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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About the same. Maybe a little less shaky. She gets up about 3 times a day to pee. Her bed is about 6 feet away from the back door. We use a sheet or towel and help her out when we see her stand up. Then back in to lay down. Eating is minimal. Still drinking a lot. When should we expect a poo?
I can work a half day tomorrow and then we're going to vet to have bandage changed. I can work less on Tuesday, too. My 14 yo daughter is going to stay with her Weds - Fri.
Tracy, She's taking Tramadol twice a day and an antibiotic. That's it.
I want to order the sling type harness from drsfostersmith.com but I'm afraid we won't need it by the time it arrives. Well, that would be great to not need it but you know what I mean.
Comet's Mom: Midwest City, Oklahoma City metro
Thank you again for having this wonderful resource. Our vet is just our regular vet, not a specialist and kind of old school. I trust him very much with the actual surgery, but you guys are far more expert on home care! (How many amputees has he taken home? Not many, I'm guessing.)
BTW, still having trouble with my avatar but that's the last thing I have time work on right now!
Candace
Candace in Oklahoma
Mom to Daisy, Tripawd since 8/05/2010
Kaiser, huge 4 legged labradoodle
Babs, old crunchy toy poodle
Rosie, scrappy little rescued chihuahua
Two human teenagers and one 5yo boy.
Um, nevermind about the avatar. 
Candace in Oklahoma
Mom to Daisy, Tripawd since 8/05/2010
Kaiser, huge 4 legged labradoodle
Babs, old crunchy toy poodle
Rosie, scrappy little rescued chihuahua
Two human teenagers and one 5yo boy.
If she is making it outside with just some assistance and eating normally, she's doing ok. It takes days for some of them to poop, much to the dismay of the humans. The recovery period is just hard for us humans. Keep the faith, she will be up and around in no time.
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.
The recovery isscary. We are not going to sugarcoat it. It's scary. Everything sounds fairly normal so far. In the words of hugapitbull, tramadol can make them see white elephants! Is there a reason you didn't get any anti-inflammatories? (Rimadyl) It helps with the healing process to knock out the inflammation and swelling. The tramadol is a mild pain killer. It makes them pant, act goofy and even drink more.
Have you had any rest? If not, try to get some. You'll be able to deal better.
Honestly, I wouldn't worry - it's just part of the healing.
If you start getting worried here are a few things to check:
Gums - check for pink color. Pink or good color is good (ashen is bad)
Run your fingers over the gums and if they don't stick, everything is fine.
Have an ear thermometer handy and check to see if there is normal temp.
I'm no vet, but I think she might perk up with some Rimadyl. Inflammation is a bummer and she's got lot of it. I'd actually recommend calling the vet and asking for at least a week's worth.
Good luck!
Comet's mom
P.S. I lived in Midwest City in the early 80's. I'm originally from Ardmore - grew up there. (a bazillion years ago!)
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Candace, as you've already discovered, you'll find so much support on this site. So sorry about Daisy's diagnosis and surgery. I don't have anything to add to all the great advice you've already had here. The first few days are awful in terms of stress; the first two weeks are full of ups and downs.
Hope Daisy felt better today!
Keep us updated, ok?
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
...and Comet - It's PINK elephants!
Candice - rest is excellent advice. The first couple of days after Trouble's surgery I sat and watched her sleep, just in case she needed me. It didn't take long for me to discover if she was asleep, I needed to be asleep. That is the perfect nap time to recharge yourself. They don't need anything if they are sleeping. Nap close enough so you can hear if she wakes, yips, or whines and you're in business.
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.
Welcome to Tripawds! You'll gotten alot of great advice from others here, so we'll just wish you well. Our paws are crossed, and sending you a big HUG!
Cathy
She did have Rimadyl at the hospital.
She seems to have backtracked these past 24 hours. Went from peeing 3x/day to not at all in the past 20 hours and whimpering if we try to help her stand. (I don;'t think there's a urination problem, just hurts too much to go out.) She's going to see the vet today to get her bandage replaced anyway. We'll see what he says.
Candace in Oklahoma
Mom to Daisy, Tripawd since 8/05/2010
Kaiser, huge 4 legged labradoodle
Babs, old crunchy toy poodle
Rosie, scrappy little rescued chihuahua
Two human teenagers and one 5yo boy.
They sent Trouble home with Rimadyl for the first two weeks if I recall correctly. They tried to take her off it about day 7, and she backslid too. I could just tell she wasn't moving as well. One call, and she was back on it for the remainder of the recovery period. It is some amazing stuff. Hopefully, the vet will give you and Rx today when you go in.
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.
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