Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
First post here, just freaking out a bit and thought maybe I can get some advice. My baby (Brewer - 10 year old Dobie) just had his leg amputation surgery (back leg) on Saturday, so today marks his day 4. I thought he was doing really well, especially today as he was moving around better all day and finally pooped! He even pooped 4 times today, which was a huge relief.
However about 4 hours ago, he started breathing a bit weird and was showing signs of weakness. He seemed lethargic, didn't want to get up and his gums were even paler than they have been. I called the vet and they said to bring him in. Took him in and the nurse didn't seem too concerned. We waited for about an hour and no doctor (ER was super busy tonight), by this time his breathing seems to have calmed a bit and his gums weren't pale any longer.
So we decided to take him home. It was about time for his next round of meds (Rimadyl), which he hasn't had any problems taking. Until tonight after getting home, we tried to give it to him and he wouldn't eat it. Even tried giving him chicken but no luck, never have we ever seen him turn down chicken. He seems to be doing better than he was 4 hours ago, but I thought I'd post here and see if anyone has experienced something similar?
He's also on some trimadol and gabepentin.
We're still waiting for the biopsy to come back, but doc said it's looking like Osteosarcoma
Any advice or feedback is appreciated!
Hey there Brewer and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
It sounds like he's on good pain relief. Oftentimes the Tramadol can cause a lack of appetite so that's not a huge deal, but I'm more concerned about his gums being pale. Did the vets have any insight on that? And have you followed up with your regular vet? Did they offer any insight?
Here's a bunch of Tripawds Nutrition blog posts about stimulating appetite:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah, ditto Jerry. Would want your Vet to check him out because of the pale gums a d respiratory breathing issues. Pain can cause some panting and a bit of change in breathing pattern sometimes, but not pale gums.
For now, Brewer just needs rest, rest, rest and short potty breaks.
Recovery is very stressful for us humans and seems like it will last forever. Generally, it takes about two weeks to start to really see some improvement. In my Happy Hannah's case, it took me three weeks before I coukd FINALLY say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!!
Get your Vet to check Brewer out, make sure his pain is managed and make sure he rests. Update us when you can, okay? We're right by your side and understand this recovery phase like no others can!
AND YAAAAAAAAAY FOR 
!!
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!
He might have overdone it, if yesterday was his first day with any real activity. I would get into a vet though, the pale gums could be a sign of bleeding. (Although it is also something that vet office employees can easily recognize, so the fact that the nurse wasn't concerned might be a good thing). If you see the weird breathing again, you might want to count breathes per minute. I posted some info. that my vet had given me under a forum thread, "how do I know if my dog is breathing normally."
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I don't know much about pale gums, but I do have some experience with the ups and downs of amputation recovery.
My golden retriever Rosie had her leg amputated on 10/26 for OSA.
Despite seeming to do really well the first few days after surgery it all changed day 4. It seems to be a common occurrence.
My Rosie had overdone it. And the surgery meds were totally out of her system. So those things contributed to a rapid decline in her her recovery.
All worked out just fine. I had to hand feed her and there were only certain things she would eat. We even had to give sub-q fluids because she wouldn't drink.
Becasuse of the Rymadyl she had to eat. One day it was ice cream. One day it was bacon and eggs. One day pizza and cheeseburgers. (She never eats these things but I was desperate). Finally we had turkey bacon coated with peanut butter. I would give her a couple of pieces and it would get her appetite woken up. Then I'd hand feed her the rest. This lasted from day 4-9. I thought it would never end and had made a terrible decision for my dog.
Recovery is hard. It doesn't last forever. You're doing great! Once the stitches come out you should see pep and sparkle come back in spades!!
Pawsitive thoughts your way. ❤️🙏❤️
Good point rnb5mama. Many dogs see a crash about days 3 - 5 when the hospital meds wear off. It is very common, and many of us had to work with our vets to adjust pain meds at that time. What was surprising to me was that Otis' pain signals were not whimpering or crying, but panting. Somewhere on this site there is a chart on pain symptoms in dogs - might be worth searching for it.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
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