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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi
I am noticing a real lack of happiness in my two week post surgery tripawd. She has always been very needy and very emotional compared to other dogs that I have had however, she hardly wants to do a thing. She sleeps a lot, even though her staples come out tomorrow, she does not like to even go on a short walk. She used to greet me at the door, and love to be in the backyard, but all of that seems to have vanished. I am wondering if any of you have had the same experience and if it gets better? I hate seeing her so lethargic and just so seemingly unhappy.
She sometimes skips dinner or breakfast and does not even perk up when we ask her to eat.
Thank you all for your help!
Jennifer
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
What type of pup is Ginger? Why the amputation and what leg did she lose? What meds is she on?
You are describing my pug Maggie's recovery process exactly! Mag had her surgery way before I found Tripawds so we were on our own. The vet said 'most dogs do fine on three legs' so when Mag wasn't happy for weeks I thought I had made the wrong decision choosing amputation. Maggie was a very stubborn, set in her ways type of pug, she hated ANY change in her routine so looking back it made sense that she took her time getting used to her new situation. It took about 6 weeks for Mag but she did finally come around and hopped happily through life for almost 4 years.
Have you talked with your vet and made sure there are no medical reasons for Ginger being lethargic? Does her incision look OK? If there are no medical issues then your Ginger may be like my Maggie- it just takes some pups longer to get used to things.
You might try having a visitor or two that Ginger likes- that always perked Maggie up. Or since the staples are coming out tomorrow maybe a trip to her favorite park might get some spark back.
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
Is Ginger still on pain meds? They can have this effect. As she heals and slowly comes off of them, you will probably see a big improvement in her energy. There are some meds they can give to increase her appetite also, if that continues. Hang in there, it does get better. Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
I would add that my Shelby's recovery sounds like Gingers. In fact, Shelby took to hiding in my bathroom and was genuinely off. It took about a month to get that sparkle back, the staples out (after 2 weeks) and weaned off the drugs. I still think it's very early in your recovery. Also, as I learned here, dogs like to nest/den when they are recovering (as they would in the wild) so I think Ginger is probably just processing what's going on and healing.
I would agree - visitors can help (and I don't know where you are but we sat outside in the sun for some vitamin D just watch the sun on the shaved body).
Good luck!!! We would love to see a photo of Ginger! (BTW - I grew up w/a dog named Ginger ... she was a doll).
Alison & her Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for joining us. I hope you don't mind I moved your post here, but it's a great place to put it because lots of people go through this with their dogs post-amp. It's very common. Think about the huge adjustment she has to make: there is a body to heal, there are new ways she needs to learn to get around, there are many new aspects to her life that take some adjustment. But the good news is that dogs do much better than humans when it comes to amputation recovery, this won't last forever.
I agree with Karen, make sure there is no medical cause for this, but her behavior does sound common. Two weeks is not a long time, it's really just a general benchmark of how long recovery can take but some dogs are just more sensitive than others, just like people, and they need more time to adjust. Whatever you do, be strong; don't baby her or it will take even longer for her to recover. Tough love is hard but as this video by our friends at CARE show, it pays off:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
How old is Ginger? It's harder for older animals to adjust and adapt to changes.
I have a 14 month old pittie mix who is 1 week post op. He was like that for about 5 days before he began to chipper up. Now, I can't get him to settle down. 
Did you have any problems with seroma
's?? If you did or do, I'm dealing with my own seroma
case... we can trade experiences and advice!
Hope Ginger get's her pep back!
Angie and Calvert
Glad you have a vet appt.tomorrow somhe can rule out any infection, fever, etc.
Assuming all that checks out fine, it could be that she needs tonupnher pain meds a touch...or decrease them. I know...crazy, huh? Is she showing signs of pain? Whining, shaking, ears pinned back, restlessness? And, the flip side...sometimes too heavy amount of meds can cause the same sysmptons!
My Happy Hannah was around three weeks before I started seeing some spark come back. It was five weeks before she laid on her amp. side. I'm trying to remember, but I think it was several weeks before she actually got up to greet me when I came home. For the first three weeks I thought I'd made a horrible decision! Then, bit by bit, her sparkle and zest formlife started coming back never to leave again!
How mich does she weight and how old is she? Sometimes larger dogs have a slower recovery. And then you have Pug Maggie, a smaller dog, who certainly took her time recovering!
I know so etimes dogs get perkier when stitches come out....my Happy Hannah still waited a bit though! Have so eone Gingerr really likes come over. Have them kmock in the door loudly...act realky excited to see her...bring treats! Keep your energy upbeat and energized.
Food wise try chicken, steak, hamburger, whatever it takes to get her to eat. As Lori said, sometimes the meds can upset her tummy and mess with her appetite.
Please post again to orrow and let us jmow what the vet says. It's very possible she could have an infection. On the way jome from the vets, go by a drive through and get her a burger! and get yiurself a milkshake! It will do wonders for both of you!
And yes, two weeks is still early and she instinctively kmows she needs rest.
Sending you healing energy!
Sally and Hapoy 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!
I must say, I am SO AMAZED how many others have the same issues we are having!! Aggie is one week post-amp, and she only wants to hang out in the dark corner of the extra bathroom. I do think she is liking safe, dark places. Hiding from pain? Just feeling safe there? Not sure. But she too isn't seeming herself. The past 2 days, she basically just lies there. She is happy when I sit with her, talk to her, and rub her. But she doesn't attempt to get up when we come in or anything. (My husband says she's just enjoying getting spoiled. Haha.) I am very new to this board, and found it at a time when I really needed it. I was very unsure if I had made the right decision (feels good seeing others have felt this too!) and didn't know what to expect. We have an 11 year old Aussie mix who had a front leg amputated when he was a pup. He has lived a totally normal, happy life and I don't know that he had any complications after his surgery. All dogs are different. Aggie is tough-ing it out so far. She too is sleeping a lot right now. I too wonder if getting her staples out (still a week away for us) will make a difference. I have had staples 3 times and I know for me, getting them taken out made a 100% difference. They were itchy and tight and uncomfortable. Here's to hoping for the best for you and your tripawd!!
HI LAURA! Welcome!
Sounds like your girl is having a "normal" recovery....resting a lot...not feeling like having a pawty!
Hope you'll start a new thread and tell us all about your girl and your other tripawd. her a atar picture is adorable! We love pictures around here!
HUGS
Sally and Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
laura said
I must say, I am SO AMAZED how many others have the same issues we are having!! Aggie is one week post-amp, and she only wants to hang out in the dark corner of the extra bathroom. I do think she is liking safe, dark places. Hiding from pain? Just feeling safe there? Not sure. But she too isn't seeming herself. The past 2 days, she basically just lies there. She is happy when I sit with her, talk to her, and rub her. But she doesn't attempt to get up when we come in or anything. (My husband says she's just enjoying getting spoiled. Haha.) I am very new to this board, and found it at a time when I really needed it. I was very unsure if I had made the right decision (feels good seeing others have felt this too!) and didn't know what to expect. We have an 11 year old Aussie mix who had a front leg amputated when he was a pup. He has lived a totally normal, happy life and I don't know that he had any complications after his surgery. All dogs are different. Aggie is tough-ing it out so far. She too is sleeping a lot right now. I too wonder if getting her staples out (still a week away for us) will make a difference. I have had staples 3 times and I know for me, getting them taken out made a 100% difference. They were itchy and tight and uncomfortable. Here's to hoping for the best for you and your tripawd!!
Laura!!! Another bathroom dweller here! Shelby also loved my bathroom ... She would let me come in and snuggle her (I stopped short of feeding her in there) but definitely set up camp in there for several weeks. She came out on her own and I didn't baby her in there. They just need some space to heal and recover! She'll come around.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
1 Guest(s)
