Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone! Hudson has been doing absolutely amazing post op! I think he was really happy to be rid of the cancer pain. Some background on our fur baby: he is a 6.5 year old golden retriever who is a master licker. He always has to wear an e-collar anytime he has any shaven spots (even if it's half an inch!) until most of his fur has grown back. So he has been wearing his e-collar unless we are right there with him or when we are gone from home.
There was some debate on doing an amputation bc he has had previous surgery on bilateral elbows. But the orthopedic surgeon reviewed recent x-rays and said his elbows could handle tripawd life. So we went ahead with surgery.
Ok, back to our current issue at 2am! The licking!!! Over the last two days he has become A lot more persistent and difficult to redirect! I mean if he can't get to his iv spots he goes for his incision. If he can't get that (bc of the collar) he will lick his bed. For example, we just woke up to a huge wet spot in his bed from licking.
We started weaning his tramadol last Wednesday and yesterday was his first day on rimadyl only. He will lick his elbows raw when they are painful, so our first thought is pain. He shows no signs of phantom leg pain . We just gave him his tramadol and iced his incision. Now he is sleeping comfortably.
The other thing is he has also developed some swelling around his incision over the last 24 hours that we are going to follow up with the vet about. I'm not sure if that pulling on his sensitive skin causing itching. He has really never shown any signs of pain (whining/ crying/ perseverative licking) post op. Just the licking now. If anything, it's been hard to keep his activity level down!
Any other tripawd fur baby's have a similar issue? Any solutions? I really don't want him to live the rest of his life in a e-collar. Thanks in advance and sorry for the crazy long, probably redundant post Its 230 now and I'm typing from my phone!
Hi TeamHudson, welcome! Your future posts will appear right away so next time you hop on the Forums at 2 am they'll appear!
So this persistent licking is something he's done all his life? It sounds like that's a long time for him to be bothered by his incision. This also seems like a problem that can be helped with some doggie Prozac (not necessarily that brand), but SSRIs can often work to help dogs with compulsive behaviors like this. I"m not a behaviorist at all but you may want to ask your vet about it.
For now, try some gentle doggie massage around the area and see if that helps, as well as some anti-itch sprays your vet can recommend.
Meanwhile, it's great you've been so good about the e-collar but at 20 days out, something doesn't sound right about the swelling around it. Maybe the internal stitches are bothering him? Suture reactions are rare but they do happen. I definitely recommend a trip to the vet to make sure there's nothing wrong.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well we figured out the swelling problem at 5:45 this morning when fluid started pouring out of his incision site. Apparently he developed a seroma between Sunday night when I first noticed a slight increase in swelling and last night when I thought it was pretty significant. It poured/ drained for about 20 mins!!! I'm sure that's why he was licking like crazy, it was probably very uncomfortable and painful. We called our vet and he is not concerned, but I still had my husband bring him in to get checked out ( they are there now). Anyone have their dogs developed a seroma so late post op? I mean he went from practically no swelling to a significant amount in 24 hours. And how long does it take to resolve? Also, is this something we need to worry about forever? The fluid was bloody but didn't smell bad. I'm frustrated bc he has been doing amazing!!! I mean he seemed completely happy 36 hours post op and has adapted to tripawd life better than I would have ever imagined! I was just hoping that after the first two weeks we were in the clear!
Jerry, thanks for the advice! He usually just perservates on licking when something is wrong and had pretty much left his Incision alone until yesterday. I should have figured something was up yesterday. But I will definitely keep that In mind if he doesn't stop once his fur grows back!
TeamHudson
Team Hudson I'm glad that's all it was! No worries, it could have been a lot worse, seromas are pretty routine. Not so far out from surgery, but it's not unheard of either. As long as your vet doesn't suspect an infection that's good news! But eeeeew I know how grody they are.
Come back to the chat, sorry you got kicked out for some reason. We're still there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well Mr. Hudson, you sure like to throw a monkey wrench into things! Glad the vet figured out what was going on!
Bless your little Golden heart...you were using your "licking technique" to try and show your humans something just wasn't right. Such a smart boy!
Glad to hear that you've been having an exceptionally smooth recovery. Even this little bump in the road can't mess up your wonderful recocery. And it gets better and better!
Mom, you're a great advocate for your Hudson! I know this whole process can be very stressful and dauting. It sounds like You are oer the roughest part now and can realy start just enjoying being in the present with Hudson! Take lots of pictures nd enjoy every sacred second!
And, of course, post more pictures here! We'd love to see more of Hudsn! We already know he's happy and playful, gente and sweet.....he's a Golden Retriever!!
Keep us posted on how things are going and what the vet said after the visit..
We're cheering for Team Hudson!!
Hugs and extra treats for Hudson tonight!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
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