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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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24 hours post amputation anxious owner
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Member Since:
8 July 2017
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9 July 2017 - 7:59 pm
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My 8.5 yr old Newfie named 'Dinkie' is in the fight of his life. He was diagnosed with early stage osteosarcoma in his right distal radius 6/5/17. I have been devouring every bit of info on this horrible affliction. I pursued limb spare surgery at U of IL VTH and after post operative implant failure and infection Dinkie became a tripawd this past Thurs. He arrived home yesterday but he tires so easy and has experienced 'phantom pain '. Scared me terribly. Any suggestions for this anxious pet dad? 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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9 July 2017 - 9:28 pm
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Hi Dinkie and Dad, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away. I'm sorry about the diagnosis but glad you found us. We will do our best to make the transition easier.

What pain Meds is he on right now?

I will be back tomorrow with some thoughts but for now click on the phantom pain link for a few tips. Others will chime in as well so stay tuned. 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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9 July 2017 - 9:41 pm
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The first 2 weeks after surgery are the hardest.  Dinkie will mostly want to just sleep & go out to potty.  He may not even eat very much for awhile (which drives us all crazy!).  Try to keep his medications spaced out a little so that he has adequate coverage ... something every couple of hours.  You can also apply an ice pack wrapped in a light cloth to the incision for 10-15 minutes a couple of times a day helps with pain & swelling.  Massaging around the area will help to reabsorb the extra fluids.

What medications did they send him home with?  Murphy came home with Tramadol, Rimadyl & Gabapentin.  Some have a Fentanyl patch and some have antibiotics.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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9 July 2017 - 10:35 pm
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Okay....deep breaths.....these first several days and nights can be really, really rough!

As Donna and Jerry mentioned, balancing the pain meds are important.

Vig dogs generally take a bit longer to recover and to get their "sea legs". Dinkie shoudn't veing doing anything right now but sleeping (although it might be a restless sleep, if at all!) and SHORT potty breaks! So rest, rest, rest and more rest!! He has just had MAJOR SURGERY, he's on drugs and he's trying to adjust to three legs! He IS exhausted and for good reason. Most humans woukd still ve in the hospital on a morphine drip if this happened to them!! Plus, he has already been through auite an ordeal with limb sparing and infection. So sorry you both had to go through that experience.

Hopefully, yiu won't have any infection issues now and, once the recovery is done, you will be so glad ro see Dinkie getting his sparkle back and having that painful leg gone! 🙂

No stairs, no jumping. If you have hardwood floors, non slip scatter rugs are important for traction .

Drinking and peeing are important. Pooping may take a few days and eating may not be his top priority for a few days.

The hospital meds will be phasing out in the next day or so. Managing his pain is important.

If he is on Gabapentin and is, indeed, having phantom pain , that should help. It does happen. It comes and goes wipuicly, but it's awful hearing them cry out. Just sit next to him and gently, ever so gently and lightly massage around the incision area. There are other tips innthe link Jerry gave you. Dinkie WILL get past all this rough stuff. It's just hard to see that right now!

It was three weeks before I felt like I coukd finally say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!! 🙂

STAY CONNECTED! Let us know how things are going and how we can help. And we'd love to hear more avput youy sweet Newfie and with pictures!!

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 July 2017 - 9:03 am
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As you can see we have a great community here!

Dinky's been through a lot with the limb sparing surgery and now the amputation so it's no wonder he is tired. I'm just curious, how far apart were the surgeries? We don't get too many members here who have done limb sparing, I'd love to hear your thoughts about it.

How is he doing today?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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