Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This Monday was Lucy's 3 week ampuversary. She had her staples out on day 11. However, last Wednesday Lucy had to see to her regular vet to have a "rouge" staple removed. The vet was a little concerned with one spot on her incision that was still "crusting" over. It's a tricky area, below her neckline. Lucy is part border collie and her neck hair whisks out like most collies. Now that half it is shaved you can see the extra skin around her neck. The part of the incision that is having difficulty healing is under the fold of her skin. We were back at the hospital today to have them check on it's healing and they recommend Lucy come back Friday to have that part "fixed". She'll have to go under again, at least that is our understanding. They said she should be able to go home that night, but of course, this is all a little upsetting. We finally thought we were in the clear. Our poor anxious baby girl never likes going to the doctor and she really isn't too keen about going to the hospital. She's been leery of us allowing them to take her in the back without us in tow.
I searched through the forums and found others that have mentioned similar issues. But we're wondering what should we expect? What will the recovery be like or will this be minimal?
Thanks!
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
Oh poor Lucy, that stinks! Some ampuversary present (although we do send our best to her...three is the magic number!).
I wish I had experience with this kind of situation but I can't say I do. I'm sure she will be fine though, it sounds more like a cosmetic kind of thing than a really invasive one.
Good luck this week, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry about Lucy's extra surgery! Gosh darn! That rather sucks, doesn't it?!!! I do hope it's a minor thing and hopefull she'll be great after a day or two of recovery!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hi Mary,
Fergus had to go back under to be re-closed. After about 4 weeks, only half of his incision had healed and he was still oozing. The doctor sedated him and put 2 layers of stitches under the skin and stapled the top layer. At that point I would say the incision was about 4 inches. He came home the night of the surgery and was very woozy. I don't think he knew which way was up and walked around in circles. The next morning he was fine. He did not backtrack on mobility at all. The healing was quick from that point. He remained on antibiotics after the procedure. Make sure if Lucy is on chemo to get antibiotics from the doc until she is completely healed.
I wouldn't worry about the recovery at all. It was as if nothing had changed.
Good luck to you and Lucy,
Tara & Spirit Fergus
Tara and Spirit Fergus-
That sounds promising! Lucy has not been diagnosed with cancer, they originally thought she had a nerve sheath tumor but they were not able to find during surgery and the tests came back negative. Nerves were found to be degenerative, we don't know why.
All in all the recovery has gone fairly smooth. I know we are lucky, no cancer. We'll pull through!! Lucy will pull through!
Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
Hoppy 3 weeks ampuversary. That is wonderful that you're not dealing with cancer.
Just wanted to offer my support & hope all goes smoothly for you & Lucy. Keep us posted!
Sending you many golden hugs,
Cathy
Hi Mary,
When Rio had her surgery along her neckline/collarbone region 3 years ago, she had a similar issue. I guess when they're laying down, it's hard to judge how much skin to leave to keep things from puckering when they stand up. We didn't end up "fixing" it because we were looking at starting chemo, and that would have meant two more weeks before she could start her treatment. She has a area on the back of her neck that has a lump of scar tissue now. Whenever you scratch her there, her little stump wiggles.
Hope things go well with Lucy. We're sending you all kinds of good thoughts!
Micki and Rio
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
Hi Mary,
Our dog Gaby (right front amp. on 10/25/11) went through something similar...the vet called it an "incision revision". We had taken her to the vet on day 14 to get her staples out
...but she ended up leaving the vet with stitches
. They said that some dead tissue needed to be removed along with some extra skin from the amputation. She had to be completely put under again and back on an antibiotic and pain medicine. The first night she was a little loopy, but the next morning she seemed to do fine. That procedure was nothing like the major surgery of the amputation or the pain from the OSA. She did have those stitches in for about 14 days.
Good luck and I hope everything goes okay.
Joanie and Gaby
Awww, thanks everyone! I knew Lucy couldn't be the only one. I get stressed out taking her to the vet when there's something major. Like I said, she's hyper and the car ride over is anxiety driven let alone our entrance to the hospital!! Thankfully our dog sitter is able to come with me tomorrow morning. Lucy's dad has a day of meetings (Yuck!). I'm glad to hear the recovery should be relatively minor compared to the initial surgery.
Rio, that must be one of your battle scars!! Micki- Keep the good thoughts coming!
Joanie - I believe that's what her vet called it too, "incision revision"! I couldn't think or remember the term, only that she had to face another surgery...
I think we're as set as we can be for tomorrow. Lucy has been a trooper through all of this and I'm hoping tomorrow will be no exception. I'll let everyone know how she does!
Thanks again,
Mary
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
I'm sure things will go just fine tomorrow. Try to relax and stay calm -- that will help Lucy more than just about anything. Deep breaths, girl! Keep us posted on how things go!
Micki and Rio
|
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
If this helps at all....
Tri-pug Maggie was on pain meds for two weeks after her amp- sort of normal. But about 6 months before that she had a tumor removed from her side. The incision was at least 7" long, a third of her chest measurement of 21"! She was on pain meds for two days, including surgery day and was fine after that. She was mad, but that is a whole other story!
And from my personal experience- when surgery only involves soft tissues and skin there is very little pain (assuming no muscle cutting). It is when bone is involved, or large muscle and associate tissue is cut or repaired that there is a lot of pain.
I bet Lucy bounces right back after she gets the anesthetic out of her system Good luck!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Mac had his amputation two weeks ago and the doctor had originally said she would use staples but the surgery went so well she decided to stitch him up instead. That incision was along the length of his collar bone and across his leg. They come out tomorrow and it looks like he healed very cleanly. For Mac this is a first! Most of his prior surgeries were injuries from sticks and rips, which needed staples and at least one extra visit to fix holes. I'm sure Lucy will be fine, its just the border collie in her that makes everything a little more difficult. Good luck.
Wishing Lucy a speedy recovery...will be sending you both good thoughts!
Lucy is back home!! She had her surgery early this morning and we received a call mid morning letting us know the surgery was over and Lucy was doing well. When we picked her up this time it was very different. She was alert and ready to go home!! They took out some fat and additional skin. The area looks good, although they had to shave her again... BOOooooo! She's a little red again too. She has eaten some tonight so we were able to give her rimadyl. Tonight she'll have to have tramadol again too.
So far so good, they only issue is whining. They gave her some sort of pain med when she woke up after surgery so I imagine that's really messing with her and although she's eaten I haven't given her a full meal's worth yet.
We're so glad she was able to come home today. I know she is too!
Back to recovery mode! Sleep is in order. Yeah Lucy!!! 
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
good to hear the surgery went well and lucy is already home!!!! medicinal naps are highly recommended!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
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