Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'll be posting updates here on my 11 year old husky, Aspen, while she traverses the hurdles of recovery. It's been less than 24 hours since her left front leg was amputated, but she's home with her family.
When she first came home, she seemed to calm down pretty quickly and fell asleep for about 5 hours. I thought we would get lucky and maybe have an easy night. That did not happen.
Neither of us ended up getting much sleep. About 2 or 3 hours shattered into 20 minute naps throughout the night. She had two bad episodes where she was trying to stand and was crying out. I had to just hold her until she calmed down and her breathing returned to normal. Eventually she'd drift off to sleep and I'd shut my eyes for a moment before she wake up again and began crying.
But we both made it through the night. This morning at about 6am, she seemed to be more aware of where she was, and coherent. She took her meds without any issue and for the most part, has been quietly resting. The pain seems to come in waves right now.
She had an appetite this morning, and ate breakfast and drank water without any issue. We tried going out to the backyard to go potty, but she was so tired from getting outside she just laid in the grass catching her breath for a while. She didn't go and wanted to come back inside. We will try again in a little while when she feels up for it.
She's already starting to sit up on her own and reposition herself to get more comfortable. She actually stood up on her own a couple of times. Strange thing though, is when she stands, she wants to step backwards. Not sure if that's a thing that happens with front leg amputees or what.
I made a makeshift support sling to try and help her maintain her balance, but for now, I'm just trying to let her go at her own pace and figure out her new mobility restrictions on her own terms.
Anyways, that's about it for now.
Hi Aspen's human (what's your name?)! You must be so relieved to have her home! And what a strong girl she is standing up on her own! Griffin became a right forelimb amputee on April 2nd and I remember him stepping backwards more as a way of catching his balance. Perhaps that is what Aspen is doing.
I am going to jump in here and ask the questions that I know the experts will ask you, so hopefully it will save some time getting you the answers you need. What meds is Aspen taking? What is the dosage and how often? How many days/weeks of meds do you have for Aspen? How much does Aspen weigh? It is important to stay ahead of her pain, and that sometimes means tweaking what she is taking and/or when she takes the meds. If you provide this info, the experts on this site will point you in the right direction of next steps.
Griffin and I are sending healing vibes and hugs from NYC! ~ Stacy (Griffin's Journey)
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Hi Stacy,
I think you could be right about her trying to regain her balance by stepping backwards. With Griffin, did you just kind of let him sort it out until he was confident on his own to move forward?
As for your questions, her meds and schedule are as follows:
Fentanyl patch - 50mcg/hr (this comes off Tuesday)
Cephalexin - 600mg (1 every 12 hours) Qt.20
Tramadol - 50mg (2 every 12 hours) Qt.40
Rivera - 100mg (1/2 tab every 12 hours) Qt.10
Pre amputation, she weighed 54 lbs
Thank you for the kind thoughts and insight,
Shane
Hi Shane! I did just let him sort it out. Of course, I kept a close eye on him and was always nearby in case he needed me, but I let him lead. I had a sling to help with supporting him the first few days, but it was really only used to help him sit/stand up in the wagon that I used to haul him to grassy areas to potty (we live in an apartment in NYC). I have non-slip rugs throughout my house now and a bed for him in the living room and my bedroom, so I just let him decide where/when he wanted to move. I also have a non-slip runner in the kitchen. He's used an elevated feeder all his life due to his incredibly long legs, so I just needed to reposition his bowls to make them easier to access. Drinking and peeing are most important for Aspen right now. Eating and pooping might take a few days. And getting the pain managed correctly is most important. I'm sure the information you shared will give the experts on this site what they need to provide you the most appropriate guidance. Please stay connected and let us know how Aspen is doing! ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Thank you Stacy! Griffin must be adorable in his little wagon. My kitchen is the only room in the house without carpet, and I have a makeshift walkway laid out made of small rugs. Since the pandemic has everything upside down right now, it may be a little while before I'm able to get something more appropriate. I'll just have to help her through that area for now.
Hi Shane - It's great that you have carpet throughout your house for Aspen. For the kitchen, I purchased an inexpensive runner from a brand called Ottomanson carried in both Walmart and Amazon (the links are to the actual rug I purchased). And Griffin's wagon was a lifesaver in the beginning so I could take him to the park without worrying about him becoming too tired to make it back home. Do you have a backyard for Aspen or is she a city pup like Griffin? ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Hi Aspen and family, thanks for posting and sharing your experience. Sorry to hear about the ruff night, I hope tonight is better. It sounds like she came home the same day as surgery? If so, it's not uncommon for that kind of behavior for the first night. Her Fentanyl patch should last 3 days so by tomorrow end of day it will be done releasing the drug and she should be calmer (it tends to make dogs dysphoric, anxious and nervous). But I'm curious what is the "Rivera" drug that you listed? That's a new one to me.
Most dogs do figure out how to 
after a few days. It's still early and she's probably constipated, which is totally normal. You can put some pumpkin pulp, steamed squash or bran flakes in her food to move things along.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for the links Stacy. I will definitely be looking into those. We have a backyard for her here. Once she's healed and able to move around on her own, I'll have to supervise her while she's back there though, because we have a pool. She loves swimming and she might try to get in without realizing she won't be able to swim as well as she used to.
Thank you for the dietary recommendation Jerry. If she doesn't go by tomorrow, I will give them a try.
My phone must have autocorrected "Rovera" to "Rivera". Sorry about that. It's carprofen though. Assuming just a brand name?
YAAAAYFOR SITTING UP AND ALSO FOR EATING!!!
You've gotten great feedback from Stacy and Jerry.
Yep. Aspen is doing very well for sooooo early in recovery. He's nicely medicated and isn't quite anle to get his sea legs yet. AND with the patch, as Jerry explained, basically he may not even be aware he has legs at this point!! 😉 So no worries about mobility, as the patch wears off and as he moves further into recovery, he'll figure out his mobility. and balance just fine.
My Happy Hannah whined and cried off and on for the first three nights. It was just me, so I really don't think I got more than a total of five hours sleep those first three nights! And that was WITHOU the patch, which can often make them "vocal".
I think there's actually a thread somewhere on here about the difference between a "pain vocal" and a "patch focal". Not techie enoigh to find it though!😣
With the Vet approval you can stagger the Tramadol maybe an hour or so after the Gabapentin. Some have found that works better. Just depends on the individual.
You're doing a great job. Just con7 to follow her lead. And yes, at first hopping on three while drugged is VERY tiring. That will change though. She'll be back to her sparkling self soon! I k ow, just not soon enough!
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!
Hang in there, Zivas first night was a little tough but we made it. Very tired but made it. Ziva was panting and whining that first night as well. Her second night (last night) was not as bad. Her Vet had me take her Fentynal patch off this morning and she is way better.
Zivas med seem a lot lighter than most I've read so you can see every dog is different. Trust in your dog! They know what they need and will let you know. It definitely keeps getting better and better. Our trip home from the Vet was a pain but we made it through. First night was a pain, but we made it through, first day was long, but we made it through.
I guess what I'm saying is you will make I through. It's a bit rough and challenging but it will all be great again soon. Take care and keep,is posted. Best wishes and good thought headed your way!!
Yep it's "Rovera," the brand name for Carprophen, an anti-inflammatory.
You may be surprised at how well she can swim when she is stronger. Have a therapist show you the right way to re-introduce her, and she will have a blast!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all for the reassurance and support! We really appreciate it.
Sarah, I think you hit the nail on the head about her finding her "sea legs". I believe I found the article you were referencing about pain vs. disphoria. It described our situation perfectly.
Steve, I'm glad to hear Ziva is doing better by the day! We'll be right behind you guys and wishing her and you the best.
Jerry, it's great to hear she may be able to swim again one day! She loves the pool and uses it more than I do.
And beauiful Aspen, apologies for calling you a "he".
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!
Hi Shane and Aspen,
I don’t have much but reassuring words that as Steve has said, it is rough in the beginning, but it will get better.
Finn (160-pound Great Dane) is now 5 days post-op and while things are still challenging, I can see small improvements every day. Live for the small victories knowing this too shall pass.
Good luck. I know I’ve taken so much comfort in knowing this community exists and we’re not alone.
Xx
Finn (and Casey)
Hi Shane and Aspen (what a beautiful husky name! And just looking at those husky eyes you can tell she just has that fun husky personnality:)
My husky Arktik, same weight as yours pre-amp. / 10.5 years old, front leg amputation due to an osteosarcoma.
We did the amputation 2 weeks ago! So feel free to ask me any questions. Husky are quite vocals when it hurts or even when they are not pleased with something, so sometimes I found it was hard to tell if Arktik was actually in pain or just anxious about something. He actually hated when we tried to help him with a sling so he would yelp just because we would try to pick him up and that sort o things (but he has always been like this)
The first night with Arktik was hard, we did not sleep much either (he was winning quite a bit), so I think it is fairly normal. Also, they need a bit of time to figure out their new 'normal'. Everytime Arktik tried to get up that first night he was crying quite a bit partly because of the pain but probably out of panic a little as well. Everybody on this forum are so knowledgeable, it has helped me a lot.
For the meds, he had a fentanyl patch for few days, gabapentin, tramadol and metacam. We did not use the tramadol much because we tried it prior to the surgery to control his pain and he was not doing well on it, so I gave it twice and we decided it was not the best for him. Obviously, the meds really affect their personality has it tends to make them more sleepy, he started to be more like himself when we stopped all meds about 12 days post-op (gradually).
He was able to walk the day after the surgery and got stronger from there. I kept him really quiet for the first 12 days even if he wanted to do more to make sure his wound would heal nicely. Now we are doing small walk and he does the stairs. I really had to restrain him a little so that he would not do to much in first 10-12 days because as soon as I would go with the leash I would have liked to go farther and faster, etc...
If you want to see videos you can check on my forum, I will keep posting some
https://tripawd.....-on-arktik
He has improved so much over 2 weeks, I think you can really focus on this. And I really saw a major difference when I stop the meds.
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