Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today is 2 weeks post op of the front right leg for our 13 year old husky, Loki.
He is off all meds except Gabapentin and CBD oil (which he also took before the surgery).
Before surgery he would stand by the door and give a nice bark to let us know he wanted to go outside. Now he'll look you right in the eye and pee on the floor. He has a faint whine almost constantly unless I am petting/massaging him. No signs of pain whatsoever when I am doing this. If I want to pick him up to get him up or down steps he has to be muzzled now. Bit my hand so bad this week that I almost had to go see the vet (doc). Was never like this before. I can put an entire bag of his most favorite treat in the whole world, 2 feet in front of him and he won't budge. I know his mobility is OK all things considered because I have a camera to check in on him while my wife and I are at work. He "bounces" around all day while we are gone. Getting him to go outside is such a painstaking process even though in the past he would sit outdoors all day long and be at total peace.
Wife and I are both running on fumes from lack of sleep and I even dozed off at my desk today LOL. Funny, not funny. The stress is trickling over into our marriage and we find ourselves arguing over how we think we should handle our dog or just dumb stuff.
Today I got home, gave him a big hug/kiss, fed him and gave tons of positive vibes. The minute I clipped the leash to his harness though he snapped at me and wouldn't budge. Had to muzzle, carry him across the living room and through the door to the backyard.
Sorry for the long winded post. I could probably write a book on just the past 2 weeks. I know they are the hardest. I pride myself on having a great relationship with my dog and a guy who knows how to get things done, but my bestest buddy feels like a stranger and I feel helpless. Next week we have an appointment with our local vet to have his staples removed. We are both praying that this might make a difference in his behavior or are we in for another 2+ weeks of what we just went through.
We won't ever give up and have never placed any blame on him or us for what has happened. That's life, but if anyone has any "hacks" we would greatly appreciate it. We've spent countless hours online, YouTube, FB groups...you name it. So many stories I thought there was a possibility that there were others out there who had similar stories.
Hey There,
I'm soo sorry that you're going through this. To me, it sounds like he's still uncomfortable and may need more pain or anti-inflammatory medication to help him feel a bit better. And you have to *take a deep breath* and remain patient (with pup and your wife)... he is learning to use his new body to do what he did before. So there will be gait changes and different demands for muscle control during this adjustment. So, he may be a bit sore an achey ... and without pain meds also grumpy.
After amp surgery with my guy, I invested in a Ruffwear Webmaster harness (it's designed for active/hiking/scrambling dogs ... and it has a handle, right in the middle of the back) and it provided a much better "center of gravity" than a collar or conventional harness. And, using the handle ...I could literally lift him to his feet by his "body" or "Chest", he did not mind this at all.. but definitely *Hated* when I picked him up with my hands/arms. Jersey learned to really trust the harness and he eventually kept in on 100% of the time (ironically, he was very anxious when I took it off to give him a break). So, if you haven't purchased a good harness that properly distributes his weight...I would strongly encourage you to do so. (it also saved my back... my doggy weighed about 80lbs!)
Also, I found that attaching a leash to his collar or harness threw him "off balance"... he tended to wobble or fall more often with a leash attached, I don't know if this has happened to you, but i'd imagine it to be painful and scary for him to lose balance and fall with the inability to catch or brace himself. We have the luxury of a fenced yard so I was able to use the handle to get him into the yard and let him run around a bit (or I sat with him on the front lawn).
I also realized that my guy walked around all day and would STOP walking around when I was home ... this was 100% my fault. I was soo fearful of him falling that he was afraid that he shouldn't walk around in my presence. So, try to be cognizant of the energy you're emitting. (Jersey did not even try to walk until day 9, and he was moving around pretty well around day 13 or 14)
I'm sure that others will have much better advice, but these are my 2-cents from having a very similar experience.
You are not being long-winded, you've been through so much. Anyone who has been through amputation recovery can relate, no worries there.
Hmmm. So we just recently had a member post about a similar situation...their dog was also going through some odd behavior like this, and it turns out that one or two of his staples were put in at an awkward angle and poking him. This could possibly be the case with Loki. Sudden nips and growls in a dog who has never behaved like that before are one of the biggest pain indicators there is. Maybe a phone call to your vet to explain the situation could get him in earlier? Generally staples come out at about the 10 day mark, so they might be agreeable to it if you or your wife can make the appointment.
Try not to feel helpless, this will pass and you'll have Loki back. For now, I'm wondering....are there stairs that you need to help him go up and down to get outside? Is that why you had to carry him? And if not, have you tried luring him outside with crazy stinky food? Something that will allow him to associate great things with going outside, instead of some kind of weird pain he's experiencing when he tries to go out there?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OMD!!! Give yourself credit!!! You (and your wife) are I the middle of a really rough recovery kn soooo many levels!!! On top of that, you are exhausted, stressed, uncertain, and did I already mention stressed and exhausted??
I was a complete basket case for almost three weeks and didn't have half the challenges yoj arr experiencing!
You got GREAT jnput from Kim (Jerseyboy) and Jerry.
Just want to piggyback avout rhe stitches/staples being a very possible issue, as well as the harness. In most cases and if at all possible, harnesses are not a good idea for front leggers unless they are fitted in a way that would not inter with the incision AT ALL!
How much does he weight and what are the doses/frequency of Gabapentin? Is it possible that the CBD oil make up has changed (different brand different source, etc)? With your Bet's approval, maybe you could take the VBD out of the equation for a few days and see if there are any changes. Maybe the Gaba needs to be reduced OR increased. Just throwing ideas out there.
One other thought. Do you have a friend who Loki just adores? Hooman or doggy friend? What if you had them outside in the yard calling Loki with an excited voice and a cheeseburger??
I agree about getting stitches out asap if it has already been two weeks since the amp. And check about not using a harness IF possible. Of course, if you have stairs that may not be an option. It really seems like those two things may just be the issue.
Your devotion to Loki is beautiful. And YES, you will get past this!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry 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!
Don't worry about long winded posts. Amp surgery and recovery are advanced pet parenting!
A couple of ideas...
For clarification: does he wear his harness all the time or do you put it on to take him out? When he is hopping around while you are at work is he in the harness? Since he still has his staples in it could be that the harness causes pain when you put it on and he then associates the pain with going outside so is refusing. If he can get around on his own can you take him out without the harness? Maybe use a collar if you think he might move around too much.
The snapping and biting are indicators of pain- maybe more than just the staples pulling or poking. Most pups here are on pain meds for at least two weeks- maybe he needs pain meds a bit longer. We see here sometimes that the older pups take a bit longer to get to their new normal.
I did have luck with my Pug Maggie by having someone she liked come over. She really perked up and acted pretty normal when for me she was being a slug. Maybe a new face will inspire Loki!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
Right now Loki is using the Convert harness and seems to more tolerable to it versus his Webmaster. Doesn't care to help when it comes to adjusting so I'm sure either would work.
Tried to get him into the vet earlier this week to remove staples. Nothing open for appointments, but we are on a cancellation list. The staples are definitely causing him discomfort. He is 100% off of meds, but we will be talking with our vet on Thursday to see what he should be taking.
His entrance/exit to our fenced in backyard is stepped. This is what he has used for 13 years so it's what we will continue to use. I think it finally "clicked" for him that taking them at an angle gives him more room. With just me holding the leash for support he was able to get down twice and up once. Steps are still pretty difficult for him and he'll get a panic attack when he sees them. Instantly drops to the ground and becomes a 50# rock. All the rest of his bathroom breaks this weekend required me lifting him. The weather here in Wisconsin wasn't very pleasant this weekend for letting him just chill out in the backyard and he doesn't like to be told when he has to go out or come in. Anyways...I know now that he can manage the stairs. He just has to work at it.
Good for you for advocating for Loki! I hope your vet can get you in sooner. Fingers crossed!
It's totally normal for stairs to be intimidating to any dog, so don't lose hope. How many stairs are there? Does he hesitate on stairs at the top or bottom of them? A front-leg amputee will have a harder time going down than up. Meanwhile just find the stinkiest yummiest food he loves and bribe him as best you can to go up. Once he gets the hang of that, try it going down.
You and Loki can do this, things do get better!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi. Brownie's Mom here. Tomorrow will be week three since brownie's amputation of front leg. Brownie is a 12 year old choc lab. I have found for some reason since the surgery he know longer likes his favorite treats. I would put them In front of him and he would push them away with his nose. So I got new treats and he loves them. Go figure...
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
brownie1201 said
So I got new treats and he loves them. Go figure...
Well, part of that could be that he was thinking it was time for some variety, and part of it could be that the medication he's been on has affected his taste buds. Either way, you done good!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sounds like Loki is making progress!! That's a wonderful update ... and I hope that you + wife are feeling a bit better/relieved.
My doggy, Jersey had always been SUPER picky about food. And during his first days home he ate like a champ. But, by day 4-ish he decided that he did not want to eat anything. Not people food, no favorite treats, no canned food ... absolutely nothing. I was able to get pills in him with cheese.
And then I started looking for *anything* that he would eat. Here's the list:
- McDonalds Chicken nuggets for food and treats (this became how I gave him pills, the only thing he'd eat 100% of the time)
- Cheese (sometimes)
- Breaded chicken tenders (he preferred the junk-food version, by a mile)
- Evangers Braised Beef Cans (He only like this ONE flavor ... the smell of it was absolutely revolting)
- Stella and Chewy's freeze dried foods (Only sometimes)
- Merrick turducken/wingaling. (he would eat turducken if I spoon fed him...)
I eventually was able to incorporate ACTUAL food back into his diet as he started to feel better. And, he also went back to all of the treats that he loved before. But, it honestly took weeks....
Anyways, i'm thinking of you and sending positive energy that the trend of improvement continues... especially since staple removal+pain medication consulation.
HaHa.. Thanks for sharing that fun memory of sweet JerseyBoy. And here he is, still touching lives by having you enlighten newbies on the "proper diet" during recovery.....and beyond! Made me smile to think about that sweet boy❤
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!
jerseyboy said
And then I started looking for *anything* that he would eat. Here's the list:
Kim this is such good information! Do you have a photo to share with it? I would love to include it in the Tripawds Nutrition blog . PM me if you have any questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
jerseyboy said
And then I started looking for *anything* that he would eat. Here's the list:
Kim this is such good information! Do you have a photo to share with it? I would love to include it in the Tripawds Nutrition blog . PM me if you have any questions.
Sure! Feel free to share this random memory. The evangers braised beef + Merrick Turducken were golden in my house. (... as were the gross McD's nuggets. We'd buy a 20 pack every few day... ugh!)
Cool! Got any photos you'd like to share with it?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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