Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Everyone,
My sweet, lovable Jersey was diagnosed with osteosarcoma last tuesday and underwent amputation this past tuesday 6/23.r He is a 12-13 yr old rottweiler-ish guy (not sure if he's 100%, I adopted him from a shelter) He spent 2 days in the hospital and is finally home. He came home yesterday and was just overwhelmed... begging for food... really hungry..begging for attention... he was wide awake from 2pm-2am. And he also seemed to be extremely anxious (panting, restless) although I don't think he was in pain. I had to work really hard to keep him still.
Today, he's more calm (like his normal-self) and is spending most of the day sleeping. Which may be a bit of compensatory sleep to make up for our super long day yesterday. however, he barely ate any breakfast and I am having a horrific time getting him to take his medicine. I got him to take everything except for the tramadol ... which I suspect that he can smell/taste regardless of how I hide it. He doesn't seem to be in pain... (he's snoring right now).. I think i'll try again in 45 mins. (or force him in 45 mins).
However, I AM concerned that he hasn't had a BM yet.... I think everything is working because he was a bit gaseous last night... but when I took him out, nothing. I took him out this morning and nothing... didn't even try. I was reading through the forums and it seems as if many have the breakthrough by day 3. My question is, at what point should I start to be concerned? I talked to my vet yesterday, he he wasn't concerned at all.
Lastly, I noticed that his mouth and gums are a paler-pink thank usual ... is his normal considering he us still recovering from major surgery?
(okay... thanks for reading... Actually writing it out helped me to calm down)
Please let me know your opinions/thoughts/advice?
Thanks!
- KIM
Kim I'm in the chat right now. Will answer your question in just a sec...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kim I'm glad you called your vet so the convo can help put your mind at ease.
I know it's crazy to think that pooping can take so long but it's true, which is why your vet wasn't too concerned. That's what pain meds do. If you've ever been on heavy pain killers, you'll know, it happens to people too.
We've seen dogs go 5 days without pooping! It's not the norm but it happens. Have you put any metamucil flakes (not a lot, maybe a tsp) in his food? Steamed pumpkin, squash and olive oil can also get things moving.
When it comes to his gums, try the capillary refill time test to see what happens.
About the pills. Do not hide them in food. This is one reason why so many dogs dont' want to eat after surgery. Many pills taste awful to begin (tram especially) with but when you hide them in food, the food takes on their flavor too. You really want to just get pilling over with and do it without hesitation. Here's a post about how to give a dog pills, I Hope it helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kim and sweet, loveable Jersey!
Sorry you have to be here, but under the circumstances there is no better place to be! We've all been through it hpand have a ton of first hand experience.
Jerry has already addressed pretty much everything.
Poop delay...normal! In fact, let us know when Jersey does poop because we celebrate everything around here!
Restlessness, panting, etc., generally signs of pain. Sometimes the same symptoms can be a reaction to the pain meds AND the pain. But it's better to stay ahead of the pain...it's much harder to play "catch up". It is MAJOR surgery so it is important to keep the pain under control. Not wanti g to eat for a few days is also "normal".
The first two or three days Jersey still jas hospital meds in him. So its normal to see a bit of a crash for the next coupld of days. Just keep the pain meds consistent. Many dogs here are on Tramadol, Gabape tin and Rimadyl for about two weeks.
My Happy Hannah did not sleep one wink the first nineteen hours she was home. Paced incessantly. In fact, for the first five days I don t think she, or I, slept more than five hours all total! Recovery is no picnic, that's for sure!
I do want to share one way I got the Tramadol down. Apparently it is one of the most bitter tasting pills in the land! And they can smell it a mile away once they know what it is!.
I picked the pills up with tweezers... ever getring the scent on my hand. I have a pre_made ball of stinky turkey liverwurst with a little "pocket" in the center for the pill. Drop it in with the tweezers. Roll the ball up...never touching the pill or letti g the pill touch the exterior of the loverwurst ball. Toss a couple of balls to her...toss the one with the tram...gobble, gobble! Just so ething to try if. nothing else works.
Stay connected and update when you can! And sleep when you can! You're doing great!!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Regarding the Tramadol...yeah our pups can definitely smell/taste it. My Leland was prescribed Tramadol and like you no matter what I hid it in he would refuse to take it and it was a constant battle. Heck we tried chunks of hotdog, steak, globs of peanut butter...it didn't matter. And he would get so foamy at the mouth when we forced it in him it was so sad. After speaking with our local vet (a specialist had prescribed it after biopsy/MRI) we switched Leland over to Gabapentin. Our local vet didn't care to prescribe Tramadol because it can really make some dogs loopy (narcotic pain med) which in turn could cause them to be a little agitated/aggressive.
If it's a constant battle with Jersey to take the Tramadol you may want to speak with your vet about prescribing something else.
And in regards to pooping...Leland didn't have a bowel movement till around day 5. Between major surgery and all the meds our pups' bodies get a little out of whack. Don't start to panic just yet...give it a few more days.
Hang in there!
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Thanks for the replies!!
I was able to get the pills down (tramadol)... He was clenching his teeth and growling at me ... I got desperate (when my mom was here) and went to McDonalds and bought some chicken nuggets. He was really suspicious of me at that point, so I chopped up a nugget and hid 2 pills in the pieces. I gave the pieces to my mom and he gobbled them all, and wanted more. *Phew* I have 17 nuggets left!
I think he's at the hospital-meds/crash stage...he has just been stumbling from bed-bed (3 beds in my living room currently) and he keeps on moving around and sleeping on each ...The walking is a bit terrifying for me, because he seems really unsteady, although he doesn't seem phased by the stumbles. I guess it's too early to worry about how well he should be getting around... It's hard to keep him COMPLETELY still because as SOON as I step away (Kitchen/laundry/bathroom/letting the other dogs out) he 'makes his move'. SIGH!!
I also did the capillary refill timing test... and that seemed fine. Although the color of his gums seem lighter-pink. Today is my Vet's day off ... I am trying NOT to call (because he always returns my calls, promptly regardless of where he is/day off... but I feel bad for bothering him). Would you concerned because the color isn't right?
gosh I sound soooo neurotic!
Never hesitate to call your vet, that's why you pay them, really. And anytime you are concerned about the color of your dog's gums, call. It's probably nothing but better safe.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You definitely don't sound neurotic - you sound like a concerned parent!
And I think I had mostly all the same questions you did after we brought Mac home. His gums and his poor nose were so dry and scabbed since he had been just on IV fluids. It took about a week to get those back to normal after he was drinking actual water again!
Keep asking any questions you have. The first week is the hardest but you will start to see many milestones in Jersey's recovery. We're all here for you and you are doing great!
Hugs,
Jamie and Mac
We adopted Mac in June 2014 from the GRCGLAR and he is our little baby boy, despite the fact that he is 11.5! Almost a year of bliss turned into complete devastation when he started limping on his front right leg and it was discovered on April 16, 2015 that he has bone cancer - specifically Osteosarcoma. We were luckily directed to Tripawds by our oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner, which changed our lives and guided us through the amputation process.
Read more about Mac's incredible story on his blog: http://teammac.tripawds.com/
The gums paler pink could be because they do lose some blood during the surgery too. If really concerned call your vet. Better safe than sorry 🙂
As far as the poop everyone has addressed that. It took Sassy about 3 days to go. If it would have been longer than 4 or 5 I would have really worried. But everyone here said it took awhile so I didn't panic as much lol
xoxox
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Ok.. I called the vet. They asked me a few questions and weren't concerned. They told me that I could come in for a blood test to check if I wanted to. I decided that i'd prefer not to sit at home to obsess and worry... so I brought him in for a hemocrit.
When I arrived a vet tech that helped care for him before, met us in the parking lot. As soon as she saw him, she took a quick look and said that he looked great and she wasn't concerned. The vet also looked at him and wasn't concerned. The blood draw showed that his numbers were slightly low ... but not near the 'danger zone' ... and 'normal' considering that he had major surgery a few days before. He asked that I bring him back next week wednesday for a blood re-check.
EVERYONE in the hospital came out to say hello to him and remarked on how happy he looked.
I feel relieved.
BUT... It gets better...
I brought him home and unloaded him from the car and he pulled me right to the back yard. I chased around him with the towel sling (he's still learning to balance) and he peed and delivered a lovely little poopie pie!!!!
<3 Soo happy!
(... I haven't made it back in my house yet ... we're relaxing on the front lawn, as I type this)
Thanks again for all of your replies, Jersey and I appreciate it!
Poopy dance!! Poopy dance!! Now things will really start happening.
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!
Yay poopy dance. I am glad that his blood tests showed good counts. I figured it might be slightly low from the surgery. Give him some time and he will build that back up.
The car ride shook the poopy out. 🙂
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hip hop hooray! Here's to more lovely poopie pies! Great news, thanks for the update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOP!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR GOOD CHECKUPS!!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOPIE PIES!!
HUGS!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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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