Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Mouse had his front right leg amputated yesterday. He was 190 pounds when he went in.
They called with an update this morning and was doing extreamly well. They helped him up and he walked with very little help outside. When he got back to his house he stood on 3 legs by himself and then they helped him sit down.
But this evening when they called he was no longer doing so well. They said it is taking 4 people to get him up. He will only take a few steps before he poops out. He hasn't eaten in several days and has not urinated on his own.
Is this normal? I'm concerned.
Is it a bad idea to go to the hospital to visit him even though he cant come home yet? He has never been away from us and hes a big baby when it comes to us not being around. I guess I just would like to see him perk up a little by seeing us but i dont want to break his heart again when we leave.
Please help
Kristen and Mouse
Kristen I'm in the Tripawds Chat right now if you want to talk. Back in a sec with some feedback.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't often advocate for pet parents to visit their new Tripawd in the hospital, but I do think that in cases like this it may help to go visit and see if you can pick up his spirits. Did your vet suggest anything like that? We had to do that once for our Wyatt Ray , when he wouldn't eat after a stomach surgery. I went to the clinic to hand feed him chicken, and he was able to go home the next day.
Don't panic, this isn't uncommon, especially with giant breed dogs. We see recoveries like this quite a bit. He was probably still super high from the surgery meds yesterday, and now he's feeling more painful. Many big dogs just need a bit more time than most to get back on their feet.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi kristen,
Im so sorry that mouse is having a bad day. I know its hard but try not to panic he's in good hands with the vet staff.
Maybe the transition from the surgery meds and a bit of separation anxiety are causing him to be out of sorts. As rene said its not uncommon for the big dogs to take a bit more to get back in the swing of things.
Maybe ask your vet if he thinks a visit would help? If he doesnt think its a good idea, discussing the vets plan might help relieve some of your anxiety.
Keep us updated when you can. We'll be thinking of you and sending lots of love to you and Mouse.
❤ Bev, Moe cat, autumn angel Roane & angel dog Gypsy
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Want to second and third the motion for a visit...with some warm chicken and any really yummy treat you can think of!
What you are describing is not unusual. It actually was more surprising to hear he was up and mobile yesterday so early on!
He's in good hands and getting proper care. But I do think a visit from you will indeed help. Remember he is heavily drugged and recovering from major surgery and that can certainly have an impact on eating, peeing and finding his sea legs.
Update when you can.
Extra 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!
Good news![Image Can Not Be Found]We went to see mouse and was doing great. He ate and was walking. All they needed to do was get him to urinate in his own. So we walked him outside and he went right away. Mouse got to come home. He looks great! I can see in his eyes that he feels so much better then he has for a while. I would like to post some photos we took but I am not sure how. When I use the photo icon it doesn't give an option to search for location.
Kristen and Mouse
Welcome home Mouse!
I am so happy to hear Mouse is doing well! Brownie was the same way. He would only eat when I visted him.
As far as pictures, I'm not an expert but I do know your photos have to be posted online somewhere first like photo bucket. Or you can start a free blog and save your pictures there first. I think a blog about Mouse would be a great idea to show others big dogs can concueer. I'm sure others will chime in about how to post photos.
Can't wait to see the photos!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Welcome home Mouse!
Home is the best place to be to rest and heal up.
Here are instructions for adding photos. They have to be hosted on line somewhere to upload to the forums. If you can't figure it out (I'm sure you have your hands full right now!) Admin or Jerry can help. You can also PM me and I would be happy to give you my email address and post photos for you.
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
Oh could you please! I can email it text them to you. I am so proud of mouse. He is now even more special then he was.
Kristen
YAAAAAAY!!!!! SOOOOOO HAPPY TO HEAR MOOSE IS HOME!!!! 😃😃😃 Actually a few happy trears formed!
Some people actually do report that their dogs are happier right after surgery because their pain was so bad before. He may (or may not) have a bit of a crash in a day or so when all the hospital meds are out of his system and he adjusts to the oral pain meds.
Cannot wait to see pictures of this great big teddy bear!
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!
And here is the handsome Mouse:
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you so much for posting the photos of him. When ever I look at them they make my heart smile because I can see that he is happy again and showing signs of his old self.
They have 3 fentanyl patches on him and then he is receiving an oral antii inflammatory and gabapentin as needed. I've been able to tell when they wear off he is alert and has more energy but then with in 30 minutes he starts panting like he is anxious. I am assuming that would be because he is in pain?
Mouse loves raw hide...he gets one retriever roll a day. Often before he eats it he likes to play with it by tossing it up in the air and then kind of pouncing on it. I gave him one this evening and he tried playing with it and kind of realised he had only one paw he could use. I'm confident he will find a way to toss it and pounce on it using just one leg and paw.
Kristen and Mouse
MOOOOOOSE!!!!! CANNOT STAND ALL THAT CUTENESS AND SMOOCHABLE MUG!!! LOOOOOVE HIM!!!! LOOOOVE ME SOME MOOSE!!!
It sounds like his pain is well managed. Had to chuckle...three pain latches! Yep, he's a big boy and they have to cover a big area!!
I just reread that the Gaba is given "as needed". Is he on a schedule at all with it....every "X" number of hours??? If the panting starts it may be that you need to give the Gaba a little bit sooner so the pain doesn't get ahead start. ONLY WITH VET DIRECTON tnough. The patches are pretty heavy duty drugs and can make him a bit loopy.
The fact that he even TRIED to play with his bone is HUGE!!! Picking up routines like that usually take at least a week if not more! To see that ,ittle bit of sparkle cone baxk already...WOW!!+ He'll get the hang of being avle ro chew that bone in time. No worries.
So happy to see this handsome boy and to know he is HOME!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Thanks for posting the pictures Karen!
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!
His is just beautiful and He looks so much happier!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Here is a link to a short video of Mouse getting up and walking 48 hours after surgery.
Hope you enjoy.
https://s.amsu......Cc3mE80eNN
Kristen and Mouse
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