Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My sweet 70lb 11yr old lab Chevy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right hind leg in Oct and due to nodule found in lungs, amputation was not decided on right away. She was responding to basic pain meds extremely well, so chemo was our form of treatment. Well we are now in March no significant disease progression in the lungs, but the pain meds finally stopped working and something quickly changed last week. Last Sunday it was decided amputation was our only choice, but all doctors agree she would be a good candidate because she already showed she can get around on 3 legs. So after doing a ton of research I agreed it’s was a good option for her, and if I could give her a chance to run and play again (until the cancer takes over), I would do anything that was a good option for her.
She had surgery Sunday afternoon, and she spent 2 days in the hospital, because she was very groggy, wobbly, and had a hard time moving (as expected). Medically she was amazing, and had no complications.
However, after getting her home I quickly realized she couldn’t use her other back leg at all. He foot was even curling. She was off all pain meds, except an anti-inflammatory for 24 hours prior to me picking her up. I notice excessive swelling in that leg, which I am assuming may be the issue. The leg otherwise doesn’t show sign of an injury or issue, and there doesn’t seem to be any pain in that leg. After researching I haven’t heard of this being a complication, and my vet also said it wasn’t a “normal” thing and to give it 24-48 hours. Has anyone ever heard of this, or have insight on how to help her? And if someone has seen this, how long did it take to resolve? I’m wondering if it’s a blood clot or something maybe? I am using ice, moist heat, and massaging her leg throughout the day.
It was one of the hardest nights I probably have ever had. She can’t even attempt to go potty, so we are using giant fabric waterproof pads, and she’s has to just pee herself right now. I feel terrible, but she seems comfortable.
Today she “attempted” to get up on her own and she sort of did, but couldn’t do much because that leg is so swollen that I think it’s affecting her, it’s like it’s lame.
Does any one have any insight on how I can help her, because my mind keeps going to the worst right now because I feel so awful for her. I really thought she would recover fairly quickly.
Thank you in advance.
carrina
Carrina, thanks for joining us but sorry you had to. We are here to help! Where are you guys located? Just curious.
So it sounds like Chevy isn't on any pain medications? Not a vet, but this is very likely one reason she is not doing well overall. Think of it like this: a human would never be released from amputation surgery without at least two weeks of pain meds, and that is the average for most dogs and cats too. Anything less is setting the stage for uncontrolled pain that will affect her mobility and recovery. Most new Tripawds get at least 10 days of medication but sometimes longer. If this is the case, call your vet ASAP and tell them you want Chevy to receive adequate pain management medication. A nerve pain reducer like Gabapentin, and an NSAID are the minimum. And for a dog her size, at least 300 mg Gabapentin.
As for the swelling, we have seen that edema situation before. It's not necessarily a side effect, but the result of excess body fluid looking for some place to go when that leg comes off. Usually it goes away in a week or so. This happens to humans, and dogs and cats alike. You are doing everything right to help the fluid dissipate.
How is the incision? Are there any signs of leakage? If so that could be a seroma affecting her too. This is also normal.
Again, I am not a vet but the big thing right now is to get her pain under control. When you do, don't expect her to do anything more than go outside to potty and rest rest rest. This is major surgery and it's what she needs to recover.
Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We are located in Western Washington.
Thank you for your response, it was helpful. Good to know the swelling has been see in others, and hopefully will disperse in a week or so hopefully, fingers crossed. It’s almost like the swelling is more painful than the actual amputation site. She prefers to lay on the amputated side.
Sorry my message above was a little hard to understand. She did come home with rymadyl 75mg every 12 hours. They stopped other meds because they assumed that was making her wobbly because she is sensitive to some meds. However, I will ask about adding the gabapentin back in (she was on that prior to amputation for pain control).
The incision looks great so far, but can see some fluid build up starting. No seroma yet.
I will continue use ice, heat, and massage to help with the fluid build up.
thank you for your reply!
carrina
I see you're in here.now and I'm assuming you're reading Jerry's spot on response. Yes, need for more pain meds and her explanation on the swelling of her leg is indeed most likely what you are dealing with.
Okay gonna wait for your response to Jerry. We are here to help you navigate thru recovery, get some good pain management and get sweet Checy back to being Checy
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!
Yes do ask for the Gabapentin. If she is sensitive to it the dosage can be adjusted. Another good one is Amantadine. How is her sleeping at night? Is she restless?
Keep doing what you are doing but advocate for more pain control on? Just Rimadyl still is not enough, it's like only taking ibuprofen for amputation surgery (ouch!).
Let us know what the vet says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you again for your advice, I was sort of in a panic yesterday (still am a little) and it certainly helped! So much appreciated!
I called the vet and they had me start her on gabapentin again 300mg every 8-12 hours (I’m doing every 8hrs to start). She took Gabapentin for the last 5 months with no issues, so I don’t think the gabapentin will affect her learning how to walk again by being off balance. WOW it did WONDERS!!!!! She slept through the night mostly, looked so much more comfortable, and that’s continued throughout today! Lots of sleeping, which is good for now.
Now her other hind leg is still extremely swollen with lots of fluid build up, and she can’t use it yet.That still has me so concerned…what if something happened with the epidural, or during surgery, maybe she injured it before the surgery? Prior to her starting codeine 2 days prior to surgery, she had no issues using that leg (codeine makes her extremely wobbly, but was needed because Tramadol did not work for her). I assisted her with walking until I ended up admitting her to the hospital at 3am on Sunday before the leg amputation surgery, because she was in so much pain. The change in her pain happened so fast and I knew she needed more care than I could give her at that point.
Im assuming others dogs that have had this swelling issue, had a hard time walking for a while as well? It’s like the leg is completely lame :(. In your experience, is that common? I can move the leg, touch it, and she doesn’t flinch at all, which makes me believe it’s not injured per say. I know you said in some cases the fluid starts to improve in about a week or so, but just curious if the other symptoms are common in the other cases as well.
Thank you!
carrina
So glad to hear the change in pain management has already made a difference. Good job of advocating for your sweet pup
I know it's hard not to think scary"what if" scemariors regarding g the leg swelling, but it really is not unusual to find the remaining limb swelling as it is trying to absorb fluid..
Try and pinch inbetween her toes. Does she react? Pull away?
Gently massage up and down her spine, her neck and shoulders, does she show any signs of tenseness or tightness? As long as she's not showing g pain, continue to gently massage the leg while supporting it.
As she navigates thru recovery, at some point you can get a consult with a Rehabilitation Specialist amd the Tripawds Foundation will pay for it,
You may fi d that another couple pf days of good paun manag6 and rest will be exactly what she needs to start getting her sparkle back
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!
Carrina I'm thrilled you took that step to advocate for her and get more Gabapentin. Good job giving it at the 8 hour intervals! YESSSS!!!!
Not surprised Tramadol didn't work. See:
https://tripawd.....g/tramadol
As for the swelling, did you mention it to your vet? I know this is a Friday and the weekend is coming up so not an ideal time to try to get her into a clinic. If she is eating and eliminating normally, and her pain is under control, it can likely wait until Monday to see the vet. If you see any changes of course that's different. But I would call them today to let them know you want her mobility and that swelling evaluated.
Try not to call Dr. Google or spin your gears thinking of all the scenarios. The only way to know for sure what's going on is by having the vet evaluate her in person if she needs it by Monday.
Please let us know how she's doing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The gabapentin has done its job very well the last couple days! Another good night of rest for Chevy!
Yes, the vet is aware, both the surgery specialist and her oncologist. I’ve sent pictures and spoke with them yesterday a bit more about it. They think it’s just fluid buildup, and we’re just watching for small daily improvements. Her vet is a specialty clinic for all specialties and also a 24hr emergency vet, so I am able to call and take her in if and when it’s needed. On a good note the leg swelling has gone done a decent amount from yesterday, but is starting to increase a little as the day has gone on! But that’s an improvement! Still has no interest in using it, but does react a little if you play with the bottom of her paw. I am now doing a heat pac on her hip, and back to see if that will help things as well. Lots of heat and massaging! She did sit up enough yesterday evening to chew on her favorite bone for a little while. And today she got so excited to see my sister she started to “crawl” with her front legs a little out of her bed.
She isn’t eating normally per say yet (her habits changed when she started chemo), but she has moments where she will eat some chicken and rice, or steak in rice, or will beg for what I have (so I share if it’s something she can eat). I offer food often, so she can take it as she wants. She does take a multi vitamin, to help supplement things, which we started shortly after her chemo began. I do have an appetite stimulant, but she has has had some stomach issues the last 2 days (not uncommon for her), so I haven’t given it to her. Sometimes the other meds upset things, so luckily I have Cerenia on hand from chemo to help with that.
She is peeing a lot, but it also still just leaks out right now. She’s still very swollen, which I think is part of that issue. She did poop this morning! So that’s a win!
I think it’s just going to be a bit of a longer recovery than we anticipated, but I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and look for the small improvements. Once her wound heals a little bit I’ll feel better about getting her up more, without that leg fully working. Without that leg, the sling puts a lot of pressure on that area which is probably not the greatest right now.
Carrina
Hey Carrina thanks for the updating. She does have a great team looking out for her it sounds like, so everything you all can possibly be doing is being done. All those little things like chewing on her bone and getting excited over visitors are very, very good signs that she is mending. Sometimes these recoveries are a crazy roller coaster and they take longer than anticipated. I'm sorry that you guys are on that unpleasant ride! But you have a great attitude that will get you through it.
Stay in touch with your vet like you are doing and yes, keep honing in on the improvements. You know her sooooo well!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAY for 
We. love to celebrate !!!
And YAY for you for recognizing that "little" improvements are HUGE improvements!!! Made me smile to know she chewed on her bone and that she is resting comfortably. The leg swelling did start going down (and maybe back up a little) yet another good sign.
Continue to do what your doing and keep the Vets jn the loop on how that leg is doing. She's a "mature" pupper and it takes a bit longer to get their sea legs. She's playing catch up a little bit in that her pain wasnt handled at first. Because of your advocating, that's being taken care of now..
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!
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