Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Another good day. Izzy randomly yelped last night around three and was a bit restless for a bit afterward so I gave her some pain medicine and she was good for another couple hours.
I worked from home again today and she started getting restless and walking about a lot. She kept plopping down on the runner near me, so I put a bed closer, which was a good temporary fix.
Around 5 or so, I took her outside and gave her dinner - always a happy time - and she was still restless, so gave her gabapentin (which I am using about once a day).
She did wander upstairs after dinner time (for humans) and promptly peed at the top of the stairs. *sigh* Not normal behavior for her, but I'm thinking she gets a pass on that one ... this time!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Aww I think she just wanted to be near you while you worked. How wonderful you get to work from home while she recuperates.
Just wanted to throw this out there, but hen it comes to the gabapentin, be sure to maintain a regular dose at a consistent hour. It's not a drug that you give on an 'as needed' basis and needs to be tapered off slowly instead of suddenly stopped if she's having a good day. Her restlessness could be a sign that she needs it more regularly. Talk to your vet about a dosage schedule and that might help her with the restlessness.
I hope tomorrow is a good day for your pack!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Jerry! I made sure she had her meds before bed last night and she still wandered a bit but her daddy was having a tough night - he hurt his back and was in pain. In the night, she hopped over to his side of the bed and just stood in the corner. I got up and asked if she wanted to sleep near him, she wagged and so I moved her bed over there. She plopped right down and then it was a snoozefest! In fact, she woke up briefly this morning and is snoring again 🙂
I've always loved her snoring ... so darn cute!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
She is beautiful! And I love when they snore too. My videos seem to be too large in size to upload which is a shame because I have Patches on video snoring away on the bed next to me.
I noticed that Patches got a little restless when she had pain in the first few days. We gave her rimidyl and that did the trick. She looks comfy in per pictures though. Lots of kisses to her, sending encouragement to you and prayers for everyone.
I'll keep checking in.
xoxo
Debbie and Patches
careygram said
My videos seem to be too large in size to upload which is a shame because I have Patches on video snoring away on the bed next to me.
Debbie, open a YouTube account (which is easy if you are already using a Google account) and upload your video there. You cannot upload videos directly to the Forums. The best place is YouTube, that will allow you to very easily embed the videos in your posts and blog. All it takes is pasting the YouTube video URL on a line by itself and it appears.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Patches gonna be a YouTube Staar (That was to the tune of "Jack and Diane" in my head - Sing it!) ... OH YEAH, Life goes on long after the pain of amputation is gone. They walk on!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Izzy enjoying her snoozefest...ADORABLE!!
I think she's javing sympathy pains with her daddy...and maybe vice versa!
That's a great song btw!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
LOL, that's SO funny! So, I have the youtube channel and now I need to upload the videos and then get to work with the links.
How is Izzy today? She is really such a cutie pie. I hope she is feeling better every MINUTE of every day. Over here Patches is acting like the remaining three legs are hollow. She had two salmon fillets with rice for dinner last night and then ate two again for breakfast. And not in a very ladylike manner either. And her poor brother wasn't allowed to even look at her plate. She's bbaaaaaaccccck. LOL.
I love all dogs, tripawds have a very special place in my heart!
xoxo
Debbie And Patches
I hope this works. This is Patches figuring out to dig with her one front paw. If it works......more to come. The you tube channel is mine, Careygram.
xoxo
Debbie and Patches
Ohhhhh Debbie this just brought tears to my eyes, look at her go!
DIG PATCHES, DIG!
Did you ever think you'd be so happy to see her digging up your yard? Tripawds can do anything .... literally!
We're so glad you set up the channel and look forward to more movies. We've already added this one to our Tripawds channel. Love it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
LOVE it!
Izzy did well again today ... I even went to work for a while. She peed on the floor once her furless brother got home from school but he's not strong enough to carry her down the stairs (or more to the point, I don't trust him to do it and not hurt her). It really hadn't been long enough for her to need to go but the good news is, she didn't get hurt or anything while I was gone. It was a good practice day for me to leave her but I'm still going to be terribly nervous once I am back in the office fulltime next week.
I'll have to take some more pictures this weekend when her younger furless brother is here. 🙂
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Boy that is great! Those practice days are going to give you peace of mind while you're at work.
Oh have you considered using a harness so her brother can help her get down the stairs? It's easy enough to do for even a smaller person, the Ruffwear Webmaster
is a life saver for stairs and helped us help our Jerry. The great thing about it is you don't have to carry or lift, you just gently guide the dog using the handle on top.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I did buy a harness but after making sure it fit, took it off so it wouldn't bother her incision. I'm very nervous about her going down stairs ... maybe we can try it with the harness and the two steps into the yard from the porch.
New wrinkle ... Izzy yelps (almost brays) when eating. It's clear something is hurting her because twice she's walked away from her food which NEVER happens. Her bowls are elevated so I'm not sure why it's bothering her. She is a voracious eater, so literally wolfs down her food. I can't figure out if it's how she is standing or if she is stretching/leaning ... I just don't know. But it upsets me when she cries out so fiercely, it's almost as bad as when she broke her leg to begin with. My poor pup 🙁
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
She looks great!
Jack's neck and back became sore in the month after surgery from all the new ways she was moving. Even if she's not leaning down far, it might be that Izzy's bothered by some soreness when she's eating. I'm a sucker, so I hand fed her for weeks afterwards and she still eats while lying down even now. We put the bowl near her amp site and she seems to find it easier to eat. Maybe worth a try?
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