Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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so we made it through our second night with Madison at home (her surgery was Monday) and we're into day 3.Â
Last night was better than the first. I laid next to her until she fell asleep and slipped away onto the mattress a foot away. She woke up 45 minutes later and was extremely upset, lots of panting, whining, restlessness. I laid next to her again until she fell asleep and this time didn't get up. We slept on the floor together for 5 continuous hours.Â
Yesterday afternoon was the last time she went outside to do her business. I understand the medication (fentynol patch, Rimadyl, tramadol) are going to have this side effect and she has not eaten much either.Â
But I am worried because it seems like she forgot how to hop around. She was doing well on her first day home, but now she takes a hop and sits. Sometimes begins shaking while she sits. We can get her to the door, but she won't hop over the threshold. Then it is very difficult to get her back into the snuggle zone we've created for her.Â
I hate to begin another round of is this normal.. But is it?Â
You can begin as many rounds of "is this normal?" as you'd like, that's why we are here.
What is her pain management regimen like? What dosage and what frequency?
The shaking could be a sign that she doesn't have enough pain medication, or that she's just wiped out and tired. Remember, her body is adjusting to all new ways of getting around and it's quite exhausting. Are you able to assist her at all with a sling? You can also try using the tastiest treats ever to bribe her to go outside. Right now though, she shouldn't be doing anything other than sleeping, eating and pottying. Minimizing her movements will help her rest and recuperate.
Hang in there! We're here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It's not uncommon for a pup to have a 'crash' a few days after surgery. Their body is processing out the surgery meds for the first couple days so they tend to feel pretty good. After a day or two at home they can get really tired because hopping for a new tripawd is exhausting. Even if they are just going for a couple potty breaks a day it is tiring at first.
The shaking and resistance to moving can be pain or the side effects, or she is just wiped out. Does she shake at random times or near the end of the pain med cycle? Did she fall or slip?
If you don't have a sling you can make one out of a reusable cloth shopping bag- slit the sides open and the handle is built in.
You might also try some gentle massage of her shoulder and back- stay away from the incision of course. She may be very sore in that area from her hopping.
Don't worry about asking all the questions you need to here. This is not something a normal pet parent has ever dealt with! Keep your vet informed as well, don't be shy about asking them if you think a pain med adjustment is needed.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
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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        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
Clyde did almost exactly what you are describing on about day three. Really out of it, not interested in moving. After learning about the possibility of a post surgery "crash", I think that's exactly what happened with him. I made sure to be right on schedule with his Tramadol, and today (one week post surgery) he's the best he's been. The folks on this awesome website aren't kidding when they say that the two weeks until the staples come out is full of highs and lows!
Clyde's mom
A crash around day 3 - 5 is absolutely normal. Â The hospital meds have worn off. Â You will have to work with your vet to manage pain with the meds. Â During the first week or so, Otis didn't want to get up much. I kept track of his potty activity, and so knew if I really had to get him outside or if I could just let him sleep. Â Sleep really is the best thing right now. Â Don't feel too down that you aren't seeing much activity - it will come! Â And can you put Madison's bed right next to the mattress, near your head. Â I did that with Otis - it allowed me to pet him and I think he liked to hear me breathe.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hello. Â For us, day 1 at home (3rd day post-surgery) he was really excited and happy to be back, day 2 at home was sort of neutral but day 3 at home (5th day post-surgery) was was the worst. Â Besides being totally apathetic and not wanting to eat we started getting seroma , lots of it, from the incision. Â I called the vet and he changed the dosage of the medication and told me to send a photo of the incision, only to calm me saying that seroma is absolutely normal. Â From day 6 onwards Johnnie started eating and recovering. Â So, yes, this first week is a rollercoaster of emotions. Â Keep calm so that you can transmit reassurance to Madison. Â Sleeping alongside is an excellent suggestion for both dog and human. Â In my case, it kept ME calm because I wanted to make sure he was ok.
Daniela
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Â Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Â Â Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. Â October 17: Â started having seizures. Â Taking fenobarbital for seizures. Â April 18: started prednisone.
Sooooo much great advice and support! I can only say "ditto"!
Curious how long the vet said to leave the patch on. If he gives the okay to take it off in the next day or so, I think you'll find that she might not see the door threshold as huge drug induced barrier and she'll step right over it!
STAY CONNECTED!! Recovery is no picnic! Grab a bag of chocolate and eat it 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!
I typed a long response last night, but then got logged out and had to reset my password so I went to sleep rather than retyping.Â
Yesterday I learned that my husband is a better coach then I am. While it took him 30-40 minutes to get Madison outside to go to the bathroom and back in again, he made it happen with love and encouragement. I had to go in the other room because I was nervous about what this one trip meant for the future. But this morning and afternoon bathroom trips are under 10 minutes!
AND! She just made a bee line for the bedroom. I'd say mad run, but she was more like a turtle on a mission. I had to grab treats and bribe her back to the Camp Madison space we created. She sleeps in the bed with us and a few months ago I bought a new low bed because I thought she was starting to struggle getting up. She has loved it and (pre-surgery) I often found her in it throughout the day.Â
Today was supposed to be her fentynol patch removal appointment. We were really concerned about lifting her in and out of the car. We spoke to the vet and while they couldn't legally allow us to remove the patch, they did give us instructions on what to do with it if it fell off. Funny enough it fell off this morning and we sent the vet some photos of the incision to review to determine whether an appointment was necessary. It looks good.Â
Overall, we're all having a better day today and we nearly slept through the whole night (on the floor together).Â
Madison sounds like she's doing great! She's lucky to have such awesome dog parents 
Those pesky falling off Fentanyl patches, what can you do? 
Its interesting to me that your vet said they couldn't legally allow you to remove it - mine just sent me home with instructions on when and how to remove it. My neighbor (human) has Fentanyl patches for her bad back, and removes them herself. Maybe its a state by state thing? Or maybe your in a different country? Anyway, glad to hear she's doing so well!
Oh how I remember those first few days!  I think you'll find each day starts to get a little easier here out as you find yourselves falling into a comfortable routine that works for you.  By the time the stitches come out these first few days will have become a foggy memory. 😉😉. Mostly foggy from lack of sleep right?  Hugs, you guys are doing great!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Max & Ollie
Such a great update! A dd I love her pretty avatar picture!
You are starting to see a little bit of her sparkle come back slowly but surely, and it continues to get better. This is still sooooo eearly in recovery. Try not to get discouraged. Madison really is doing quite well!
So let's celebrate! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR THE PATCH FALLING OFF! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR COACH HUBBY! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR 10 MINUTE POTTY BREAKS! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR MAKING A BEE LINE TO HER BED!:-)
And sleeping through the night...YAAAAAAAAAY!! 🙂
Keep these great updates coming!
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!
You mention having bought a lower bed? Â What kind? Â I am still sleeping on my first floor on the box spring and mattress because I fear the extra 6 inches of the frame would be too much for Otis. Â
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.  Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
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