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. My dog Seth is 15 years old and just had his front right leg amputated yesterday. Since we brought him home today, he hasn't stopped whining. We called the vet and he said it was just an adjustment Seth would need to get use to. Is this normal? I know he needs his rest and he hasn't slept all day, just loud crying. When I pick him up and walk around with him, he'll stop crying for a while but if hold him and sit down or lay him down, the crying starts again. I got out my Baby Bjorn and carried him around in that and that helped.
Hi Jenny, we are in the chat room right now hop on over! (Wait for the box to load, it will take a minute). I'll answer your post next...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
OK Jenny, so I"m really sorry to hear about Seth, why did he lose his leg? Tell us more about him, we'd love to hear your story.
Whining and panting is normal to a point....it can be a sign of too much or too little pain medication. What kind of meds is he on? Some, like Tramadol, make dogs crazy. Keep in mind that 24 hours is not a long time, and some discomfort is normal, but no animal should have to suffer, proper pain control goes a long way. I'm hoping your vet is giving him some?
Thanks for joining us, your future posts won't require approval.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the quick response ☺ He had a malignant myxomatous mesenchymal tumor removed from his front leg on 4/28/14. Well it came back and worse than the first time. The vet told us our best option would be amputation which we did yesterday. Right now he's on a fentanyl patch which we can take off Monday then switch him to tramadol. He's been on the tramadol for a while for his first surgery then when the tumor came back and his leg was an open sore, we put him back on the tramadol. We just called the vet and they advised for us to hold him. All last night, they had to switch up holding him because he did the non stop crying. I'm holding him now but he's still crying.
Hi Jenny, sorry we missed you in the chat! Saw you stopped by but then left. You'll find folks in there during the evening.
I've never heard of that kind of tumor. Wow. Is that a soft tissue?
It does sound like his vet is up on pain management , that's good. I'm glad you called the vet. Yes, some drugs can make dogs craaaaaaazy, but thankfully this is only temporary. Try not to worry too much, I know it's difficult not to. Just do what makes him feel better for now, I'll bet as soon as that patch comes off he'll be a little less anxious. Meanwhile you might want to ask your vet about xanax or another anti-anxiety to help calm him down a little more.
Hang in there. The first two weeks can be a bumpy ride but when they are over you will look back and wonder why you were ever so scared. We're here for you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know t h is recovery stinks ...especially for those pups that are really.having a rough time at first.
My Happy Hannah was one of those having a "rough recovery". It was just myself trying to care for her....125 lb. Chunk of Love Bul l Mastiff. She cried non stop the first nineteen hours straight without laying down once...pacing...restless...sitting for sixty seconds at the most.
Finally, the 20th hour she actually laid down for maybe thirty minutes...still whining though....
I can tell you this, for almost three weeks I second guessed my decisio. Once recovery took placr thoug...it was THE best decision ever!! Happy Hannah's sparkle came back bigger and brighter than before. We had THE most GLORIOUS fourteen months one could ever hope for!
Hang in there...stay connected to us....the drugs are playing havoc right now, as well as being in pain from major surgery.
Sending 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!
Oh I can weigh in here .... Shelby was on a patch and tramadol and she whined something awful... truly awful. But the good news is that once the patch came off and we weaned her off the tramadol carefully, she got MUCH better. The drugs really make them loco and crazy!!!
Hang in there ... it DOES get better!
Hugs,
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Thank you guys SO much for your responses. My furbaby has literally stayed up all night and is still crying. My husband and I took shifts last night staying with him while one of us got sleep. This gives me so much hope and I know to hang in there and stay strong. Thanks again everyone, you totally lifted my husband's and my spirits.
Paw shucks, glad to hear we could calm your nerves. We totally get it. Meanwhile, do keep your vet in the loop today, it's good to let them know about the consistent crying just to make sure there's not anything more they can do right now. How is the wound looking? Any discharge or swelling?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Can the tramadol be given in addition to the patch? My tripawd is a kitty, so not familiar with doggy meds. But my vet put a fentanyl patch on her and also had me give her Buprenex the first day after surgery and then as needed when I noticed signs of pain. It can be hard trying to figure out which behaviors are caused by pain and which are a side effect of the meds. 
I love that you have a Baby Bjorn for him. I hope this passes quickly so you all can get some much needed rest!
~Melinda and Tri-Kitty Angel Kender
Follow Kender's story here
The responses here have helped me. #6 from Benny55 about Hannah are helping me cope. My 74-pound boxer mix, Shaker, had her back, right leg amputated today. She’s home and on the vet-prescribes pain meds. She’s crying and whimpering. It breaks my heart she’s in so much pain. She had bone cancer in her knee. I took to the internet for answers since my vet is closed until morning. It sounds like her behavior is fairly normal.
I am sure I would cry too if I was going through what she is. It’s still so hard to hear her so upset and so uncomfortable.
Thank you for these posts.
Melanie
Melanie Miller said
The responses here have helped me.
Melanie, we are so glad you posted but please consider registering as a member and starting a new topic so we can help you and Shaker as you cope with recovery and life on three legs OK?
If she is on good pain medication, the whining and crying can also be a side-effect of the medication, and not so much that it's direct pain causing her behavior. Do let your vet know in the morning, and then come back here and start a new topic in Treatment and Recovery so we can help you OK? We look forward to hearing from you again. Stay strong.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My Rottwieler Ziva just had her right front amputated seven days ago, and yes the first day or two is rough. She had the Fentynal patch on for two days before surgery and two days after. Along with that she was on Tramadol for pain with a dose of Meloxicam once a day.
First night was rough as Ziva is normally very quiet. She was very restless and whinny (for her) which in turn made me very nervous and whinny. As soon as the fentynal patch came off she calmed down a lot and now that we (vet and I) are decreasing Her Tramadol meds she's is way way better.
It helped me think about it this way: if a human had this type surgery you'd be in the hospital for at least a week, and you'd be doped up whining and crying the whole time. Your fur baby will probably be over it inthe next day or so with no hospital stay. It's rough on us but I'd be willing to bet your baby doesn't even know they are doing the whining right now. Drugs of this type will make them wacky!
Hang in there and ask anything on this site. It has been a tremendous support for me and Ziva and chances are some one here has been there done that and can help. Stay stone you're doing the right thing!!
Excellent input Steve, thank you for sharing!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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