Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey Guys,
Sorry I've been MIA. We've just been caught up in this last week and I've been meaning to get here to give an update.
Kenzie had her surgery on Friday 6/4 and all went well. They kept her until today, Monday, because she was sick about 5 times on Saturday night into Sunday. They said it was most likely from backing down the meds. She was doing great this morning so they had us come in and pick her up. We were so excited to see her! She was crying when she saw me, man... she crumbles me.
Looking at the incision isn't as bad as I thought it would be... She seems to be doing ok getting around. She takes breaks when walking to go outside and coming back in, but heck, so would I... Everything was going really well until a few minutes ago. She had some dinner, we gave her some meds, and she's lying down again but she's whimpering. I guess that's normal. Again, I think I would be wimpering too if someone took one of my body parts - it's just so hard to hear her in pain. She just rolled over onto the incision. Do you think that's ok? I just don't want it to get infected...
So, this is day one with our baby girl back in the house. I just want to get it perfect for her. I want to help her heal as fast as possible and get back to being Kenzie and say goodbye to pain. I know these 2 weeks are going to be hard. I keep telling myself that to prepare myself. But now that we're in the middle of it I find myself second guessing everything.
I don't know how to end this post, lol.
So.... uh, the end.
Offline
Oh, happy news that Kenzie's doing so well!
The couple of weeks right after surgery can be challenging. Hang in there! I know about the second guessing for sure. After the first two days at home we learned the value of keeping Catie's activity restricted (when we weren't able to watch her, she willingly went into her kennel and rested). She was also a little bit loopy from the pain meds.
The incision didn't freak me out as I thought it would either. Of course, she was wearing a t-shirt and there was a bandage along the length of it.
Just take it one day at a time. Look forward to updates and in the meantime, sending lots of healing wishes Kenzie's way.
Carmen, Catie and Riley
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
The two weeks of recovery are a roller coaster ride for many. How the dog responds to pain meds has a lot to do with it. Some of them do not tolerate the pain meds well at all. It sounds like Kensington is adjusting well - she is going out and resting when needed -that is great!
You will have a tendency to over protect. Make sure she gets plenty of rest, and don't worry if she isn't interested in much right now. It is recovery from major surgery. You will also want to rest yourself when she rests - some of us (me included) would sit and watch them sleep. I always let Trouble do whatever she wanted to try (except jump), our problem was she didn't realize she had to turn around and come back. She would go far enough to get tired and then have to lay down to rest for a while before coming back. It took a long time to take her for a potty break because she would get too far.
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.
hezzer said:
She just rolled over onto the incision. Do you think that's ok?
Perfectly fine, as long as she's comfortable doing so. She may quickly learn that might be a lot easier and more comfortable in a couple weeks, though. Consider putting an old t-shirt on Kenzie – or a Tripawds Dog T Shirt – to help keep her incision site from getting soiled
Thanks for the great update! Sounds like Mackenzie is doing well. FYI: Since your last visit we published Jerry's Required Reading List, with lots of links to informative posts with answers to questions about canine cancer and amputation recovery for dogs from the past couple years.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome home Kenzie!
Don't second guess - just remember this is surgery pain! She'll get better soon. You'll be run the the ringer - but it will get better!
Best wishes!
Comet's mom
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.
kenzie, so glad to hear you are home - home is for healing!!! the first two weeks...geesh, my charon aged 10 years (not a good look, i might add...) but we all got through it. i second the t-shirt idea, and don't forget a harness once the incision heals. it won't take long to get your 'sea legs' and get back to doing the old routine...but that doesn't mean you shouldn't milk all the treats you can...be real!!
gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Glad to hear your on the recovery road.We had Gus on Tramadol after the surgery and he didn't get along very well with it, restless, not much appetite, sort of spaced out, we went to gabapentin and rimidyl, but Gus had phantom pain , and that happens all of a sudden, so hopefully you don't have to deal with that, but don't second guess, you will be amazed at how fast Kenzie will bounce back. The first time Gus laid on the side of his surgery I watched him, he rolled right over flat, what a hoot, but it took him probably 3-4 weeks before he started using that side normally again. Paws up to both of you, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
We're glad to hear Kenzie is at home and is doing well! The first two weeks can be a bit of a roller coaster - we're all here for you, though, so you won't be alone. Our vet had us ice Holly's incision 3 times a day for 5-10 minutes with a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel. She really seemed to like that - I don't know if it will work for Kenzie, but it could be worth a try. She will amaze you!
Sending lots of hugs, and healing thoughts...
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
anyemery said:
Our vet had us ice Holly's incision 3 times a day for 5-10 minutes with a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel...
Yum... peas! 
You might also consider Bella's Hot/Cold Pain Relief Pack designed to safely stay on dogs for therapeutic ice and heat therapy. It works as both an ice pack and warm compress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Our Kona pup, 9yrs, just had her surgery on Friday June 4th too.
She's doing well, but gets tired very easily.
I just know that she's feeling better without the cancer pain in her leg, but yeah, amputation...yikes.
They are so much tougher than we are!
I'm just amazed everyday at how strong our pups are.
Hang in there.
We're right there with ya.
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
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