Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, I have read a few post and am glad to know that everything my "Mack" is doing is normal.
Mack is an 8yr old Rotti/Shep mix that was diagnosed on 8-28-10. His left front leg was amputated on 9-1-10.
We have decided not to do chemo (been there done that with another dog) so it was just a personal choice.
Anyway, he is doing ok. Sleeping alot drinking and eating just a bit.
It took him until today at 4:30 to finally pee! No poo yet but we were so happy about the pee:-)
I work at a vets office but do not see much of the aftercare, so I have to say that it is a bit hard to watch him just lie around (I know he needs to though)
Our trouble right now is getting him to get up, he wants nothing to do with it.
His pain meds are also messing with him a little. He is on Deramaxx and tends to have a sensitive stomach anyway. He is also on antibiotics and Famotadine (it's like pepcid)
I guess I just need some comfort to know what to expect day to day on recoverey.
Oh I took the day off today and will take tomorrow off, then my boyfriend will be off on Sat. and after that I will be off Sun-Tues. I am very lucky to get to take this time to be with him. Even if it means using all my vacation time:-)
Hi Typups, sorry we missed you in the chat! We're glad you joined us here, but sorry to hear about Mack being diagnosed.
Sounds like he's a lucky pup to have you for a pawrent! You're doing fine, and his recovery sounds pretty typical if you ask me. The pain meds mess with dogs a lot . Is he on anything besides Deramaxx? Tramadol? The stronger drugs like this tend to make dogs dopey and see crazy visions of flying squirrels. They also make dogs constipated and not want to eat a whole lot.
Many dogs lie around not wanting to do a whole lot. If you can take his temperature and he doesn't have a fever, if he's eating and drinking, even just a little, those are all good signs. But do ask your vet if you have any concerns; you are so fortunate to be able to chat with them at work!
My other biggest suggestion is to check out our Required Reading List. You'll find lots of answers to questions about post surgery care there.
Basically what you can expect is this; two weeks of hell with some ups and downs. Lots of sleeping, some whining and perhaps a lack of appetite. Once he does start to get up and around, you should be there to make sure he doesn't slip or fall on any stairs or slippery floors. Have you made sure your house is Tripawd-proof?
We hope he starts getting his spunk back soon! Hang in there, it won't last forever.
Hope this helps. Please consider joining us by registering as a member so your posts don't need moderation and they show up right away. Thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there! My rottie/shep mix is going to 10 in October. She was diagnosed in Feb 2010 and just celebrated her 6 month ampuversary! Is Mack a big boy? Sadie was around 90lbs before her surgery, and now weighs in at around 80lbs. Extra weight can really slow them down. Sadie wasn't interested in motivating either. I had to literally scoop her up to get her to go out. Even now, I sometimes have to bribe her with a treat. She has bursts of energy, and then will be content to just lay around. She seems happy however, and that's what is most important! Good luck, sounds like his recovery is pretty "normal". Hang in there, it will get better!
Lisa (Sadie's mom)
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Chloe didn't eat as much when she was on the heavy duty pain med because it interacted with her antibiotics. I tried to feed her pain pills in the morning and the antibiotics at night to spread out the possible interaction. I also used my judgement on her pain levels and took her off the Tramadol once she seemed fine and just did maintenance with the Rimadyl (more like dog-asprin, not as heavy duty).
She was fortunate not to need the pain meds after the first few days, but I was always there ready to administer something if she was in pain. Once she was off the heavy duty stuff, she started to eat alot more. Then came the much hoped for poop! Definitely a time for celebration when you come upon it!
The "critical 2 week post-amp" are very important for recovery, so keep letting him rest and keep encouraging him to eat!! You have a wealth of knowledge at your disposal with this tripawd website, so I encourage you to use it to your advantage!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Welcome Mack!
So sorry to hear about the awful diagnoses. But you are going to have some wonderful time together so it's not going to matter.
It sounds like everything is going great, actually. It's major surgery so it's going to take a bit. So, try not to fret. If he's sleeping, then make sure you get rest, too. The healing process will go so much better if you are rested.
We are big on naps and ice cream around here, so have a little of both!
Here's to a quick and super speedy recovery!
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
As an 'old timer', I just wanted to welcome you guys. Recovery (about 2 weeks) isn't a fun time. The dogs just aren't quite themselves, mostly due to medicaitons, but also due to having to learn a whole new way to move about and the humans tend to not get enough rest initially.
The recommended reading is a great start and somone is always around to answer questions and share their experience. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
PS
And the poo - well we all have celebrations with the first poo! The humans are a whole lot more concerned about it than the dogs
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Welcome Mack,
I am sure you are feeling kind wierd after the surgery. You feel so dopey huh? You had anesthesia and now medications to make you comfortable. Sounds like you and your family are having all the post-op experiences and worries we post-amp pawrents go through.
Your family will be watching you carefully and making sure things go smoothly, so hang in there nap when you want and make sure your family knows they can get so much help here. As soon as you don't need the pain meds any more you will feel so much better!!! You will be hopping around in no time, you will amaze them!
I echo the suggestion to spend some time with http://tripawds.....ng-list/ so much fantastic information here on Tripawds!
Hope to read of your progress soon, welcome to your family.
Angel JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
Thank you everyone for your kindness and info.
Lisa (Sadies mom) it's funny we have the same mix. Mack is 69lbs. so he is not overweight but is still a big boy!
My vet (and boss:-) said we could add in Tramadol if needed but the deramaxx is working well for the pain.
I'm off work today so we wil take it one day at a time.
Hi – happy to hear all is going well. The poops will come with time so don't worry!
Gabapentin is a better drug to add in instead of Tramadol. I highly recommend it as a primary post-pain med instead. It helps with phantom pain .
Using a towel as a sling to help them get up is a big help. If you're considering an alternative, oral low dose chemo has little to no side effects and is not expensive. Cytoxan is the name.
Keep up the good work!
Jenna & Zak
I too would opt for something other than tramadol. Chloe drooled more than normal and now she has the nickname "drooly girl" even though she has been off the meds for weeks now... It also made her dizzy because I would see her sway from side to side when trying to stand still. Luckily she was only on it for a couple days.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I have not been on here for a little while. I have been busy with getting back to work and watching Mack heal.
It looks like everyone was right, in two weeks Mack was back to his old self, running playing ball, using the dog door and yes finally even pooping!
He is now off of his pain meds and had the staples removed last week. I could not be happier with his progress. It was a slowww recovery the first week but just like you guys said, he is back to normal.
Thanks again to everyone!
Thanks for the great update! Please keep us posted on Mack's progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
AHH its really nice to hear he is back up and on his paws.
Guiness my fur baby is 4days post amp, so its really encouraging to read that everything is going just as people suggested.
Please do keep us up to date it would be lovely to here how he is getting on.
Big hugs Toni & Guiness
Guiness is my baby we have had 8 wonderful 4 legged years together.
We intend on having many, many more 3 legged ones
Guiness took on a moving car and lost.
Leg amputated 16-09-2010
Well I haven't been on again in a while, Mack is doing great and is even acting like a puppy! My problem now is my other dog Tippy (which just turned 8yrs.) may have lymphoma. It hit me really hard, I just can't have two cancer dogs at once, it's not fair. We are waiting for results that should be in by the first of the week. Hopefully it's something else (nothing!) I already had one dog with lymphoma 5 years ago, we did chemo but she only lasted 6 mos. so chemo is just not a route we will take.
Anyway, just an update on how things are going here.
So glad to hear Mack is doing so well. I'm sending lots of good thoughts your way for Tippy. None of us want to see you deal with two cancer pets at one time. You are right, that just isn't fair. Paws and fingers crossed for negative lymphoma results next week.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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