Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yay Indy!! 
It's so good to hear that things are going so well. Keep up the good work!
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Day 3 update: Indy slept through the night peacefully, only wanting to get up around 12:30 to go pee. She seemed to struggle a little more than when she got up at the vet, and I don't know if that's just because she wanted to get the hell out of the vet's. Once she got up, she walked fine, though I still obviously used the leash and sling. When she peed, she hopped a few times before settling in. I'm guessing that'll resolve itself over the next few days.
So far, the only real abnormality (besides the whole "that leg's not there" thing) is that she wants to drink a ton of water. She's ate a lot of special treats (eggs, cheese, some of mom's breakfast burrito) in bunches to keep her stomach full, and she licked her kibble, but didn't eat any of it. That could just be her holding out for something better, though -- she's always been a tricky girl like that.
Considering the amount of water she's had, I'm surprised that she doesn't want to go pee (it's 2:30 in the afternoon, so 14 hours since she last went). I've tried to entice her to get up with treats, but she reaches for the treats, then lays back down.
I'm figuring that this will be fine since I've seen her get up on her own strength when she needs to. And based on when she started eating again, I'm guessing the poop will start sometime in the next 12 hours, assuming she's not too constipated.
Not to worry, this is pretty common. Many Tripawds members have waited anxiously for up to a few days before getting all excited when their pups finally poop! As Jerry's vet told us ... when they need to go, they'll go. Some new tripawds just feel awkward trying to get the whole balance thing down. But they get it! Thanks for the update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Of course, half an hour after I post that, Indy starts her "I gotta go!" whine. A small biscuit to encourage her later and she's up. She was a little more off balance this time but she still managed to balance herself over the water bowl as she drank, then went back to bed. I'm sure her muscles are just a little stiff from all this. She's pretty cozy now.
Indy - you rock! You are doing sooooooo great. The meds are probably making ya a bit more thirsty than usual - I know that's how I was when I was recovering.
We're saying extra prayers up here hoping that the rest of your recovery goes just as well as your first few days.
Way to go girlfriend!
Your new pal above...Spirit Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Yay Indy! We are so glad to hear you are having such a trouble-free recovery. Enjoy the good eats while you can! Once you get off of the pain meds things will start to feel normal again. We are sending healing thoughts your way.
Btw... you are such a beautiful girl! Love the sweet face in your avatar!
Sue and Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Whoever said "you'll be amazed at how fast they adapt"...well, all you guys were right. I knew Indy was ahead of the curve but she's a little speed demon out there. I have to hold the leash up a little bit just to make sure she doesn't get too overzealous while the stitches are still in. I'm almost worried that she's going to try and go too much.
For those of you that are going to be going through this soon...I noticed that she seemed pretty weak when she came back from the vet. Now she's had two days of solid food and her strength is about 90% of where it used to be. Her stamina is still weaker, but it seemed like getting the anesthesia out of her system (doc said it could linger in the system for a day or two) and the calories/nutrients form solid food made a huge difference.
Great progress today: she let us know when she had to go potty, peed twice (still having trouble getting that balance perfect), just pooped about an hour ago. Ate her normal dinner and a ton of treats (my folks came over and snuck her some chicken bits off their plate...spoiled girl).
Yeah, its scary when we 'try and do too much', isn't it
. Most of us pups have to figure out what our limitations are to start with. But that is undoubtedly better than the alternative! Glad to hear Indy is doing so well! Keep it up Grey Girlfriend! We'll be sending you pawsitive thoughts for a continued speedy recovery! And hey, try not to overdo it OK?
xoxox
Codie Rae
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Got the first real signs of oozing this morning. I took off Indy's blanket and I noticed a pool of light blood-colored material dried up under her leg. Tracing it back, I could see where it was oozing from. I'm pretty sure it's seroma because it fits the doc's description of "brighter, diluted blood".
I'm trying to think logically here -- if this stuff needs to be reabsorbed into the body and the swelling is naturally going done, then I'm guessing it'd make sense if some of it oozed out once things started to settle. We were told that this might occur off and on for a week, so as long as it's not gushing out, I'll try to refrain from panicking.
I knew it wasn't going to be 100% smooth! 🙂
No need to panic at all... in fact don't be concerned as long as the fluid is'nt purely blood. If it is clear, or murky pink, just cringe and clean it up. If it's dark red or there is a lot, call your vet. Thanks for the update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
"If it is clear, or murky pink, just cringe and clean it up. If it's dark red or there is a lot, call your vet."
Nope, not a lot. It's oozing in the classic sense, just cleaning it up a little bit with cotton balls and rubbing alcohol.
Any suggestions on helping the body re-absorb it faster without the oozing?
A cold compress may help speed healing, other than that i just recommend patience, and getting it drained if necessary. Your vet should be able to provide better advice.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so glad to hear how well Indy is doing! Good job, girl!
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I just discovered the joys of when seroma is oozing and Indy stands up...and drips it all over the carpet. It sure looks a lot grosser that way but out vet said that it doesn't sound like it's coming out at a dangerous rate, so I guess we just have to clean it up. They warned us that we'd need some extra towels and sheets in case this happened, I was just hoping we wouldn't have to use it!
Is there any reason why the oozing would start three days after the surgery or is it just one of those things that happens?
Greyt to hear that Indy is doing well! (Speedy recovery! Ha! Good one 
)! We had a lot of post-op bleeding complications, but we are about 2 months post-op now and I think our greyhound, Boo, is faster on 3 than she was on 4! Keep us posted!
Boo became a Tripawd Warrior Princess on Sept 8, 2009. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 2.7 years later on April 29, 2012. Run free Angel Boo!
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