Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My girl Nova had a left front leg amputation 2 days ago. This morning 2 of her 3 feet (right front and rear) are swollen to over twice their usual size. She was peeing fine yesterday, but hasn't peed since 5 pm Wednesday. I've had her up and around twice today. She's eating fine. But the swelling bugs me. I called the surgeon and he said not to worry, but of course, I worry. I swear they've gotten even bigger in the last hour or so.
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Hmmm ... wish we had a clinical answer for you about the swelling, but all I can say is that it is still very early. And her remaining legs are taking up a lot of extra weight right now.
The other thing I know, is that we dogs don't worry. And I'm sure Nova wouldn't want you too either. Try to relax – we know that's hard – and keep an eye out for serious signs of pain and discomfort.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, I was my usual panicky self and called the surgeon again. They are not alarmed, said I needed to get her up moving more often. Trouble is, she just doesn't feel like it, it is a battle. When she does get up she just stands in one spot, with her tail between her legs and her head down. She still won't go outside.
I don't like the Tramadol at all. Everytime she gets up to hop around she pants like she's going to keel over. I've read somewhere that the panting is normal, but the only time I have ever heard her pant is on one very hot day in the summer, so of course I get alarmed.
Jerry, you are right, I should not worry. I should try to think more like a dog. It's just that I want to do everything I can for Nova, so if there is a problem I can get it solved ASAP. Sounds like your pawrents are just like me, so I'm sure you understand why us people are the way they are.
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
You are much better off with Tramadol than some of the other heavy duty meds that some dogs end up with. But after these next couple weeks, all should be better ... much better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Nova was taking Rimadyl for her leg pain before the surgery. I didn't notice any problems with that. Is Tramadol stronger or better? I wish I could just give her the Rimadyl.
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Better or worse? I don't know, every dog is so different.
I was only on Tramadol, which worked great for me. But I was 75 lbs at most though. Perhaps it's a dosage issue. Maybe Dr. Pam or someone with better Rimadyl experience will chime in on this one.
I took Rimadyl briefly once and it gave me serious tummy trouble.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry that Nova has had some paw swelling. Did she have IV catheters in these legs? It could just be because she is big and wants to lay on that side more. I wouldn't worry unless her whole leg swells. You can try to massage the feet/legs to stimulate blood flow.
Does she have a fentanyl patch? These are great for pain relief but fentanyl is a strong narcotic which often makes dogs pant. Tramadol is a much weaker narcotic so is safer but also a fairly good pain med. I use this drug all of the time for dogs with arthritis and haven't heard of many of them panting on Tramadol, but lots of dogs on this site seem to pant so I'm not sure if it is a combo of pain meds and traumatic surgery causing this. Panting is also a common sign of pain so it is sometimes hard to know what your dog is trying to tell you! Rimadyl is an NSAID and usually safe. The main side effect is on the stomach and liver so if she took this safely before I would ask for it again. Fentanyl and Tramadol do nothing for inflammation so I think that Rimadyl or another NSAID is usually a good idea for 7-14 days post-op due to the large amount of tissue swelling that occurs secondary to an amputation. My dog Tazzie unfortunately has a chronic liver problem so she was unable to have any NSAIDS but she did quite well on 3 Tramadol 2 to 3 times daily.
Hang in there, it really does get better every day!
Pam and Tazzie
Thank you Pam and Tazzie! I think I will keep her on the Tramadol until be go for our post-op visit next Wednesday. Maybe we can go back to the Rimadyl at that time. I have been massaging her feet. The most swollen one is where the IV was. Plus, she has been favoring laying on her right side. I can't blame her, I wouldn't want to lay on my left side after all that. I've been trying to get her up and walking every 2 hours or so.
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Sue,
Hang in there, you are on day 2 and these days are pretty hard on the hoomans, as well as the dogs. Calamity panted for a few days and I know it was from pain. We had to go back for a morphine injection & another fentanyl patch to get us past this point. Calamity would go outside & just stand at our gate or lay in the yard not wanting to move.
Massage Nova's feet, it might help her & it will make you feel better.
I know it seems rough now, but it does get better.
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
Nova and Sue
My bullmastiff Titan (135 before surgery)seemed to have his tail between his legs until he got stronger and the meds wore off. It is a big surgery but Nova will take baby steps to get better. Titan mostly laid straight up so not on either side. He was always a side layer so he could have his belly rubbed. you want to get her up a little anyway so she will get used to life on 3 legs. I would get Titan up and let him lean on me with the side he had his leg amuptated. He had a front leg amputated as well. Hang in there. Nova is a strong girl she cal do this.
Heidi and Titan
Thank you for the advice, Heidi and Titan. Today Nova's got a little swelling in her belly that looks alarming, the Doc called it something like a hemangeoma, apparently is a swelling from surgery. Kind of a droopy bulge. A new challenge every day, right? They told me to put warm compresses on a few times a day. She really has a hard time figuring out the right way to lay. She's usually not a sitter, so sitting before laying is not her thing. She's having trouble figuring out how to get down to the ground, she will stand on her bed for 30 minutes before lowering herself to the ground. She is up and about much more today, but panting a lot. It bothers me, but I am told it is the medication. I can't wait to get all of this gunk out of her system.
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Hi Sue,
Are you sure that's not a "seroma ,"? We just saw the photo on Nova's blog. Sure looks and sounds like one to us. And if that's what it is, they are pretty harmless. See if this is what you think she has: Seromas: What You Need to Know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Jerry, seroma is probably what she said. I have had so much going through my head, I have no idea how I came up with hemangeoma, I wondered why I couldn't find any info online! I will check this out. Like you said, she said it was harmless. But is sure is ugly. Now it is about 3 times as big, and is a purple and bruised from the warm compresses.
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Yeah, it's even grosser when it needs to get drained. Eeeeeeew! But if it does need to get drained, it's an easy in-office procedure. Happened to me.
If it keeps getting bigger, I'd make an appointment to have your vet drain it on Monday. Sometimes more than one visit is necessary.
Oh, so much to think about, we totally understand.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Nova & Sue,
I'm not a vet but I wouldn't leave the heat on too long... did you take her purple coat off? Or is that for compression? Ask the vet, if you take it off it may help the seroma to be absorbed a bit quicker. From the pic it looks tight, my Buster never required one.
Hopefully it will go down some, the first couple of days can be exhausting. Hang in there
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
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