Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I posted on here yesterday about my 17.5 year old dog, Bailey's, left hind leg amputation and it was suggested I create a topic for others to follow. Bailey ( a 22 lb pound terrier mix) and I have been family since he was 5 weeks old. He has made himself my personal bodyguard; he is very attached as am I. He has a 14 year old sister, Prancer, who is a Pharaoh Hound and Basenji mix. He begrudgingly let her, my husband and daughter become a part of our lives. After he fell (I did not witness but heard the screams) jumping from the couch and broke his femur we found out he had osteocarcoma (we are still awaiting reports) we opted for amputation despite saying we would not do such. No other cancer was found throughout his body and he is a very young 17 year old. We are on day 4 of recovery - he came home two days ago. Both nights have been rough with lots of whimpering and little sleep. His pain patch was removed today believing that may be causing his anxiousness and whimpering. The tramadyl was increased to 3 times a day. We have not given him his full third dose of the tramadyl, just half of this dose. He is finally sleeping comfortably and actually got up and walked a few steps trying to get to me in the other end of the house. He moved so quickly my husband said he didn't get a chance to stop him. I am a little nervous about him not having his full pain med dosage but am elated he is actually sleeping peacefully right now. He has also been having some spitting up which I assume is also from the meds.
I hope he is able to get a few hours sleep tonight but I have the extra pain meds ready if needed.
Glad you got the pain patch off! I meant to say earlier, our prior dog, (also named Bailey!) had a pain patch after a procedure and she hated that thing. She really acted weird while on that thing. I was so glad when we could take it off!
All the best for a continuing good recovery and hope you get some good sleep!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Don't get confused, I scooted your new post to "Treatment and Recovery".
I wrote in your last post but...wanted to add:
If Bailey is resting, then he is feeling better! Sounds like you are doing the pain meds right. Let him guide you.
It's easy to worry even when they are resting! Keep in mind, the pain meds can cause so much confusion that you'll sometimes mistaken it for "problems". Sometimes less is more when it comes to pain meds. It's just makes our poor pups so goofy most all of the time. Much like the Fentanyl patch was doing.
Sending lots of healing wishes for your little guy. Keep us to date. Get some rest when you can. Otherwise, you'll start imagining the worst! Sleep deprivation in us humans takes its toll and makes it hard to see improvement, even if it is slight.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
First of all, I have to say WOW!! Seventeen and a half years -- holy cow!! You have been so lucky to have so much time with your beloved Bailey. Not to diminish the fact that you are dealing with a cancer diagnosis -- that is horrible, I know -- but you've been blessed with so many great years with your pup, and for that you are exceedingly lucky and I am envious.
We are behind you now -- cheerleaders for the cause!!! Here's wishing your best bud a speedy and easy recovery.
All our best,
Rio's momma, Micki (and fam)
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Yay! Things should start looking up now that he (and hopefully you ) are resting better and moving around a bit. Those are the first real healing steps. It's so great that you didn't let age stop you from getting rid of the pain and giving him a chance.
It's normal to have ups and downs during the recovery period.
Hang in there!
Judy and Baby
We made it through the night. Bailey work up at 12:30 and we went outside and he urinated in the yard for the first time. Wow, he was holding a lot in. We put his dog collar back on and he shook his head as if he was saying "Ok, we are back to normal". We were back asleep by 2 am after a little whining and another dose of pain meds; he slept until 6:30 am. It seems giving him the pain meds in smaller doses but increments closer together makes him less "spacey". (He was on 50mg of tramadyl every 8 hours and I have tried giving him 25 mg every 4 hours). We went right outside when he woke up and he tinkled again outside. He is moving a little better with assistance. The sling from the hospital wasn't really working well so I cut up an old house robe of my grandmothers removing the snaps and have been using that. It seems more comfortable for him. He has been eating well since we came home and now is waiting on breakfast. His whining now seems more as if he wants to be back to normal already and why is this taking so long. I feel optimistic this morning but hope it is not premature. I am just consistently amazed at Bailey's spirit, optimism and strength. Friends of mine always say my dogs hit the dog lotterry when I picked them; I think they had it backwards - I hit the human lottery when they came into my life.
On a side note, my other dog, Prancer, came back into bed with me last night since we have been home. (both dogs always slept with my husband and me). I have been sleeping on a blow up mattress on the floor next to Bailey but she opted for the bed with my husband until last night. I think she senses a change in Bailey too.
Thank you all again for your positive words. They have truly been a light at the end of the tunnel for us.
good to hear bailey had a pretty good night. hope the recovery continues to be smooth and you guys have many, many happy adventures ahead!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I took Bailey outside to rest on a pillow for some fresh air and about 20 minutes later he popped himself up and on his own starting walking inside. He's amazing. My 17 year old is so far holding true to being amazing.
Hi and welcome, I'm a little late but it sounds like Bailey is on his way.
And I would like to add my 'WOW 17!'
My pug Maggie was around 18 lbs when she lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor, she was 7.5 years old at the time. Her prognosis was 6 to 9 months because of lymph node mets, but she hopped around for almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell.
I wanted to mention that the tramadol dose seems kind of high to me. I don't mean to question your vet, and it sounds like Bailey is doing OK on it. For comparison- all three of the pugs I have had have been on tram for one thing or another, including Maggie after her amp. They are or were all around 17-18 pounds while they were taking it, and their dose was one quarter of a 50 mg tab two to three times a day (Mag might have been every 8 hours). Maggie did not do well on tramadol (agitation, seeing things, scared) so I wanted her to be on the minimum dose that kept her comfortable, and not too wacked out. My other two pugs have not shown any side effects when they have been on the same amount of tram.
I hope Bailey's recovery continues smoothly and he keeps on amazing!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hello and welcome Bailey and family!! So glad to hear that Bailey is starting to get better. My Great Dane Valentina had some of the same issues and she peed her bed too at first and it was super hard to get her up for anything. Day by day things slowly got better though and it sounds like Bailey is well on his way to getting back to normal. There still may be some ups and downs but he will continue to amaze you!! With you being such an amazing Mom he will shine!! Praying for Bailey's continued recovery.
Thank you all for the continued support. As suggested I have started a blog to write about his recovery. He is doing great. He is getting up on his own and walking without help. I am trying to stop him from walking without my assistance (my homemade sling) for fear of him falling down. He is already having bowel movements, although that is posing a little complicated for him but he is managing.
baprance said
As suggested I have started a blog ...
Thank you for sharing Bailey's story! Please consider including a link so others can easily find his blog.
The best way would be to update your Forums profile and add the link in the Website field, which will show a button under your avatar. You can also add a brief signature with a link that will appear beneath all your posts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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