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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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2 days post op - please help! Worried momma here
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Member Since:
29 September 2016
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2 October 2016 - 9:00 am
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Okay, so last night was a little rough.

Koda hasn't peed at all since he's been home. And he has had plenty of water. That is really worrying me.

He also keeps bleeding from his incision site (he does have a hematoma) and it has been difficult to keep the bandages on. We have changed them a few times.
he woke up around 3 am and was uncomfortable so I made sure to stay right by his side and around 5 am I took him out of his kennel so he could get comfortable. I've been laying beside him ever since.

We are supposed to go back to see the doctor today but the animal hospital doesn't open until 11 am & it is currently 9 am.

So now, while everyone else is in the house is snoozing I'm sitting here worrying about all of the what ifs. I just want my baby to be okay.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this??

As always, thanks for all of the love & support!
<3 Amber

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Idaho
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12 March 2013
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2 October 2016 - 9:12 am
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Murphy had a problem with recurrent hip dislocations. The last time it went out, he was a long time in between pees. The vet was able to express his bladder. Perhaps yours will be able to do that when you go in today.

Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork

Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!

UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!

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London, UK

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2 October 2016 - 9:27 am
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Meg went FOREVER without peeing after her total elbow replacement. We're talking more than 60 hours. I kept calling the vet as I was really worried but they were unconcerned. When she did finally go it was the most immense relief (for both of us lol). Generally not peeing is more cause for concern than not pooping but try not to worry for the next couple of hours until you see the vet. If he needs his bladder manually expressing, they will be able to do this.

There doesn't sound any reason to panic from what you describe (I totally get that as a new tripawd mum, it's difficult not to) It sounds to me as though you're doing great. It's really good that you're seeing the vet soon because that will help put your mind at rest. Try to steer clear of those 'what ifs'. You can bet Koda isn't worrying. He's just resting up and glad to be home with his Momma. 

Keep us posted. 

Big hug,

Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Sunshine

My Life as a Megastar

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2 October 2016 - 9:45 am
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Btw, what pain meds is he on? If the restlessness continues you may need to adjust or tweak the doses, and stagger when you give them to him to ensure good coverage. It's much more effective to preempt pain rather than waiting until he's restless, panting or showing other signs of discomfort. Definitely something to discuss with the vets when you see them in a bit. 

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Sunshine

My Life as a Megastar

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2 October 2016 - 10:03 am
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Glad you are getting back to the vet today.  It could be the meds (or not enough meds), or, as a boy, he might just be having a hard time figuring out the mechanics of it.  For the first day of so, Otis leaned up against (and peed on) the house so he could lift his leg.  Scents are very important to male dogs as well - one member was having the same problem, went to the vet once, and then the second day, drove his to the vets after hours.  All of the pee smell worked and the dog went.   Is there a special tree or bush in your yard or in front of your house where he (or other dogs) like to go?  Otis also felt uncomfortable on the lead in our backyard.  I took him outside on the lead, unhooked it so he could pee, and then put it back on to go inside.

i slept with Otis through the entire recovery.  I had a mattress on the floor on the first floor, and put his favorite dog bed right next to my head.  Much of what you describe, including the lack of sleep, sounds pretty normal.  Maybe the folks snoozing can let you take a nap this afternoon?

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

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2 October 2016 - 11:00 am
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Thank you all so much for the advice and for sharing your experiences. He did finally pee. It was on my bed but that's okay just glad he finally went. 

He is only on 2 meds - Tramadol and Carpaquin. I'm definitely going to ask the vet about adjusting dosages and times. 

He has been super alert today which is different from yesterday. He seems to want to get up and play with the other dogs and is bummed out when I won't let him. I haven't left his side for more than 15 minutes and that was only to take a shower. 

He seems to get anxious if I leave & he wants to follow me. But if he can see me then he is fine with laying next to my boyfriend. 

Thank you all so much! Definitely made me feel better about all of this! 

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London, UK

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2 October 2016 - 11:08 am
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YAY for Koda!

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Sorry... couldn't resist x

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Sunshine

My Life as a Megastar

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Minneapolis, MN
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23 April 2016
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2 October 2016 - 11:56 am
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Glad he has peed! I had just asked on another thread about the meds.  Yes ask about tweaking and also, perhaps, you can ask about Gabapentin short term.  I know Koda did not lose his leg to disease, but a bad break maybe could have really "jangled" his nerves and Gabapentin is a different modality (works in the nerves) from Tramadol (works in the brain) or Carpaquin (works on the traumatized tissues - anti inflammatory).  

Keep feeling better and better, Koda!

Lisa, Minneapolis

On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly.  His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.

Blog: Pofi, Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Amputation

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2 October 2016 - 1:55 pm
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Hooray for pee!  Sorry it was in your bed, but as he starts to feel better, both timing and location should improve.  The Velcro dog problem should correct as well - my Tess was like that after she had cruciate repair.  It just meant that I brought everything I needed to do into the room she was in.  And with Otis, we placed a dog bed in every room on the first floor, so he could move from one to the other (and I, of course, tried not to move around too much from room to room).

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

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Virginia



Member Since:
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2 October 2016 - 5:41 pm
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YAAAAAAAAAY FOR PEE!!! Well, z little late to the posts, but just in timd for the good news! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Id type more, but after all the discussions and looking at Clare's picture, I have to go to the ladies room!

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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