Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Jag came home Friday night!! 
He was tired, but thrilled to be home. The first night was especially rough for me, i got up at every little sound he made to make sure he was alright. He kept peeing in his sleep, but apparently that is a side affect of anesthesia, and that's pretty much over now. He seems to have regained control of his muscles in that area. Each day is a little better, but he's a bit restless. He's can't seem to find a comfortable spot to sleep in and moves around more than normal. I assume that with time this will get better?! Any ideas on things I can do to get him more comfy? I have towels all around the house, non-slip mats, he's eating home cooking, drinking electrolyte water, I'm also cleaning his wound with oatmeal shampoo several times a day, and of course giving him his anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory and pain meds. I know I'm just an anxious mom right now, it hasn't even been a week and he really is 70% himself already. Even the vet said he's never had a dog come out of sugary wagging his tail and giving them kisses!
Another thing, he has some odd behavior he's never done before. When he's out in the yard he went to the dirt and started digging and digging, yes he managed to find his balance with 2 paws while digging with the 3rd! (he's NEVER dug before) and then after tiring himself out he will kinda sit down and then fall asleep. Any thoughts on why he's doing this?! He's done it the past two nights, I just kinda let him do it and figure its a good balancing exercise for him.
Thanks again for all the good advice!!
Kate and Jag
YAAAAAAAAAAY JAG!!! You are n the road.....kinda bumpy road and full of potholes for awhile..........but nonetheless, on the road to recovery!!
Yeah Kate, nfortnately this isn't the fun part; HOWEVER, everythingyou are descriving is perfect "normal". Now, it doesn't sound like this is the case with Jag at all, but my Happy Hannah was restless, whin ing and couldn't get comfortable for at least three weeks. Many dogs have a quicker recovery, ut I'm jst letting you kow some do take longer! And if you're in that boat, it seems like an eternity! It's such a "Catch 22".....pain causes the restlessness, moving from spot to spot.....and meds can cause the same. Are his ears kinda' pinned back, body kind of tense? Could be more pain related signs. He's still eary in recovery. Maybe ice packs on his surgery site? I know when Hapy Hannah was foing through this, I just stayed by her side and tried to "love her through it" and eventually she would settle down...but just for a short while and then it would all start up again.
What dosage is Jag on? Is it tramadol? What's his weight? Maybe you could ask the vet about upping it for a day or so and see if that makes a difference.
The fact that he's earing well and drinking well alreadyis great! And digging with three paws......good job Jag!! My 2¢ is he still jas pain and he's trying to find a "cool earth spot" to soothe his pain. And it probavy is a good "fitness" routne for him. But I'm pretty sure he's just using his "natural doggy way" of trying to ease his discomfort. All signs look good so I doubt he has a fever.
Kate, you are alreadh amazed at how well Jag is walking.....you just wait til you see that sparkle come back bigger and brighter than before!! We'll hear you shout for joy all over tripawd land!! And we'll be celebraring with you!!
You are doing a GREAT job! Give Jag a hug for us and give yourself a big hug for us!! Yes, now! We're watching! Nah.....that was a little hug...we want to see a VIG hug! YEAH! That was a good one!! Nearly squeezed thw wind out of yourself on that one
Looking forward to next update AND photos!! Okay? Okay!
Sally and Happy Hannah
P.S.
Just curious...and every vet is different and every dog's experience is different....is it a full soakng wet oatmeal "bath"? I kow oatmeal has soothing properties, but I was just wondering aout getting the surgery site wet.
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!
jaggie411 said
I'm also cleaning his wound with oatmeal shampoo several times a day...
Did your vet recommend this? The vast majority of vets we have interviewed only recommend using a clean cloth with warm water to clean around the incision site, if at all. but we are not vets, so please consult with yours.
A cool compress can help keep swelling down for the first few days, and a warm compress after that can help improve circulation to expedite healing.
Restlessness is a common side effect to pain medication, what is Jag taking? The right bed can also make a big difference. You'll find more post op care tips in the Tripawds e-books .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear Jag did so well with his surgery and I'm sure he is happy to be home. Hang in there as the early recovery part is the toughest, but soon you will see those little things that give us all reason to celebrate. Not sure about the digging, but maybe some reaction to pain meds or maybe just trying to cool off in the dirt?
Take care and keep us updated.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Welcome home Jag! A'Tuin was a bit restless as well, but his amputation was also on his preferred sleep side, so I think that played into it. Keep us updated!
A'Tuin's story can be found on my personal blog along with a dash of my life and poetry.
I said goodbye to my puppy love on 5/15/14 after more than tears years of the greatest love I've ever known.
Thanks all for the continued support!!
Yes, my vet recommend a damp wash cloth and just dabbing his area with the oatmeal shampoo, not soaking it in or anything. It was mainly if I saw his skin reddening or irradiated, which it really hasn't been.
He's on Tramadol 3 x's a day. he doesn't really seem like he's in pain at all, really more discomfort where he cant seem to find a good "spot" to settle into. Doc says I can even ease him off it if I see he doesn't need it, but I think I'm going to keep the dosage for now. Jag has never been one to complain about pain, so even if he's in some, I wouldn't know!
...and just yesterday, as we were driving to the doc office for his first post-sugary check up, he amazed me again! He's always loved car rides and is the dog that sticks his head out the window, I didnt think he could do it, but he did!!! A first tri-pawd car surf to the doc office!!![Image Can Not Be Found] Also, my first attempt to attach a pix, hope it works!!
Kate and Jag
Wow, Jag is a recovery star!
I think it is a good idea to keep him on pain meds a bit longer- then taper off. My quad pug had knee surgery in February and he is very stoic and hard to read (as opposed to tri-pug Maggie who let you know about EVERY ache and pain!). I knew he was in pain when he would sit and not lay down. Sounds like Jag is handling the tram OK too. Same with my boy Obie- no side effects at all for him. Maggie on the other hand would have psychedelic visions and be very agitated when she took the stuff.
Mag did that stand with her paws on the arm rest and look out the window once too after her surgery. But in her case there was nothing to lean against (seats were down) so when I went around a corner she lost her balance. Hopefully Jag has better balance or something to lean against.
Keep up the rock-star healing Jag!
Karen
Good job Jaggie! Don't you eat any flies while you're blowingin the breeze out the car wi dow!
Sounds like you are real doing well! Now mom, it's still very early on recovery so he may still jave a few ups and downs, okay? Jag may just now be getting all of the hospital meds out of his system, so, like Karen said, I would definitely kee him on meds and not begin the tapering yet.....just a 2¢ worth comment
Keep on surfing your way through this journey Jag! You're doing a great job! Kate, you are nailing being a great diligent mom! You two are making a fine tripawd team!
Now, Imhave talet which is not very "photo link" friendly. On top of that, I'm really computer-stupid...which is just plain "ufriendly". But I wasn't able to see a picture.....how 'bout anyone else?
Take care of YOU whike you're taking care of Jag, okay?
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!
Sally you are SO NOT computer stupid! I dont see the pic either.
Kate here is a description of how to add images to a forum post. I hope it helps. Let me know if not.
Meanwhile I agree with Karen, the pain meds are so necessary to good healing. Some vets aren't as pro-pain med as they should be in my opinion. But then again I'm not a vet so what do I know? But we do find that dogs who have the right balance of meds have an easier go of it during recovery.
So glad that Jag is doing well! I hope we get to see that pic.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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