Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My sweet Louis had her left forelimb amputated on the 8th. Per the vet's instructions, we removed her bandages and Fentenyl patch last night. Two questions/issues:
1. How do I stop her from licking her wound? We put a t-shirt on her but she just licks the outside of the t-shirt. (We put a sweatshirt on too and that seems to help but it's really hard for her to walk in the sweatshirt.). Is a cone necessary? She's a Doberman with cropped ears so the cone will push on her ears so I'm trying to avoid that, if possible, because I know it is uncomfortable for her.
2. There are a few inches of the bandages that are stuck to her fur and skin. We tried soaking it with warm water to loosen the glue but that didn't work. Any suggestions on how to remove?
Thank you all (in advance) for any suggestions you may have!
XOXOXO
Hi Louis! I had similar problems with my Zuki licking his wound, although he is a rear amputee. We tried the inflatable buster collars
Although it didn't work for us as Zuki could contort himself around it, I suspect for a front amputee it would be ideal and a lot less invasive then the cones.
I cant make any suggestions on the bandages as unfortunately my boy removed his on his own accord! 
Good luck though
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Zuki Wuggafer 30/09/06 - 11/11/16. Right hind tripawd due to Osteosarcoma. He had a strong 5 and half months as a tripawd but unfortunately a secondary issue with his spine ended our battle. He loved life, loved our family and was the best dog I could ever ask for. Truly my first love, forever in my thoughts and heart.
Read our story: http://zuki.tripawds.com/
We used an inflatable collar for Shelby since she wasn't a fan of the cone. Didn't have ears to deal with but it seemed to work really well. And Shelby used it like a pillow too for when she was resting. Maybe that would be a good solution?
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
dbc4l said
1. How do I stop her from licking her wound?
2. There are a few inches of the bandages that are stuck to her fur and skin. We tried soaking it with warm water to loosen the glue but that didn't work. Any suggestions on how to remove?
Sure! I answered in your other post: (which you don't need to continue now that you've "Graduated" to Treatment and Recovery 🙂
As for the patch residue, we were told we could use Goof Off citrus adhesive remover by our vet. We did and it worked great.
Drying sutures can become so itchy. But, I recently learned at a vet conference that that licking could also be a sign that she doesn't have enough pain medication. What kind of drugs is she on and how often?
Here are some cone of shame alternatives:
The Best Soft e-Collar Cone for Dogs and Cats Recovering from Surgery
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you! I just ordered an inflatable collar through Prime Now. It should be delivered within 2 hours. 🙂
Another question - Did your dogs start to limp/labor once the compression bandages and Fentanyl patch came off? Louis was really smooth with her gait until the bandages came off last night. Now she seems more limpy/hoppy than before. I am wondering if it feels different now or that she's feeling a little pain with the Fentanyl patch being off.
She was on the Fentanyl patch and Carprofen. We removed the patch last night and now she is taking the Carprofen and Codeine Sulfate. The Codeine really seems to knock her out - She just lays around zoned out on it.
As I mentioned above, she seems to be more limpy with the bandages off. Is this "normal"?
We did not experience that. Otis was on Tramadol and Rimadyl, so we were on a different set of meds. It could be that the hospital meds have also worn off - happens sometime between days 3 and 5. Keep monitoring her for pain symptoms. Sometimes you and your vet might have to make adjustments to the pain meds. She is still at a point where she should primarily be resting, with short leashed potty outings. Sometimes our Tripawds don't know when they are overdoing, so also keep an eye on her activity.
On the patch, we had the opposite problem. Otis apparently has wrinkly skin and it wouldn't adhere. They had to glue it on at the vets, and it was barely hanging on when time came for me to remove 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.
dbc4l said
Now she seems more limpy/hoppy than before.
The hop is normal, as all Tripawds adjust their gait to compensate for a missing limb.
Some limping is to be expected so early in recovery. Just make sure Louis is not overdoing it too soon. Confinement and rest are important to a safe speedy recovery, and there is not need for anything more than short leashed potty time until those stitches come out. Find many more recovery and care tips in the Tripawds e-books or bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of helpful links!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Carprofen is just an NSAID, similar to Motrin, so it's not very strong. The Codeine probably helps. But really, the medication combination that seems to help the most is Gabapentin, Tramadol & the Carprofen (the codeine would probably be ok instead of the tramadol, but you probably need to add the Gabapentin).
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
It is so intriguing to me that some dogs come home bandaged loosely, some with compression bandages and some with nothing. Pofi was not bandaged when I brought him home and had zero interest in the incision so I never did get a t-shirt on him or break out the Comfy Cone.
On your question, though, I wonder if Louis' gait is actually less restricted now without the compression bandages? Because Pofi's gait is surely nothing like it was when he was a 4 legged dog - he always trotted so smoothly and rhythmically and his gait includes a definite hop now. When we go on walks, it is annoying to hold poop bags in my right hand which is also my leash hand because of the bounce/hop (he's not exactly a loose leash walker). 
Pofi is also a very deep chested front leg amputee.
But if it really seems limpy - like there is hesitation, I do wonder if you don't need Gabapentin added into the meds as Donna suggests. I am a firm believer in the wonders of Gabapentin for amputees pre and post surgery if possible.
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.
hester said
It is so intriguing to me that some dogs come home bandaged loosely, some with compression bandages and some with nothing
Yep, we as well. We asked vets about it and really it's a matter of personal preference and also how much training their staff has had with the latest wound care techniques being offered at seminars. When we were at the AAHA conference there were whole sessions just for post-op and orthopedic bandaging techniques!
I would definitely ask Louis' vet for a stronger pain relief combo right now, she may need something stronger.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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