Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Uh oh! After a short walk with Bear this morning, I noticed some swelling in his front ankle. The opposite side of his rear amp. I iced it and I am waiting for the vet to call back. He is not favoring it, but I'm wondering if he could even if he wanted too. Has anyone else experienced this?
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Is that where he might have had a catheter put in? Is it also shaved? Can you tell if swelling is superficial or deeper? Skin swelling, or something more internal? Bruise? Blood blister (=hematoma)?
Ice is a great first move! He's already on pain meds, so you're good there. Keep the walks short...and keep us posted! Oh - post a picture of it here? Or at least, have one ready to email your Dr.
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Both of his front paws were shaved, but I'm pretty sure that was the one with the catheter. He is not favoring it and he is letting me ice it. The joint above the paw and down into the paw is swollen. His paw visibly looks larger than the other. No visible bruising. I spoke with the vet tech at the hospital, they don't seem to concerned, but I am. It was such a sudden onset. I hope the swelling goes down. This poor guy has been through enough.
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Check with the vet or vet tech, but if it's a clotting issue related to the catheter placement, you could instead use heat on the area. Again, check with them first, as heat for a joint sprain or other related injury would be dumb. Heat for clotting issues would be great. Feel better, Bear! Or, better yet, feel better mom! He doesn't seem bothered by it... Watch it, but it may be a weird reaction to the catheter.
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Hmmmm. Yeah, keep an eye on it and if it doesn't go down by tomorrow send them a pic and show us too. If he's not favoring it that sounds like a good sign. Many Tripawds have had swelling in the opposite legs after surgery, usually it's nothing so try not to worry. Go slow on the walks until the swelling is down though, just in case the walks aggravate it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Katy and Jerry! The swelling went down. I put him on bed rest for the remainder of the day. Bed rest all day = party animal all night. He wanted to make up for all that down time by 3am. He has a hard time getting comfortable. He has always liked to lay on his right side. Since the surgery he has been unable to do so until today. When he goes to lay down, he just keeps circling and circling and then fumbles down onto the left side. He seems to be content now, but I am not sure if I should discourage him from doing so. Thoughts?
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Hi Bear...what a great caring and diligent mom you have....and you are both doing a great job! YAY for no more swelling!
Happy Hannah didn't lay on her amp. side for almost three weeks. As soon as Bear's soreness goes away he'll lay on it. Until then he'll probably still be a little restless and do his circle thing.... I'm sure it's hard for them to just lay on one side. Happy Hannah's recovery seemed to speed up once she was able to lay on that side without discomfort.
Keep sharing your victories with us.......it's uplifting!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
I remember feeling badly for Jackson, too, about his circling. He finally got there just shy of 2 weeks. He tried all the time! I know that when I've been on one side for too long, it's tiring - I had sympathy for him. Let your pup move and rest however he wants to. When it's comfortable enough to be on his stump-side, he'll do it. Until then...keep on circlin' away!
I'm glad the swelling went down! YEY!
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I can't begin to express how much I appreciate all of you and your feedback. This site is the best thing I could have ever found. I would be lost. Thank you all so much.
Bear is a 7 year old Rottweiler. He became a Tripawd pup on April 1, 2013.
Oh what a relief there's no more swelling! That's fantastic.
I would definitely just let him try to figure out which side is easiest for now. He's really having to re-learn so many things, old habits are hard to break but he'll get it, just like Katy said that Jackson did.
We are glad you found us too! Every story helps someone else later on down the road, so thank you for sharing Bear's.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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