Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Milli had her surgery on Thursday - Left hind leg removal due to either Valley Fever or Osteosarcoma. They sent it for biopsy and results should be back by end of next week. I’m the meantime, I’m not going to worry about that. My baby girl did great during surgery and was excited to see me when I went to pick her up in the afternoon yesterday. So far she is much better than I had expected. She is eating and drinking and going outside like normal to potty/poop. She had a good night. I slept near her and gave pain meds on schedule at 3:00 a.m. She has a flap of skin that is really red, bruised, or stained by iodine so I will check that with the vet shortly. So far she is moving around well when she is up. Likely helpful that she hadn’t used that leg for several weeks. So far so good! I am already glad we had this done.
Jane
Milli’s family: dogs -Satchel/Akita; Dingo/ Husky, Beagle mix; Ike/chihuahua; Jazzy/temporary foster
Cats: Willy, Stewie, Grannie, Emmi, Molly
Mom & Dad; Jane & Joe
2 legged kids: Tony & Jack
Welcome home Mille! And eating and drinking and pooping and peeing already? That's wonderful! And to be mobile is yet another bonus!
Now she may have a bit of a crush in a day or two after all the hospital meds are out of her system but no worries about that. And the bruising may even get more colorful in the next day or two but that's normal too. Keep an eye on it and good idea to keep your vet in the loop with pictures.
You try and get some rest too. It's exhausting mentally and physically for the human to get to this point.
Hugs
Alumni Happy Hannah, 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!
That’s good to know about possible crash after vet meds are out of her system. I emailed the vet pics from last night and this morning. Color is much deeper red today. They acknowledged receipt and have forwarded my email to the nursing/doc staff. I should get a call back this morning. Glad to hear from your experience it is normal. Helps tie me over until I hear back from the vet.
Thank you!
Jane
Milli’s family: dogs -Satchel/Akita; Dingo/ Husky, Beagle mix; Ike/chihuahua; Jazzy/temporary foster
Cats: Willy, Stewie, Grannie, Emmi, Molly
Mom & Dad; Jane & Joe
2 legged kids: Tony & Jack
I'm glad she's doing so well, and you are too it sounds like. Attitude is everything during recovery and Millie will do pawsome because you are too! Yeah there could be a bump in the road but with your pawsitivity, you two can overcome anything.
Yeah bruising can get worse over the next few days. It's good you let your vet know about it, but generally it's a normal part of recovery. Keep us posted and enjoy the smooth sailing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Night #2 went well. I got up at 3 to give pain meds (Gabapentin) and Milli went out. Still good this morning. More bruising but no swelling. Vet asked me to check in with her on Monday morning. Milli feels better despite any pain. Last night she hung out in the kitchen while I cooked dinner - something she had stopped doing prior to surgery. She is also super excited to eat and is back to trying to steal a few uneaten morsels from one of her pack. I guess I hadn’t really noticed she had stopped doing that. I sure notice she is back to it now! She is back to being a little food monger! lol. Today starts day 3. Hoping she sleeps thru discomfort.
Jane
Milli’s family: dogs -Satchel/Akita; Dingo/ Husky, Beagle mix; Ike/chihuahua; Jazzy/temporary foster
Cats: Willy, Stewie, Grannie, Emmi, Molly
Mom & Dad; Jane & Joe
2 legged kids: Tony & Jack
That is fantastic news! It really shows how much pain was removed when the bad limb was taken off. I know the bruising is concerning to see but like Jerry said, it is very normal to see. Poor little Huck turned all kinds of colors before it went away, but it is part of the process.
Keep an eye over the next couple of days and see if she starts showing signs of break through pain. You are coming up on that time that meds may or may not need to be tweeked. If they do, sometimes it is as simple as timing. Some do just fine and never need to change anything.
I am so glad her appetite is back and she is starting to go back to some of her fun habits, that is a great sign 
Keep up the pawsome work, you are doing a great job!!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Wooohooo for the little food monger! I'm so happy to hear you're seeing her sparkle come back. At day 3, it's still early but she's making progress!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yah Milli!!! So good to hear her recovery is going so well. Supervising diner & scooping up those last morsels is such a good sign! It sounds like shes ready to get back to bussiness and make the most of life now that her painful leg is gone. Celebrate that win lovely girl!
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Oh my gosh! Seeing behavior that she had not done for a while prior to surgery really confirms you made a great decision for her!!! Aomogten we may hear that their doe doesn't seem to be in pain prior to surgery and they are hesitant to proceed. Yet often it's the subtle things you kist described that don't really sound alarm bells that pain is involved. Dogs are so stooc!
So thrilled to get this update where you are see some of the sparkle come back already!!! YAY!!
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!
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