Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey,
Broof here with me, he is 4 almost 5 (November) and he just had his front left leg amputated (on the 25th). He came home after 3 nights in the vet and he still wasn't getting up on his own. They let us bring him home in hopes he would do better here. We believe it is osteosarcoma but we are waiting for them to test the limb and we might hear back in 2-3 weeks.
He's having a hard time getting his sea legs. He thinks he can't use his front right leg and he kinda just scoots on his neck and pushes with his back legs. For the most part he just sleeps. He has peed only once since we brought him home and he still hasn't pooped yet unfortunately.
Last night he started to whine but we couldn't figure out why. He's been doing it off and on today and still no luck figuring out why. He's been sleeping a good amount again today.
He did his first unsupported sit today from us letting him down. So that was a little progress. Yesterday we put his front on the couch and he did the climb up all on his own and that felt good too.
We have checked in with the vet to see if there is anything else we can do to help the potty situation. He is drinking and being a little picky about eating but he has always been. I've given him some pumpkin today in hopes to help the pooping situation.
I guess I'm just frustrated, my fiance is as well. We aren't getting much sleep and we just need some help/support. What can we do to get him up and going. He seems frustrated that he can't just go to the places he wants to be. We just want to help out boy.
Breed: Great Pyrenees
Weight: pre op 79.5lbs
Medications : gabapentin 2x300mg every 8hrs
Carprofen 1x75mg every 12hrs
Amantadine 1x100mg every 12hrs
Cefpodoxime 1x200mg every 24hrs
Thanks!
Hi Broof and family, welcome! Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
So I know this is a tough time for all of you. We have such a hard time seeing our beloved dog not being 100% and it's quite emotional for us! But I'd like you to do a couple of things: remember that Broof is his own dog, on his own recovery timeline. Don't compare his recovery against others. He's making slow progress it sounds like? That's awesome! These are milestones in recovery, really! And the other thing to do, is remember that a human would be in much worse shape this soon after amputation. They would be laying around too, and not wanting to do a whole lot.
Now, as for his pain management , it looks good and appropriate. But are you saying that he's getting 600 mg Gabapentin every 8 hours? If so, it may be a bit too much of a dosage for him. He may very well be wonky from too high of a dose (usually it's the other way around, dogs don't get enough!). Whining could be that he's just really stoned. If you're not hearing any sudden, sharp cries, it's probably not phantom leg pain , something we see a lot around here.
The Gabapentin timing is really good, you want to stay ahead of the pain. So that's awesome. But 600 mg is typically a dosage we see in much larger dogs. But, don't do any thing different, first let your vet know you think he might benefit from a lower dose, and ask for 100 mg capsules so you can dose up or down during the rest of recovery (maybe he's happier with 400mg every 8 hours?).
Amantadine is a good one, I'm glad they gave it to you. But, also ask your vet to see if you can just give it at night. That might help with the wonkiness issues too.
Pain control is an art that's unique to every dog. Have a convo with them to see how you can get the right recipe.
Also, what are your floors like? Do you have traction down for him? You want to make it super easy for him to get a grip on the floors.
I hope this helps! Hang in there, this won't last forever. He's making progress and in a few weeks you'll see his sparkle come back!
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the response and the help. It's hard to handle right now and I gotta keep in mind he will progress on his own time.
Yeah he's getting 600 mg of gabapentin every 8 hours. And we have reached out to see if we can reduce his amount.
We have carpet in the area he's hanging out the most and then we have hall runners in the kitchen for traction .
Progress is pretty slow but it's still there. I have to keep that in mind.
Oh good, sounds like you've got the house all set for him. Yes, stay pawsitive! And let us know what the vet says about the dosage too OK? Keep us posted tomorrow! Try to get some rest.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Online
Progress is pretty slow but it’s still there. I have to keep that in mind.
Exactly!! Every "little progress" is HUGE progress during recovery. We certainly understand how hard mit is to be patient during rec. And then being so stressed and exhausted mentally and phusically makes the frustration that much bigger.
As Jerry said, your pup is recovering at his own pace after MAJOR surgery and all while trying to adapt to three possiblyneeding a bit less pain meds, maybe not, but possibly The meds are so tricky dog to dog.
And a grate big YAY for put5ingnhis front halt up on the couch!!!!! And a great big YAY for sitting unassisted!!! Truly something to celebrate!!!! I always love when dogs start making an effort to get on THEIR couch. They hate not being avle condo that and it's always a good sign when they try!!
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!
Hi there. My name is Eddie and I have a Border Pyrenees named Giuseppe who lost his front leg due to suspected osteosarcoma before he was 2 years old. He weighs 85 lbs. I just want encourage you to be patient with your dog's recovery. Giuseppe took some time to adapt fully to his new reality but I want to let you know, he does everything he used to do on 4 legs with 3. Runs, jumps and is super agile. Some days I can't believe what he can do. He even manages to still dig holes with just one front paw. I'm still trying to figure out how he does it. It will be 2 years post initial cancer diagnosis on November 1. UC Davis veterinary oncology only gave him at the most six months post amputation. January will be 2 years post amputation. They have officially declared him a miracle. They were pressing for chemo but we refused to put him through that because of several lab's inability to pin down exactly what kind of cancer he developed but that's a personal choice you must make as an owner. If you search Giuseppe on this website you can find his story. He just had his checkup last month and his labs were excellent. He did develop a secondary tumor on his side but is seems to just sit there. No sign of any other spread. I'd recommend you check in to the K9Medicinals products here on tripawds. We believe that these products and daily prayer have helped him tremendously. Good luck and remember miracles do really happen. Tripawds is such a great resource and their help has been tremendous.
eddie said
Hi there. My name is Eddie and I have a Border Pyrenees named Giuseppe who lost his front leg due to suspected osteosarcoma before he was 2 years old.
It is so good to see you here Eddie! Thank you for sharing Giuseppe's story, he is such an inspawration!
Everyone, read more about this amazing Tripawd, see:
Tripawd Tuesday: Giuseppe’s Incredible Shrinking Dog Cancer Tumor!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey!
Sorry for my absence and thank you all for sharing and helping us out.
Broof has taken his first steps on the 31st!
He got up on his own and stumbled a little bit when I went to go to the store. He made it about 10ft! We are so proud of him.
He has also stood and peed on his own!!!! 
and since then he lets us know and we carry him out and he is able to pee all on his own. He still hasn't pooped though. How long before we should worry about that? He's been eating pumpkin everyday to try to help him along. Are laxatives ever recommended?
Talked to the Dr. About his prescription and he seems to be getting back to normal and he is still on his initial dosages. He's more lucid and moving around when he wants to. We think the ketamine and or fentanyl were still in his system. He did not respond well to them while he was doing his stay over at the vet.
We got him some booties to help with the slick floors and to protect his feet since he's gotten a few scrapes from struggling to get up and scooting.
We also got him a harness to help lift him.
Anyhow he's eating about how he used to before his tumor, which is off one day and on the next. He skimps and eats a lot the next. He's always been that way. It's a little frustrating 
but we have had to bribe him with pumpkin, and chicken to eat some kibble.
He has started to get wise to pills being in his treats and is eating the treat and spitting out the pills 
any magic tricks that work for anyone else?
We've tried hiding them in a slice of turkey, canned pumpkin, and hot dogs.
I am impressed with his recovery progress. Some days seem slow and then he jumps forward the next.
Today was a little hard. We didn't get much sleep last night from him whining. And we woke up real early because he needed to potty. Also he yelped when we picked him up. We can't find anything wrong with his legs so we are thinking the constipation is starting to get uncomfortable for him.
He pooped!!! 💩 💩
Finally. It was messy. He struggled a bit. Not sure how to stand but he Did it!!
He's now passed out and snoring. I think it took a lot out of him.
It was a solid poo and definitely constipated. I'm so proud of him doing it though! No help from me, he just struggled through in his own way. He didn't want me to help either. I tried to support him but he ran away from me 😂
I want to let you know, he does everything he used to do on 4 legs with 3. Runs, jumps and is super agile. Some days I can’t believe what he can do. He even manages to still dig holes with just one front paw. I’m still trying to figure out how he does it.
Thank you for the inspiration it means a lot to us!
I just want to share with you that we had a lot of problems with Giuseppe's pain meds because they made him very loopy. Dogs hate to be high. He is super hyper (that's the border collie in him) and also had to take a sedative to keep him calm during his recovery weeks so he wouldn't hurt himself. Acepromazine was the name of it. We have had a lot of success with Deramaxx. It's an NSAID which he takes a daily dose of 1/2 a 100mg. tablet. Congratulations on the poopy!! It took several days before Giuseppe pooped post operatively. My wife and I know how exhausting all of this can be but remember Broof will find his way. We are in our late fifties and we survived! LOL Broof is a very cool name by the way.
Broof is a very cool name by the way
Thank you! He is named after a barbarian from a web series. Both large and white haired. We thought it fitting for a Pyrenees.
Yeah these first few days have been a struggle but can see a glimpse of recovery in the future. If not cancer free then at least pain free.
We are lucky in many ways. His incision looks so good (for an incision). So no worries on that end.
I'm glad the vet chat on Chewy sent me this way. I think it really helped me with my expectations. But living through them is something else. So many emotions!
YAY for 
!!! Did you ever think you'd be so happy to see it? 
Sounds like he's on track now and making even more progress, that's great!
A few thoughts:
Do whatever you can to put more traction on your floors. It's good that Broof (love that name!) is tolerating booties well, but they're a very short term solution. The more no-slip surfaces on your floors, the easier it will be for him to get around and avoid injury from a muscle strain. Be sure to keep the fur between his toes clipped too, that will help. You can also check out Dr.Buzby's Toe Grips, which are a life saver for many dogs.
As for pill giving tips, oh boy do we have some! See:
https://nutriti...../tag/pills
I hope things continue going well, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
PROGRESS!!! PROGRESS!! PROGRESS!!! AND POOP TOO!!! HOPPY. DANCE !!! YAAAAAY!!! So happy to read this!! Good job!!👏👏👏
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 for 💩💩💩!!! Did you ever think you’d be so happy to see it? icon_lol
Never 😂
I had to head back home to care for our 2 cats and the fiance (Mike) is with him now. He had an awesome pawgress report last night. He did a couple of stairs on his own and he is able to walk out to go potty and walk back in without help. He needed a little motivation with treat bribes to bring him in but he did it! I think he misses being outside and just hanging out. He hasn't been able to really do that/ want to since the tumor started to grow.
I feel a little sad that I've missed a lot of Broofs big moments but I'm so happy for him.
He pooped again last night without struggle this time. He stood and pooped the whole time and I was told it was a lot!
Great Pyrenees like being independent and so him having to rely so much on us has been hard on our poor boy. He wants to go on his regular walks but he can't yet. He still needs to rest.
Thanks for sending me that link Jerry! It was very helpful. I never would have thought that you had to avoid touching the pills. Crazy noses!
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