TRIPAWDS: Home to 25112 Members and 2176 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Sage's Story (Great Dane - front leg amputation)
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
27 October 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
16
29 October 2020 - 8:16 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi all! Update on Sage here and also some therapeutic documentation for us. So Sage really cannot do anything on her own right now, there needs to be 2-3 people helping her around with the harness. Getting her inside was a 4-person job and it caused a little bit of bleeding at the site, but from what I can see right now everything looks ok and we will keep our eyes on it. I think a little bleeding after being hauled in and out of an SUV and up some stairs might be relatively expected.

Currently, we have her set up on her bed with pee pads for the night and we will sleep down here with her. Good news is she got down her meds with pill pockets which clearly helped her pain and she ate some blueberries and a handful of kibble and a 2 or 3 low cal treats just to get something else in that tum. She is drinking with the help of a dash of chicken broth added to her water. We are gonna boil chicken tonight and use that as the new (healthier) pill pocket for the rest of her recovery. 

She stayed two nights in the hospital so this is only night #3. We're not sure if just laying here all day is good or bad? How often should we get her up and practicing moving a bit - just some steps at a time? Maybe we wait to do that until we see her really attempting to sit up on her own? We are worried that even a trip outside tomorrow might not be possible given the 5 steps to get out and then back again...but she does need to go to the bathroom of course! We're not sure if she will just end up going lying down on the pee pads? Guess we will find out.

Not panicking at all, just looking for a bit of guidance or advice from other (15-20lb overweight) giant breed experiences! Thank you all and goodnight! https://imgur.c...../pWa2ABK 

Another update: When she goes to get her stitches out in 2 weeks, that will also set her up with her first rehab eval/appointment! And we are still focused on that diet and losing more weight. Gotta focus on the positive and set goals!

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
17
29 October 2020 - 9:34 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Awww....she looks so sweet and actually quite content.  She has such a pretty face.

Yeah, my suggestion would be to wait until she shows some interest in trying to get up to go to potty.  That ways she's a little  more motivated  to try and hop.  And, as you said, of she decides  to pee on the pads, that's  okay  too.  After another day of two, then maybe you can try and motivate  her take a bit of a hop to her food bowl pr to get a yummy treat.

You are doing a great job, especially  in the area of maintaining a strong, positive  and confident  attitude.   That kind of energy is very helpful in Sage's healing. 

You can try slices of apples, green beans, baby carrots and even bananas as a low cal treat.  She'll get her weight down in no time.👌

Good luck with the stairs tomorrow.  I think Team  Sage will master them 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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
18
29 October 2020 - 9:49 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Awww hey pretty Sage! 

She still looks like she's seeing pink elephants, and at day 3 that is not at all unusual. I would say, focus on just allowing her to rest. Don't force her to get up except during those 2-3 times a day she needs to get out and potty. In time, she'll get strong enough to want to move around more. But for this first week or so, allow her to be a couch potato and focus on healing.

I also think that tomorrow she will do better than you can envision right now. Most dogs will surprise their humans by getting up on their own! She will too. Big dogs need a little longer than most but they find their groove too!

I'm sooo glad you got the rehab appointment. I think you will get such a confidence boost from the visit. Information and education is power. You're getting more and more each day. YAY!

Stay pawsitive, you've got this. Keep us posted.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
15 June 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
19
30 October 2020 - 7:50 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi, just reading through the discussion here, and I have to say, that picture of Sage resting her head on your knee just melts my heart! She loves her human soooo much, and it's so wonderful that you are being so positive and supporting her. She is doing such an awesome job already and so are you!

Keeping Sage and her family in my thoughts! You guys rock!!!sp_hearticon2sp_hearticon2sp_hearticon2

Member Since:
27 October 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
20
30 October 2020 - 9:58 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks everyone for your kind and encouraging responses! I just read through all of Lady's story - what an amazing and beautiful lab!! her strength is really an inspiration to us right now - thank you so much for popping and and sending us love - we need all we can get! 

Last night, Sage's first night home, she was in some distress. It seemed she likely just needed to pee but was not motioning to get up al all. finally, after much crying, she peed in her pee pads laying down which she seemed to truly hate, poor thing. We cleaned her up, replaced the pads, and she slept through the night. This morning around 9:30, she seemed absolutely determined to pee outside. We listened to her signals and with some heavy assistance, she actually did a great job down the 5 steps! She peed and pooped! After that, she was EXAUSTED so getting her back up the steps and inside was probably 80% us carrying her, 20% her moving her legs a little. But hey, she did ok. Just wish we didn't have those steps or we were capable of carrying her. All the stress and commotion, and perhaps the bit of pressure on her chest, caused a section of her staples to have a very very slow minimal but constant blood ooze for about 45 minutes. We called the vet and they kinda said "meh, not ideal but also probably nothing to worry about - it happens when giant dogs exert themselves at first that much - just keep an eye on it and make sure it isn't gushing or torn or looking infected". It is non of those things right now.

But WOW for Sage getting out on day 3 like that! Maybe slightly too early for those steps but her determination to poop and pee on grass was impressive! We even tore up our garden our back and spread grass an mulch on the section of the porch before it gets to the steps in hopes she might do her business there but she was NOT having it!icon_razz

The vest we have for her right now is "ok" but we just rush ordered this one: https://gear.tr.....p-harness/. We realized that with the missing leg, this actually WILL fit her chest. And we think it will probably be a lot more comfy for her. The GingerLead we bought however works just fine as additional assistance.

Pics of her just LOVING being at home for her first night, back with her family!

https://imgur.com/jfS0G9T

https://imgur.com/qGK3owz

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
21
30 October 2020 - 10:15 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

WE HAVE 💩💩💩!!    DOING HOPPY 💩💩  DANCE OVER HERE!!!

This is such a good update for day three....really, really good!!!  And you are doing an stellar job of caretaking and monitoring  her👍

I know she hated peeing on the pad, but it is a necessity  so often early on recovery.  But her determination  to pee outside in her spot says a lot about her spunk!  And spunk is good for a tripawd to have during recovery.

Bummer about the steps and all the efforts that go into getting her up and down them.   Anyway you could get anyone to quickly build a ramp?  

Thanks for the update.  And, again, your attitude  is exactly  what we hope all hoomans can master in recovery.  You've  definitely  mastered it!!

Hugs 

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

PS....Wonderful  pics chock full of loce❤

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!

Member Since:
15 June 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
22
30 October 2020 - 12:18 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

That is WONDERFUL news that she got up to pee on her own. Sometimes, being a proud doggo works in their favor. Lady wouldn't go on pee pads either. Too proud. So it motivated her to get up and out, just like it seems to be doing for Sage!

As Benny suggested, could someone build a ramp? Or platforms? I read somewhere that dogs sometimes don't use ramps, but with Lady being so big (105 pounds) pre surgery and HATING to be picked up, we ended up building platforms on top of the back stairs. We just bought a bunch of wood from Home Depot. They were about 5 1/2 feet in length and we made 3 of them so that she could just step down ONE time, level out, then step again, level out, and step down into the yard. It saved all our backs because it worked great for her. Eventually she did the front stairs with the harness, so Sage WILL do them, but maybe you could do platforms until then? Just a suggestion. I can send you pictures of it if you'd like to see. I'm thinking it might be hard to imagine as I am describing it...

BIG VICTORY today going outside to use her 'facilities' LOL! They always say here to celebrate the small stuff, and I can tell you are doing just that. I'm celebrating with you! icon_lol

Member Since:
27 October 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
23
30 October 2020 - 12:33 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thank you both so much for the encouragement! Seems like Lady and Sage started as hefty ladies who needed to work on shedding some pounds! I actually saw the platforms in one of the videos you posted on the forums - how creative! Those seemed to work wonderfully for her. We have actually tried a few ramps with Sage on 4 legs to get her into the trunk of our SUV. She hated them so much haha - we resorted to just letting her lay across the back seat and jump in herself. I can't be sure...but if I had to bet, she wouldn't use a ramp and would just head straight for the steps. I'm not sure if the layout and size of our front yard will work with platforms...but we will look into it more!

In our case, she may just need to deal with the few steps for now...however, of course if it becomes a real problem, we will troubleshoot again! Her safety is first. And when that new harness comes, I bet (hope) it will be even easier.

Another quick fun update - she got up herself and turned around in her bed just now, unassisted! Happened so fast I almost missed it. Like you say - celebrate small victories!

Thank you all so much for your support - it is getting us through it!sp_hearticon2

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
24
30 October 2020 - 3:30 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

YESSSS!!!!smiley_clapI've been away all afternoon and am THRILLED to see Sage's progress since I last checked in here. This is wonnnnnnderful! Between your great attitude and her determination, recovery will be over before you know it. Great job!

Those photos of her and you are just so sweet. 

Thank you for ordering the Get-a-Grip from us. I'm 99.9% confident you'll love it, and I'm super glad you ordered the shoulder strap for it. Being able to use your body weight to get a dog up from the floor is so much easier than just using handles, when you really need to. I hope you wont though, it really does sound like she's making great steps toward a full recovery.

And yeah, the fluid leakage is nothing to worry about as long as it's more watery and pink than bloody and dark, and doesn't smell or look cloudy. It's a seroma , most likely, and those will usually reabsorb into the body.

Keep us posted on how the weekend goes OK? We are cheering from across the miles!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
1 October 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
25
30 October 2020 - 4:09 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

That’s such great news about going outside to potty aaand turning around on her own!!! Definitely celebrate those small wins, it will help you and her. 
Lucy had a seroma when she was sent home too, but it quickly resolved itself. I’m not sure if your vet told you about ice packs the first few days, but Lucy tolerated them very well (that laid back Dane personality). Wrap a gel ice pack in a thin towel and place it over the incision site for no more than 15 min. I also took pictures of the incision to compare and make sure it wasn’t getting infected (I was super anxious about that). 
I very much utilized this website for the first two weeks, I calmed down a bit after that! Keep up the good work healing, Sage! We’re all cheering for you and Sage!

Member Since:
27 October 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
26
30 October 2020 - 4:56 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks so much everyone. Haha you're absolutely right - this forum is incredibly useful right now during the first two weeks. We are so grateful for this newfound community!

That's great that Lucy's seroma cleared right up. I was glad to learn that this is normal for now. So true about that chill dane personality! I know for sure Sage wont mind the ice packs! Next time she is laying in the right position for it, we will do a short ice pack session! Thanks for the tip! Also taking a photo everyday - great idea.

Jerry - yes we are pumped for the harness and that's why we expressed it! I think it's going to be much easier for us, especially with these steps 🙂

Sage inspired us from day one when she beat the odds and we are seeing that same fighting spirit now!

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
27
30 October 2020 - 8:37 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

First UNASSISTED get up and turn around.....HUGE VICTORY!!!  YAY FOR SAGE👏👏👏  Isnt it amazing  how they figure things out so quickly?  

Smooch the mug for us!😘

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!

Member Since:
27 October 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
28
1 November 2020 - 9:04 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Hi everyone! Some updates on Sage from this weekend (days 5 and 6). She is kicking butt! She is trying her best and it is so impressive. She doesn't like the 6 steps to get outside, but we manage with assistance. However, the one step from the house to the porch is fine. It's multiple in a row that are difficult but of course that is totally expected at this point! However, once out, she seems so content to be overlooking her queendom 🙂 She officially hops around and squats to pee and gets back up without assistance! We still shadow her as a spot, but she is doing great. Still only one poop (day 4 I think) since being home, but then again, she isn't eating too much either - enough, but slightly less than she normally would even on a diet. I think that's ok?

Previous to today, she would pretty much only get up to readjust herself a bit or to go out to pee. But today, multiple times she got up out of her bed on her own to come check us out on the couch! It's a short 5-6 hops over because we stay close - but go Sage! And once, she hopped over, did a few circles, and plopped down next to the couch to lay down there! I was sitting near her in her bed, but she wanted to go over and sit near her other parent and cat brother. We were so proud of her!

She seems more and more content each day, maybe just slightly sedated from the pain meds. Speaking of, she is still on her gabapentin dosage every 8 hours. We let that extend to 10 today just to see how she was doing, but she started getting panty right around the 10 hour mark, so we are back to 8 hours. Her comfort is definitely our priority! Just curious what others' meds timeline was? The vet only told us to monitor and administer based on how she does. They also said to use the anti-inflammatories for just three days then "see how she does" so she is off those for now...

Last, I'll end this post with this picture here. We had the pee pads out for a few extra days, just out of an abundance of caution. Sage decided it was an insult to her dignity and showed us exactly what she thought of those pee pads. That's that silliness coming back!

https://imgur.com/GE5wRtV

Member Since:
1 October 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
29
1 November 2020 - 9:09 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I LOVE that picture!!! Sassy Sage! 

Member Since:
27 October 2020
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
30
2 November 2020 - 7:36 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Another quick pupdate: poop this morning, yaypoopicon! And diet wise, I figured out something fun. She isn't interested in veggies, but she will eat blueberries and bananas. However, I need to get veggies into her diet. So I figured out that if I shave down the carrots and dice up a tiny bit of apple, add it to a bowl with just the tiniest splash of low sodium chicken broth, it soaks up up that flavor in about 30 minutes and I add that to her food bowl and then she is interested! Working hard on that diet!

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online: quorra_bomber, cooleyomar4
Guest(s) 147
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1290
Members: 18611
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18901
Posts: 259304
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG