Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Summer (10 years old) had her rear leg amputated because of a bone tumor a week ago today. The vet says she is doing very well. No drainage or signs of tissue necrofy (sp?). She was progressing well until yesterday. I see two things that I would like some advice about:
1. Yesterday, we noticed she has rubbed the elbow pad on her good side raw from getting up and down. It looks really uncomfortable. We disinfected it, put Neosporin on it, and covered it to pad it from further rubbing. But, she seems bothered by the bandage. Does Anyone have ideas about this?
2. Until yesterday, she was excercising a little more each day... that is hopping around the house in what we have come to call her stroll around the block. Yesterday, I noticed that she was arching her back and curving toward her good side, and her tail was tightly pulled to the side. Last night, she did not get up in the night. She has been getting up at least three times to readjust, and I have helped her by removing the lampshade from her head while she finds a good spot. This morning, we woke her up and she seemed stoned- which for her means, "I am not happy." When she did get up, she was really stiff and her balance was not as good as it has been on other days. I massaged her shoulders, back and good leg, and she got a little better. She went out okay, but laid down immediately when she came in.
I wonder what is happening? She seems to be in pain, but is it her elbow that is making her feel so bad? She is a very VERY stoic dog... almost never whines or cries from pain. She has not cried once since the surgery. Is this shadow pain? Drug induced? She is taking 100 mg of tramadol and one dose of Metacam per day. Any ideas or common experience here?
Also, bed issues. We covered our house with yoga mats to avoid spills on our hardwood floors. She has a very good orthopedic bed , but has not been too keen on it for the last few days. Should I try to ease her back in the bed? I thought she was opting for harder surfaces for a reason, like maybe she was achy from laying in bed all the time. She has laid gingerly on her bad side twice in the bed. I think she was just going crazy from being on her good side all the time.
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Dana said:
I see two things that I would like some advice about...
Thanks for joining the discussion forums Dana! We really hope we can help.
For the elbow sores, check out the adjustable elbow pads from DogLeggs. OrthoPets also makes makes custom orthotic braces for dogs.
Hopefully one of the vets online here can address your other concern, about the stiffening. Summer needs time to regain her strength. One week post-amp is still very early and her symptoms may very well be drug induced, from the pain killers, or phantom pain.
Also, check out Lalla's suggestion for making the best bed for three legged dogs. my people bought me an expensive orthopedic bed after my amputation and returned it after a few nights of me sleeping on the floor instead. We really just need something firm and low to the ground. They eventually made me a great bed out of 3" foam topped with an old sleeping bag.
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Dana,
Sounds like you are doing much of what I would have for her elbow. I would also add EMT Gel. I love that stuff! It helps the skin heal very quickly. You can get it a lot of places, I get mine at Bass Pro Shop. You can order it online too.
As for her issues now, it does sound like a little more pain. I think the pain changes a bit after the initial round of surgery pain, at least I think that happened to Calamity. Remember that the first 2 weeks are pretty rough. Lots of changes to adjust to and it's a very trying time. There were quite a few times we had to make Calamity get up too.
Hang in there, it will get better.
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
I agree with Jerry that you need to get some sort of elbow padding. It doesn't take long for an ulcer or pressure sore to form in an area without any muscle around it for support. I have seen some deep and ugly pressure sores on elbows and she may need oral antibiotics if this lesion does not heal.
Your dog is probably sore because they have to use their bodies in a different way in order to walk on 3 legs. How big is your dog? If she is tolerating the Tramadol well then your vet probably has room to up the dose. Do not change the dose of Metacam as this could cause GI upset. Giving a muscle massage is a good idea, and it helps to apply heat to the area first in order to warm up the muscles.
The best bed we found for Tazzie is a queen-sized mattress on the floor. She used to sleep in bed with us but can't get up there anymore 🙁 so now she sleeps in the same room on her own bed. I have to admit I still sneak out of bed sometimes and sleep with Tazzie!
Pam and Tazzie
LOL! Pam!! I love that Tazzie has her own bed!!!
Calamity slept with us on Monday night. It was the first full night since her amputation. I loved it!
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
It really is funny what we will do for these companions. When we made the decision to proceed with the amputation, we moved our bed out of the bedroom before we picked Trouble up from the vet. The three of us slept on a pallet on the floor the first two weeks. After week 2 we brought just the matress back in. So now the three of us sleep on the mattress on the floor.
We're happily adjusting our lives to make her's easy - LOL.
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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