterday when we went to her regular vet for the seroma . As far as antibiotics, she was only on amoxicillin until last night. The emergency vet did a culture of the drainage and added enrofloxacin. Each antibiotic is 2x a day. She injected fluids under her skin for fever reduction, and I believe she's broken her fever (no thermometer...just judging by behavior). There's no odor with her drainage. It's been a few different shades of red, but watery. She weighed 45 lbs pre-amp, so it sounds like this is the best cocktail for her. Trembling has lessened the past few hours, and she's resting much more peacefully now, after her afternoon warm compress.
Oh yay, just now catching up and so glad to hear she's improving. It sure sounds like your vet is on top of things, that's pawesome.
Give her a big smooch from us and keep us posted OK? We totally get that this ride isn't easy, but it's not forever either, you'll get off it soon and go on to live a hoppy life once again!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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