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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nicj said
He's v lethargic, back legs shaking and not really that interested in food...
...just took Scooby out for 5 min walk on field next to our house. He loved it-lots of vigorous tail wagging.
Scooby may be overdoing it. At only six days post-op an still on pain meds, there is no need for him to be up and about except for short leashed potty time. Rest and confinement will ensure a speedy safe recovery.
There will be plenty of time for exercises to rebuild strength once all the stitches are out and he is fully weened off the meds. Most members see vast improvement once their pups at 10-14 days once they are off all pain medication.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Went out for several hours earlier.. First time we have left Scooby since the op. Came home to a very happy dog who gave me one of his funny doggy smiles. He ate all his dinner.
Vet said to take him off the Tramadol now so he's only on 1 rimadyl a day, that's it pain meds wise. He hasn't made any whimpering or any moany noises for a couple of days now... In fact he seems quite comfortable apart from his often shaky back legs.
We discovered that his back legs start shaking when there is a loud noise or disturbance (eg letterbox rattling/door slamming/champagne cork popping) so think the leg shaking is down to a bit of anxiety. I rang the vet again today who reassured me and they think he's fine.
His bruising and fluid retention has almost gone too so not bad for 6 days post op.. He's only young though so he does have that in his favour.
thanks for the support xx
I love reading about Scooby! What a sweetie. xoxo
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Happy New Year to you all... Now 9 days post amputation... Scooby is pretty much of his pain meds now. Just one rimadyl a day. His shaking has pretty much gone and his appetite is almost back but still having to encourage him.
Bought him a new bed - orthopedic with memory foam mattress and he absolutely loves it! He can stretch out completely in it and I'm so pleased for him as he looks so comfortable in it!
He's going out for 5 min walks once a day as recommended by vet (although she actually recommended 2-3 walks a day) He's a bit of a creature of habit and really doesn't like being on a lead at all so he's off lead but sticks really close to us and is doing so well. Walking/hopping fast and having a good sniff around.
Have noticed that people really stare which is something I'm just going to have to get used to I guess...
His stitches out and first round of chemo on Tuesday - what should I be expecting?
Have noticed that people really stare which is something I'm just going to have to get used to I guess...
What is really weird is when they don't notice! I had one neighbor say 'I thought there was something different....'
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Glad to hear things are getting back to "normal". I still don't like the staring, and dislike the pitying phrases even more. I haven't found a way to get used to it. As for Tuesday, yay for stitches coming out..that will make him feel better. As for chemo, they tend to handle it well. Is he having carboplatin? If any side effects show it's usually a couple days later, maybe some tiredness or less appetite, but we didn't have much of a problem. Good luck and keep us posted.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Awww...Scooby is starting to get his sparkle back! YAY! That's a great way to start the New Year!
I love that he is so happy with his new bed! It is important to have one that not just soft and squishy as it's harder for tripawds to get up without slipping. This sounds like it will really help his joints and his "snoozeability"!
I think Scooby will be glad to have those itchy stitches out.
My Happy Hannah didn't have her first chemo until the third week because her recovery was a little slower than some. I wanted to see some more of her sparkle come back first. She sailed through her four Carboplatin treatments with no issues! As Paula mentioned, some dogs do experience some lethargy, nausea and lack of appetite for a couple of days. The Onco will give you Cerenia to help if Scooby gets nauseated. The side effects if they happen at all, are over fairly quickly. On rare, rare occasions, side effects may be more severe. If that's the case, sometimes it's just a matter of adjusting the dose, or maybe more time in between, or discontinue.
I think you'll find when Scooby's fur grows back, people really won't notice Scooby is a tripawd! And when they do, they are usually amazed at how well they do! If a conversation ensues, it's a great way to let people know there are options should they ever be faced with the challenge. You never know when Scooby just gave another a dog in the future a chance for more spoiling and loving and living life to the fullest pain free!
Sending 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!
That's a really awesome start to your year!
Stitches coming out is easy peasy, nothing to worry about. If there is a chance the incision isn't completely healed, the vet may leave a few in but it sounds like things are healing as they should be. When it comes to chemo, your vet should hand you a sheet of potential side effects and when they might happen as far as timeframe. Ask your vet for some anti-nausea medication just in case, hopefully Scooby won't need it.
Best wishes to you this week, keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh and when it comes to people staring, you can expect a few "oh poor dog" comments too. All you need to say to that is..."Poor dog? He's not feeling sorry for himself and neither should you." It becomes an instinct in no time at all.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
LOL! We have just started taking Barkley out and are getting our first doses of the public pity party. Actually, our first experience was actually at the vet when we went to get stitches removed. An echo of soft "awwwwww"s followed us down the waiting area. It was weird. But then people asked about it and saw we were not babying him and he was wagging his tail and eager to say hello and their preconceptions changed. Afterwards, we went to a dog friendly cafe and had brunch and he was showered with attention, but not pity. YAY! We were more than willing to tell his story and educate people about amputation the best we could and why the whole leg vs partial, etc. It can be interesting instead of annoying sometimes we are finding out. (but honestly, only if you are in the mood!) haha!
Wishing you all the best with continued recovery!
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