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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Thought I'd move Frazier's recovery to this thread. It's been 1 week since his rear leg amp and he's doing great! He took his last meds (Tramidol and Gabapentin) with breakfast so I suspect he will become more alert soon. Frazier "motors" around outside every well which forces me to pick up my pace in order to keep up. We don't go far yet, but I enjoy seeing his enthusiasm to find his favorite places.
The challenge now is preventing Frazier from licking his incision. I've unsuccessfully tried the T-shirt route, so my current course is the dreaded preventative collar, the small variety. He doesn't like it, but that's the only way I can stop the licking.
His sutures are the self-dissolving type and I dab them frequently with hydrogen peroxide followed by a hydrocortisone spray I got at Petco. We'll work through this minor "bump in the road". The important issue is that Frazier is pain-free and rehabbing very well!!
I'll continue with updates periodically. I am so thankful that the Tripawds organization and forum was created. It has helped me immensely along the way.
Frazier and Thom
Frazier & Thom, thanks for starting a new topic! I'm so happy you're doing great, and happy you're here.
Before I forget, please don't use peroxide on the incision (unless your vet recommended it). it can kill the cells trying to heal causing further complications. We are not vets ourselves, but what we have learned about peroxide is that it's not advisable to use anything on the area unless your vet recommends it. Here's an article we wrote
Amputation Wound Care for Post-Surgery Dogs
Talk to your vet about what might help with the itching, I know it's such a challenge. I believe that aloe vera is pretty safe but again, ask before you use it and let us know what s/he says.
I love knowing that Frazier is out and sniffing around. Love that avatar photo too! Thanks for keeping us updated.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry, thank you for the information on peroxide. Luckily, I only used it twice to clean the wound after I caught him licking that area. I just returned from purchasing moisturing aloe vera gel that I will apply to the incision, which, by the way, looks neat and tidy. Removing the bandage was a chore, though!
Thank you again!
Frazier says "Hey"
Frazier sounds like he is doing really well!
Some members with rear amps have had luck with boxer shorts to protect the incision.
If that doesn't work there are some alternatives to the cone of shame that might be more tolerable.
I was lucky with Maggie as a rear amp- with her pug Buddha belly and her general disinterest in moving much at all she left her incision alone.
And fast will probably be his new normal speed- much easier for tripawds to go fast than slow.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thom and Frazier,
So glad to hear that everything is going well and he's getting around with ease. They sure like to go after the stitches, don't they? Seems to be a universal thing....it must be the itching.
Here's to many more ampuversary's to come!! Keep up the progress and we are hoping for a full and uneventful recovery for Frazier.
All our Best
Suzie and TWP Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Sounds like Frazier is doing well. It's so hard to keep them from licking the incision! Abby would try to chew through the tshirt we put on her. We mostly had to keep her in the cone, which was a bummer, but it healed up pretty quickly.
Hope his incision heals quickly so he can lose the cone!
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!
So glad to hear that Frazier is going well. Thanks for updating us.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Two weeks after Frazier's amputation, he's doing remarkably well, IMO. His stitches have dissolved and the incision has healed beautifully, so the "cone of shame " has been put away. I'm increasing his morning walk distance every few days as I see his fitness improve. Yesterday was so memorable as Frazier rediscovered his toy box! He wanted to play again! Fantastic!
Later in the morning we visited the vet for his 2 week evaluation and his 1st. carboplatin chemo treatment. So we begin that journey now!
Wish us luck on this next adventure.
Frazier, Thomas & Dorothy
Good luck with the chemo. Hopefully he will breeze through it!
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!
So glad to hear Frazier is doing well. It's so rewarding when you see them getting back to the things they love to do! Hope the chemo goes well for him too.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
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