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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Huge bruise after amputation
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Member Since:
27 February 2021
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22 March 2021 - 12:24 pm
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Hi again!   Lol.  It's me again will all my concerns.  I am taking Maebee in for a quick check on the bruise.   It's big and I don't want to miss something obvious.  Her vet said it could be normal bruising but if I was concerned to bring her in for a look.  It goes down to her stomach and across her chest to her other leg.   

https://photos......tP91TDibB7

She seems ok otherwise, a little depressed maybe but I think that will get better when she is off her meds and going on walks again.  I've taken her completely off the tramadol and she seems to be just fine without it.  Maybe even less anxious or we are just getting used to everything. Recovery seems to be going smooth except this horrible bruise.   I'm expecting a good report from the vet but if something is wrong, I'd like address it as early as possible.  It's easier and harder than I thought it would be and lots of ups and downs before we figured out a good medication schedule.   Her seroma seems a lot better but that's something else the vet will look at.  Thank again for this amazing site.  I will talk to my vet about arnica and other options for the bruise.   She told me warm compresses but I've heard cold work.  Our journey isn't over and I'll have questions every step of the way.  Lol.  Sorry for that.  Our vets phone number is memorized.  Lol.   

On The Road


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22 March 2021 - 5:45 pm
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Don't ever be afraid to ask questions of your vet or us, that's why we are here. I hope the visit goes well, let us know what they say. (((hugs))))

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

London. UK
Member Since:
10 January 2021
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23 March 2021 - 5:28 pm
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You cannot be too careful immediately post surgery, all you lose by asking the vet is perhaps a few dollars, and the vet would probably not even charge anyway.

What you can see on the surface could reflect all sorts of things under the surface that could easily be life threatening, and letting the vet see and touch the area is so much better than a photo or phone diagnosis.

The difference after an amputation is that you are never over reacting, just reacting, things can go wrong but can nearly always be treated if the vet can act in time. 

It is probably nothing, but only a vet can say so with any degree of certainty.

  • "what shall be done for these innocents? I have been warned not even to raise the question of animal immortality, lest I find myself “in company with all the old maids”. I have no objection to the company" - C S Lewis (The Problem of Pain)
  • "Mr Toplady was touched by the cruelty of the scene, and exclaimed, ' Who could bear to see that sight, if there were not to be some compensation for these poor suffering animals in a future state' 'I certainly hope,' said my grandfather, ' that all the bulls will go to heaven; but do you think this will be the case with all the animal creation' 'Yes, certainly,' replied Mr Toplady, with great emphasis, ' all, all!" - Josiah Bull (recording a meeting with the great A. M. Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages" in "Memorials of the Rev. William Bull of Newport, Pagnel")
  • "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God" Luke 12:6
Member Since:
31 August 2020
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23 March 2021 - 6:35 pm
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Bruising is normal to a certain extent for sure but is is also normal for you to question anything that you feel is a concern and just does not look right to you.

I was calling our surgeon often (and by often I mean a few times a day) in the few days after Zeus's amputation. This is why they are there - to explain things and reassure us that all is well!

Wishing Maebee a speedy recovery!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 March 2021 - 9:48 am
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Update when you can, okay?

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!

Michigan


Member Since:
11 July 2016
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24 March 2021 - 10:41 am
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Sally, I was going to do the same:)💝

I would have done the same taken Maebee in to be looked at. Never hesitate to ask questions. If something does not feel or look right, ask that is what our vets are for. Always follow your gut instincts, ok!

The hospital iced on Purrkins incision for the first 3 days, and they had us do warm compresses at home.

Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins

Member Since:
27 February 2021
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24 March 2021 - 1:55 pm
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Thank you everyone.   I'm sorry I have been busy and forgot to update.   I took Maebee to the vet Monday afternoon and they just had a quick look at her but her vet said even though it's big it's pretty normal bruising.   She said to watch it and to make sure it's not getting bigger or darker.  She also said her seroma is much better.  Today it's almost gone!    She's still a little bruised around her belly but otherwise her bruise seems to have faded over night.   She has free reign of the house again.   She is carefully getting back on her favorite chair and seems to be getting back to her old self again.  We've been going on small walks and she loves that!   She follows me around the house again, especially if I'm cooking, she just still sleeps a lot but she's not fully off of her meds yet either.   She seems to be doing great! These last couple of days I've seen a big improvement.    I went back to work yesterday and left her with my boyfriend who has a 4 month old puppy.  I was a little concerned but they have been getting along great.  She seems happy to have company again.   I feel like we've gotten through the worst of it.  She is getting quick and her little hop has stolen my heart.  I'm just so glad to see her smiling again.  I will post some pictures of her outside when I get a chance buy for now hers a picture of her on her favorite chair with almost no bruising on her incision site, and one of her and the puppy.

https://photos......8giBinPcH8

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 March 2021 - 2:08 pm
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Soooo relieved to hear how well she is doing and the Vet gave you the reassurance  you (and we) needed!!!  No one here ever wants to alarm anyone unnecessarily  about bruising,  HOWEVER on RARE ocassions  bad bruising  can sometimes mean some enternal bleeding and it is def best to have a Vet take a look in person.   Good job!!

And her picture with the puppy...PRICELESS!!!  Seeing her recla her chair, as well as seeing  the brui fi ally looking g so much better...PRICELESS!!

Thanks so much for taking time to give us such unhappy update-

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!

Michigan


Member Since:
11 July 2016
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24 March 2021 - 3:33 pm
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Thanks for updating us; as you can see, we worry too.
Excellent update, whoo hoo, and so glad to hear the bruise was pretty normal!
I cannot believe the difference in the photo! Awe, so sweet smooches to Maebee and the puppy, please!

You are well on your way to your new normal!

Hugs, Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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25 March 2021 - 11:34 am
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PRICELESS! Oh my dog those photos just made my day! Would you mind if I put those in our photo gallery?

I'm so glad the vet thinks she is on track and doing well! It's such a relief to see progress isn't it? Thanks for letting us know things are good! smiley16 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
27 February 2021
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26 March 2021 - 12:32 pm
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Thank you again everyone.   She's been doing better and better.   She's been a little anxious and depressed the last couple of days especially her vet is going to call me this afternoon about changing her medicine routine or maybe trying to get her off the gabapentin.   She seems to get especially anxious and can't seem to get comfortable after I give it to her.  So hopefully we get that figured out before the weekend.  Otherwise she's doing so good.  We've been going on more small walks and that always makes her feel better.  I'm trying to take it easy on her but gosh, she wants to run.  Lol.  Her PT consultation is on Monday and I'm excited to start this part of her recovery.   Oh and of course you can use the pictures Jerry.    Lol.   Those dogs are so special.   Thank you again everyone.   I'll let yall know how her physical therapy is going!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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26 March 2021 - 12:40 pm
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Better and better is GREAT! I'm relieved to read this and I'll bet that between your studious observations of her behavior and your vet's knowledge, you can figure out how to get her 100% again. You just never know about the medications, some dogs are just affected differently and maybe Gaba is really the cause of her anxiety. I'll be curious to your vet's next move so keep us posted.

Oh and yep, Tripawds do walk faster, almost at a run, it's for momentum. So make sure you have good running sneakers, she's going to keep you moving! Be sure to mention it to her PT so they can give you some walking tips. I'm excited you guys are going!

Thanks for the pics OK, they're so helpful.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
27 February 2021
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26 March 2021 - 4:29 pm
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I just got back from her vet.   I took her along for a little change of scenery.  Her vet said she thought maybe I wasn't giving her enough gabapentin.  I had cut down to twice a day instead of 3 times a day the the past couple of days, so maybe it was pain and not the meds making her so uncomfortable.  So we got more gabapentin and since I took her off the tramadol early I still have a few of those left so her vet said to cut them in half and give them as needed.   Her bruise is pretty much completely gone everywhere and her incision still looks good.   She has lost a couple of stitches, 2 that the vet noticed, she said it's fine that everything is healing up nicely.   If it turns out to be the gabapentin after all causing her anxiety I will discuss it with her physical therapist on Monday.  Maybe they will know more about this particular kind of thing.  I'm excited to try her Flagline harness out but I'm waiting till her stitches are gone or if her therapist thinks she's ready for it we'll try it on her there.   She is getting in and out of the car really well, and doing good on our walks, still eating and pooping twice a day.  It hasn't been easy for us to do this and I'm so excited about everything going so smoothly with her.  I've read about much harder recoveries 🤞 I know we're not out of the woods completely but I do feel like the hardest part is over and we can only get stronger from here.   Thanks again for all the info and access to stories of other dogs who have gone through the same thing.  Between our vet and this site I've been overwhelmed with advice and just the comfort of having someone tell you that it's all normal.  Thanks one more time from me and Maebee.  

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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26 March 2021 - 9:51 pm
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So glad your Vet is on top of pain signals .  Ge really, not always, but generally  Gabapentin  is knows more for a slight sedation  effect far moreso than causing  "anxiety".  So it sounds like the "depression " and being uncomfortable is related to pain.  

It really does sound like Meebee is having  a fairly smooth recovery and that is GREAT news👍

Keep the good updates coming!

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!

Member Since:
27 February 2021
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29 March 2021 - 10:37 pm
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Maebee update.  She is was in extremely good spirits today.  She had so much energy on her walk when I got home from work and it was such a nice day, I loaded her up and took her to the dog park.  I figured it would be slow at 3 on a Monday but it was busy and at first I was nervous to let her in but she was so excited to be there, I couldn't say no.   She amazed me.  We were only there for about 20 minutes, if that.  I'm still scared of her over doing it, but she ran, and played in the water a little bit.  Maneuvered up and down hill, sniffed other dogs, had all her old confidence.   I couldn't believe she had so much energy.   It was so much fun to watch.   

Maebee videos

https://photos......iYcnDBYW3A

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