Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi All,
It is day 6 of Lucy the Great Dane’s recovery from front right amp due to OSA. She came home eating and drinking like a champ, but now she seems very disinterested in drinking water. Normal? Is she in pain?
She is still eating and eliminating normally, just doesn’t want to drink. She also seems kinda depressed? She really wants to get on the bed and couches, but Dr. said not until stitches are out. Any advice is helpful!
Hi Lucy’s mom, welcome. I apologize for the quick hello but I have a meeting now and wanted others to see your post ASAP. Back in a bit with some feedback...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Lucy and her hoomans!!!
Eating is always a good sign, especially this early into recovery! . For some reason, we see dogs eating but shunning water sometimes during recovery. My Happy Hannah didn't want to drink water either. Never missed a meal though!
So try mixing some chicken broth, or bone broth her water. I have to say tjough, that didn't entice my dog. What really worked for Happy Hannah was ro swirl a scoop of ice cream into it, but in a very specific way. I would let her lick a little off the spoon over the water, then, while licking the spoon, swirled the remaining amount into the water. I also brought her water bowl to her for the first week or two and that seemed to help. Give that a try and let us know how it goes.
The first couple of days home dogs still have good hospital pain meds in their system. They often.have a bit of a crash after that. Rest is EXACTLY what Lucy needed right now. She's not "depressed" (that6 more of a hooman emotion), but she is recovering over MAJOR sirfery while adjusting to three. She does feel like hav6 a pawty just yet! Hoomans would still be in the hospital probably on a morphine e drip!
And good for Surgeon saying no to getting up on the bed or the sofa. Rest, short leashed potty breaks and more rest for now.
It's ja4d for dogs whe6 their routine is interrupted. Maybe you could take the cushions off the sofa and, being a Great Dane, she could probably basically just step up on it. Maybe?
How mich does she weigh?? What pain meds is she on, frequency and dose amount?
Looking orward to hearing more about your sweet Lucy and celebrating all her upcoming victories!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Ypu probably already have done so, but non slip scatter rugs for traction of you have hardwoods
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 also put a call into her vet.
Hi! Thank you for the response!
Lucy was 115 before surgery (we aren’t sure how much she weighs now though). She is on 100mg Rimadyl 2x per day and 600 mg Gabapentin 3x per day with Trazodone as needed. We haven’t tried the chicken or bone broth yet, but we have brought her water to her and she will drink some.
She also has some reluctance to walk and her tail is tucked a little. No panting unless her cone is on (it stresses her out).
IF...IF....I.you think her pain is being managed, you can ask your Vet about either reducing the dose of Gaba a little bit, OR doing the dose twice a day versus three.. I only mention this if you think she needs ro be a vit more ALERT and more engaged. The Gaba can make them a bit lethargic sometimes and she is at the high end of dose. Doesn't sound like she needs the Trazedone (sedative) at all.
Obvious. Any changes in doses need to be discussed with Vet.
Let is know what Vet says. You're doing a good job!!
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!
The Dr. wanted her temp. It was a perfect 101.2 and I had the pleasure of learning how to take my dog’s temp lol The Dr. is going to call us back, but so far they want us to discontinue the Rimadyl. She seemed to perk up quite a bit after a long nap and if we bring her water she will drink it.
Dr. said to decrease the Gaba to every 12 hours benny55 sounds like you got this stuff down!
Thank you so much!!!
Hi Lucys Mom, I'm in the Tripawds Chat right now if you want to talk.
Good job taking her temp! This is quite the learning experience none of us wanted eh?!
That's awesome she's taking water now. Yeah, spike it with no-sodium broth, Gatorade, Pedialyte, whatever will get her enthused about water.
Is she still tucking her tail? That is one of the more common pain signals , I would mention it to your vet. Make a note of any other odd behavior and keep the notes handy next time you chat with her medical team. Amputation recovery often requires a lot of fine-tuning before getting the pain management just perfect. Every animal is so different.
On the good side, at day six, it's still early. And especially for giant breed dogs, who typically need more time to recover (often by a week or so). Patience, grasshopper, as they say. Sounds like she's getting there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
lucysmom888 said
Dr. said to decrease the Gaba to every 12 hours benny55 sounds like you got this stuff down!Thank you so much!!!
Oh yeah she does! Glad you were able to talk.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The reduction in Gaba brought so much more life to Lucy’s eyes. We got water drinking, tail wags, and barking at the gardeners. She has a little more zest in her hop today! She’s still resting most of the day, which is good. She is so good with her incision too, no licking it. I still put the soft “cone of shame ” on at night.
Tail wags and drinking water, YAAAAAAAY! This update jas me grinning ear to ear😁😁😁
Good job of tweaking the meds and getting a good balance.
Her sparkle is coming back! 👍👍
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!
Wow that's a terrific pupdate! I love that her pain is being well-managed, just enough to heal and help Lucy still be Lucy. You're doing great yourself!
All signs point to blast-off for an A+ remaining recovery. Great job being her advocate!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
A friend and her kids sent Lucy a very cute Get Well card. It was even addressed to her!
https://www.ins.....x3qmf1mm
Go Team Lucy! That is so sweet to know she is surrounded by such love!!! Thanks for sharing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lucy is such a pretty girl. Love that photo. Smooching that mug thu the screen 😘
SUCH A SWEET CARD .
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!
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