Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, Chaos has been home for a few days now but has not attempted to do the #2. We know that there is no way of making him go #2, but we where wondering how long it took for your dogs to do the deed? We are a bit scared because he had his rear leg amputated and well dogs use both rear legs when they go #2, we are wondering what you guys did to help support your dog when it was time? we have the ruff wear harness so we think that is what to do but just wondering what everyone did.
Hi Chaos! Chuy didn't go for 5 days after his FHO surgery. He's a frt. left amputee, but his FHO surgery was on his back left, so he was basically missing 2 legs on the same side. Sometimes the painkillers can constipate them, also Chaos may be leery of trying at this point. Try giving him a little canned pumpkin, it is full of fiber and may help.
We used a belly sling with Chuy for the first 3 weeks to help him go also. You may have one already, if not, cut a reusable shopping bag down the sides, it will work like a sling and give you handles to hold onto also.
Keep us posted on Chaos' progress!
Eleanor & Chuy
Chuy, showing everyone that Tripawds do everything 3 times better than regular dogs!
At 5 days, Chuy probably is close to the record! My vet did say that rear leg amps have more trouble pooing, front leg amps (at least male) have more trouble peeing. Tazzie, front leg amp, was much slower to pee than poo after his surgery.
The towel belly sling did help with both - he did not seem to mind my being there. If he does not mind the harness, that should work just fine and be less annoying than a sling.
Often animals (and people) are just constipated after having a general anesthetic, so a few days is not at all unusual. I added a bit of olive oil to his food to help - but pumpkin might be better.
It sounds as though Chaos is walking so should be stimulating his gut that way. If he does not want to walk, I find a car ride often gets things moving. That is what I have resorted to quite often to elicit both #1 and 2.
Susan
Lots of pups have trouble with going potty and get constipated for a while after surgery. Betcha he'll go soon, try not to worry.
Meanwhile, here's a great post with some suggestions for getting dogs to go potty post-surgery.
Good luck, let us know how things turn out! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Had the same problem with Millie. The vet said that the Tylenol 3 could cause constipation. I was worried because I didn't want her to get an impacted bowel or anything like that. Our vet suggested a teaspoon of Metamucil sprinkled over her dog food. Worked like a charm. Been like clockwork ever since.
Thanks for all the info guys. We tried pumpkin, well pumpkin pie and he liked the crust but would spit out the pumpkin lol. So we went for a couple of blueberry bran muffins hopeing that would move things along, and he ate those up really quick. We had no idea he would love bran. After a day of sitting in his belly he finally did the #2 after 8 days. Could you just imagine how that would have felt after 8 Days.. Ouch - He didn't need or want any support from us even with having his rear leg amputated, so hopefully he will go back to a regular schedule now.
Again Thanks Everyone.
Pumpkin pie! That is too funny! Lucky boy.
So glad to hear he finally pooed. Yeay! Whew, what a relief!
Keep the fiber coming for a little while though, he might still need it for a bit.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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