Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My dog Lucy had a biopsy last Saturday and her amputation on Thursday. The morning after the biopsy her temperature was 103.4. and fluctuated between 102 and 103 for the next several days. She started taking cephalexin the morning after the biopsy. By this Wednesday her temp was between 101 and 102. When I brought her home yesterday evening, her temp was 103.3 and has stayed between 102 and 103. Her normal is between 99 and 100. My vet said not to worry about the temperature, that it was just due to pain, but I'm worried she may have an infection. Has anyone else's dog had a fever after the surgery?
Welcome Lucy and family!
Sorry you find yourself here with us.
Does Lucy seem lethargic or is she panting heaving or drinking a lot?
I'm no vet but if your vet isn't worried and she is on an anti-biotic then I'd try not to worry unless you see symptoms that indicate otherwise. I know it's easy to say not worry than to actually not worry.
I do know a temp of 104 is when to really get concerned. But as the vet said, a spike could be from pain or heat or I don't know. And of course, always call you vet if you are concerned because they really are there to ease our fears and concerns...even if you've already called. I do know that the ear thermometers aren't a accurate too.
What happened to cause you to get her a biopsy. Is it a bone biopsy? Those are insanely painful.
Wishing Lucy good thoughts.
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.
Hi Lucy and family,
It's so hard not to worry isn't it? So it sounds like she had a bone biopsy? If so, tell us more. What kind of cancer is the vet suspecting? I can't recall seeing anyone get sick after a bone biopsy (other than suffering from the excruciating pain they cause), but that's not to say it isn't possible.
Good to hear you called your vet, you appear to be a GREAT advocate for her health! If your instinct is saying that this isn't right, take her in for an office visit. So when it turns out to be nothing, you'll have peace of mind knowing you did a great job. Listen to your instinct, that's what we always recommend.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Is she eating? Typically if the fever is due to infection then the dog feels sick. It is true that a slightly elevated temp can be normal after a surgery due to inflammation.
My dog Tazzie did have a fever of 104 post-op and she started to turn yellow (jaundice) and she ended up having hepatitis but she had a pre-existing liver issue. She did a lot better after getting Baytril for 6 weeks.
Pam
Hi, everyone. Thank you for your replies and for the welcome! I'm glad to have found this site. Reading the blogs and forum posts here helped me prepare for Lucy's surgery.
Lucy fractured her leg two weeks ago, and on X-rays the vet saw a mass. Lucy had a bone biopsy, which revealed osteosarcoma. She is still eating well, though today she's not eating with quite as much gusto as usual (she's a major foodie, even for a dog!). She's very interested when she hears me making noises in the kitchen, though. I just took her temp and it was 101.5, so I'm going to monitor her closely and hope her temp continues to improve.
Even though it's only been a couple of days, I'm worried about her recovery. She's very agitated and restless, which I read can be due to the tramadol, but she was on the tramadol for over a week before the amputation and didn't seem nearly as agitated as the last couple of days. Also, before the surgery she was adjusting to her leg (the vet didn't want to repair the fracture until the biopsy came back) and was trying to walk on her own every chance she got. Since the amputation she doesn't seem to want to move at all, though. She'll hardly put any weight on her remaining front leg, and doesn't seem to want to use her hind legs. I have seen her move her hind legs, though, especially when I'm bringing her back into the house. I'm worried the surgery caused some kind of damage or that she's just trying to give up on me.
Thank you again for the welcome and the well wishes.
Lea and Lucy
I'm sorry, I missed the word "amputation" in the sentence! I thought it was just a bone biopsy. (I'd make a terrible vet 
)
If we tell you that her behavior is normal after an amputation will it ease your mind? Because....it's it! Oh gosh, I know you are worried because it's so scary! We all worry insanely! But it really sounds like her behavior is normal. It's hard to judge this early on after a major surgery. It's not like getting tonsils out! Some dogs bounce back super fast (usually the young ones) but most need a good 2 weeks to get back to their old self. As long as she is still eating and drinking, then try to relax a little. I would bet you haven't had any good rest since her surgery and the lack of sleep can escalate worry.
Maybe skip the temp taking for a bit unless she show signs of acting worse? I'm the type that does that too! But it just adds worry. And now that her temp is back to normal, then perhaps you can not worry about her temp?
Maybe even try ice therapy on her. We assume the amp site is throbbing and ice can really help. Make sure a wash cloth or dish cloth is in-between the skin and ice. And don't leave on for more than 10 minutes at a time. Repeat as necessary every 2-3 hours.
Come back here as often as you need to for support. That's what we do!
Healing wishes for Lucy Sunshine!
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.
Thank you! I'll probably be around here a lot. I'm trying not to freak out because I don't want Lucy to pick up on my anxiety. It helps to read that a lot of owners say the first two weeks are the most difficult. I'm going to try to stay as calm as possible as we get through these first couple of weeks.
Lea and Lucy
Did you read this Jerry's Reading List section that gives you some fantastic tips and insights to amputation? It will probably ease your mind a bit.
There are two schools of thought also on whether to let them lay around. Some say not to and some say let them. I don't know which is best since I haven't been through and amputation (just knee surgeries on a 3 legged dog). I lean toward not letting them lay around....the thought is muscles get weak by laying around. But certainly go easy.
Oh my gosh, everyone freaks out! It's natural. I've seen probably hundreds of amps here on the site since I've been here for 3 years and ALL freak out because of how the pups are behaving after surgery. (I would too) It's hard to put on a happy face when we don't know what is going on with them! But it really, really does help them to be upbeat and sickening happy all the time!
It's going to get better. Promise!
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.
Chloe had a low grade fever the day after her surgery. Because of this, her vet wanted to keep her an extra night on 24 hr watch to make sure her condition improved (but if not, they are there to do something immediately). She had her surgery on a Friday and we picked her up on a Sunday. They let us take her home once her fever had subsided.
Does your vet have a recommendation for some type of medication to help keep the fever down?
I used a sling with Chloe to help her walk. Otherwise she hobbled around like a demented bunny. The tramadol and whatever else she was on made her loopy and uncoordinated. I let Chloe rest as much as possible, except to let her outside to pee. Just take it day by day and you can always call and/or visit the vet if you are concerned something is really the matter. Every dog is different.
-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
cometdog said
Did you read this Jerry's Reading List section that gives you some fantastic tips and insights to amputation? It will probably ease your mind a bit.There are two schools of thought also on whether to let them lay around. Some say not to and some say let them. I don't know which is best since I haven't been through and amputation (just knee surgeries on a 3 legged dog). I lean toward not letting them lay around....the thought is muscles get weak by laying around. But certainly go easy.
Oh my gosh, everyone freaks out! It's natural. I've seen probably hundreds of amps here on the site since I've been here for 3 years and ALL freak out because of how the pups are behaving after surgery. (I would too) It's hard to put on a happy face when we don't know what is going on with them! But it really, really does help them to be upbeat and sickening happy all the time!
It's going to get better. Promise!
I just looked over the reading list section. It was very helpful; thank you for the suggestion. After reading some of the stories and advice here, I'm beginning to relax a little. 🙂
Chloe had a low grade fever the day after her surgery. Because of this, her vet wanted to keep her an extra night on 24 hr watch to make sure her condition improved (but if not, they are there to do something immediately). She had her surgery on a Friday and we picked her up on a Sunday. They let us take her home once her fever had subsided.Does your vet have a recommendation for some type of medication to help keep the fever down?I used a sling with Chloe to help her walk. Otherwise she hobbled around like a demented bunny. The tramadol and whatever else she was on made her loopy and uncoordinated. I let Chloe rest as much as possible, except to let her outside to pee. Just take it day by day and you can always call and/or visit the vet if you are concerned something is really the matter. Every dog is different.-Chloe's mom
The vet had no suggestions; he just said he wouldn't worry about it. I feel a little better hearing other people's dogs have had a slight fever as well, so I'm hoping hers will pass soon. I was worried about letting her lay around too much, but I've also been letting her rest as much as possible, because it seems to take a lot out of her just to go outside to potty.
Welcome to you and Lucy - sorry you had to find us here, but you won't be sorry you did.
Lucy is still very early on in her recovery, and that's a hard time full of worry for the pawrents, so it sounds like you guys are right on track! Honestly, I didn't take Abby's temp during her recovery so don't know if she had a fever or not. She did seem very depresssed, aloof, not at all herself. She had little appetite and mostly just wanted to lay out in the yard by hersefl. But once she was done with the meds and her staples were out, signs of her ol' puppy self started to appear!
Hang in there! It will get better!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Lea, how is Lucy doing today? We hope she's feeling spunky!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lea, how is Lucy doing today? We hope she's feeling spunky!
Thank you for asking about Lucy. She's trying to walk more on her own, but now she thinks she should get up and down off the furniture by herself. Someone has to sit by her at all times to make sure she doesn't take off, and I'm afraid I'll have to confine her until she's recovered. She's still very agitated and seemed depressed this morning, and when I take her outside she seems confused about what she wants to do and where she wants to go. But she's eating well and it seems to comfort her to have someone sit with her.
Hi Lucy and family. Yep, we all freaked out for at least a week after amputation. If it weren't for this site, I think I would have had a breakdown because I had no idea what to expect! You are right to stay upbeat in Lucy's presence. We live in Pennsylvania and Zeus' surgery was in December. Our agreement was that we had to go outside to cry or panic, and let me tell you, going outside in -2 degree weather was major motivation to stay upbeat. 
We also did not take Zeus' temp during recovery. He was very very very lethargic and did not move much at all the first week, but there wasn't any stomach upset, discharge, bad smell from the incision, etc. so we never really worried about infection. Zeus is older which seems to translate to a longer recovery, and he strained his back two weeks after amp so he had to take pain meds for a full month post-amp. Once off the meds, he started acting WAY more normal but it still took him a while to want to play again and act energetic. Try not to worry too much - Lucy will surprise you!
Good luck with the rest of recovery!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
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