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.
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Well, she's out of surgery and no complications at all. Yeah!!! Thanks for all the suggestions for making her homecoming a success. One day at a time now. I guess the next forum I need to check is the discussion about chemo treatments. Dr.Wood said we have to let her heal for two weeks before we can start in on anything. Thanks goodness.
I have to figure out how to post pictures so all of you have been so incredibly helpful could see her pre and post-op.
blakeley85 said:
I have to figure out how to post pictures...
Can't wait! The easiest way to upload photos is to start a blog for Auggie. Here are instructions for embedding photos in forum posts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She’s home!!! So far so good too. She seems to be in hardly any pain, no whining or panting. Her appetite is great. She’s not thrilled about going more than a few steps but we did go outside without too much trouble. She hasn’t pooped since Wednesday; I guess there isn’t any cause to be concerned for at least another day. I think tramadol can make it harder to go too.
My wonderful angel had a huge fan club at the vets. They’ve taken photos of her before and after the surgery to be in their literature. I’ve made a friend promise to help me start a blog so I can share them with you all. As we left, all the vet techs and staff came out to give her hugs, two of them started to cry which set me off. I had been doing so well too but once a tear was shed there was no stopping me. What a relief it was to have her to hug. There was another woman at the office that had just been given the diagnosis that we heard just two weeks ago. One of the staff suggested she visit with Auggie before we left. Auggie was diggin being the ambassador of Port City’s tripawds club. I strongly suggested she log on and read everyone’s stories.
Well, the best part of today happened when we got home. She’s obviously tired and I think the relief of seeing her has let the exhaustion of all the worries catch up with me. I was lying next to her on the floor and we fell asleep. I woke up to find her resting her head on my back and snoring like a truck driver. My son just happened to have a camera next to him and we now have the first amazing photo of our incredible three legged wonder dog. One day at a time, making each one count is our new motto.
Wahooooooo Auggie! You go girl!!! I'm sure you're very glad to be home...now to heal and onward to better and better days ahead! Start that blog so we can read about her and see pictures! 🙂
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Pawsome indeed! Can't wait to see that photo. Glad to hear Auggie is off to a great new start on life.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Way to go Auggie! Tripawds DO rule! With such a great pawrent and such a caring vet staff, how can you not do well. This is a great first day story for those who will follow you to see. Now stop that snoring and let mom get some rest!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Welcome back home, Auggie! Now it's time for resting and lots of love from your family until you're all recovered. I'm sure others have posted that the next 2 weeks can be a little up and a little down. Keep posting and everyone here will help you through! Holly had some phantom pain
the first few days, which scared me until I read about other dogs on this site who experienced the same. She would suddenly jump up and look spooked - I know all dogs react to it differently, but her reaction scared me. It seemed to help her to ice the site - our vet recommended a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel for 10 minutes 3 times a day. Some used heating pads to help the remaining legs that were taking more weight. I'd recommend asking your vet if he/she thinks either of those would be useful. And elevating the food/water bowls helped Holly alot - I know that's already been mentioned. Good luck, and best wishes for a strong recovery for Auggie!
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Can't wait to see the picture! I think you will find that Auggie will do quite well as a tripawd. You are in my prayers.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
anyemery said:
It seemed to help her to ice the site ... Some used heating pads to help the remaining legs...
Many have found the Bella's Hot/Cold Pain Relief Pack for dogs to be helpful during recovery, and we found it also helpd relieve Jerry's hip pain later on. Check out Jerry's review video and tips about when to apply heat vs. ice. You can also save 10% with the TRIPAWDS coupon code at bellaspainrelief.com.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, I'm so glad you posted an update. I was thinking about Auggie!
Wow, it sounds like it going great! I'm so happy you guys can finally rest now.
Let the tears of joy begin!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
YAY Auggie!! Show them all what you are made of. So glad your surgery went smoothly and you are home in your momma's arms again.
Pain med question: Auggie doesn't seem to be in pain and I'm not a big fan of tramadol or any narcotic based pain med. But last night around two a.m she was huffing like something was bugging her. I went to help her up and she yelped like I've never heard her yelp before (ever). I may have put pressure on a specifically bad area but I don't think so. Do most people give the tramadol for the first week regardless of whether they are exhibiting obvious pain? I should probably call Dr.Wood. The wound is absolutely clear, no discharge or swelling. She was anxious to take go a little farther outside this morning but bit off more than she could chew and we had to take a few sitting breaks. Given that it's 20 degrees today the option to hang outside and watch the world go by wasn't available!
It is a good question. The thing is that she may not be having any obvious signs of pain because the pain is being managed from the tramadol. Emily did not do well on tramadol-nervous, shaking, stared in space, weird breathing. We tried to determine if she was worse when it was kicking in or when it was wearing off. That may one way to decide if Auggie is ready to be taken off her meds. We did end up taking her off the tramadol after the first week. I am not a big fan of narcotics either but if I had my leg amputated I think I would want them! Good luck!
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hi Auggie
Sorry to hear about your pain. It seems to get worse at night so that might be a good time to maintain those pain killers. I think most people keep tramadol up for a full week and probably most for two until around the time the stitches come out. I tried to wean Tazzie off tramadol around day 5, as per the surgeon's instructions (for some reason he thought there would be no pain once we got home at day 3 - all the GP vets found that notion a bit ludicrous). Tazzie got a bit grouchy so I kept it up for at least another week.
Several people have reported dogs crying out at night or having tremors, and the perception seems to be that those symptoms might be related to phantom pain , in which case they turn to Gabapentin, which seems to be highly effective.
Better to prevent pain than to let it accumulate. Studies have shown better healing when pain is controlled.
Glad she is feeling good today!
We were advised to take Trouble off the tramadol about day 7. As it turned out that was a little early. We started it again after the first day being off it, and kept her on for another week. After that there were no problems.
That said, I think they all respond differently to the pain meds, and it is a personal choice based on their response how you manage the meds. I keep tramadol on hand just in case there is a painful day. Trouble recently fell running down the tiled hallway and was pretty sore for a couple of days. I gave her tramadol to get through.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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