Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone!
I'm a new tripawd Mom. My sweet pup, Morrison (10 years old in November) was diagnosed with osteosarcoma a little less than two weeks ago. He is currently 10 days post-amputation (hind leg, mid-femoral amputation).
I wanted to introduce myself and, most importantly, Morrison to the group as I will likely be around frequently asking for help/reassurance/support.
Overall, he's doing quite well (eating mostly normally, toileting regularly), but I'm wondering about 2 things:
1) The thigh muscles of his amputated leg twitch quite frequently. Could this be a sign of pain? Is this normal? This happens whether he's lying down or standing (not constantly, but very frequently).
2) The last few days he's been seeking out 'corners' of various rooms to lay in away from us. So, he'll sneak into the mudroom, the family, wherever he can find a corner that is isolated and away from his hoomans. This is odd behaviour for him, because he LOVES affection. Is this just a sign of his need to recover? Pain? Something else?
I love my pup and was devastated by the diagnosis, but I am determined to do everything in my power to make his life with us (whatever time he has left) wonderful, stress-free, and full of doggo adventures and snuggles.
Here's a pic of my boy, the day after amputation:
Sorry still trying to figure out this photo thing...obviously I didn't get it right. Is Google Drive appropriate for hosting (and posting) pictures?
mars said
Sorry still trying to figure out this photo thing...
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!
And welcome, please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation. Start here for lots of helpful links to navigate the many resource the Tripawds community has to offer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome to you and Morrison.
I think the twitching it pretty normal. If he doesn't seem to be in pain then you probably don't need to worry about it. My Pug Maggie had a mid-femoral amp- her amp site would twitch occasionally. It stopped at some point but I don't remember how long after her surgery.
What meds is he on? A dog's natural instinct is to hide away from the pack when hurt- otherwise in the wild the hurt become dinner! I have seen several pups here who seek out a place to 'hide' while healing. The pain meds can make a pup woozy or groggy.
Here is a great blog post on Dealing with Post Op Pain. Lots of links on how to recognize pain signs and how to make your pup as comfortable as possible.
Since he is eating and eliminating it sounds like he is doing really well.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Morrison and Mom 🐾🌸
I agree with Karen, it all seems normal to me too.
Can you try posting his picture again, he looks like a gorgeous fella, love his avatar photo!
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thank you for the support and information!
Morrison is going in today to have his stitches removed. I'm a bit concerned about the incision...he had quite a bit of drainage at the back end (the lowest part of the incision) - like, I'm talking that for 2 or 3 days it actually dripped blood-tinged fluid. It's not dripping anymore but still seems to weep a bit. It also appears that there may be a tiny bit of pus forming at one of the stitch sites. Everything else looks okay. I'm freaking out a bit. We're going to see the vet today, but still...I'm not sure what to expect. Will they put him back on antibiotics?
He's currently on Gabapentin (600mg) and meloxicam.
This is his "get off my lawn" face:
And the day after surgery:
Wow he looks great! His rear leg is standing so tall and strong. I love the elevated feeder bowls, good job!
He probably has a slight seroma . If it's only a little bit of fluid, that's great, some dogs have tons. Sounds totally normal but your vet can decide. Even if he needs more antibiotics that's OK, try not to worry. Let us know how today goes. Congrats on your first big milestone!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you! The vet did say it took him longer to amputate because Morrison has more muscle than the average pup. I thought the raised feeder would help his balance after surgery. It seems to be working well!
Appointment went well. All stitches out. The vet suggested polysporin on the sore/red bit. So no real worries about spreading infection.
Poor pup was so stressed on the way to the vet. He was shaking. He knows that route well and was not impressed with me. But now he's curled up having a snooze while Mum contemplates a nap...
Just catching up on your handsome Morrison. Such a stunning looking pup!!
YAY FOR STITCH REMOVAL!!! I bet if you go through a drive thru for a cheeseburger, Morrison may start enjoying trips to the Vet a little more😎
Give that cuddly fella a big smooch for me😚
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!
Oh man the cheeseburger is an amazing idea. If I wasn't already his favourite hooman I would be after a fast food burger!
Does anyone know the length of time until his hair will grow back?I feel a little bad for the guy. He's a husky lab mix, so he has an undercoat. I'm in Canada so it's starting to get a bit nippy out these days!
Yay for an excellent vet report!
As for fur growing back, that really depends on the dog and their breed type. Jerry was a Shepherd/Collie mix and his took about 3 months or so. You may want to think about a sweater for him. Check out our Tripawds Gear blog for suggestions.
By the way, where in Canada are you located? We have quite a few members up north. Lovely country, we spent summer in BC and the Yukon. We'll be back.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry was a beautiful pup. I was happy (and sad) to watch the pup of the decade video with him.
I had thought of getting a sweater. I'll check out the link, thank you!
We're in eastern Ontario. We had an amazing, long, hot summer. But winter is coming and it can get down to -40 (Celsius....though it might be the same in Fahrenheit!)
Paw shucks, thank you for the lovely note, you made us smile here.
Ooooh that area does get cold! You are far tougher than us, that's for sure. I hope to see more of the province some day but definitely not in winter!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You are a seriously handsome boy Morrison 💓
So glad you had your stitches removed, this is such a landmark date, hope you had some extra treats today 🥓🥓
Please do post some pictures of your sweet boy wearing his sweater 👕, can't believe how cold it is in the Winter brrrrrrr !
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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