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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You're doing well!!! I think we did stairs on day 4. For Jackson, that was REALLY important. He needed to do them. In fact, I think his recovery picked up after he did them - that and getting lifted onto the couch. He just so desperately wanted to get back into routine. I get that.
You already know your pall well enough to figure out when he's in pain vs drugged. That's HUGE! That's a major issue around here. Don't be afraid to call his vet (CSU?) and let them know you're taking him down a pill, when you feel he needs it. Jackson wasn't on gaba, but many are. It can really help with nerve pain. I think by day 12 we were off tramadol, but on day 10 that's when we went to half dose.
On a day when he's kinda depressed or sad, have someone special come over! That'll tire him out, but the diversion of someone WAY awesome will do wonders!
YEY for poop!!!!
Here's to a brighter day.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
That's definitely the case, Katy. In addition to me sleeping in a bed (trying to manage all this and hold down a fairly busy job--I'm beginning to come down with something) Charlie is such a creature of habit and he's all out of routine. We did hope that being able to get him up the stairs, if only at bedtime, would be a little return to normalcy. But it does seem to be too early for him. He was shaky by the time we got to the top and he's more stiff and sore in his legs today than he has been prior days. Lots of rest today.
I think I'm also waiting on the biopsy results. There's something about that absolute confirmation that I think will make this seem more like the path we needed to go down.
Charlie, our English yellow lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2014. He became a tripawd on February 24th, with clear lymph nodes and lungs, but that didn't last long. After three doses of Carbo, in May 2014, x-rays showed lung mets. We briefly tried Palladia, which went well. Unfortunately, Charlie developed unexplained complications in his hind limbs. We said a reluctant farewell on June 11, 2014. Still miss our boy each and every day.
Yeah, the test results wii help pinpoint specific treatment.....everything about this stupid journey is a lot of "hurry up and wait and see"!
But THE best part about this journey is you have your sweet Charlie right by your side getting and giving mountains of loving!
Each dog is so very, very different in their recovery. It does seem that Charlie is clearly not ready for stair climbing yet. To over-do it now could cause al real set back. Try some gentle massage up and down his spine a light massage on his legs to help with the soreness.
Sorry you're starting to feel a little "under the weather". The stress and lack of sleep on humans during recoveryis prettynheavy! Take some good vitamins, some Echinacea, and try and get some rest!
When Charlieis strnger, perhaps you could get him a harness to help with getting up the stairs.
Take care of YOU while you're taking care of Charlie!!
Sending love and healing energy to all!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Lots of rest for everyone! When was the last time you napped with your pal? I think it's time! Feel better, both of you.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
We are cuddling regularly. 
Though today, trying to just let him snooze. He's doing lots of it.
Spoke with his surgeon. We're increasing his gabapentin, which is the stuff he does well with. Hoping that helps some. She's not overly worried about his mobility, but did let us know that we have some pretty great rehab folks right here in our town. Looking into acupuncture or the like for him if things don't look up by Monday. And stairs are out, so we're bringing a mattress into the living room for me. Just can't stand the though of him sleeping alone downstairs.
We did get confirmation of osteosarcoma. Not good news per se, but supportive of the choice we made. Phewsh. And the super duper news is that his lymph node biopsy was clean! Clean lungs and lymph node are awesome news--making our day. Chemo starts 3/11 so long as his incision looks good. I think after these two post-amp weeks, we will be more than ready to handle the chemo.
Breathing again. We got this. Thanks everyone.
Heather and Charlie
Charlie, our English yellow lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2014. He became a tripawd on February 24th, with clear lymph nodes and lungs, but that didn't last long. After three doses of Carbo, in May 2014, x-rays showed lung mets. We briefly tried Palladia, which went well. Unfortunately, Charlie developed unexplained complications in his hind limbs. We said a reluctant farewell on June 11, 2014. Still miss our boy each and every day.
Heather&John said
Looking into acupuncture or the like for him...
You will find lots of professional tips and helpful links to Tripawds News posts and videos about acupuncture, massage, stretching, PROM exercises and more in Loving Life On Three Legs , now available in the Tripawds e-books library.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Our Golden retriever, Clover, is 5 days post op for right front leg amputation. I need advice on drainage and what is the appropriate amount and what would be considered too much? My vet is tired of my questions. Our girl got her drain tube taken out yesterday and she keeps having red drainage coming out when she is up and moving around, but it stops when she is lying down. I have put an ice pack on her for 5 minutes at a time to help but I'm at a loss as to what to do. She worked herself up this morning when I took our smaller dog out for a walk (I didn't think clearly about getting good Lil pup ready near Clover) and Clover kept coming to the door pretty quickly to go out. Her gauze pad we put on her ended up being soaked thru by the time I got back from walking back from my daughter's school. So now I am sitting next to her not willing to let her get up at all. I am afraid I will somehow mess up and hurt her (my mental state is OK I just do the want her to have set backs)
Tabatha and Clover said
My vet is tired of my questions...
It is your vet's job to address your concerns. If you are uncomfortable with the service you are receiving, it is time seek another professional opinion.
Please consider registering to make the most of these forums and start a new topic so more members will see your post and provide feedback.
With that said, drainage is normal but should not be excessive. It should also be clear, milky or pink. It should not bloody, nor smell foul. These Tripawds News blog posts and videos will provide more information:
Post Op Seromas, What You Need To Know
Common Post-Amputation Complications
You will find many more fast answers to the most common questions and concerns in the Tripawds e-books library. Confinement and rest are also key to a safe recovery. Best wishes, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Charlie sounds like he is doing pretty standard! We did not let Cody do stairs at all the first two weeks we all slept in the living room 
Don't worry that he gets tired... they have to build their stamina back up! Cody used to be able to play hard for a while and go for long walks without a problem... now his little short walks wear him out! But as long as Charlie isn't in pain thats all that matters these first two weeks. You WILL see that sparkle come back! For us it was really after the stitches came out and after he was off all his meds!
Good luck! Wishing you lots of rest
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
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