Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everybody,
Polly, my Pitty/Staffie-Mix, 10 years old, had to have her front right leg amputated last Thursday (29th Oct 2020). Its most likely osteosarcoma. We will know in a few days, when the biopsy results are in. Im originally from Germany. Before the move she staret to limp slightly and we thought it was a strain. Vet gave pain and anti inflamtory meds. When it didnt get better, my Vet took an X-Ray and three days before the big move Polly was diagnosed with a calcification in her right shoulder. I was told to show the X-Rays to a Vet here in the US to get treatment. The US Vet saw two shadows on the humerus and advised us to act quickly.
So we are on day 4 after the amputation. The local pain med on the surgical site is no longer active and today there were three times, when she cried out in pain. She walked around the house a bit yesterday and did that fairly good. Maybe too much?
I gave her the pain meds as ordered by the doctor. She is getting Gabapentin, Carprofen and antibiotics. She still felt something earlier and feeling that pain shook her. Now Im trying to find out if this is normal...
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Hi Polly and family, welcome. Please consider registering as a member so your future posts won't need to wait for approval OK?
I'm sorry that you are faced with possible cancer and amputation recovery but glad you found us. It sounds like her pain management might need some fine tuning. That is not uncommon at all. Some dogs need more, at earlier frequencies than originally prescribed. Please let your vet know what kind of pain signals she is giving, and how often, so that they can prescribe a more suitable amount.
Let us know what the vet says OK? And if you have other questions, don't hesitate to ask, we'll try to help put your mind at ease.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
I tried to register but I would always end up on the Homepage after entering a username and the TRI2018.
Her pain kind of got worse later on at Night. She doesn’t want to get up to go potty or eat and drink. She is eating and drinking when we bring it to her.
We helped her getting outside but she looks like she isn’t using her hind legs fully. She doesn’t squat down to pee or poop. On the last try she just sat down panting. Or she just tries to get close to my husband or myself. Like looking for comfort. We are seeing our vet right when they open up in the morning.
I'm sorry for the registration hassle! It happens sometimes and we are trying to figure out why. Can you please contact us so we can get you set up with an account?
Meanwhile I'm glad you're going to see the vet. What you are describing are all important behaviors to mention. The clinginess, the reluctance to move, the panting, it really sounds like she needs more pain management . Please let us know what the vet says OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
so I tried a different username and it worked. So ulijustin78 is now juggernaut78.
Polly was still clingy in the morning. We walked/carried her out with a towel. Still didn’t want to pee or poop. She saw the open car door and moved quickly towards it. She loves car rides because it usually involves playtime...
So we drove to the vet. She was already different in the car. Excited, trying to sit up. When the vet came out to the car she got out and peed immediately. The vet checked her legs and back and sutures and said she’s fine. She said she is getting a good amount of pain meds and thinks that she started to feel the pain more when the shot she got at the time of surgery quit working and maybe got a little panicked last night because her other feet felt sore from the good day before. The gabapentin could also account for some drowsiness and the vet thinks all of that together could have freaked her out.
I have to admit, this morning she was a lot better than last night. I’m not sure if it was the car ride, but she was better. The rest of the day was better too.
Polly was always a dog with a high pain tolerance. She had a tick bite once and had anaplasmosis and it took us a while to pin point it. The vet talked about difficulties getting up and not wanting to walk, but Polly was as happy as ever when I grabbed her leash and bounced right up. We didn’t know something was off until she started to loose weight. The doctor said the dogs usually have strong joint pains...
So seeing her not wanting to walk and shivering yesterday just scared us really bad!
Love Polly's avatar picture!! She's a beauty!!
Yeah, once al the hospital pain meds are out of their system the pain can kick in with a jolt. Seems like Gabapentin has kocked in sufficiently and is getting the pain managed. Just keep an eye out for pain signals .
Glad that the Vet assessed her and gave you some reassurance. Recovery is no picnic for the first two weeks-ish, but once the sparkle starts com back it's spectacular!!
Sometimes it takes some dogs several days to get mobile, so Polly is ahead of the game! And getting exc about the carride...such a GREAT sign!
No harm in brin her food and water to her right now. And pottying takes some adjustment balance wise...she'll figure it out. But for now, short leashed potty breaks and right back in for rest! Sometimes when the pain gets managed, dogs tend to think they can start hopping arou d ore than they sh. And yes, sometimes the Gaba can make dogs a bit drowsy, but that's okay this early on. She needs her rest.
Give that sweet girl a smooch for us.....and give yourself a pat on the back for doing such a good job of care giving!!
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!
Thanks for all the reassurance! We love this forum.
The avatar picture was taken two weeks ago, before the devastating news hit us.
You can see her leaning to the left a little. She definitely tried to not put weight on that right leg.
Paw shucks, we love you back! Anytime you want reassurance, we are here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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