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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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11 y.o. greyhound having a mid-femoral hind leg amputation today
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Member Since:
2 November 2020
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3 November 2020 - 8:14 am
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Hello,

My boy, Jerry is having his hind leg amputated today and I am very nervous.

He has a mass on his paw that started after a laceration between his toes a year and a half ago. We have had quite the time with that paw since. To make a long story short, he has seen oncology and he is otherwise healthy (chest x-ray, ultrasound and bloodwork is good) She doesn't believe the mass is malignant but will send it off for pathology after the surgery to make sure. He got a small cut on the top of that paw running around outside 2 weeks ago and it kind of just opened up and has been bleeding profusely since. It has been a long and emotional two weeks and I am anxious to hear from the surgeon about how things went.

He will be staying tonight at the animal hospital and I will be bringing him home tomorrow. I really don't know what to expect but I know Jerry is very resilient and spry and I am hopeful he will do well after the surgery, despite his age.

I have been reading through this site and have found it helpful. I just thought I'd put our story out there and hopefully get some responses to help me stay positive during this really difficult time.

Thanks,

Laura

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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3 November 2020 - 11:06 am
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Hi Laura and Jerry, welcome. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away. We are here to lean on! And the fact that your Jerry shares a great name with our Fearless Founder, and is having his surgery on 11/3, what we call "Jerry Day" around here (the 3rd of the month, lucky #3, our special reminder of the power of the Tripawd spirit!), well, that all points to a very good indicator that your boy WILL bounce back!

If there's one thing that we've learned around here is that age really is just a number. Yep, even senior dogs do very well on three legs. Jerry may need a bit more time to recuperate, but he'll get there! Be patient, don't compare, and know that Jerry is writing his own story. He's his own dog with his own recovery timeline, and if you stay strong and optimistic throughout this recovery, he will reflect that right back to you. Attitude is everything!

Have you seen Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books library? Please stop by if you haven't already, and ask whatever questions you'd like, we are happy to share some answers.

Keep us posted on how today is going! We are cheering you and Jerry on! sp_hearticon2smiley_clapsmiley10

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

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3 November 2020 - 1:08 pm
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Thank you so much. Jerry really is a great name! Surgery on the 3rd must be a good sign, I agree!

The surgeon called about an hour ago and said everything went great and no issues with bleeding which tends to be a concern with greyhounds. Thank you for the support. I have his area all set up to bring him home and I'm sure there will be questions once I have him back here. 

On The Road


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3 November 2020 - 6:47 pm
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Yessssss! And I was going to mention Greyhound bleeding issues and totally forgot, I'm so glad you are up on that topic.

Sounds like you guys are good to go. I'm super happy that he's made it through surgery. Keep us posted OK?

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

Virginia







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22 February 2013
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3 November 2020 - 7:50 pm
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Just catching up on the GREYT JERRY!!!   YAY for surgery being done and recovery starting!!

Yes, obviously there was a lot of food juju goi g on with the two RockStars named Jerry and with surg being on the third!!,👍

When you go to  pick up, Jerry, don't even bother to draw any attention  to his incision.   Just look into his happy druggy eyes and tell him he's going home!!

Yes, stay connected.   Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks and we're right by your side the whole way to help uou navigate through it.  Recovery doesn't last furever and Jerry will be Jerry again,  but with no bum leg!!

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!

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4 November 2020 - 8:13 am
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I’m leaving work in a few hours to go pick him up. I called last night and they had him up and outside to pee and said he did really well. What a relief! I had them send a picture of him after surgery yesterday so I could see him without his leg. I got really emotional. I am going to try and get it all out of my system before I pick him up. I was going to try and post the picture of him post op if I can figure it out. Thanks again for all your support!

On The Road


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4 November 2020 - 11:42 am
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Go Jerry! Tripawd Power!!! I'm so happy surgery is behind you. Onward to recovery!!! Yeah, it's tough to see your pup without that spare leg, but in time when you see how much better he feels, you will be able to put that sadness behind you. Stay strong!!

Here's how adding images to the Forums works but if you'd like help let me know, you've got a lot on your mind right now!

1. Upload pics to a photo sharing site like imgur.com or your own Tripawds blog!
2. Right click and copy the Image URL or just copy the image if you’re on a phone
3. Return to your Tripawds Forum post and paste the image URL (or the image itself) in your post. It should automatically appear.

Cheers to a hoppy reunion!

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

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4 November 2020 - 4:05 pm
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I have just brought him home, Jerry is still a little dopey from the drugs. He drank a full bowl of water for me while he was lying on his bed. Not really interested in food. I gave him a couple of little pieces of bologna and had to put the capsule to help with the bleeding at the back of his throat to get him to take it. I usually use tricks with food so this is my only option right now. I hate doing it. I think it mostly dissolved in his mouth..yuck

I was shocked at the bruising underneath him, mostly on his underside of his groin, how much bruising is too much? He's sleeping right now and I am icing the area. 

I had him up to pee and it is honestly breaking my heart to see him struggle to get up. He hopped outside pretty well with a little help from the sling. I know he has had major surgery and I can't expect my old Jerry back right away, I'm just experiencing some anxiety and feeling slightly overwhelmed at the moment.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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4 November 2020 - 5:48 pm
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He's already taking some hops.. he's peed...he's drinking water...ALL GOOD👍

He's still got some strong hospital  meds in him so struggling  to get up is perfectly normal.  The fact that he is trying is good.

We completely  understand uour "anxiety" and being overwhelmed!  We get it!! We've all been there and we can all tell you... IT GETS BETTER!!  Sloooowly but surely, it gets better.👌

Yeah, all the preparation In  the world, all the understanding  that this is MAJOR surgery, kind of galls by the wayside the first many days of recovery.   Fear and uncertainty  tend to take over.  The best antidote is when you see the first tail wag, hear the first bark, see the first attempt to get up on the couch.

For now though, just stay connected  and know that we are right here by your side to help support you, okay?

Bruising  is pretty normal and it usually  gets even more colorful before it starts fading.  You can email a picture to your Vet ro keep him in the loop or you can post a pic here too.

Hang in there!  Stay strong and confident.  Recovery  doesn last furever!  It just seems like it right now though!

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


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24 September 2009
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4 November 2020 - 6:56 pm
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Yeah it's hard to see our pup feeling so off-kilter. But what you are describing sounds spot-on typical. Bruising varies from dog to dog but it's pretty typical too. Can you share any photos of the area? We have some in our Tripawds Photo Gallery for comparison, like this one:

Day_3_to_5.jpgImage Enlarger

You gotta do what you gotta do about the medication. It's no fun to force feed the pills, I know. Have you tried other super tempting foods? Check out these pilling tips:

https://nutriti.....edication/

Of course he will be wonky for a bit. Between the pain meds, the surgery and just learning to get around on three legs, it's a lot of work for any dog. Stay strong and know that this is only temporary. You have Jerry Power! 😉

Keep us posted OK? 

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

Member Since:
2 November 2020
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5 November 2020 - 2:00 pm
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Jerry's bruising looks a lot like the post op day 3 bruising in that picture and we are day 2, so that is one less anxiety. I also called the vet today and they reassured me.

My vet also told me some dogs prefer less help with moving than others and some are better left to figure it out themselves. Getting jerry up to go pee this morning he yelped and growled a bit when we were trying to help him up. It was disheartening to see him like that. I was concerned his pain wasn't well controlled but maybe he just didn't like us helping him.

I managed to get his meds into him this morning (I crushed the antibiotic and mixed with a little water and drew it up into a syringe and gave it to him that way) It's a lot easier than trying to get him to swallow pills. I confirmed with the vet today that I can open up any capsules and do the same. I am going to check out those pilling tips too though. I gave him some scrambled eggs this morning which he wolfed down along with some dog cookies so a good start.

We did have a setback just before I got home from work my husband went outside for a minute and came back in and it looked like he tried to get up and fell off his bed with his back end up against the corner of cabinet. We tried to raise his back end a bit to slide it back onto the bed and eventually did it but he was growling and snapping at us when we were trying. It was awful. Was this out of fear do you think? He was fine when he got back on the bed but was panting and I could tell he was really stressed. I also noticed him shaking a little, almost like a shiver. He seems fine now but that was just awful. I am scared to help him get up again. I don't know if he is scared to get up again now too.

On The Road


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5 November 2020 - 3:00 pm
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Aww Jerry, sorry about the spill. Ouch!

My guess is that the shiver and intense reaction was a mixture of acute pain and fear. That's not unusual (who can blame him eh?). The fact that he's fine now is a really good sign that no lasting damage was done.

Otherwise all good news really! Yeah you'll have to play it by ear when it comes to assisting him, your vet is absolutely right. Good job getting the meds into him.

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

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2 November 2020
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5 November 2020 - 6:05 pm
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Not long after his spill (a couple of hours) it looked like he was going to try and get up again. I got the sling under his back end and he was up! We went out for a pee and he seemed to just want to hang around outside for a bit. We walked (or hopped) a little and then rested and did it again and then went inside and stood at his feeder to drink some water. Yeah! He did try to shake his body outside (like when he is wet) and let out a little yelp, so maybe doesn't know his limits quite yet. Overall a positive experience a couple hours after a fall. They forget the bad so quickly it seems. I totally get the "Be More Dog "..

Cooked him some chicken and rice that he gobbled up and got his meds in. hurray!

I am still feeding him while he is lying down, so that cone has all sorts of things rolling around in it. 

Today was a little better. Here's hoping tomorrow is too.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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5 November 2020 - 9:14 pm
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Just read the last two posts you made and very glad to hear he's better.  Yeah, his snapping and growling  a combo of pain, as well as  anticipating pain if you moved him.  He's feeling quite vulnerable  right now.

My Happy Hannah didn't like if if I tried to help her with a towel sling.  She basically  would just freeze up.  

My tripawd Frankie (who has had surgery on his rear legs) would scream like a crazy dog if I made any move whatsoever to help him or to move him, ice his leg, or whatever!  So very reactive to say the least!

For now, if feeding him in bed gets him to eat, do it.  As he gets vetter and more con then you can start feeling  him at his regular place.  

Thanks for the update.  Everything  sounds on track👍

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
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15
5 November 2020 - 10:18 pm
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Awww I’m so glad to see this before I call it a day!

Little by little he’s getting there and you are doing excellent at being more dog yourself. I’m also picturing him saving all those crumbs and bits in his cone for later on tonight when he gets the midnight munchies 😋

Here’s to a great day tomorrow, keep us posted.

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

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