Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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About 10 days ago my 6 year old Staffy/Border Collie mix was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. We decided to go down the route of amputation and chemo. Yesterday he had his front left leg amputated and we brought him home earlier today.
I thought I had mentally prepared myself for picking him up, but it was much more difficult than i imagined. It definitely caught me off guard just how immobile he was. He was struggling to walk at all and when lifted into the car, let out a yelp of pain. Getting him out of the car was a challenge, but once we did we were able to use a towel as a sling to get him inside and into his bed. Again he wasn't able to walk much at all and my wife and i did practically all the work getting him in. Once in his bed he did give a tail wag which made me feel better and he was just been snoozing for the last couple hours.
I am nervous about getting him out to go to the bathroom since he was so immobile, as well as getting him food and water since he hasn't show interest in either yet. Overall, I'm pretty in my head about whether we made the right decision and just hoping things get easier soon.
Hi there! Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away. I'm in the Tripawds Chat right now if you want to talk. Back in a sec with some feedback...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It's so nice being able to chat with you right now! I'm so glad he's getting excellent pain management . And that your home is all good-to-go with everything he needs to get around. I promise you things do get better!
Gotta run but I'll be back tomorrow. Stay tuned for feedback from others. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Geordie slept well for the night, has eaten a little and even got up and stood on his own to drink water. He generally seems happier today too, wagging his tail lots when we talk to him or pet him. We've taken him outside a couple times since he got home yesterday, but so far he hasn't peed. He kept trying to walk further this morning, but it was feeling like too much so we brought him in. Waiting another few hours before taking him out again, but hoping we can get him to go.
Wagging tails and standing up on his own.....YAAAAAY!
Quick tip on the pee. It you can let got of sling long enough, he may pee then. Also....and this wordo you jave another dog who can come over and pee in his yard....OR.....a hubby who can pee in the yard. Sounds crazy but it works!!! Jist don't let the neighbors see you
Sorry for the quick pop in.
Hiugs
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!
Yay Geordie! Sounds like that adorable sparkle is returning. I love your avatar pic! Can't wait to see more (here's how adding images to the Forums works).
OH here's a good article that might help with the peeing:
How to Help a New Tripawd Urinate After Amputation
Let us know how he does today!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Geordie finally peed! He kept stumbling when he was about to pee then giving up on it, but he finally figured it out. Thanks for the advice and encouragement.
No we are going to get him to rest. His incision is looking good and he seems in good spirits, but he has a good amount of swelling under his chest and belly.
Good boy Geordie! That's terrific! See how he's figuring things out? How was the walk over the rocks?
The swelling could be fluid build-up, aka a seroma . If it drains, don't panic. As long as it looks more watery than bloody, and doesn't smell funky, it's pretty typical and common. A warm compress gently applied around the area can help speed up the drainage.
You are both making great progress!
Walking over the rocks has been tough, but is getting easier. This morning was the first time Geordie was moving pretty independently once we got to the grass. The only issues was he was trying to go too far. I think he has figured out going to the bathroom now.
The seroma has become a little smaller after a warm compress last night. So we will keep doing that a couple times a day.
Ok, this is GREAT progress! He's really on the way it sounds like. Geordie's spunk is returning! That's just beautiful to see isn't it? All those little things we get so used to seeing with our animals, are now moments to celebrate. Weirdly enough amputation recovery provides plenty of opportunities for doing little hoppy dances around the house!
I'm glad the compress worked too. Bonus!
So happy to read this update, and it really is a good one! He's ,mastered the potty and clearly getting in the flow mobility-wise. Ueah, keeping him taking it slow andmeasymright jow sounds like a good challenge to jave. It's still very early in recovery and, even though he thinks he wants to do a marathon as he feels better.....not yet Mr Geordie!
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!
Geordie is still doing well. He's getting around slightly better on his own. He still has a decent amount of swelling and bruising that we are using the warm compress on.
Today was the first round of chemo for him. Since we had to take him in, we've got a good system for getting him in and out of the car with a ramp for the way in and a step for getting out. He seemed to do well at the vet, but is pretty exhausted now.
I bet he rests really well tonight. And hopefully you do too.
You probably already know he ,ay be a little lethargic for a few days and may not want to eat for a day or so. May or ,may not. But of he does have this scenario it's aall "normal". Most Bets go ahead and give Cerenia in case he does have a bit pf nausea.
Keep is posted and give him extra treats jist from is, olay?
Higs
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!
Well what a big day! It's amazing how quickly the oncologists are moving on to chemo now. In the past they would wait weeks. I love that they're attacking it sooner!
He did the ramp too? That's so so cool! Many dogs don't like ramps and just won't use them. Good boy Georgie!
That swelling and bruising sometimes gets worse before it gets better. I'm glad the compress is helping.
By the way, what is the story behind Geordie's name? I love it!
He was pretty lethargic, but kept getting up in the middle of the night and just sitting upright. This morning we really had to be coaxed into eating, even after my wife added some ground beef to his food. Maybe both of those things are related to nausea? We did get cerenia from the vet, but haven't given him any yet since he ate well last night.
When on the grass, he is really hopping along, but he's still trying to get a handle on going that on concrete or on rugs. I was surprised, but he seems like he likes the ramp into the car.
Geordie is what someone from Newcastle is called. I was raised in England and have supported soccer team Newcastle United since I was young. So when we got him and he matched their black & white colors, he was named after them.
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