Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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The vet's office just called. Jewel won't get up they are keeping her another night. Oh i can't stand it...I hope I did the right thing. I'm going into see her later. Is this normal??? She is a great dane. Oh I can't stop wondering......
First of all....don't panic or get ahead of yourself. I am sure they are taking very good care of her and they will help her and you get through this time. Don't second guess the amputation, don't look back! Jewel will depend on you to be strong and positive, after all "she doesn't know that she has cancer"! Becoming a Tripawd parent is a huge lesson in "one day at a time" and this is your first lesson!
We all support you here, you have found a place where we all understand what you are dealing with, read through the web site, it is an invaluable resource. Hang in there and take good care, we are all rooting for Jewel and you too.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
I agree! Don't panic. When we first got the amputation done, Jack's wound was draining and they suggested we keep him another night, but I had already seen him and wanted to take my little bear home! I wish I would have listened to the vet 😛 I would've kept him there the whole 2 weeks his stitches were in if I could have afforded it! Jewel just needs to re-learn her daily activities, and the vet has staff that can keep an eye on her and are trained to help her through this transition. It's completely normal to freak out at the beginning. Every little thing I would read into it. Like, "oh my gosh, he's laying funny...maybe something is wrong!". Now I'm just like, bah, he'll get over it 🙂 Jewel is just not used to only using one leg to get up, but she will get it! This is the hardest time, and it WILL get better. When you take her home, ask the vet to show you how to help her stand and support her as she walks and potties. I think most places recommend using a towel to support, but I read a really good tip about taking a reusable grocery bag, cutting it down the sides and then you have a support with handles! I'm not sure how strong they are so you may need to double up for a Great Dane. Give her lots of love when you see her today and one pawed hugs from Jackers to Jewel!
Whooaaaah, take a deep breath, this doesn't mean it's the worst. Many dogs stay longer, just to play it safe. What exactly did the vet say?
Everyone is correct in saying that it's easy to be oversensitive to their every move for the first few weeks. But try as hard as you can not to hyperventillate at the slightest little out-of-character thing, or even a stumble. Remember, what is important is NOW. Not what was, or what could happen later on. All that matters is Jewell is out of pain and on the road to healing.
Believe me, my Mom did a lot of flipping out when I came home.
One time after I stumbled during one of my first play sessions a couple of weeks after surgery, my mom freaked out. I cowered, down went my tail, and all of a sudden wasn't having fun anymore. My Dad looked at her and said "Let him be a dog. Let him play. He isn't hurt, see? Just let him be a dog."
That made so much sense to her, and after that, she kept telling herself "Let him be a dog" whenever I would stumble. See, it didn't matter to me, all I wanted to do was get back to normal and play. But with my Mom being so hypersensitive, that was keeping me from giving life 110 percent again. Once she calmed down, I was able to get back on the road to happiness too!
Hang in there. We'll keep the Chat Window open all day today so if you want to talk we are here. Just be sure to give us time to respond if you say something there and we don't answer right away, OK? Leave the window open while you do other stuff.
Did you happen to read about my own personal inspawration, Moose? Moose was a Great Dane too, and one of the first Tripawds on YouTube to show the world what we are made of! Check out the web page his Dad Joel wrote. And here's a video, just to hopefully make you smile:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
First, I want to thank all of you for your support... It really means a lot. When I went to see her today, she looked good. The tech showed me how to get her up. She really didn't do good at all. She keep looking at where her leg was and crying. I didn't cry...almost though. This is tough! I really don't know how I'm going to take her outside to potty by myself.
Moose...What an inspiration. Your video did make me smile
Thanks,
Patti
Patti, look at the positive - she is up. That is inspirational in itself. She will get a little better every day, and you will relax a little more every day. The first two weeks won't be fun, it is the hardest part of the journey, but hey, you have all of us here to support you and help you understand.
Lots of hugs to you and Jewel.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
You will be so surprised at how well she does when she begins recovery. She may have just been crying because she wanted to go home. Try to remember, dogs don't live in the past, they don't have regrets or worry abut the future. They just want to be well again. And she will!
Hang in there and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Again, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your time and concern. I'm so thankful of the time each and everyone of you has taken for Jewel and myself. I already cut up my reusable grocery bag. What a great idea. The sling they used at the vet's office was maybe 6" wide and it cut into her stitchs. I think this will work much better!!
Love and nose bits from Jewel.
Thanks,
Patti
Well, we just got home form seeing Jewel...she won't get up. The vet said they would try a couple different things. One they are taking her off the morphine and putting her on tramadol. Then tomorrow they will try physical therapy. They said most dogs are up by now. She is not eating either...has anyone heard of bounce back? It's an electrolyte supplement. I will update you on her condition tomorrow.
Thanks Patti
Patti, please don't worry and don't beat yourself up. There is no 'normal' legnth of time for standing, walking, moving on their own. Each triapwd recovers at their own rate in their own time. Some are slower than others, but that doesn't mean they won't recover, it only means it may take a little longer than you were hoping. Love her and give her encouragment and support. She will blossom.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hang in there and say pawsitive OK? The drugs need time to get out of her system. As far as not eating, well, that sounds pretty normal, lots of Tripawds don't want to after surgery. No, we haven't heard of Bounce Back, is it for dogs specifically?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Patti,
Just want to add to what everyone else has said. Hang in there. Every dog is different and every recovery happens at the pace it needs to. Not eating is very normal. Wrigley would hardly eat a thing. We hand fed her little piece of chicken, lots of those little Bil Jac Liver treats.... it was tough those first 2 weeks.
Just know we are all here for you - we send you all our support.
We will keep you and Jewel in our thoughts and prayers.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
I just want to second that weird is normal when they're on all those drugs for the pain. That was the toughest time for Yoda and I , by far, so far. He did a lot of vocalizing/crying and it was really hard to take. Lucky us, his first chemo treatment hasn't seemed to have affected him at all. We hope it'll be the same for you and Jewel, that this that this will be your toughest time and it'll only get easier from here!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
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