Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our 4 1/2 year old rescue mutt was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma on his left hind knee in mid-March. We first did a de-bulking surgery attempt on March 22 because we were very against amputation. They couldn't get a clean margin and had to leave a lot of cancer in his leg. Then that wound was difficult to heal completely because of the cancer cells in the wound. His cancer is a Stage III. We then opted to do amputation and had that surgery on April 14th. Our dog Bruno has a deformed front left paw and has a history of double knee surgery on his back legs in 2013 (two torn ACL and non-functioning patellas). The surgeon from 2013 surgery felt Bruno would still be a good amputation candidate in spite of the limp in his front deformed paw.
Bruno seems to be healing well physically, but he is listless, gets up and goes outside only when we prompt him, and seems sad. He has basically had five straight weeks of recovery restrictions due to the two surgeries. I can't tell if he is sedated/subdued from pain meds, or if he is tired, bored, sad? He rarely wags and doesn't even ask for his morning treat. He perks up when we take him to the park for a short walk. The vet said he is likely tired and bored. His pain medication dose was decreased a little this week in case he is over-sedated. It's very hard to tell if he is in pain or if he is over-sedated. How long do dogs tend to need the tramadol?
Bruno goes to the park for a walk every day of his life, and waits eagerly for us to get home from work so that he can go to the park. We have tried to keep taking him after the amputation because we could tell after the de-bulking surgery when his activity was very restricted that he was literally MAD and POUTED when we didn't go to the park. He also has a dog door and an electric fence and has always been able to go outside all day long whenever he wants. I hope that his current mood is based on being sad that he can't roam freely yet and because he has to wear the darn cone. My fear is that his spirit is broken by all of this. Any feedback from others regarding recovery process, change of personality, length of time for strong pain meds would be greatly appreciated.
brunob said
Bruno seems to be healing well physically, but he is listless, gets up and goes outside only when we prompt him, and seems sad...
...goes to the park for a walk every day of his life, and waits eagerly for us to get home from work so that he can go to the park. We have tried to keep taking him after the amputation...
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Bruno may be overdoing it too soon. It is still early in his rehabilitation. Walking and free play do not build strength, only stamina. Focus on building core strength and balance while working to build the muscle mass required to compensate for the added weight.
We strongly recommend consulting with a certified rehab vet tech (CCRT/CCRP). That's why the Tripawds Foundation created the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab.
Loving Life On Three Legs is also filled with helpful professional tips, instructions and how to videos about the amount and type of exercise recommended for Tripawds.
Best wishes, please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You are still really early in the recovery from the amputation. Otis wasn't moving around much then either for the first 2 weeks of recovery. Basically, from dog bed to dog bed on the first floor, and outdoors for business. At times, I had to bribe him to go outside because I knew that he probably really needed to go just based on time elapsed. Once the staples came out, I started to see a difference. In week 3, he was jumping up on the sofa and acting more like his normal self. We started short (7 house) walks at almost 1 month post-amp. So I would say, don't worry this early. Bruno is still on a lot of meds, and still very much in the recovery process.
We took the cone off on day 2 - it was cutting into Otis' skin. A T-Shirt worked fine to keep him away from the incision. I think boxers serve the same purpose for rear leggers. It obviously depends on the dog and how closely you can watch him, but the cone of shame is a big downer for most dogs. I also noticed improvement in Otis' mood and activity when the T-Shirt came off - kind of a return to normal for him.
Otis was on Tramadol for about 3 weeks. When the staples came out, we started tapering the dosage - first by skipping the mid-day dose, and then reducing the other two (morning and night), until eventually it was just one pill (from 3) at night. It was kind of obvious when he no longer needed it. He stayed on Rimadyl until we finished the prescription.
Might be a stupid question, but how close is the park? He might not be able to hop the distance without exhausting himself, but maybe you can drive there and just sit with him for a while?
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
otisandtess said
You are still really early in the recovery from the amputation. Otis wasn't moving around much then either for the first 2 weeks of recovery. Basically, from dog bed to dog bed on the first floor, and outdoors for business. At times, I had to bribe him to go outside because I knew that he probably really needed to go just based on time elapsed. Once the staples came out, I started to see a difference. In week 3, he was jumping up on the sofa and acting more like his normal self. We started short (7 house) walks at almost 1 month post-amp. So I would say, don't worry this early. Bruno is still on a lot of meds, and still very much in the recovery process.We took the cone off on day 2 - it was cutting into Otis' skin. A T-Shirt worked fine to keep him away from the incision. I think boxers serve the same purpose for rear leggers. It obviously depends on the dog and how closely you can watch him, but the cone of shame is a big downer for most dogs. I also noticed improvement in Otis' mood and activity when the T-Shirt came off - kind of a return to normal for him.
Otis was on Tramadol for about 3 weeks. When the staples came out, we started tapering the dosage - first by skipping the mid-day dose, and then reducing the other two (morning and night), until eventually it was just one pill (from 3) at night. It was kind of obvious when he no longer needed it. He stayed on Rimadyl until we finished the prescription.
Might be a stupid question, but how close is the park? He might not be able to hop the distance without exhausting himself, but maybe you can drive there and just sit with him for a while?
Thank you both for the helpful responses. Yes, we drive him to the park. He doesn't really take a walk, just stands around and smells the scents and goes to the bathroom.
Perhaps my overall expectations for the pace of recovery were skewed by all of the comments I got about how fast dogs adjust to amputation.
The feedback about length of time for meds is very helpful. Bruno gets his stitches out Wednesday. I feel much better after posting and reading the responses, and more confident that we are caring for him correctly.
Firstly, it sounds like your doing an absolutely amazing job looking after Bruno. I'm sure everyone here can totally relate to the worry you're feeling and the second guessing, but thats just because we love them so darn much.
I remember the 8 day mark very well when Beau had his amp. To be honest, it was probably the worst time of it all. He started crying, and shaking, and I was calling every vet I could like a loony, trying to find one that was open on the weekend to get some gabapentin for him as he was clearly suffering with phantom limb. Like Bruno, Beau also lost a bit of his sparkle, still eager for his walks but he wasn't his normal self. He wouldn't bark when someone came to the door (absolutely unheard of!) and he just seemed generally uninterested in the things that used to interest him a great deal, although he still longed to be with his pack and would save his energy to follow us if we moved from sight.
When those staples came out (at 3 weeks), what a difference! Beau also despised the cone and was so glad to see the back of it. After the staples came out, that's when his confidence really grew and his sparkle returned once more. We are at 11 weeks post amp and every part of his personality is as it was before. He's running, playing, chasing and loving life to the full once more.
Time will heal Bruno, that little guy has been through a lot. His body is using all his energy to heal and sleep and rest is a great thing. It is tiring being a superhero after all. Once the pain subsides, the cone and the stitches are gone and the meds are out of his system, Bruno can get back to just being Bruno. In the meantime, you're doing everything you can and Bruno loves you for it. He's safe and protected by his pack leader while his body heals and everyday is getting a bit closer to that day he's running across that park again with the wind in his fur.
Keep us posted
Hannah, Beau & Family
Hi Bruno and pack, and welcome.
New Tripawds tire very easily. And since Bruno was not very active for the weeks leading up to the amp he wasn't in tip top shape to start with. Now add the extra effort it takes to hop around on three and some sedating pain meds too...
When my pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to mast cell cancer all of our vets told me that dogs do great on three legs...so when Mag was a slug for several weeks I was thinking 'sure all dogs but mine!' None of them said anything about the recovery period or the effects of the meds. I spent a lot of time thinking I had made a big mistake by choosing amputation- many here will tell you the same thing. Maggie took longer than most to get used to her new normal but she got there and hopped happily though life for almost 4 years.
While some lucky pups here seem to sail through recovery most take 2 to 3 weeks before the sparkle comes back.
he was literally MAD and POUTED when we didn't go to the park
This sounds so much like my Maggie! She was very stubborn and loved her routines. She would sit with her back to me when she was mad about something. Some say dogs don't do that...most of mine haven't, but it was one of the things I loved about her. I think it was one of the reasons that Mag took so long to get her sparkle back.
Hang in there, you will see the real Bruno soon!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Sorry you find yourself here, however, as you can see, there is no better place for support, information and a whole lot of understanding! And boy oh boy, do we understand!
You've gotten great advise already. I'll just add that it took me about three weeks before I could finally say I did the amputation FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!
I think the fact that Bruno has been dealing with this for over five weeks definitely ties into everything. The cone really can have an effect on so e dogs too. Every chance you get, when you know you can watch, I would take that cone off and give him a good neck massage. I was very fortunate in that Happy Hannah never messed with her stitches.
Doing something "normal from his daily routine does wonders. Maybe you can let him go out the doggy door without the cone every now and then, with supervision of course. Just being allpwed outside to lay in the sun and sniff the breeze does wonders.
If he isn't experiencing pain, it could be that you can reduce his pain meds some and see if that helps. Actually, I think you and your vet decided to try that.
Try not to compare Bruno's recovery to others. First of all, he's been dealing with this for five weeks. Secondly, eight days after amputation is very early! Yes, some dogs do seem to be bouncing arou d very quickly. There are just as many, if not more, who take several weeks before their sparkle starts to really come back consistently. And then younjavenStubborn Pug Maggie who took about six weeks!!
How does is front leg with the limp seem to be doing? How bout the remaining back leg? Is his traction pretty good, no slipping?
I love that you still take him to the park and he enjoys just being there! One thing you'll find with some dogs, actually, most, is that they really just love being outside soaking in all of nature and they don't care about how far they walk. Stopping and smelling the roses is fun for all!
One other suggestion. Have someone come over that Bruno really likes. Have them knock on the door and get all excited and tell uim "so and so" is jere! Have them come in in a strong, positive and excited state. Sometimes that gets a tail wag with dogs who don't feel very perky...or not!! Have them bring a drive thru cheeseburger too! 🙂
Eating and drinking okay? Maybe a Kong toy stuffed with goodies could help keep him from being too bored.
Update when you can. Bruno will work through thiq. He's been through a lot. This is major surgery. You've been through a lotmtoo! Try and get some rest.
Hugs and love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Can't wait to see more pictures! His avatar is ADORABLE!!
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!
Again, all of the responses have been extremely helpful. My husband and I have calmed down significantly after realizing that we were expecting him to be more spunky and "recovered" too soon. By way of update, he has been wagging at others more, and is currently laying on our front porch and keeping watch on the neighborhood. He still lays around much of the time, but seems less drugged. He is on half of the original amount of pain medication and seems comfortable. Stitches out April 27th!!!!!
Ow this puts a big smile on my face!! Seeing things return like the wag of a tail just makes our hearts soar with joy
It's sooop hard being patient during the recovery! It's hard to appreciate the tiniest "improvement" is really a HUGE one during the first couple of weeks.
Now, you may have seen in here that some dogs really seem to turn the corner and are seemingly rready to run marathons when stitches are out...emphasis on "SOME"! Some dogs it makes no difference and they are still laying around a lot and still dealing with residual surgery pain. Try not to make comparisons.
YAY Y TAIL WAIGS AND FRONT PORCH LAZING AROUND!! And YAY for Bruno's humans! Good job! 🙂
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!
You are doing great! It's definitely a learning experience, anyone who's been through it can totally relate. Keep up the great attitude and before you know it this will be behind you and life will go on in the new normal.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We are now four weeks post amputation and Bruno is doing everything he used to do other than jump up on our high bed. There was a radical improvement in his energy, movement, and personality by the third week post surgery. Thanks again for all of the feedback!
Thanks sooooo much for the update! We've all had our paws crosse for a good recovery!
HAPPY ONE MONTH AMPUVERSARY!! 🙂 🙂
Seeing Bruno happy again and living life to the fullest is DELIGHTFUL!! Splendid job!
And we MUST have pictures! Bron's avatar is ADORABLE!
Lots of hugs and ice cream to celebrate! 
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 fantastic update. Tell Bruno to stay off that bed and he'll keep doing great!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hooray for Bruno!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Yeah Bruno!!!
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
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