Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Hi Tripod community. It's been 2 weeks since my dog has had his leg amputation surgery and i'm still overwhelmed by this all. My dog only gets up to take mini walks or to lay around some more... I am really concerned. I would love to hear from those of you that have been through this before. I just spoke to the vet at our surgery center and she says that he might have microscopic cancer in his bloodcells that may be why he is still lethargic.
We start chemo in 4 days but I am worried for him.
Hey Lauren. You've come to the right place for support and information. And we cer understand the feeling of being overwhelmed!! Oh yes indeedy, we are all very familiar with that feeling!
So let's see if we can help you feel less overwhelmed and more reassured, okay?
And btw, it took me a good three weeks before I could say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!!
So surgery was two weeks ago, or less? It's still very early in recovery from MAJOR surgery and your pup is saving all his energy for recovering.
What's his name? How old is he? What's his activity level been like? For the first two weeks at least, he just needs to be doing SHORT potty breaks and then back in for more resr. No jumping, running, stairs, etc.
What kind of pain meds is he on...has been on? Incision look good?
Eating, drinking, peeing, pooping? Any tail wags? What has been his pain management ?
What you've described with your pup doesn't sound too much out of the norm for the first two weeks of recovery. I'm not really sure what the Vet was referencing or why he made that seemingly off the cuff comment. With osteosarcoma, it is believed that sometimes there are microscopic cells that aren't visible yet that may, or may not, eventually show up as mets in the lungs, so maybe that's what he was referencing.
As far as chemo (guess you're going with carboplatin), many time treatment is delayed for a week or so because recovery can be a bit slower with some dogs.
Touch base back with us when you can. Were here for you, okay? Are YOU taking care of YOU during all this crazy recovery time? Recocery doesn last forever, it just seems like it!!
Extra higs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Also, try giving him lots of good massages up and down his spine, around his neck and around his shoulders.. He's using his muscles in a different way and is probably sore and stiff.
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!
Hi Lauren. Remind me, what's your doggie's name?
Sally gave you excellent insight and I can only x2 what she advised. It's very early, and your dog is tired from all that hard work getting around. Tripawds DO get their sparkle back after recovery but for some dogs, it takes a little longer. Also keep in mind that if your dog has any excess weight on his frame, that can also contribute to limited mobility. But the good news is there is lots you can do about it!
First, have you made an appointment with a canine rehab therapist? If not, now's the time. Many vets still aren't familiar with a Tripawd's mobility challenges after amputation surgery, and these therapists are. They make such a difference in how quickly a dog recovers.
I see you are in Culver City CA, would you happen to be going to City of Angels Vet Specialists? If so, our friends at the Veterinary Cancer Group are excellent! You are in good hands. And you're also in an area with lots of options for canine rehabilitation therapy. I encourage you to make the appointment to have your dog evaluated for his current strengths and weaknesses, and what you can do about it. And the best part is the Tripawds Foundation may even pay for your first rehab visit ! Let me know if you'd like help finding a practitioner.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Rex is 8 y.o. I haven’t been giving him any pain meds since last Thursday. He was originally on Rovera (75 mg)and Cefpodoxime (200 mg) but it was giving him upset stomach issues so then Dr prescribed him galliprant (80 mg) instead of other meds. I’ve been having him go on 2 short walks a day since day 5 after his surgery. He still loves to go on walks. At home he seems to want to lay down all the time. I’m just wondering when he will get some of his old energy back?
Pushed back his chemo treatments since he still is not eating that much. We are with VCA Animal Specialty and Emergency Care Center in West LA. Would love to get some recommendations for canine rehab facilities in my area.
laurenv said
Would love to get some recommendations for canine rehab facilities in my area...
See the Rehab links on the Resources page to find a CCRT or CCRP near you.
In the Los Angeles area, we can personally recommend BARC and CARE.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh my goodness, he was only given Rovera for pain, and he hasn't had that (or any Galliprant) since last Thursday???? OUCH!!! Basically rhe Vet gave him an anti-inflammatory that is similar to a human taking an aspirin! Hoomans would probably still be kin rhe hospital on a morphine drip for days!
Please discuss pain management with your Vet. Almost all dogs here come home with Tramadol and Gabapentin. They are in them generally for the first two weeks, and at a reduced dose even longer sometimes. See this link pain management . Okay off my soap box!!
Rex just had MAJOR SURGERY, and is still trying to adjust to three legs! Aside from the pain of surgery, he's using different muscles now as a tripawd and is also probably sore from that. Give him lots of gentle massaging up and down his spine and around his neck and shoulders.
Generally the first two weeks should just be short potty breaks and baxk yo resr. It takes a lot of effort to hop on three at first and is quite exhausting. And when given proper pajn meed from your Vet in the beginning, energy can go to healing instead of having it to fight pain.
Give that sweet Golden a hug for us. And feed any yummy food he'll eat. Cheeseburgers, scrambled eggs, cheese pizza, etc
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!
Rex is doing much better now. He started eating more regularly as of this past Saturday (breakfast and dinner) and seems to be getting stronger day by day. We started our first round of Chemo yesterday and will get next one in three weeks. I have gotten in touch with CARE here in West LA and we are set to go see them next Thursday. Thanks for all your support, Tripawd community.
So glad to hear things are getting better! And it gets better and better!!!
Tha ks fot rhe uodate. And Rex, you are of Lab/Staffy ancestory! Excuse me for calling you a "Golden".
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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