Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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How much swelling and drainage at amputation site is normal? We are three days post surgery. Our blue lacy had a rear leg amputation. Quite swollen, some watery blood drainage when she moves about. Her 'stump' for lack of a better word, seems swollen and tight.
Hello Flora and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
What kind of antibiotics is she on? And is the area warm to the touch? Also, is there any odor from the drainage? Is the area warm to the touch?
I would let your vet know about this. It's probably nothing to worry about since most Tripawds do have some kind of drainage during the first couple of weeks. But just make sure she doesn't have an infection, so let your vet know OK?
And when you get a chance, tell us more about your girl. Is her name Flora? Why the amputation?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Thanks. Our pup is Willow Blue. She was run over at our farm and suffered a compound fracture. The vet said amputation would be best. I think I am in over my head. There is a lot of drainage this fourth day after surgery. No smell, no fever, but it is bloody. I"m icing it now. Her appetite is good and she is drinking water and resting. She has not peed since we brought her home, and no BM yet. I am a bit overwhelmed today the least. The vet said this morning that drainage was normal, but it seems to be bleeding or draining more, maybe from the swelling? She is on painkillers and antibiotics. Vetprofen, cephalexin?, gabapentin, and one other. The dr will do another laser treatment on Friday.
Some drainage is normal. Is it a great deal or a small amount? You can switch back and forth with warm and cool compresses. Make sure she gets her meds regularly. I'm not too concerned about not pooping but she hasn't urinated in 4 days? Did you tell her doctor that she's not urinating? Has she made any attempt to want to go out? Right now she needs to get as much rest as possible. Food, sleep, and potty. Restrict any other activity and keep her quiet.
How old is your girl? I'm a little concerned about her not passing urine in 4 days. If you have not mentioned that to her vet, I would let them know as soon as possible.
Keep in touch and let us know how things are going.
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Is it blood? Or a blood-tinged watery liquid? I just had an event with my pup (rear leg amp) where everything looked great until 11 days post-op and then it was like a flood gate opened and about 1 cup of that fluid came out of him....like popping a water balloon!! It was terrifying.
When I called the emerg vet, she said that as long as it’s not straight blood, or pus-filled, or stinky, then it’s likely serous fluid draining and it’s normal. If your pup is clearly in distress or any of the above signs are present, you should probably speak to your vet again.
Ty had a lot of swelling and taut skin. When this thing let loose, the incision was basically healed and it just seeped out of one section of stitches (likely the one under the most pressure). It was weird and gross.
my rule of thumb is that if you are really concerned, take her in. It never hurts to be sure.
Sending healing vibes for your girl. Hang in there!! ❤️
It is swelling to the point that she just popped a staple? Is there anybody at her animal hospital that you can talk to now?
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
I second Jackie’s concern for the lack of urination. You definitely need to tell your vet about it.
❤️
Blood from a staple, I think, due to swelling, it is not a popped stitch. She urinated Saturday, and I think she peed a little yesterday. She has not had a large amount of water. The drainage is not smelly, it was and is watery blood tinged drainage. The bleeding is from a staple. She does not seem to be in any distress. Willow is 5 years old. And she is such a good girl. She has been resting all day.
I'm sorry....yes, talked with dr this morning. I will watch it tonight. We will probably take her in tomorrow am, just to be sure. Thank you all for your advice and words if kindness.
Oh good, even a little pee makes me feel better lol. Keep her water fresh and spoil her with any of her favorite foods. You can boil boneless skinless chicken too.
Try some warm facecloth compresses in between the ice and be sure not to leave ice on for any periods of time. I put a wet facecloth around the ice so it's not directly on the skin. Drainage sounds good and normal, it really sounds like you have more under control than you're giving yourself credit for 😉
It is better that it's draining, some have to go back and have a drain put in because the fluid collects like Ty's human was talking about but they just keep swelling and can't drain. You'll probably notice it start to slow down after a few days. The wet compresses help keep it clean and keep it draining. You might want to get something like a puppy pad to protect rugs, furniture, etc. If it drains on the pad, less work for you, just toss it out and replace with another.
I hope some of this helped a bit. Keep up the good work 😎
Jackie and Huckleberry ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Just catching up!! You've gotten great advice. Znd yes, the laxk of pee scared the heck out of me, but glad you clarified there has been at least a little pee. The Vet can express her bladder of need be.
Glad you're going to the Vet to get her checked out. Sure the Vet checked her thoroughly for any possible internal injuries.
This IS major surgery and recovery is rough for a week or two.
Aou ds like you're doing a good job managing the pain. Willow is a smart girl to just rest now. SHORT potty breaks and more rest during this recovery period. Don't worry about the pooping just yet. The pain meds can glog her up for several days. Drinking is important and, of course, peeing. Itsw ready GOOD that she's eating. You can try a little sodium free chicken broth in her water to get her to drink more.
If you have hardwood floors, you'll want non-slip scatter rugs for traction .
Try and get some rest yourself, okay? You've been through a lot of stress getting to this point. And eat lots of CHOCOLATE, it helps!
STAY CONNECTED! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
Lots of hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. We'd @ove tosee pics of yiur sweet Wi@low when you have a chance.
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!
Good girl, Willow! Take it easy and let your humans rest too!
The drainage sounds familiar to me...sounds like what we were seeing. Apparently all normal, but scary to witness. You sound like you’ve got it under control.
And yeah, a little broth in the water makes it super tasty. Worked for us!
Lots of hugs to you!!
And we have poop! A big pile of it. Swelling has gone down considerably over night. She is more alert, perky this morning. Still draining....I think her skin was so tight from the swelling that it split a little. Stitches look good or as good as stitches can look. I'm worried about going back to work tomorrow, though. Trying to make arrangements for that....
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