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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Hello friends!
Our boy, Bambino just had his back right leg amputated. He had a cancerous tumor on his paw that was removed 3 years ago, and it grew back... lightning speed. We did a biopsy, which apparently "awoke" the tumor, and it just grew out of control. Within a week, his skin had split open, and you could see the black from where the tumor was dead underneath the surface. It was so sad and disgusting, but we were able to have the leg amputated the next day (which was today). He tried so hard to walk on it when we got home, but he just ended up falling to the side and dragging his bottom. I noticed blood on the floor too, so we're calling the vet in the morning to make sure it's not a huge concern. I think it's just the drainage?
Our Bambam is an absolute angel and he is such an old soul. He's such a good dog, and he doesn't deserve this, and it kills us to see him in pain. We couldn't get him to eat or drink tonight- not even ice cubes, so hoping he will be a little better in the morning. He's 11 years old and is 74 pounds, so we know it may take him a little longer than the smaller dogs to get moving around. We're so worried about him, and his little whines in the night are just heartbreaking. He's on Tramadol now, but we're going to look into Gabapentin. He keeps turning around to see if his leg is there, so I'm guessing he's got phantom pains. He also had a non-cancerous tumor removed from his neck, and two from the other back leg. They also took a lymph node out to send it to the lab to make sure the cancer didn't spread. So that's 5 different places he was cut into today. We are praying for a swift recovery. We're so happy we found this support group. We are absolute wrecks, and we both said today, "We could never have children" because seeing your animal in pain is unbearable. 
Bam is a very anxious dog- we've had to replace window screens in our house, as he is terrified of storms. He will shake and drool for hours, and no thundershirt, no medicine seems to phase him. Xanax made him go through the garbage and eat it (which he has NEVER done). His temperature is down to 100.8 (it was 105 yesterday when we brought him in from the infection of the open wounds on his paw). We're hoping we have good news from the lab, and we're hoping that our anxious boy can find some rest and relaxation through the healing process.
Thanks for any advice you may have! (PS- HOW in the heck does a dog with one back leg go number 2?!)
Alli & Joe
Alli and Joe and Bambino, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval.
I'm on my mobile now and it's hard to type but I'll be back in a bit to answer your questions. Meanwhile do check out Jerry's Required Reading List for some answers to things like seromas and phantom pain . Hang in there, this is only temporary and he'll be back in his game in no time.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry for Bambino and what he's going through right now. Geezzz the poor guy must be uncomfortable with not only having the amputation as well as the other incision sites to remove growths. The bad news is that the first couple weeks of recovery will be the most difficult and tiring. There will be ups and downs but know that it's normal. The good news is that Bambino will come through this and figure out how best to maneuver himself on 3 legs. My Leland was also a hind leg amp (108 lb Dobie) and like you I worried about how he would be able to poop with only 1 hind leg. The first couple weeks I assisted Leland with a cushioned belly sling when we would go outside to potty. When he finally got to a spot to pee I would slide the sling up to his chest area and continue to provide support. With pooping (which he went 5 days after surgery before he could go) I would continue to hold the sling under his belly and once he got hunched up I would release holding the straps so tight but continue to hold the sling in that position so he didn't feel like he would fall over. With hind leg amps they have to figure out that the remaining leg needs to come to the center of their body a little more so they can balance. Leland did figure out how to go and poop on his own without me holding him with the sling. It will just take a little time and practice.
Also, getting the pain management meds figured out can be trying. The typical ones prescribed are Tramadol and Gabapentin. Some dogs do alright on Tramadol and others like my Leland do not. My Leland was only on Gabapentin after his amputation. If Bambino sees in pain or just not acting quite right stay in contact with your vet and ask about adjusting the pain meds.
Stay connected to this community as there's a lot of experience here from folks who've been on the journey you and Bambino are just beginning. We're very willing to lend support and/or advice when you need it.
I'll be keeping Bambino in my thoughts and hope he has an uneventful recovery!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
PS...we love pictures around here so when you're able we'd love to see your precious Bambino!
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
BAMBAM sounds like a delightfu l fella'......certainly well lpved!
Just to piggyback on the great input from Sahana and Leland.....Did he come home the samme day? Wasn't clear if he spent the night at the vet's...most dogs do. Anyway, sometimes it takes bigger mor "mature" dogs a couple of days to start getting the mobility adjusted.
This IS major surgery and he has a lot to deal with right now. You have come to the bes pllace possible for support and information. We understand first hand all too well the emotions, fear and sheer panic this journey can put you through! We also ipunderstand the joy you will feel when you see Bambam start to get his sparkle back now that the painful leg is gone!
My Happy Hannah, a "plus sized model" Bull Mastiff whined and cried and paced for nineteen hours straight...and that was after stayi g overnight at the vet. She was able to walk fairly well, butnyou jave to remember, Bambam also jad surgery on his other back leg! Poor guy!
Right now rest and pain manaw are crucial. He's most likely looking at his incision site because it hurts. He may also be a little loopy and quite woozy from the hospital meds. These first few days are pretty tough....and going into the first week or two. It generally...but not always...takes about two weeks to recover from the surgery (it took my Happy Hannah about three weeks before I was able to stop the pain meds) and about one month for them to adjust their miscles, joints etc. to life on three legs.
Try some homecook chicken, steak, whatever it takes! Happy Hannan ALWAYS ate...but she would not drink water which, of course, is crucila! I started mix i ng a scoop of ice cream in her water and enticed her that way.
It may take a few days before Bam poops, he'll figure out how when the urge takes over! Let us know...we celebrate znything around here!!
Check out the link to seroma ....they are a normal side effects sometimes with surgery, but you do want any leakag checked by the vet just tobe on the safe side. And good for you for monitoring his temperature....sooooooo glad it has gone down to normal.
Update us when you can. Stay connected!! You are not alone, okay? This recovery period is quite worrise znd not easy to watch. For three weeks I thought, "what have I done TO my dog?" Once recovery was complete and her sparkle came back bigger and brighter than ever.......I knew I had done this FOR Happy Hannah! The depth of loving and spoiling no knows limits for our tripawds!!!
Grab a bag of chocolate....load up on ice cream...sleep when you can......and KNOW that better days are ahead! YAHOO!!
(((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Alli, Joe and Bambam,
I would definitely look into gabapentin. Not sure if what you described phantom pain (usually indicated by sharp cries and yelps), but it can't hurt to put him on it since he has had other incisions at the same time (ouch!). Definitely check with your vet.
Bambam sounds a lot like our dog. Our spokespup Wyatt Ray is also quite anxious and Xanax and Tramadol make him CRAZY. The Thundershirt put him on overdrive, he hated it. He had surgery last year and gaba really helped.
Follow Sally's tips about eating, they really work wonders! Also pop over to our Tripawds Nutrition blog for these posts about boosting appetite.
Keep us posted on how he is doing, we'll be waiting.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to you and Bambam. What kind of cancer are you dealing with?
My little pug Maggie was also a rear amp. I first met her when she was 10 weeks old and from that time she would always spin in a circle before she would poop. She was 7.5 when she had her amp. The first couple of days after she came home she would start her spin and fall down into a sit and then stare at me. Man, if looks could kill...
But she kept trying and on day 5 or 6 she managed to spin once or twice and keep her balance and then she pooped! From then on she would do her normal spin every time. She ended up rotating her front legs around a little toward the amp side so her three feet were equal distance apart- if you can visualize it. Bam will figure it out too.
If the vet didn't give you a sling to use you can make one out of a reusable shopping bag, cut it down the sides and the handles are built in. Even if he only needs it for a short time it will go a long way in building his confidence.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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