Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Hi folks,

First off, I can't thank you all enough for getting me here. Your stories, questions & answers, ideas, and positivity are absolutely the reason I am here with my sanity intact. I smile cried through the post-op fetch videos of Griffin, Jake and a pretty rottie girl who's name escapes me. I had never thought about a doggie life vest before, but I saw Jake in one and now I've got one ready for when my little man is cleared to swim again.

My ~13 year old staffie mix Louie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on Monday August 17th. He'd been limping on an off for years due to arthritis in both front legs, and a "bad back", and it'd been kinda worse, but still within reason until suddenly, with no acute injury or reason, he didn't want to put any weight on his front right leg (historically the worst one). I thought he pulled something and took him to the vet for acupuncture. Not knowing ANYTHING about osteosarcoma, when the vet came outside with the diagnosis and mentioned chemo and (WORSE!) amputation, I thought there was NO way I could put Louie through that at 13. I came home and cried for a couple hours, and then read up and discovered that really there was NO way I could put Louie through osteosarcoma. After chest x-rays, consults and consults, and lots and lots of tripawd forum reading, Louie became a tripawd last Thurs August 27th.

He hopped out of the vet on Friday, drugged and dazed but waggy-tailed and happy to see me, his nose going straight for my pocket where I had some turkey brought with the goal of buying back his love. Anesthesia apparently can cause dogs to be constipated, or have diarrhea, and Louie went with the latter, leaving little nuggets of poop, and what the vet sweetly called "butt kisses" everywhere until yesterday (day 5). Lots of laundry and localized "sponge baths". That was a surprise. The fly population in our house has noticeably increased.

Another very not awesome surprise came yesterday when he came in, laid down and became very unresponsive. Treats in front of his nose went smelled but un-eaten. I freaked, called the vet and was told he was likely over-sedated and to stop the trazodone and watch him for an hour or so, bringing him in if he doesn't improve. He perked up a little eventually and is no longer being sedated. Which is another problem in itself. But it's mostly my problem. I just need to ignore his sad doggie eyes begging to go outside.

Has anyone else had to stop the trazodone because their dog became unresponsive?

They also told me to decrease the gabapentin, and that only lasted 8 hours. He seemed uncomfortable this morning so he's back to 200 mg.

Any advice on removing the sticky part of the bandage? The stiches are uncovered and looking great (I cut away most of it), but the sticky part below is still very stuck, and everytime I touch it he freaks. I'm getting it mm by mm, but we both hate it and it was supposed to be gone yesterday. Bad mom.

As for the arthritis and back issues, the osteo consult cleared him, and we'll be doing our best, but it's a big unknown. I read the blog post on tripawd arthritis today. It's tough. Louie LOVES to play fetch and does everything at 150%. Swimming for the ball is absolutely great, but I live in a place that snows, early, so he's got like a month of swimming left. I'm super worried about keeping my historically super fit and active little dude happy and healthy on one potentially bum front leg.