Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Temper, our female black lab mix, was diagonosed with osteosarcoma and had her right front leg amputated on June 26. The first coupe of days she looked great, but developed fluid in the space most dependent. It looks like she has a breast. It is uncomfortable, I am sure, and getting in the way some. At least today it wasn't any bigger than yesterday. The incision still looks good. The vet said it is probably serum and the body will reabsorb it after some time. We need to keep her quiet. Easier said than done. She crashed through the baby gate to get up the stairs and still tries to chase things. I'm happy to see her coping so well with three legs, but now we need to be quiet.
Just wondering if anyone else experienced this serum build up and how long it took to reabsorb.
Hi Pennyann, thanks for registering!
I had fluid buildup after a week or so and my people took me to the doctor who drained it easily, no problem. Other people have mentioned different experiences with the same issue here in the forums.
Just search for post amputation seroma. And don't worry. It's pretty common, and pretty harmless.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Omagosh, you don't know how relieved I am to see this topic addressed. Before I posted my own question, I did a search, and sure enough it seems like a common problem. My baby, Bella, a 2-yr old Golden was attacked in our front yard on July 11, 2008 by an unknown VERY large dog. (We can't find him or his owner). My daughters witnessed it while I was at work...horrifying. The end result was a right "crushed" shoulder and two fractures in the same front leg. Our choice was euthanization or amputation. Quite the no-brainer when she looked up at me with those brown eyes. Her surgery was on July 14, brought her home on the 15th. The incision looks great, she's far too active so we decided to add a mild (yeah, right) tranquilizer. Her drain tube was removed yesterday and at the vet's office it was mentioned that she was doing "too" well, and needed to be sedated. She's a social nut and thought it was her duty to run up to every single animal and human to say hello. Anyway, tonight I noticed a LOT of fluid is collecting where the tube site was. There is no vet after-hours in my small town, so I'll call on Monday...but for now I'm reassured. I've pretty much been crying for the past week, but tonight she gave me a funny look that said, "What the heck are you so sad for? Here...grab hold of my bear and I'll play with you...." This site is going to be my best resource in the coming months....thank you!
Bella Donna Took said:
My baby, Bella, a 2-yr old Golden was attacked in our front yard on July 11, 2008 by an unknown VERY large dog. (We can’t find him or his owner). !
WOW, we are so very sorry to hear about what happened. My Mom was just reading about another dog who became a tripawd the same way. How heartbreaking for you and your family to have to go through this, we are so sorry. Rest assured though, that she has youth on her side, and thank Dog she doesn't have cancer to deal with too. She'll bounce back in no time, as you are already seeing.
But we are also very hoppy you found us! And know that you have lots of support and friendship here.
Yes, fluid buildup looks awful but usually it almost isn't. My Mom and Dad got soooo freaked out when it happened to me, and then grossed out when the vet drained it. She reassured it us it was normal, and that really, when you think about it, all that fluid that would go to his leg has to go somewhere when the leg goes. It eventually gets "re-absorbed" into the body. Eeew!
Call your vet for reasurance, but it will be fine, we're sure.
Then, start a new thread about Bella and put some photos up there, we'd love to see this gorgeous gal!
Keep us posted, and thank you so much for writing.
Love,
Jerry
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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