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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Oh man. I'm literally nauseated about this. I thought I was prepared, and I was for what I saw. Thankfully I looked at many inscision pictures from you guys so I knew how bad it was going to be. But her yelping and whimpering is breaking my heart!! I have tears steaming as we speak bc I just feel so helpless. I don't think she has pain but I just wish I knew how she was feeling. She is heavily medicated obviously so I'm afraid to leave her side even for a minute. I need help and some comforting words at this moment. Do you think she wants me by her and to hear my voice or just the peace and quite. So sick...
BREATHE.....Really, take n some deep breaths..exhale slowly...do this, pease.......B R E A T H E...
O,ay now, surgery isover and Abbee is home! That is such good news!
Most vets keep dogs overnight for a lot of reasons. Butone reasonis because of exactlywhat you are seeng. Right now she is high as a kite on drugs and it's so hard to watch!!
Does she have a fentyl/morphinepatch? That can make her even crazier!
Right now, yoj are wondering what jave you done TO your dog because this is such a rough tkme!, But reme,ber, you jave done this FOR herz!!
Yes, these first days are soo rough! The whining and crying seems like it will mever stop, butit will! This is normal...scarey, but normal!
Just be with her, comfort her with your voice. She knows yoj are bynher side and that matters!
What pain meds is she on? What's the doseage?
My tablet's freezngnup...I'll type more later.
Hang in thereZ,z!! we are here withyou! You are not alo e!
Higs!
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!
It's a relief once you seem them and they come home but the first 2 weeks are usually filled with ups and downs. I second guessed my decisions and was worried the entire time that this would be as good as he feels and that I put him through all of it for nothing. I couldn't have been more wrong. Once the 2 week mark came things changed drastically for the better for Marshall. They DO feel good again! The spark comes back in their eyes and they act like themselves. In our case he is now better than before his surgery bc his painful leg is gone. The drugs they have them on in the beginning are necessary for their pain but they make them act strange and whimper. Hang in there. Everyone here helped me so much when we had a difficult time during recovery. Good luck to you and your pup. Try to be strong in front of her bc she can pick up on your emotions.
Hugs to you both!
Jessica and Marshall
Hi. When was your pup's amp? Our vet warned us after Zeus' biopsy that the anesthesia can make dogs quite vocal, and it did. When it came time for amputation, we were more prepared because we had been though it a week earlier from the biopsy. The meds can really do a number on them. I personally vote for staying near and just laying a hand on her and speaking softly to help comfort her. Expect her to rally after a day or two and then crash - that's pretty normal (think of how you are more sore two or three days after a heavy workout than you are the day of the workout). It will get better soon! Good luck!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Oh.... I know how you feel! The first couple of days home were AWFUL for us. And Shelby had had 2 prior surgeries and was fine. She was distraught beyond belief but it was the drugs. It makes them see things that aren't there - Shelby had tramadol and metacam (and a fetnyl patch). She was beyond psychotic (literally). It is horrific to see but you have to be strong. You have to just shut your emotions down and try and calm yourself since that WILL help them. Shelby is 2 months post-amp and it hasn't been easy but we are WAY beyond the first weeks. MILES!!!
Follow her lead. Shelby found a safe space (in my tiny bathroom - whatever) and she just recuperated in there. She would pace non-stop at night so I put on some soothing tunes for her. I also got her on trazadone which is a anti-anxiety med that would help her rest and take the edge off. Try to comfort her but don't baby her. Try and be as normal as you can... it will get better!!! And come here. We are all here for you!
Alison and Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Poor sweet thing. As everyone has said, this is an up and down time and every dog reacts differently. Just give her lots of love and stay close. She really does want you near, but sometimes just cannot find a comfortable place. Most of us slept on couches and floors for the first few nights until things settle down. Virtual hugs to you and her. It's OK to be sad, mad and constantly second guessing your decision. We are here for you. Please check in to the chat as there is always someone there to help you through. We'll keep checking for updates.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
p.s. It must be so much more difficult to see the tiny ones crying. I know how hard it was with a mid-size.
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.
I'm so sorry that you are feeling this way!... remember to take a deep breath... she can sense when your stressed. When we saw Cody after he was heavily sedated for all of his tests he did the SAME thing. He didn't even know who we were and it was heartbreaking. I wanted to hold him and tell him everything was going to be ok... but he didn't want to lay in my lap like normal. I'm surprised they didn't keep her over night.. or did they and I'm getting my days mixed up? Just sit with her and pet her. I know its hard and the first few days/weeks are the worst. She will start to get back to normal slowly. Try and rest too! We are here if you need anything!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
No they did not keep her tonight. Her surgery was finished about noon. The vet doesn't have an overnight facility, but I do have a few 24 hour bet hospital close by. So I've elected to keep her with me. But now I'm not too sure about that decision. My vet reassured me that she is doing great though.
It's going to be OK whether it seems like it right now or not. She's reacting to the pain meds and I'm sorry you have to witness it but it WILL get better. Hang in there and breathe.
Amy & Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
She WILL get better!! It's REALLY hard the first night. I did not bring Jill home the first night, but I did visit her in the hospital and it just broke my heart. The next day it was like a whole new kitty! Read these two blog posts for a recent amputee, hopefully this will give you some hope!
This was day one - night of surgery:
http://rawoods......r-surgery/
This was the next day:
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
What everyone said is right, the first few days, especially when you bring home your dog the same day, are tough. They DO get better though. Remember that she is going to look to you to be strong and be a good pack leader. You can do it, I know it!
You are not alone, we are here to help. Just try to be strong and know that in a week or two you'll wonder why you were so scared. If you find that you can't sleep, here are some great videos to watch about caring for a post-op Tripawd.
Tomorrow morning be sure to call your vet to let them know how she's doing, together you may want to up her pain meds if she's still showing signs of significant pain. Do keep us posted too OK? Good luck! {{{{hugs))))
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, she I seeing the "pink elephants" mine was on Tramadol and Gabapentin, but it was the anesthesia wearing off that was the worst. Such howling , whining and whimpering. He did seem better if I was near. I remember a few nights if he could just hear me up on my tablet, yes I was on this site a few times at 4 AM. We have all had the moments of what have I done. Even with the setbacks my guy has had, I don't regret the amp. He was in so much pain, and right now he is sleeping comfortably on his bed. Abbée will get better. I even called the vet ( he had been sedated for X-rays prior to surgery) I brought him home that night. He was howling, I was crying. I called and said listen........ That is where the pink elephant phrase came from. It makes it a bit easier to realize that they are just pretty drunk from the drugs and not in any real pain.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
The anaesthesia wearing off can make them very whiney and generally vocal. They look as if they don't know what to do with themselves and that's true, they don't! They aren't quite 'with it'. That will wear off and she should be sooo much better in 24 hours.
Tramadol can also make them vocal, and it can make them appear paranoid. I figure that this is because, in people, it's known to space us out, and can cause aural hallucinations: you HEAR things! I have experienced this first hand - when I had shoulder surgery, it dealt with the pain pretty well but I had people talking and singing opera in my right ear (why only the right, I can't say). I actually answered them a few times, to my husband's amusement.
Remember that phrase 'it dealt with the pain pretty well'. However, if after the anaesthetic has worn off completely she isn't more settled, do talk with the vet. There are other pain medications they can try, and I actually needed more than just Tramadol. I think I was on a cocktail of three pain medications for a while, as my Sid has been recently for his undxd pain resulting (as it turned out) from the large corn on his single back foot.
Hugs to you. It will get better!!
How are you guys doing this morning? I echo everyone, that first night is the roughest part. It gets better a little bit each day! We brought Jake home the same day as well, and I think I spent half the night between trying not to cry and not to throw up I was so worried. I think a lot of it has to do with pain meds, they are high as a kite and add that in with coming down from all the anesthesia. My BF's mom was an oncology nurse, and she said people are the same way coming out of all that stuff. Everything will be ok!! Please let us know how she's doing today!
{{Hugs}}
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
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