Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Shelby continues to camp out in the bathroom however, since I put her in boxer shorts last night because she was licking at her wound, I did find them on my bedroom floor this a.m. which means she was in there at some point. She still has a harder time at night - just standing there for no reason. Staring at the wall. Or unsure if she should move or not. She's off ALL painkillers and only on her Trazadone for anxiety issues as needed.
She is moving a LOT slower than she was at first. I don't know if her front legs are feeling the stress of bearing all her weight. She just seems sluggish (she's a rear amp).
Today I took her for a walk then gave her some breakfast before I went for a little run and she was perky about. Come back and she's in the bathroom (no surprise there). She slowly got up and is now camped out in front of my heater - facing the wall (not looking at me). She seems relaxed and calm but also depressed. Now I've read Jerry's manuals a lot and it does address this but it's just so hard for me to believe she is not sad about her old life or leg or something... she just seems sad. 
I am trying to give her some space and let her just relax (if that's what she's doing - I can't see her face).
I am going to be out most of the day. But other than moving slowly (she's also on glucosomene), she's eating and doing her business as normal so I guess at this point - "Alison" (me) needs to just let it go and be thankful that she will still snuggle with me!
Alison (and Shelby)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hi Alison
Wouldn't it be great if they could tell you what was wrong????
Shelby is really doing very well this early in the recovery process but we all worry (probably too much) about how this surgery has affected our pups.
Good decision to focus on the fact that Shelby is still here to snuggle with because I firmly believe the "former" Shelby will return in due time. I really noticed a difference in Tucker when he had his sutures - and the dreaded cone of shame - removed two weeks after his surgery.
Keep up all the good work because Shelby really does know how much you love and care for her!
Have a great day!
Linda and Tucker
Hi Alison,
In general how does Shelby deal with changes to her routine? My little pug Maggie hated any change to her normal routine. When I bought a new house she wouldn't walk on the linoleum floor. When I bought a SUV and made her ride in the back instead of the front she pouted for a month! How do I know? Because she loved riding in the car and always looked out the window. She spent a month in the back of the SUV sitting with her back to me. And I'm talking the whole back with the seats down. When she didn't get breakfast because one of the pugs was fasting for blood work she would sit with her back to me and wouldn't let me pet her. You get the idea.
When Maggie had her amp she was true to form, she was not happy for about 6 weeks. She spent most of her time in bed, and wouldn't play with me no matter how much I tried. No medical complications, just a stubborn pug. She came around on her own time and hopped happily through life for almost 4 years.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Would be so much easier if she would tell me what is up! she just seems off but I bet it's all that you all described. I am sure those stitches are starting to be annoying and itchy. Her routine is off. I was off all summer with her and when I went back to work, right after her spleen surgery, she was one peeved little pooch! She definitely gets pouty when I am getting ready to leave.
Years ago, I had a boyfriend that I would go out to see and if I washed my hair at night after a run instead of the normal rinse off that I would do, that indicated to Shelby that I was going out - that she could actually see me in the shower and discern the difference always amazed me. To this day, when I shower and wash my hair (as I did today) she starts to pout since she knows it means that I am going somewhere.
She was shaking like a leaf earlier but I am coming to learn that that now means she has to potty because I took her out and see did a long pee and poop. She never used to do that but I guess before she would let me know by pacing in front of me, tail wagging.
she is sleeping now and appears to be shaking .. I might give her a painkiller since I am getting ready to leave in a couple hours. It's just so hard to know what to do. But I assume this is all part of the process. It's a long road for sure.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
You are really learning to read her subtle signs like that, how wonderful!
Is she shaking in her sleep? Or more like twitching? Keep in mind that light twitching is normal but if she's still on pain meds then it's wise to keep up with the protocol until your vet says otherwise.
Of course you know what to do, you are doing GREAT!! Enjoy your sunday and try not to worry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Eva has not been quite herself yet since her op (mind you, she wasn't herself before the op either because her leg was so painful) but she is eating, sleeping, cuddling etc. We saw the first signs of the old Eva today, when she collected two shoes (see her thread), but she's not lively at certain times as she was in the past (only certain times, it is true that greyhounds spend 99% of the time sleeping!).
However, I keep reminding myself that she's had a huge operation, and it's still really early days, so it makes sense that she's not bouncing around in the morning hassling us to get up or running to the door in excitement when I come home (and in fact she never did either of those things consistently - it was just when she felt like it!). She is still taking herself off to sit by herself in our bedroom every day, so she obviously feels she wants to be left alone at times.
We get the odd bout of shivering, lots of stump twitching, and some sharp squeals (we have now started Gapabentin, so hopefully that will deal with the squeals) - as long as she's eating, drinking and doing her wees and poos then I figure she's doing ok, and the same goes for Shelby.
Hang in there!
Thank you everyone for the positive feedback and assurance that we're doing the right thing and doing OK. It's true - it's only been 12 days for MAJOR surgery. The shaking is like she's cold or scared. It's pretty intense and I try and ignore it as to not encourage her since if I pet her, then she learns that if she shakes I will give her a cookie or pet her.
She did really well on our walk this a.m. Very alert. Wasn't dragging behind. Wasn't as fast but definitely perky.
I am off today so I'll get to spend some time with her (again). Right now she has curled herself (amp side up) into her little bed that she hasn't been in since the surgery. In fact, I walked her try and get into it and I think she gets frustrated b/c it was harder to curl herself into a ball like that. She tried yesterday but got her cone caught and got frustrated. Today her cone is off while I'm here so she did it. It's in front of the heater that I guess kicked on. Warms my heart to see her in there. I'll try and grab a photo but it's probably only cute to me.
She is officially eating her food again w/out embellishments which is fantastic since I didn't want to cook for her every night! 🙂
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Alison (and Shelby)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Oh that is so cute! Reminds me of our little mini dachshund who used to curl up like that.
Keep it up Shelby, you are doing great!
First day since her amputation that I have seen my girl's spirit back!!! She is acting like Shelby again! She's been alert, happy and perky most of the day. Perhaps it's because I am home w/her (yet I was home all weekend and she was quite distant). We even went out side for a bit to sit!
She still shakes like she's scared or nervous for no good reason but my neighbor mentioned she's done that prior to her amputation so perhaps I just never noticed before. She still maintains that the bathroom is HER room even though ALL rooms are now open to her at all times. I am hoping once the stitches come out, she'll give it up!
Here are some photos of her doing what she loves best ... sitting outside!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
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