Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Since I apparently don't know how to work a blog, I will give u guys an update here 
It's Kylie's 1 week ampuversary today! 
She is recovering so well! She still sleeps a lot but only because she seems bored because we won't let her do much yet.. Doctors orders. She's not happy about that. Yesterday she was more active than she has been (she feels so damn good now!) that she seemed to limp a bit today. So today was a quieter day on purpose. We also put the heating pad on her for a bit.
She has an appt for suture removal at day 13, so next Thurs. Her incision looks great though. She's still on same meds and dose.
Cone of shame is gone! We bought her a new cone, a kong e-collar it's soft and she can see peripherally and also eat and drink. It's wonderful! We are all sleeping better now. God bless Amazons 2 day shipping! Lol
Still waiting on results from biopsy of that nasty leg and praying we get whatever best news there is possible for her situation. Whatever gives us more time with her! Right now we are just enjoying our time with her & all the kisses & snuggles.
Chris & Kylie
p.s. Also bought her the Ruffwear plus harness with brush guard! She'll be all set for once she's healed!
Nice! so glad to hear things are going well! That Ruffwear harness with the brush guard is a good thing. I bought one for my Sweet Ted and it's become a thing of joy for him....he knows he's going out for a walk or for a car ride when we put it on and he LOOOOOVES that!
wanda
Hoppy Ampuversary to Kylie! Sounds like progress. And yep, as hard as it is, it's up to you to make sure she doesn't overdo things. Boredom can be alleviated with interactive games, have you tried any? They are so fun and really do tire out a dog's brain so fast. We have lots of tips like:
http://amazon.t.....pawd-dogs/
Sorry to hear you're having trouble with the blog. PM me and I'll try to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Way to go Super Kylie!
Trying to keep her quiet is a good problem to have. I second the games and puzzles, I do them almost every day with Elly who is also a rear amp. She isn't battling cancer but she is very young (about 1.5 years old) and full of energy. When she first came home she was about 10 months old and 2.5 months past her amp. She was healed up but not very strong. It really is amazing how challenging their minds really wears them out!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Good to hear sweet Kylie is doing well. It seems like recovery is sooooo slow, but it does eventually end!! You'll see a bit of sparkle come back...and then all the sudden the sparkle gets brighter and brighter and Kylie is 200%!! Yep! 200% because she is pain free! 🙂
Give her a big smooch for us!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Great news - happy to hear how well she is doing!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Great news! Sounds like she is having a really good recovery, and just wait until those staples come out. Most dogs perk up amazingly. Glad you got the harness, we loved it!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thanks so much for the nice comments on Kylie's progress. And for the suggestions on the mental stimulation games, I have looked them up on Amazon.ca and might have to put in another order! We notice that she also sits and licks her front paws over & over and over. They look fine, they're not red or hot spots or anything, so I'm sure that's also part of her boredom as well. We've tried to give her her food (buster) cube but she didn't play with it long, I think her legs are getting sore.
I notice today that her back end is curved over to the side, I'm sure it's to compensate for the uneven weight distribution on 3 legs now vs 4, and probably because she's sore. Her incision is looking great though.
This recovery process sure is up & down.
Some here use chiropractic visits and physical therapy to help keep their dogs "aligned". It does seem to help. Also a good gentle massage along their backs and some gentle leg stretches will also help their sore muscles. Donna does that a lot with Murphy. You are right this journey is full of ups and downs but once those stitches are able to come out it quickly becomes more ups than downs. Hang in there you're doing a wonderful job!
My kitty Mona went for a chiropractic treatment one month after her amputation and she loved it. I was shown how to massage along her spine. After her treatment I noticed she would stop and "adjust" herself as I'd see her remaining shoulder move up and back and a ripple run down her spine. Here she is at her treatment - she ended up falling asleep.
Since Kylie's surgery is recent he may enjoy some gentle massaging.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Awww Mona...You are o e relaxed cool cat!
Glad Kylie is continuing to do well so early in recovery.
Great suggestio s about massage, maybe some chiropractic treatments acupuncture, etc. If you have a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist near you, they can do wonders.
Right now she needs time to just recover from surgery and adjust to her new gait. It generally takes about one month to get all the muscles, joints, etc adjusted to three legs.
She doing fine! And so are you!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...My Happy Hannah licked her front paws a lot too for several weeks after surgery. Weird. If I recall, it seems as though one of her front legs may have had a shaved spot for bloodwork or whatever...or not. Can't remember.
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!
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