Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Four legs yesterday, three today.... should be home today. Looking for advice on how I can give him the best post-op care.
Hello all - our vet recommended we look at this site and I'm really glad he did. Reading everyone's stories and advice has been a great help for me. My 12yo border collie, Ollie, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma about a week ago - after the normal battery of tests and biopsies. He went in yesterday to have his right, front leg removed. Like everyone here I'm having the hooman guilts about taking his leg away but my logical brain keeps telling me it was the right thing to do for him to be pain free.
The vet rang yesterday and said the op seemed to have gone well. He discouraged a visit from us last night to let Ollie rest. I expect we will be able to bring him home later on today. Now a few questions!!
Firstly, pain relief. He'll still be on the heavy meds from the hospital. He'll also have a fentanyl patch and anti-inflammatory meds. The patch only lasts for 3-4 days. The vet thinks the anti-inflammatories will be enough after that but I'm concerned. I've noticed a lot of people on here talk about codeine for their pups. Do you find that works well to help pain? Should I be asking my vet for this for when the fentanyl patch is no longer working. Ollie is also quite anxious and I suspect this is going to ramp that up considerably. Have those of you with anxious dogs found anti anxiety meds help?
Secondly, environment. Of course we live in a split level house! *sigh* I'll be moving into the back bedroom to be close to Ollie for the next 5-7 days. He will stay in his bed in the family room. First question - his bed is very soft and squishy. I'm thinking he'll need a new one that is a bit firmer and easier for him to get up and down. Second question, we have timber floors everywhere. They're already slippery. What is the best thing to use during his recovery to help him feel more safe, stable and secure? Third question, I saw mention of using an e-collar in another post. E-collars are illegal in the state that I live in, in Australia (don't ask!). What is the main reason that you use the e-collar and is there another option? Lastly, slings. Can someone let me know the best sling available for a front leg, medium sized, amputee dog? And, while I wait for it to arrive is there something easy that can be used in the meantime? I would assume a towel...?
Sorry for all the questions - and I'm sure I'll have more - but I want to try and be as prepared as possible for when Olls comes home and make sure he can be as comfortable and supported as possible while he recovers. By the way, he's the black and white boy in my avatar photo 🙂
Hello and welcome.
Pain relief is a big deal. There are still some vets who think that a NSAID or even nothing after a major surgery is all dogs need. My Pug Maggie was on pain meds for 14 days post op, we tapered the last couple of days. My current Tripawd Elly had dental surgery in February and was given pain meds as well as a NSAID. It was a very invasive surgery but nothing compared to losing a leg! You have to advocate for Ollie in this case.
Many here advocate for firmer beds although my two rear amp Tripawds have preferred nest type beds. We have a selection of beds in our Gear Shop, you can read about them and reviews.
Slippery floors are one of a Tripawd's worst enemy. You should cover or at least make trails for Ollie on all slippery floors that he will have to walk on. And it probably won't be just for recovery but a permanent part of life. We have tile floors and recently put in vinyl floors (that have some texture) in our upstairs bedrooms and halls. We have some throw rugs upstairs as well as on the tile. I don't have as many as I would like for Elly but I live with my elderly father and too many rugs are a trip hazard for him. Elly has learned to go slow on the tile and she goes from rug to rug. She is learning upstairs although she does slip. (BTW I had to remove the carpet for my father's health).
Since you can't use a traditional e-collar you can use a tee-shirt to cover the incision. Can you use alternatives or soft e-collars? When my quad-Pug boy Obie had his knee surgeries I was able to use a inflatable collar for him when needed. The reason for cones is important to keep him away from licking or chewing the sutures and the incision while it heals, this often leads to infection. Here are some alternatives to cones.
If the vet doen't have a sling you can use you can make a temporary one out of a cloth bag. Here are instructions for a DIY sling. People have used towels, pillow cases, even long sleeved shirts as slings, what ever works for you and Ollie.
Long term many of us us a harness to assist our Tripawds. I, like many here, use the RuffWear WebMaster. Here is a blog post on How to Pick the Best Tripawd Harness for Your Dog.
You might look through the Required Reading List for lots of info on dealing with amputation and recovery.
Let us know when you get him home.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Update on Ollie now that we're at day 3 post surgery. His first full day at home (yesterday) was amazing. I was so surprised by him. His sparkle is already returning and - although a bit confused - he wasn't really letting the whole three leg thing bother him or slow him down too much. Our house is split level with 2 steps between the top and bottom levels. I was going to sleep in the family room at the top to save him having to deal with the stairs on his first day(s). My husband went to bed (lower level) and next thing he's called me down because Ollie has hopped down the stairs and got into his bed at the end of our bed - which was his normal bedtime routine. He's a little champion. He does seem a bit more subdued today. I am guessing that some of the heavy meds and his fentanyl patch are starting to wear off. We go tomorrow to have the patch removed and I'm wondering whether he will need another one just to help him through this first week to 10 days...
He hated the cone of shame so much I've found an alternative. A friend suggested cutting up some pool noodles and using that on his collar. It's worked really well. For those of you looking for other options this one might help. I've included a pic for you all (if it hasn't worked I'll send it to anyone that is interested).[Image Can Not Be Found]
Anyway, with his confidence growing I am much less worried about him and know that I can help him get to a great place. I'm not so much dreading the journey but wondering where it will take us. I took advice from here and have ordered him the Ruffwear harness and boots and I'll come back and let people know how I find them.
Thank you to everyone for their kind words. Cheers from Australia.
OLLIE!! YOU ARE A TRIPAWD ROCKSTAR!!!😁 Have a big grin on my face reading uour update😀
Yeah, Ollie will most likely have a bit of a crash now that the hospital meds are out of his system. The patch makes them feel a bit whacky. With the patch coming off tomorrow, I would DEFINITELY advocate for more pain meds! As Karen said, this is majpr surger and requires some good pain management . Most ,dogs come home with Gabapentin, Tramadol, an anti inflammatory and an antibiotic. Time in the mess vary from ten days to three weeks. It all just depends on the individual dog. My Happy Hannah had meds fot avout three weeks in a tapered down form.
Love the idea of the pool noodles! You can try this link for adding images . Let us know if that works, okay?
So glad you are starting to feel relieved. It's still a bit up and down for the next week or so, but recovery doesn last forever!!
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!
Ollie is kicking butt! What a great pupdate, thank you for letting us know things are good. They are so amazing in how they bounce back aren't they? Of COURSE he has this under control, we knew he would 😉
Yes yes we would LOVE to see a few photos. If you need help adding images just bark at us, we are ready to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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