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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Well today is day 3 at home for Lucy. She is doing very well. She is getting around and we just can't believe how she's adapting. Her first attempt at a full bark yesterday brought some shrieking. So far we've been able to limit the distractions but she is somewhat restless. Last night the tramadol seemed to do a number on her. However after her first poop, YEAH, she was a little more calm. We've attempted to keep her confined to a bedroom but she's pretty tired of it. We're out in the living area and there are a few more noises and distractions. I am hoping the neighborhood alley cat can stay away or undetected.
Lucy's appetite is pretty much back to normal. We're trying to add more fresh foods to her diet and possibly move to a grain free food. She typically gets green beans with dinner and we've added some sweet potato and chicken broth to both meals. Other than carrots and celery does anyone have a good suggestion for treats and not necessarily fresh but grain free ? Is it okay to add these now or will it upset her stomach during recovery?
This site has been amazing in support and education. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
glad to hear lucy is recovering so well!! as for treats, our gayle just loved dried salmon bites. they're called lakse kronch. lots of goodness (and fish smell) in a little bite. i know there was a forum topic on treats just a week or so ago... maybe search on 'treats' and see what pops up. good luck and paws crossed for continuing improvement every day!!
charon & spirit 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
Mary G said:
This site has been amazing in support and education.
Thank you for the kind words. It is the support of community members that makes this site such the valuable resource it has become.
We're happy to hear Lucy is doing well, please keep us posted. Check the Nutrition Blog for lots of advice about grain free foods and treats.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Paws Up to Lucy! We love recoveries like this! Best. Christmas Present. Ever!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone, will do!
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to Lucy for a super speedy recovery!!! Charley says, "Welcome to the Tripawd club!!!"
Hugs,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
I would be a little careful adding too much new food to the diet until she is off the meds. If she does get some tummy upset for some reason you won't have to wonder if it is the meds or the new foods.
She sounds like she is doing great so far!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Yay for doing well! Paws up for a good recovery!
Jenna & Spirit Chili DAwg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Good for Lucy and good for you!
Don't be surprised if she crashes a bit in a day or two, it is very common. But hopefully she will be one of the lucky ones to sail right through recovery.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Good luck!! We are three weeks out and just now seeing our boy's personality really come back, so it's wonderful that Lucy seems to be doing so well so quickly. Here's hoping for a very uneventful recovery!!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
All- Most of yesterday was good. However we invited Lucy's sitter over for a visit. Dianne comes over daily while we're at work to let her out, play a little and get a treat. It didn't go well. First she barked when Dianne came in the door and the barking causes pain and then shrieking. Lucy calmed down and when Dianne came over by the two of us more barking and more shrieking then she ran into the bedroom and into the closet just shaking. Oh boy. Of course in hindsight we remember other times Dianne has come over when we're home too and Lucy acts a little protective of me. Lucy did come out at the end of the visit and Dianne gave her a treat.
Unfortunately that meant cancellation of a neighbor visit too. Later when Lucy's dad came home we heard the garage door open and she knew it was him and barked and shrieked, back in the closet.
When I discussed with the vet on Thursday she said it will take some time because all those muscles are healing there. What can we do?
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
Gosh, how distressing! What all pain meds is she on? I know you said she is on tramadol. Is she already on gabapentin as well, because that can be added in with the tramadol. I wonder if that would help?
But of course it's the weekend now, so no access to the gabapentin if you dont already have it.... Have you tried icing the area? I never did that with Abby, but I know others here did and had good results with it. 20 min I believe with a towel between pup and ice.
Good luck. Hope she starts feeling better soon!
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Well, the obvious answer is to keep her quiet... but how do you do that? This is the first time I have heard of barking being a problem related to amputation. And I think you said earlier that Lucy is a hyper dog, right?
The only thing I can think of is sort of behavior modification- you reward the behavior you want, which in this case is not barking. Is she eating OK? Can you distract her when the garage door opens with a treat or a game and reward the quiet?
And maybe meet your dog sitter or other neighbors on neutral ground so she might not be so protective of you- and have them give treats as well for quiet behavior?
It takes patience and consistency- maybe you have done this kind of training before? I would think it would be hard to do with a new Tripawd- but she sounds like she is doing OK otherwise.
At this rate she may teach herself not to bark- but she also might associate it with what should be good things- the sitter, and dad getting home.
This is a new one, I hope you find something that works.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Jackie - No gabapentin and yes they are closed for the long weekend but I could probably call the after hours number I was given if deemed an emergency. No ice. We were advised to place a warm wash cloth on her 2-3x/day about 10-15 minutes over her incision. The area is doing very well, even the redness/bruising is beginning to going away. She is giving no other indications of pain.
Karen - Dad came home via the garage today and no barking, no issues. I did praise her when he came in. She has been calm all day but she can be hyper. She is resting and getting up from time to time. No visitors and no visitors for the rest of the weekend.
We plan to have the sitter come by on Monday and we will leave the house so it can be a "normal" visit.
Any other suggestions are welcome. 
Thanks,
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
Lucy had her stitches out today!! Day 11 post amp. She is doing great. Barking is minimal and not fully chested so there haven't been any more shrieking incidents. I started reducing her meds so she's more like Lucy again! Still a little sleepy but doctor's orders require 3 weeks of rest for recovery... Almost there!!!
We've really appreciated all the online support. I'm trying to give back as much as possible because I really know how helpful it is.
Thanks again!
Mary, Lucy's mom
Lucy's front right leg was amputated 12/19/11. Thankfully there was no tumor, but her nerves were found to be degenerative. Life as a tripawd is Lucy's new adventure!!
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