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,
This is my first post on the tripaws website, but my Golden Emma recently had her back leg amputated on Tuesday. She is a bigger girl weighing 92 lbs before amputation. She has no previous problems with her hips or arthritis.
They have kept her at the animal hospital because she has been putting her other back leg out to the side instead of under her trying to compensate for the missing back leg. When she is in the sling she gets along great. We thought we would be able to take her home today but the vet thinks it would be better to keep her at the hospital over the weekend to make sure she doesn't fall and hurt her incision and keep on working with her. Someone mentioned they are trying to get more money but I seriously doubt that. This is a highly prestigious hospital and they have staff there 24 hours a day.
Everything I have read said their dogs came home 1,2, or 3 days after the surgery. My vet said he has never had a dog that could not walk on 3 legs but I am worried because I don't want to have to use the sling forever. I knew it might be something we would use during her recovery, perhaps until her stitches are removed.
I am discouraged but one hand I think she might do better at home, but then what if she falls and hurts herself?
Beth, welcome. We are so sorry about Emma. Did she lose her leg to cancer?
While most dogs do come home one to three days after surgery, it's not a rule. Unfortunately there are complications with some dogs (everything from an infection to having trouble walking) and they just need more time.
Your vet sounds like s/he's giving you good advice, I honestly doubt that s/he is trying to get more money. Generally facilities with 24/hr care are outstanding.
In the interest of safety, I would think it's best to let her stay over the weekend. There could be lots of reasons why she is not walking. It really hasn't been that long, and it's not unusual for some dogs to have challenges like this. I'm betting you probably won't need to use that sling after a week or two at the most (we've only seen folks having to do it that long when a Saint Bernard or other large breed was involved).
Try not to be discouraged. Stay busy by Tripawd-proofing your house (look for slippery floors, gate off tricky areas, etc.). Right now all you can do is take it day by day, and we will be with you every hop of the way.
Just curious but does your vet have a rehab staff on hand? Or is s/he talking about sending you to a rehab facility?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't think they have a rehab staff but they do mention PT and what exercises they are doing to help her. Unfortunately there is not a local rehab facility we can send her to. I looked online and the closest I think is several hundred miles away. I am going to try to trust in what they say and give her some more time. I visited her this afternoon and brought her some rotisserie chicken and gave her a lot love and she seemed in great spirits.
Thank you for the support
Beth
Welcome to the family. Gus lost his left front, was not using it by the time surgery was done, so he had already made that adjustment. He was an extremely strong dog so I think some things like that were easier for him to do, but from my experience here I am told it is easier for them when they are a rear amp, because more of their weight is carried on the front end. At this time it doesn't sound like your vet is trying to milk you, I think they are wanting to make sure she is getting along with her walking before she goes home, and it might be a good thing since if she was home and wasn't getting along you would be stressing big time because she wasn't progressing, and they can sense that and recovery might be even harder for both of you. Don't expect much of anything at this time, it's the worst part of the recovery time. I f they eat, drink, poop and pee then you've got a good start, this is hopefully just a temporary bump in the road. I have seen here where different people have had some adjustment issues with both rear and front, and if there isn't any other factors such as arthritis, pulled muscle, bad hips, etc, hopefully time will bring things around. At this time of recovery most people are wondering if everything is going the right way, these guys are no different than us, they all heal at their own pace, so trust your vet, ask him anything you might question, they like to make sure the healing process is going well. Someone here might be able to chime in with some advice from experience also, good luck, Paws Up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Hi Beth,
My dog was a front amputee and came home the day following surgery. He tried his best to be mobile, but he was an unsteady mess and we had a lot of falls for the first week. I would imagine it's very possible that Emma is too stoned to move well. Seriously, the pain meds can really do a number on most every aspect of our dogs, and mobility has to be messed up between the drugs and the new balance. Perhaps Emma is getting more medication than she needs and she's more unsteady as a result. Pain meds are a necessary evil; they do their job but in return they mess up a lot of dogs. I'm just guessing, but I wouldn't be surprised.
I see in your profile that you're in Greenville. I grew up in Simpsonville and my family are in Simpsonville, Spartanburg and Moore. There is another member here in Greenville. Small world, huh?
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Don't be discouraged. All the pups adapt at their own pace. Trouble stayed at the clinic only two nights, and was pretty mobile when she came home, but she was a front amp. I think it's a bit harder for the rear amp to adjust, but once they build that muscle, they tend to do better in the long run - they have a more fluid stride and don't have that constant pounding on a front let.
Help with the sling for as long as you need to and give Emma time to gain her confidence and blossom.
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.
1 Guest(s)
