Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We've just picked our black labrador - Lucy - up from Fitzpatrick Refferals where she had a front leg amputation. She had a tumour removed last year (2010) and it grew back this August (2011) and we were told that it had spread alot and was a mast cell tumour - very nasty. Lucy has never seem in any pain though and is energetic and lovely.
We brought her home today and she was panting a lot in the car (2 hour journey) and seemed very stressed. She's home now and was greeted by our other chocolate labrador who was happy to see her. We have a 50" crate for her and although she didn't want to go in it we had to force her too so she would relax.
The minute we brought her back she was dying to go to the toilet so I used the sling we were provided with, that goes under her tummy, and tried to take her out the back door. She was far too energetic for me and ran out of the sling straight to the grass to do her business - making me very upset, but she was obviously desperate.
She's wearing the pain patch and has a dressing on - the nurses also gave us more so we can keep it covered. We also have a big inflatable collar to stop her licking the incision, but we took this off for the moment as it prevents her lying down and the wound is covered anyway. She doesn't seem interested in it at the moment which is good.
She seems to be coping fine though, only falling down occasionally and slowly learning how to balance. We are very worred as she is so energetic and wants to do everything she usually does, such as run upstairs and jump on beds etc. It's so hard to prevent her walking around. We're going to use a tshirt on her until we buy a proper harness, as it will support her head more and she won't be able to run out of it like she does with the sling. But still, she wants to do everything and I think watching our other labrador makes it worse for her.
Any advice for energetic labs after surgery?
The good thing it she doesn't seem in pain, just moaning and whining ocassionally when she wants to come out. She's only been home about an hour and we've been sat by her side ever since. I'll be sleeping next to her tonight...
We know what you're going through if you've just been told your dog needs amputation, i'm certain it will get better, but obviously it's only the first day so she's got a long way to go...
I'm trying to post a picture but it won't let me 🙁
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Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us here (sorry about why you're here, though).
Ah, crazy labs are impawsible to keep down! But you're doing a pretty good job of it. Crating her and keeping her entertained with interactive toys should definitely help. One of the biggest reasons to keep dogs calm after surgery is to reduce the risk of seroma (fluid build up) at the incision. It's not a dangerous thing, just a hassle when your dog is leaking fluid all over your carpet!
My other piece of advice, especially because we're talking about a lab here, is to keep her lean and thin. It is definitely do-able, and it's critical for a dog on three legs. Keeping her skinnier than the average lab is key to a long, healthy life as a Tripawd.
If you haven't already, do check out our Required Reading List and our eBook, "Three Legs & A Spare"; these things should answer many of your questions and I know others here will have great advice too. Also, please consider joining as a member so that your posts won't require moderation and can appear immediately.
Good luck. Keep up your pawsitive attitude, things DO get much better, usually about 2 weeks out, but in her case it may be sooner!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jennifer, Lucy is lucky to have such a great pawrent to take care of her! Bo is a 6 yr old yellow lab, front amp too. Yes, they are spirited pups! He came home feeling like his old self, hopped all over the house, wanted to go outside, etc. After a couple of days, it all caught up with him and he crashed for about 5 days. We got a kennel for Bo and he was stubborn and didn't get in it one time. He did however like camping out in our small guest bathroom. I guess it was cool in there and it also gave him some space to recover.
He kept a t-shirt on Bo for weeks after surgery, mainly to keep the incision clean and it also kept him from licking it. Bo recovered nicely and began feeling like his old self closer to 3 weeks post-amp. Sounds like Lucy is feeling great!
Good luck and keep us posted!!
Thanks guys, Yes I will join as a member now.
Mum is sleeping with Lucy tonight outside the crate, she seems to have settled completley though which is good. She hasn't urinated since we got back which we're slightly worried about but hopefully it will be ok in the morning. The wound is still covered and appears to be bleeding - mums a nurse though and isn't worried about this, it doesn't look infected either - we think it's due to the tshirt pulling against her a lot so we've taken it off.
She's the exact same Lucy as before - which is nice, but it's as if she knows something wrong yet doesn't understand what! she walks ok, sort of, dipping alot from not balancing properly. Which is heartbreaking. She is also drinking loads so we're surprised she doesn't need 'the loverlies' as we call it!
You're right about the hopping - she either walks slow and dips a lot (without assistance) or hops quite fast (with her sling around her tummy) to get outside. It's as if she knows it's going to be hard to just makes a quick dash for it. I'm massaging her other legs a lot which she loves.
Sasha (our other lab) lies next to her all the time which is nice and I think helps Lucy. It's hard for all of us and we've got the initial 'oh god how could we do this to her' going on in our minds. We definitely can't and won't watch her suffer!
Yes we definitely have to keep her skinny! she is the perfect weight now but could still do with losing some, so I think we're planning on using healthy snacks - like bits of red pepper - to encourage her and praise her.
Lucy would never sleep outside or in a kennel - she's very spoilt and delicate! a total cuddler. When we cook in the kitchen the dogs both lie at our feet (hoping for food to fall!) and we also have tiles so it's nice and cool. Lucy did the exact same today - a habit I guess. But she definitely knows something is wrong as she didn't get up to have a look in the dishwasher as she usually does!
Thanks for your replies, I'll join as a member and try and share some photos of her recovery!x
Hi Jennifer and Lucy! Our Siberian Husky had is front leg amputated on Thursday...so we may share some experiences in common as we go through this journey. Dale will be 10 years old in September...and has always been very athletic. I think his age...has made him a bit more cautious for his first couple of days...although I'm so amazed at how he is adapting.
Our Vet did not have 24 hour care so we brought him home the night of his surgery. He went in a 7:30AM and was back here by 8PM. The first night was pretty stressful as his real first steps were litteraly out of the car and into our house. He really struggled Day 1 with how to lay back down after getting up...but has figured that out today.
I'm sure you will find this community very helpful...it has been so very encouraging to us!
Best of Luck with everything! Lucy seems like a super strong dog...with a great Mom!
Our local vet (Wimborne, Dorset) is only a small country vet which is why we took her up to Surrey (Fitzpatrick Referals) for a second opinion - We let them do it just because it meant she could stay there and it's very posh!
Lucy is adapting so well too, she had the surgery on the 11th August so it isn't her first night, however it is the first night she's home. It's still heartbreaking to watch though!
Aww lovely Husky! All the best to you too.
Aww...lovely Lucy! Dale and Lucy share the same "ampuversary" date! Best of luck and we will keep you in our thoughts througout this journey!
Uh oh...technical difficulties?
You are a nurse? Oh wow, how cool! That makes sense, you sound very rational and calm about the situation. Lucy's a lucky pup to have you for a pawrent.
Red pepper? Really? They'll eat it?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jennifer,
Welcome to you and Lucy. Sorry you found yourself here- but this is a really knowledgeable and supportive community, there is nothing like experience!
My pug Maggie lost a leg to a mast cell tumor, and she was black… but that is where the similarity to Lucy ends 
. She was small, a rear amp, and quite a slug after her surgery. I never had to worry about slowing her down!
Most here are dealing with osteosarcoma, but there are a few of us who have dealt with amputation due to MCTs. Roxy the boxer and Rio are two that come to mind that have blogs you can read. And you can read Maggie's story in her blog. There is also a page that talks about her amputation and chemo treatments.
Not peeing for a day or two, even a bit longer is not unusual. I don't remember when Mag first peed, but I know it was about 6 days before she had a BM.
I hope Lucy's recovery is uneventful, but be prepared for some ups and downs.
I'm looking forward to following Lucy's progress.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi all - this is Julie (Jenni's mum!). My main concern is pain relief for Lucy. She seems ok but the vet has put her on Rimadyl 20mg twice daily for 2 weeks then once a day for another week. There has been a lot of bad press about this drug with relation to liver problems even when used short term. Has anyone else used this drug or got any info? Just thinking if there is any other NSAID she could be given I think I would be happier!
Lucy had a good night (I didnt!
). She has been out this morning and poo'd and wee'd and eaten her breakfast - typical lab! The hardest thing for us is stopping her doing things - she's a nutter 
Here is Lucy when she first got home!
 |
| August 14, 2011 |
Her crate was all ready for her! too much?!!
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| August 14, 2011 |
Bo was on Rimadyl, Tramadol, and Gabapentin starting a week before surgery. His blood was tested the day of surgery and his liver levels were high. The vet said it was most likely from the NSAID and we quickly weened him off, put him on VetriLiver chews, and his liver test 3 weeks ago was normal. We continued the Gabapentin for nerve pain for a little over 2 weeks after surgery. Bo had pretty severe phantom pains, so it was needed, but he became very lethargic on it. We weened him off and his has been on a very low dose of Tramadol as needed since surgery. Most pups seem to not like Tramadol, but Bo has not had a problem with it. Since an NSAID is not an option for us, Tramadol has been a helpful alternative.
Ice was a life saver for us after surgery as well. We iced the surgery area and bruising 3 times a day for 20 minutes. We put a bag of ice in a dish towel and that did the trick. Bo also liked chewing/eating ice cubes for several weeks post op. Both ice tricks would chill Bo out and help with whatever discomfort he was in.
Hope that helps! What is Lucy doing to make you think that she's in pain?
Thanks for the reply. My concern is mostly with her being on Rimadyl because of the side effects with the liver. There was no chance to start drug therapy before surgery as she had it the same day! Tramadol was mentioned if she appeared to be struggling on the rimadyl alone. Today is only day 2 post op but she is panting and stressed before her next dose is due. My daughter Jenni is going to phone the vet tomorrow to discuss options - I obviously dont want her in any pain as it seems unnecessary in this day and age (thats what I tell my patients anyway!). A seroma
has already developed since her return home as it is very hard to stop her doing things unless I lie with her all day which I would love to but have to go back to work tomorrow! Its early days and she seems to be doing well on the whole. Its hard to know how much to let her do I guess. Always good to hear other peoples experiences!x
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