Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Lily had her front leg amputated 7 days ago. She gets around fine but barely eats and nearly never drinks. 2 days ago we switched from the pain patch to codeine which seems to really dope her up and make her sleep. She shows no interest in drinking and it is worrying me. Tonight I force fed her water by dripping a water bottle into my hand and into her mouth. I got maybe 2-3 ounces in her. How do I know when she is dehydrated (she peed this am but it was strong smelling- I could smell it from standing next to her) and how do I know if the codeine is too much? Her codeine went past 8 hours overnight. I figured if she were uncomfortable at 3 am when it was due, I would hear her shifting around. That didn't happen. By 8 am she was shivering so we gave her her codeine and she slept all day. She has only moved to change sleeping spots. This is stressful! I just want my girl to heal. 
Please let me know if you have any insight into what might be going on. Thank you in advance.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
Definitely keep talking with your vet, but it is not unusual for pups to go off their food and water while on pain meds. I haven't used codeine with my pups, they usually get Tramadol. I do take codeine myself and it makes me sleepy. Its a good thing for Lily to spend her time resting while she heals.
For drinking, you could try tuna water, or maybe some type of low sodium chicken or beef broth. You might also get a bit more into her if you have a syringe. You might try some plain boiled chicken, or a scrambled egg. Some dogs just don't want to eat while they are healing.
Judging pain meds it tough- too much pain meds and not enough pain meds have similar symptoms. I would keep her on her dosing schedule at night and if you think she can go longer during the day try it then. That way if she starts to get uncomfortable you can give her meds and not let it go so long. Don't feel bad- this part is really hard.
Again, call your vet if you are concerned. But if she is able to move around, her incision looks good, and she is peeing (has she pooped?) she is probably doing OK. The first couple of weeks are the hardest, it does get easier.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I'm sorry, I know how stressful that is and it's not an easy thing to go through, but you'll both get through this, promise!
First, call your vet in the morning. Seven days out is still early in recovery but by now she should be showing signs of recovering. I'm going to guess maybe the pain meds are a bit too much for her at that dose, but again, call your vet first thing.
I second Karen's insights and suggestions to use tuna water or broth. Or even a bit of Gatorade. Anything different that she may find interesting can help. Even adding more water into her food will help hydrate her.
Meanwhile, hang in there. We're glad you came here, because at least talking to others who've been through this can make all the difference in keeping you sane. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear that you are having some issues after Lily's amputation.
Our dog Hunter had his right rear leg amputated. He was on antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory, and pain meds for 10-14 days. His pain med was Tramadol. We had some Traumeel on hand as well to use after he used the Tramadol for about a week. The Traumeel is a natural pain killer and better for their systems. He was a bit spacey on the pain meds.
Maybe the codeine doesn't agree with her.
You are doing everything right be being concerned about her and taking care of her.
Continue talking with your vet. Maybe try a different pain med, or slowly cut down on the codeine?
Please keep us informed as to your progress.
((HUGS)) from our family to yours.
Super Dog Angel Hunter and pack
Read about our Hunter at http://superdog.....pawds.com/
7/27/2003 ~ 7/24/2013
Our Super Dog Hunter crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on a beautiful summer day in July, just 3 days shy of his 10th Birthday. He gave us everything since he was 8 weeks old. Hunter was a 14 month warrior of OS. We LOVE and MISS him every day.
Look at your dogs gums. They should be bright red and moist/wet (look at your gums.. they should look like that). If they are pale or worse, white, the dog is in distress.
Lethargy and loss of appetite are common side affects with codine. Tramidol has the same side affects, but is usually better tolerated by most.
If your dog goes on two days without eating/drinking then its vet time. I'd call them now just to say it that you noticed o eating/drinking and lethargy.... they may tell you to stop depending on what else is going on.
I just saw the post on FB and wanted to comment. I am usually more of a lurker but wanted to offer some advice. My 12 year old pup Jake had a rough time with narcotics and drinking water after the amp. I don't know if the meds contributed but its worth talking to your vet about asap. Narcotics are rough. Ours put Jake on Tramadol and he was much happier. Some of the things I did to encourage drinking is to mix tuna fish juice with wet dog food. Or I would make chicken broth, with little bits of chicken in it or boil ground beef in water. His meals were literally soup 
. It sounds like Lily has a some appetite so thats encouraging! I recommend asking your vet about a different pain med and make "soup" for her meals. Please keep us updated! Tripawds is a great community so know you are not alone, we'll be there with you all along the way!
I can't offer any advice, but I really hope she's okay. Let us know how she is doing. Did you get a hold of her vet?
Elizabeth said
I am usually more of a lurker but wanted to offer some advice...
Thank you for your feedback Elizabeth! Please consider registering so your posts do not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What about giving her ice cubes? She may be interested in them.
I would definitely call your vet today and get their advice.
They could give her a bolus of fluid under the skin that her body would absorb. We've had this done several times for our dogs after a bout of vomiting. It's just a shot.
I'd strongly consider changing pain meds as well.
She should bounce back once she's re-hydrated and should be much more like herself at the 2-week post amp date.
Please let us know how she'd doing....
Super Dog Angel Hunter's Mom ~ Julie
Read about our Hunter at http://superdog.....pawds.com/
7/27/2003 ~ 7/24/2013
Our Super Dog Hunter crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on a beautiful summer day in July, just 3 days shy of his 10th Birthday. He gave us everything since he was 8 weeks old. Hunter was a 14 month warrior of OS. We LOVE and MISS him every day.
I sadly don't have any advice as Jill drank OK during her recovery (the cone made it hard for her to get to her water bowl though) but I just wanted to offer my support and say hang in there. It will get better!!!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
lilybear said
Lily had her front leg amputated 7 days ago. She gets around fine but barely eats and nearly never drinks. 2 days ago we switched from the pain patch to codeine which seems to really dope her up and make her sleep. She shows no interest in drinking and it is worrying me. Tonight I force fed her water by dripping a water bottle into my hand and into her mouth. I got maybe 2-3 ounces in her. How do I know when she is dehydrated (she peed this am but it was strong smelling- I could smell it from standing next to her) and how do I know if the codeine is too much? Her codeine went past 8 hours overnight. I figured if she were uncomfortable at 3 am when it was due, I would hear her shifting around. That didn't happen. By 8 am she was shivering so we gave her her codeine and she slept all day. She has only moved to change sleeping spots. This is stressful! I just want my girl to heal.
Hi our dog Molly was the same after about 7 days. We tried everything even putting some chicken stock in her water and tried her with some (under her Vets advisement) Hydralyte blackcurrant flavoured electrolyte powder in her water she did drink a little. In the end we readmitted her to hospital where she was put on a fluid drip for 24 hrs this really helped her recovery, made her feel much better and her appetite returned. Molly is now just over 2 weeks post op and thriving. Molly had her patch for 5 days and after that didn't really require any pain relief however we have Tramadol on hand if needed. Good luck with Lily she is a very fortunate puppy to have you.
Terri thank you so much for your valuable feedback.I'm hapy to hear that Molly is doing so much better. A question: how long did you wait before she was readmitted to the hospital?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Terri thank you so much for your valuable feedback.I'm hapy to hear that Molly is doing so much better. A question: how long did you wait before she was readmitted to the hospital?
We didn't let her go any longer than 48 hours. The hospital asked us to bring her straight in straight away which we did and they began IV fluids immediately. Molly began to improve after the first bag of fluids and the difference in her was amazing. We tried everything we could think of before we rang the clinic - ice cubes, flavoured water, ice blocks in hindsight I should have taken her in as soon I became concerned. We learn from these experiences. Lily will be fine once she gets some fluids into her, these first couple of weeks are the most difficult, as we have found, and Molly has her first round of chemo in 5 days so we are hoping that all goes well.
Oh my gosh don't beat yourself up, you're right, we all learn how to follow our gut instinct after a few situations like this. You're doing great. I was curious how long the vet said to wait, 48 hours sounds about right I think, that's probably as long as I could handle it without going crazy with worry.
You're doing great, hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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