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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Beesly's amputation is scheduled for tomorrow. I am nervous and want her to get through surgery okay. I know I will be on here looking for tips and advice on how to get through the next couple of weeks with her.
Will update tomorrow!
Good luck, Beesly! We are sending hugs and healing vibes from NYC! 
Stacy & Griffin
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
Lots of love is coming your way! We hope today goes smoothly and Beesly can go home soon. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Beesly was able to come home the same day. He did the surgery in the morning so they were able to monitor her all day.
Her first night went well, but I think she was still pretty out of it. My husband had to carry her outside to pee at night. We were a little concerned about how she would squat with only one back leg, but she did it! I am assuming she will sleep the majority of the day which is fine with me; she needs to rest and heal.
Seeing her without her leg is pretty hard. The initial shock of it has worn off, but it still is hard to see. I am hoping once she gets back to herself I will feel better about the whole thing.
The vet only sent us home with Rimadyl. That doesn't seem like enough to me...
Hi! That is amazing that Beesly came through the surgery with flying colors, came home the same day, peed, and had a peaceful first night! Beesly is a champ!! I know others will chime in here, but Rimadyl is an anti-inflammatory and she needs a pain med. I'd definitely call the vet ASAP to ask about that and insist on a prescription. Most tripawds come home with Gabapentin and also another stronger med like Tramadol. She is probably still comfortable from the anesthesia and other powerful meds given during surgery, but you don't want her pain to get ahead of her and those meds will wear off soon. Please keep us posted! ~ 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
Yay for a successful surgery and Beasley coming home! Good job! But yes, Beasley must have stronger pain meds as Stacy said. Immediately. When the hospital meds wear off in the anesthesia wears off she is going to be in pain. This is major surgery oh, major surgery! Does she by any chance have a fentanyl patch?
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!
Thanks everyone! We do have Tramadol from before the surgery so I can give her that with the Timadyl. She does not have a fentanyl patch. Should she?
She is still so groggy and won't get up on her own to go to the bathroom. Is that normal for now?
Hey there! I'm in the Tripawds Chat if you want to talk.
I'm so glad she's home and made it through!
But wow that is rough having her come home the same day. How did you guys do?
Not all dogs get Fentanyl patches anymore. Did she get an injectable painkiller at the time of surgery called Nocita? If she only came home with Rimadyl and did not get an injectable, that is not enough to control pain. pain management has evolved and basically giving a dog rimadyl after an amputation is like giving a human an ibuprophen after the same procedure. It wouldn't happen. Rimadyl is an antiinflammatory and while it helps reduce inflammation, it doesn't curtail pain signals happening in other pain pathways. So if that's her only medication, please call your vet right now before the weekend, to get additional pain medications like Gabapentin and Codeine or Tramadol if they won't give you that. Tramadol isn't the best medication on its own but with Gabapentin it can be helpful. Let us know what they say.
Again, I'm in the Tripawds Chat for a bit if you want to stop by.
PS Most dogs are on pain medication for at least 10 days after surgery so make sure they give you enough to last at least that long, preferably 14 days.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I called and he said to go ahead and give her Tramadol with the Rimadyl. I will see how she does, if she still seems to be in pain, I will call again before the day is done.
She did get the pain injection yesterday after surgery.
tbishop said
She is still so groggy and won't get up on her own to go to the bathroom. Is that normal for now?
When was the last time she urinated? Poop delays of a few days are normal but don't let her go more than 12 hours without urinating. You may need to assist. Is it normal? This early, it can be. Usually it's because of really good pain medication but if all she's getting is Rimadyl then the grogginess could be related to exhaustion from the surgery and pain. I would let your vet know, just to be safe, when you call them to get more pain meds.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She ended up getting up when she heard my sister's voice in the backyard. She went to the bathroom twice today! Which was good to see. However, the skin under her incision is becoming pretty red. It is not her incision just under, like her belly skin. Could it be an irritation from shaving her fur? Or something more serious? I called the vet, but he is gone for the day.
I can't figure out how to upload a picture on here.
YAY FOR POTTY....TWICE!!! And YAY FOR GETTING UP ON HER OWN!!!
Often bruising shows up a day or so after surgery. Not sure of that's what uyou are seeing or not. But always wise to check with your Vet.
Hopk g for a peaceful night for all.
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!
Go Beesly!! One thing I've learned from this site is all dogs recover different. Some have had a lot of meds and some ( like my Ziva) have very little. Only you know your dog, what them carefully and look for the signs. Ziva came home same day as well and all we had for her was Tramadol and Metacam. Ziva did great and didn't require anything more.
First couple days are the hardest but after that is only gets better. Ziva and I are three weeks post op and she amazes me every day and I'm sure you baby will too. I've definately learned to let them be a dog, they don't know they are sick, they don't care if the leg is gone, all they know is the pain is gone and they still love you unconditionally.
Just be there for them and they will be there for you. Good times are not far away.
Hi Beesly's human (what is your name?)! Does the skin seem irritated on the surface or underneath? Griffin experienced significant bruising that spread from his incision downward, covering his torso and groin. You can see some of the bruising in these photos taken 4 days post surgery. They mostly resolved within a week and his surgeon said they occur with all dogs but are just more visible in light coated dogs. Griffin also developed seromas, fluid filled sacs that started at his belly and eventually migrated up to his chest. Those also resolved on their own but took longer - about 2 weeks before the last one was gone. I hope Beesly is doing well today! Griffin and I are sending healing vibes from NYC! ~ 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
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