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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Thank you Jerry's Pack. I did reach out to the designer of the vest to see why the neck is loose. I can only tighten so much. I looked at all the videos they have, but for some reason everything is fine except for the neck and chest piece.
Newman has always gone in and out as he pleases. We used to go for a mile walk every day as well. I have a pretty big yard, but he usually just stays on my patio. I have a ranch so there's only one step down to the patio. Since I brought him home on Sunday he's been out 4 times. Two times he did nothing.
I can only imagine how he feels, so thank for the reminder. I guess I want my boy back too fast.
DEEP BREATHS.....Yeah, you know the drill..........BREATH IN DEEPLY......EXHALE SLOWLY.......B R E A T H E........B R E A T H E.... Newman is getting through this recovery period as he should...rest and more rest. And you are stronger than you realize! This is no picnic right now, that's for sure! Newman doesn't feel like pawtying yet, but he will! 🙂
We ALL understand how stressful this early part of recovery can be!! And it is indeed EARLY!! And we all also understand how extremely hard it is to be patient!! Remember, a human would probably still be in the hospital on a morphine drip!! It's MAJOR surgery and Newman is on pain meds that can make him loopy and woozy and woobly and lethargic. Gabapentin itself can have a bit of a sedation effect in some dogs. Every dog reacts differently to pain meds.
I know how hard it is to go through this by yourself and not having anyone to help you or give you some relief from caregiving duties. You are exhausted emotionally and physically! I doubt you've had much sleep the past several days.
Pooping may be delayed a few days and he may not have much of an appetite, but he should be drinking and peeing. Some dogs just freeze up if you use any type of sling. Try giving him some gentle massaging before you try and get him to stand. I know it's hard to be patient about his mobility, but we often see dogs take several days before they start to get their sea legs. S@owlw but surely, Newman will get there!
Ost dogs here are given Tramadol, Gabapentin Rimadyl and an antibiotic. If you feel the hydromorphine is makiing him too lethargic, or if it's the Gaba, you can ask about switching up some meds,tweaking the doses, etc. But the fact that Newman IS resting a lot is good, real good. That's exactly what he needs to be doing right now.
Also, you can try not taking him out u til he starts showing signs of being restless and acting like he needs to go potty. IF you can get him up, try getting him to outside and then drop any sli g or har ess and just step a it to the side and see if he takes a few steps on his own without all the "support appartus".
B R E A T H E.....E A T C H O C O L A T E.......B R E A T H E..........E A T. C H O C O L A T E......B R E..nah, skip that, just go straight to the chocolate!! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED! UPDATE FREQUENTLY! We'll help get you through this rough part and we'll celebrate with you when the sparkle comes back.........And it will!! 🙂
Lots of hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
Good Morning!
I hope I'm not wearing out my welcome here, but I wanted to ask a question. First Newman stood up! YEAH! I supported him with the vest but he went out to the backyard yesterday and did his first poop!
He's becoming restless and I suspect it's pain because it's usually right around 2 hours before his next pain pill. Although last night I was up with him for several hours. He was panting and clearly agitated. We went outside, he urinated but came back in the same way.
This morning he won't eat and he's been eating very well. First time he's refused to eat. Should I be concerned about this, or is it the ups and downs of this major surgery?
My gut tells me if he misses another meal something might be going on and I better call the Vet. But I'm a nervous mama.
Thank you!
Pam
ASK ANY QUESTIONS ANYTIME!!! That's why we're here, as well as ro cheer events like FIRST POOP!!!
STANDING UP ON HIS OWN AND FIRST. 
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Good observation on noticing when the pain meds wear off. It's harder tomplay "catch up" once the pain meds get ahead start. So check with yiur Vet about doing the doses more frequently.
With Tramadol depending on the dose, you can give it every eight hours (sometimes even every six), but only under a Bet's direction of course. If I recall, the Hydro orphine (?) Newman is on is every twelve hrs, so maybetalk to the Vet about moving that to every eight. Jist throwing that out there. It does seem like he needs his pain meds tweaked to more frequently.
And not eating is not that unusual. And it can be a sign of pain too. Try ANYTHING....every yummy food you can think of...cheese pizza, scrambled eggs and bacon, stinky liverwurst, warmed chicken, cheeseburgers, etc. Small meals throughout the day. Normally lack of appetite is just the "up and down" part of recovery. But certainly you know your Newman best and if you have concerns, by all means speak with yiur Vet.
NEWMAN IS MAKING ROGRESS!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Every little baby step is a HUGE STEP during recovery!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Stay connected and keep us posted! Talk to the Vet about tweaking the pain meds, or adding Tramadol, or whatever.
You and Newman bith are doing great!!!
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!
Thank you Sally! I tried his favorite food a little while ago. I hate giving it to him, but he loves Primo Itaglio honey roasted turkey lunch meat. He ate that! So I guess I will give him a little more and then his hydromorphone. The gets one every 8 hours.
Double check with yiur Vet first about adjusting the meds.
And YAY for junk foodhoney turkey!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Right now, whatever he'll eat is good! Sometimes "good nutrition" has to take a back seat for a few days during recovery! 🙂
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!
Hi: I wanted to check in since Newman has had his stitches out. He is doing so much better or maybe I'm less nervous with the stitches out, but he's been on the couch, hopping over to beg some breakfast from me, sunning himself in the backyard!!!!!!!
I usually take him out to the backyard with the sling, but I was totally shocked by the fact that he could get on the couch all by himself. He's amazing. He actually wagged his tail for the first time in 11 days.
I'm so proud of him
No results on the biopsy yet, but things are looking up. Thank you for your support of me and my friend. The decision to move ahead with the amputation was a result of reading many of the examples on this site, so thanks again.
Way to go Newman!! That's such a great boy! Sounds like Newman is progressing well ! So glad to hear this! Waiting on biopsy results is not easy. Regardless of the results your sweet Newman doesn't care, he just wants to be with you and get all the loving he can! Praying that each day continues to get better and better!
Heather and Toddy
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR JUMPING UP IN THE COUCH!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Dogs and couches..........they just belong together! 🙂 Pretty sure that's why goD invene couches in the first place.....so dogs would have a place to wipe their dirty paws, shed their fur, and wipe their chins after supper......as well as a sleeping statio ! 🙂 🙂
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR STITCHES OUT!!! 🙂 YAAAAAAAAAY FOR WAGGING TAILS!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thanks for the great update and keep em comk g!!! 🙂
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!
3 paws up to you and Newman! That's such a hoppy update!
Glad he's getting around so well. Don't forget, you can apply for a Tripawds Rehab Reimbursement Grant so that when Newman jumps off the couch he won't hurt himself. Rehab therapy for Tripawds makes a huge difference.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello! Since everyone here is so helpful, I thought I would ask this....I have been home everyday with Newman since his surgery. I have to be in the office on Monday and I'm worried about him. My Sister was going to spend the day with him but something has come up for her and she can't be here until noon. I'm very nervous about leaving him alone.
Is there anything you can think of that I should do before I leave for work? I will confine him to the family room and block the couches so he can't jump up. I will feed him before I go and leave water for him. The floor is covered as much as possible with a rug and several rugs I purchased that are non-skid. I will make sure he gets his meds and is not anxious before I go. I think the gabapentin makes him a little anxious, but I'm only guessing.
The vet wants to leave Newman on the same meds he's been on since surgery as it's only been two weeks. He eventually settles down after getting the gabapentin so I've been adjusting the time so I can give him the meds in plenty of time before I leave.
I'm so nervous about leaving him
can you tell?
You've thought of everything! How about a favourite toy so he can have some stimulation? Could you put old toys in a cardboard boxes with a treat so he has to work to open them to get the treat and toy? The downside is if he's a box eater. Maybe a plastic box then. Or hide little toys and treats around the family room and see if he gets curious and finds them. Heck, he might sleep the whole time.
Take a moment and write down your fears. Burn that paper. He'll be fine and happy to see your sister.
This is a good transition for Newman to get back to regular life.
Enjoy your weekend and maybe go out for an hour or two without Newman. I know he's thinking, "I've got this Mom."
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Yep, you've got it covered!! Kerren had some good suggestions, but I agree, he'll probably sleep most of the time! It'll be good for both of you to jave a bit of time apart. Besides, his Auntie will be there around noon to check in him. Many "owners" have to go back to work much sooner than two weeks and the puos and cats do just fine...especially with all the precautions you jave taken! 🙂
If Newman's not showing any signs of pain, the Vet may start tapering him off the Gabapentin and see how he does. Some dogs need the pain meds a bit longer, some don't. You know your Newman best.:-)
Let us know how it goes.....but we already know it will go just fine!!
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!
Yay for Newman! It sounds like you have been doing a fantastic job of taking care of your boy! Good for you sweetheart! You sure have a couple of beautiful angels helping you too! My condolences for the loss of your husband. You really do sound like a very strong person to me. The very fact that you are now at this stage with your dear friend Newman and this is after a tremendous loss, tells me everything!
Stewie & I hope all is still progressing well and that Newman is sailing through his recovery! Good brave boy!
Take good care of yourself and Newman will live his life to the fullest, no matter how long. You have already improved his life by 100%!!!
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his feline siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾🐾❤️.
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
p.s it also sounds like you have got the situation covered, as far as leaving him alone for the day. We did the same thing for Stewie, by setting up the couches in a small area for him. He was quite comfortable. Well done!
Remember...“live in the moment!“
First I have to thank all of you for helping Newman and myself adjust to this new LIFEsyle. Newman did fabulously on his first day alone. I guess deep down I knew he would. He really is such a good dog!
I've taken in a lot of what I have read here - even home cooked a meal for him with a recipe I found here. He loves it! And it's cheaper than his dog food???
As we move along this journey I will let my Newman tell me what he wants and I will try to give him the best life - just as he's given me. He has taught me to go with the flow when it comes to adversity. He's so strong, the least I can do is accompany him with the same mindset.
Having support is so important and also a place to go for information. THANK YOU PEOPLE OF TRIPAWDS!!! You have saved two lives with this web site!
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