Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
Well, it was all going sooooo...well, until this morning.. The poor little fellow is not in distress, but is not at all happy. Little yelps, looking back at the amputation site, and very restless. His head is lower than usual, ears and his body language tells us that he is definitely feeling pain (not seeing pink cats) German Shepherds have turned the "feel sorry for me" look into an art form, but this is real..We called the vet, and she will continue the Tramadol, in conjunction with some more Acevet to keep him quiet. As she said, very young dogs after surgery are their own worst enemies. They just can't keep still..He is quite active when the ACE wears off, and hops around the place, enjoys being on the deck in the fresh air, looking at the birds.. (he can't get off the deck). The vet was really pleased at his progress so far, and said that she is not too surprised that some pain has caught up with him. She suspects that it could be deep bruising emerging, or possibly some nerve pain. He is not in "dire distress", but we can see that it is really bothering him....We were just about off the Tramadol, and were hoping that the Metacam and a few remaining Ace pills would be sufficient. His appetite is great, his bodily functions are normal, although he didn't eat a lot today..He is happily "zonked" right now, and should be quiet for the rest of the afternoon.
She advised against bringing the other one home just yet, and wants to keep Serge "very quiet" for the weekend. Raven is coming home on Monday, and Serges' sutures come out on Wednesday next..
We are really thankful that everything has gone so well, and quite honestly, we are not discouraged. We feel for the little fellow, and as with all animals, you know they are hurting, but unfortunately they cannot tell you what type of pain and where exactly it is. In this case it is fairly obvious (where it is), but it doesn't lessen the sense of helplessness.
BTW, I had to do an emergency repair on his inflatable collar this morning. The cat was sleeping on one of the chairs, and Serge stuck his head too far into the cats' space, One paw swipe, and I heard "Pssssssssst !!" Next thing, there is Serge with this bedraggled shapeless thing, hanging off his neck. It is a great design, with the outer fabric being washable, and the inner tube comes out via a zipped opening. Found a nice new claw hole, and super glue and a scotch tape patch, did the trick.. We don't have bicycles, and hence no inner tube repair kits...
I'll keep you posted..
Regards
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
Has your vet considered the possibility of phantom limb pain?
Kathi and Murphy
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!
Great repair job! I can only imagine how pitiful Serge looked with that deflated cone hanging around his neck.
Yeah, of course is pain is real......, nine days into recovery after major surgery to remove his leg is still very early in recovery...puppy or adult...still early.
Your vet did mention nerve pain...guess it's the same as phantom...comes quickly...dog yelps...tryies to "move away" from the pain. If it's that, a lot of vets use Gabapentin....would jave concerns about interactng with the ACE though. Yor vet of course knows best.
Jist a thought...with the lowered head he could also be havng some neck muscle pain as well as everything else. Maybe a good neck massage could help.
You are a great advocate for your boy! He knew what he was doing when he picked you!! Same goes for Raven!
Look forward ro more pictures and celebrating stitch removal!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Hi Richard, I can't help very much, but my guess would be like most others, that handsome little Serge is definitely still a bit painful. My sweet Angel Polly did not suffer with any kind of phantom pain , and her entire post-amp recovery was amazing. Just one of the lucky ones in that regard, I guess.
I do love reading your posts updating on Serge's recovery process, and I have to admit to a few giggles while reading them......you have a great way with words.
Hoping the little guy continue to get better everyday, and continue to keep us all updated.
Keeping you in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
murphsmom said
Has your vet considered the possibility of phantom limb pain?Kathi and Murphy
I asked her that, and she doesn't think so, because there was no prior leg pain associated with the missing hock. (Other than when he banged his foot against something running around).. Very fortunately for Serge, he was not in, what must be an awful situation, of suffering severe pain, before surgery.
I didn't ask about gabapentin, because we feel he is medicated enough as it is, and he is still only a puppy. The Metacam, and Tramadol managed the pain really well, and the ACE keeps him quiet. No real bruising has surfaced yet around or near the incision, so the vet, in all probability is correct in her assessment. His fur is starting to grow back, and I will have to poke around to check on any bruising later..
In hindsight, he was probably off the Tramadol too soon, and just Metacam is not sufficient to manage the pain..
Benny55 asked about a neck massage...
His head was hanging down this morning, because he was plain miserable. He has been outside a couple of times, and even though he is a little dopey, his head is not hanging down, like it was this morning..
Thanks a lot for your support everyone
Regards
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
There was one thing I neglected to mention.. In addition to the amputation, the vet fixed a "belly button" hernia, and he was "neutered", in a "triple" header.....
He could also be having a few twinges from those as well. The incision in his belly also has sutures.. I keep forgetting about these, which I guess are all contributing to any pain he has...
Have a good one
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
Poor boy. Yeah sounds like a lot of pain. Just keep watching him because it might also be a touch of phantom pain never know for sure. He had the full work up done then.
Hugs
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."
Aww poor kid. Well yeah, 3 procedures in one shot, that's a lot of healing to cope with. He's probably feeling it catch up with him but I'm sure that a few more days of R&R will really help.
That's a funny story about the cone!
Give him a smooch from us. In no time at all he'll be raising a ruckus and doing the job he was born to do.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Aww poor kid. Well yeah, 3 procedures in one shot, that's a lot of healing to cope with. He's probably feeling it catch up with him but I'm sure that a few more days of R&R will really help.That's a funny story about the cone!
Give him a smooch from us. In no time at all he'll be raising a ruckus and doing the job he was born to do.
Consider him "smooched"......
This morning, (Friday !!) he is his usual "do this, do that, chase the cat, chew ankles" self... He slept through the night once his meds had kicked in, and he has just eaten, done his thing outside, had his morning meds, and he should soon be "relaxed" again.... His eyes are bright (dopey, but bright !) and his 'Fledermaus' ears are standing vertically again..
I'll take some photos outside tomorrow, if it has stopped raining. The only time he is still (stationary)enough indoors to get a photo, is when he is "zonked". It is a lot easier outside, to get some shots of him walking and running around..
Thanks for the support, and have a good weekend
Richard
"No matter how eloquently the dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his master is poor, but honest".....Bertrand Russell
Glad the morning went well, I hope he's snoozing away and chasing those rabbits in his sleep. Can't wait to see more pix, love those ears!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Poor little Serge, he just trying so hard to be a puppy!! What a triple whammy too. Can't wait for him to be healed up and the hilarious stories (and pics) come flowing in...
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
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