Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Day 1
830am - Dropped him off for surgery
6:50pm - Arrived at vet to pick him up. Vet showed me a drainage tube and instructed us to use a tshirt to cover the incision, and change the shirt every 12 hours until I see the vet again on Wednesday. Also need to ensure the tube is draining, we may have to help the drainage Sunday evening if there is fluid buildup. Showed me the wound before covering. Said the wound my become slightly red. Looks fine now. His gums were pink which shows he did not lose much blood. Really pleased with the vet - gave me contact info if I need anything.
Meds: Gabapentin every 6 hours at first, but could be increased to 4 hr if he shows signs of pain - bad panting. Slow down dosage after a few days. Told me to stop the carprofen as it may delay the healing. No other pain meds - he seems fine so far.
7:10pm - The vet & vet tech carried him to the car and Finn laid on his incision side on his own. Vet said whatever he wants / makes him comfortable. He made 1 whimper on the 45min drive home. The drive was easy/slow but long.
8pm - we got home and gave him 1 gabepentin as directed before getting him out of the car. I have a sling type car back seat dog cover we used to sling / wrap him to get him inside and onto his orthopedic bed ... while he slept. Worked perfect! This was my biggest fear - getting him home comfortably and into the house from the car. I was frightened we disturb his incision picking him up.
930pm - he jumped up and had a ton of water... on his own. Wagged his tail. Then laid down on his good side and was out. We were ecstatic!
2am - another gabepentin.
230am - he got up on his own and walked (hopped) about 30 feet outside looked/stood around for a bit then peed. He made one whimper on the walk. (he never whimpers.) Then I led him in and he sat down next to his bed. Wagged his tail a bit. Then I got him to lay down. This time he wanted to lay on his incision side.
4am - half sleeping, snoring and half watching me. I am probably going to stay up till my wife can take over when the sun rises.
This Good Friday will be forever etched in my memory.
Thanks again tripawds. Hopefully this will help someone who has to do the same.
Day 2
5am - Put his cone on and I got some sleep.
8am - Woke up around 8am and he was in same position. Gave him 1 gabapentin. Changed his t-shirt. Drainage was good (IMO). Incision looked fine.
10am - He is awake. Alert. Looks normal - a bit stoned. Does not seem to be in pain. Wants to move. Seems happy to be home.
1015am - Had a bite to eat and is not sitting next to us looking for affection. He usually eats raw - but is eating Natures Logic kibble for now. I tried to pick up more last night but my local pet food store (new owners) said they discontinued cause they said it goes bad when it sits too long. I said that what real food does. Lol
(will edit throughout the day)
Not only are you doing an excellent job of caring for your boyfriend, but the detail you have chronicled here is very helpful for anyone starting this journey and trying to figure out the first couple of days of recovery. Interesting about not using the anti-inflammatory.
It's wonderful that he's drinking, peeing and eating some! And it sounds like he has already gotten his sea legs and is able to be somewhat mobile, even through the drug haze!
Sometimes around the third day or so there may be a little bit of a crash once all the Strong Hospital meds have worn off. So don't be concerned if that happens, and it may not even happen!
It sounds like you have a very supportive vet. Good choice.
Now you need to try and get some rest. It's been exhausting mentally and physically getting to this point...... more so for you then for Finn.
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!
Ohhhhh yayyyyy! I love that the vet gave you good instructions, and everything is going so well right now. Paws crossed this continues!
If he does show any signs of anxiety, restlessness, or unusual behavior, let your vet know. I'm guessing he might have had a 72-hour pain control injection during surgery, since he only came home with Gabapentin. That should tie him over for a while, but if not, his pain meds may need fine tuning.
A good Friday indeed. Hope you guys all get lots of rest this weekend. I'll keep an eye out for your updates.
11am – Got up to go outside for potty in his usual spot... sat in sun for a minute then wanted to go inside. Gave him some soft food I picked up last night (Koha – Canned Beef/Pumpkin). Ate it all and moved back to tile floor. Been sleeping and sitting up.
2pm- 1 gabapentin. Moved around then got comfortable on bed
6pm – He slept until then, came out and sat with me outside for an hour or so. He does not seem to be in pain. He tried to use his back leg to scratch the incision several times. Went pee.
730pm – Fed him Soft and kibble. He only ate half.
8pm – 1 gabapentin & changed his shirt. Wound looked good... no redness or bruising. Good drainage.
930pm – Finally settled down on hard floor.
1030pm – Put cone on him before I crashed
He has been up panting. Took him out for a pee. He whimpered in pain on the way in.
12am – 1 gabapentin to hopefully calm him down.
(I have been feeling super guilty about what I did to my dog. Did I do the right thing? Did I act to quickly? Were there alternatives to save his leg? Was it really even cancer? Sick to my stomach.)
Day 3 –
Will he finally be able to do his business today?
He was up numerous times panting. I slept mostly, but he woke me up numerous times. Ate the rest of his food and had a ton of water at some point. Seems like last night was painful for him. I tried to lay down with him at some point. That helped but I got back on couch. I moved his bed closer to me so I could pet/calm him while I tried to sleep. He does not like the cone – but I needed sleep, and he wants to lick the small incision on his good leg where they removed a small lump that appeared last year.
6am – 1 gabapentin. Finally took the cone off. He whimpered when I took off the cone. Laid down with him for a bit then I went back to couch and I fell back asleep.
730 – I woke up to him licking his good leg/wound. He is alert/up. He is lightly panting. Puts his head down for a minute. Then back up. Then back down. Then back up.
830am – Finally he is asleep.
I'm really loving your journal! This is so good for you so that you'll be able to look back at some point and see how far he's come.
If he's panting all day, it could mean he needs his pain control spaced closer together. Many dogs tend to need another dose an hour or two sooner than originally recommended by the vet. Don't change anything until you talk to them though. The fact that he did get back to sleep is good!
Good for you to keep the cone on! YEAH! It's hard, I know. They are so pathetic in that thing. But we've seen a lot of dogs rip out stitches right in front of their humans so better safe than sorry.
https://photos......ny58L-r9Wh
915am – OK back up and outside to potty and HIS BUSINESS! (first time – 48hrs since surgery)
930am - set up towel for him outside. He rested there for 5 hours. Looked comfy and happy to enjoy being outside.
2pm – 1 gabapentin (8hrs since last), went potty, sat in yard with a smile big and then inside for his nap.
https://photos......p3QcN6ZUPD
7pm – changed his shirt (good drainage), went outside and sat on deck for awhile
830am – potty then some soft food and kibble. Wagging his tail. Laid back down. Looks very comfortable.
He did not seem to be in pain – but tired. I am glad I got some sleep today. Not feeling as guilty – all signs were pointing to amputation. I am not sure what else I would have done. The FNA had cancerous cells. If I waited, then it could have gotten much worse. Who knows. Thinking about either homeopathy or the Yale vaccine. But maybe chemo.
930pm – Starting to look uncomfortable. Moving around a bit trying to get comfortable (both sides) on ortho bed and starting to pant.
10pm – Stood up and just panting – gave him 1 gabapentin (8hrs since last). Laid down on tile next to me on couch.
1115pm – Put on his cone so I could sleep
1am or so – He is up. drank some water. does not like his cone. tried to lay down with him. Helped for a minute. Pulled his bed next to couch with me so I could sooth him. Finally he wanted to go outside. He was panting but not heavy panting. Like get up and take me outside panting. He peed on his shirt so I changed it. Good drainage. Huffed for awhile over the cone so I dug up the inner tube cone for him to wear. That worked.
DAY 4 - 4/10/23
7am – woke up with him sitting next to me. 1 gabapentin (9 hr since last).
8am – Outside for potty. Came back and laid down on hard floor
Yay for 
! Sounds like even more progress yesterday. I'm happy you found the donut cone for him. Just keep an extra eye out on him, many dogs with longer snouts can get around that cone.
Sorry the pics aren't showing up.
OK this is how adding images works in the Forums.
Basically you need to:
- upload a photo somewhere like your own Tripawds blog, or a public image hosting site like Imgur.com
- then copy the image URL (or just tap the image and copy it if you're on a mobile device)
- return here, and paste the image into your forum post.
Hope that makes sense. Let us know if you'd like help!
Yaaaay for spi g hos "bidness"!👏
Glad you are monitoring when he shows signs of pain so you can adjust the timing of the dose accordingly. (With Vet approval of course).
I kmownuou love seeing that tail wag. Aich a food sogn recovery is progressing.
And yes, the early part of recovery we all question what we did TO our dogs. After a couple pf weeks we all say we are so glad we did this FOR our dogs!
Not exactly sure what his hourley dose is now. Every eight hours? Just remember it's harder to control the pain once pain gets a head start and he starts showing pain sognals.
Would loooove to see pictures! I'll PM you mu email address so uou can send me some photos and I would be honored to post them for you👍
You are doing such a good job of caring for your beloved Finn♥️
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!
2pm - Came outside and hung out around. Went potty then poo. He was is good spirits wagging his tail. Enjoying the day.
330pm – MY WIFE NOTICED A BLOOD CLOT where he urinated! Called vet immediately.
430pm - The Surgeon called me back and wanted me to make him go pee again and collect the sample. If red then come and see him tonight. I was hoping he may have just pissed on a bird dropping.
450pm - He went again and it was clear at first... then turned red. I got a good sample and left for the vet.
6pm – arrived at Vet. I had not given him any gabapentin since 7am. I wanted to see vet first. Finn was in excellent spirits. Pulling on his lease trying to sniff everything. Enjoying getting loved on by the vet techs. Vet determined the blood had red blood cells and gave him an antibiotic Clavamox. Said since he was intact he may have prostate problems... does not think it is related to surgery. I really have no idea if this is first time as my wife was the one who noticed the blood clot in the shell.
645pm – left vet... gave him a gabapentin (12hrs since last). He had peed (bloody) on his shirt, but I had nothing to change it with.
730pm – Got home - he was stoned and did not want to get out of the car. It was a struggle. Gave him 1 clavamox. Changed his shirt... He came outside and sat down for awhile but was noticeably dazed. He was in much better spirits at the vet. He went 12 hours with no pain med (gabapentin), but I have read you should not stop gabapentin cold. I am going to slowly ween him off, unless there is pain.
830pm – he came inside and fell asleep on the tile floor under the sofa on his good side. Put on his inner tub and I feel asleep around 11pm.
3am – 1 gabapentin (8 hrs since last). He was restless just sitting there. Most likely huffing about his inner sube. Took him outside for a pee – no red.
Day 5 – 4/11/23
9am – I finally woke up (full nights sleep for me). 1 Clavamox (13.5hours)
10am – he’s up. Just sitting around the house. He peed at somepoint – went RED at end.
1215am – Steve came over to watch while both me and my wife had somewheres to be.
145pm – got home. Steve said he was fine.
3pm – he has been inside all day. Sleeping next to the dining room table now.
5pm – finally made it outside... does not seem to be in good spirits. Might be the clavamox - could have upset his stomach.
7pm - gave him a gabapetin (16 hrs since last). I go him up for a pee - looked OK. Gave dinner (kibble and soft)... ate it all! Went poo then pee again - very little but red this time. Wagging tail. Looks happier. Laid back down on incision side.
8pm - let out a yelp (phantom pain ?) and ran over to us for comfort. Looked scared, but I think it was more of us. (we need to stay in good spirits for him - which we are doing).
830pm - came inside wagged his tail, had some steak (he normally eats RAW).
He gets his tube out tomorrow. Drainage has slowed significantly.
WOW! Just WOW! Okay Finn, time to stop this crazy roller coaster ride and hop off!
Crazy 24 hrs. At least you finally got one good sleep somewhere inbetween all this crazy.
Guessing that the ppssible phantom pain mayn have been because there was 16 hoirs he was without Gaba. Then the dose he finally got probably hadn't had a chance to kick in yet and catch up. Just my unprofessional opinion.
Not sure how long before the Clavamox kicks in. I'm sure it takes a few days? I know when the Clavamax didn't handle my dog's UTI they switched to Baytril (if I recall right). If it is some sort of UTI, I know my dogs don't feel 100% at first.
The important thing is you got wagging tail and he got steak!!! Sounds lie things are onward and upward!👏
Thanks again for chronicling Finn's journey. Very thorough and very informative.
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!
Drum roll please🥁🥁....da....da....introducing the sweet Mr Finn👏
Isnt he handsome? He sure knows how to style a tee shirt and make it look so fashionable 😎
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!
I have been reading about weaning him off gabapentin. Even saw the info on here. He has been on it for 2 weeks now. 300mg twice per day with carprofen since March 28 when I took him back to my regular vet due to his limp not healing after 3weeks. Then day of surgery April 7th, I did not give him meds/food as instructed. After the surgery the surgeon said start with every 6 hrs increase to 4 if you see pain symptoms. Slow down after a few days. I only have 1 dose left from the surgery prescription Finn started Friday night (bottle says 15, but I only recorded 13 in journal with 1 left). Will give another in morning when I get up. That will be ~12hrs... unless he needs one tonight. He has a lot left from my March 28th prescription. Ill report what the vet says to me tomorrow when he gets the tube out.
Thank you both (jerry/benny) so much for your support. This has made the last 5 days easier.
Will be interesting t0 see what the Bet says. So as far as AFTER surgery, he has only been on Gaba for five days now? My "guess"...and just a guess... is the Vet would keep him on Gaba a bit longer. Maybe every eight hours, or even every twelve of he's not showing pain break through before the next dose.
Anyway, your Vet will guide you far better than I.
And thanks for your kjnd words. This site was invaluable to me qith my Happy Hannah's journey and I was so grateful to Jerry and members for their support.
Cant wait to celebrate tube removal! Maybe a drive thru cheeseburger on the way home to celebrate???
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!
Aww what a sweetheart! Thank you for sharing those photos Sally!
You guys have had a whirlwind! Yikes! Glad you got some zzs inbetween the vet visit and everything. I'm thinking the Clavamox takes about 24 hours to kick in? It should have by now.
I hope he feels better tomorrow, but I really don't think five days of a single type of pain control remedy after amputation surgery is going to be enough for him. I'm not a vet, but the majority of dogs and cats are on it for at least 10 days to ensure they are comfortable. Of course good pain control is tailored to the animal, and they're all different as you know (and some are more sensitive to the effects), but that's just a general picture of what we've seen. Here's an interesting post by pain management guru Dr. Downing, which touches on "average pain control" for new amputee dogs and cats:
https://tripawd.....n-control/
Let us know how it goes tomorrow. I agree, don't forget to celebrate in a happy, tasty way!
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