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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi everyone! We are worried about Mack today.
He had been doing so well. We got over the poop issues on Day 5 with three successful poops! So I thought we were doing good - eating, drinking, peeing and pooping...check, check and check! His surgery site looks great, too! But now I don't know if he is just feeling more pain or maybe if he overdid it yesterday or what but the last time he ate was yesterday morning and the last potty time was
around noon yesterday. He has drank some water and is taking his meds in cheese (but even that doesn't excite him).
I don't know if this
set back is normal?? Should I try different food to motivate him? When do I start to worry? well, nevermind on that last question - I'm obviously already worrying. I put in a call to the vet and had to leave a
message so...thoughts?
I haven't been here long, but in the short time that I have I've read of several dogs who seem to tank after an initial uptick. I think it's normal, personally. Dakota had a very rough time from about day 3 till about day 6 or 7. He appeared depressed, lethargic, disinterested in life. He rebounded and was fine.
If you think about how humans do after a major surgery, they often seem to ride pretty high for the first few days. Maybe it's drugs, maybe it's endorphins. But then they often have a time of feeling low, and I figure a lot of it is just what's going on inside the body. Healing is hard work and probably saps us all, regardless of our species. As long as the incision looks good and he's drinking, I wouldn't worry.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Welcome to the recovery roller coaster. Lots of dogs crash after a first "good week" for many different reasons. Is Mack still on pain meds? If so what? He may just be getting tired of being doped up. The vast majority of dogs show a huge improvement once they kick the meds.
Another common reason for a decline in activity and appetite during recovery is the dog overdoing it. Confinement and rest is key to safe recovery. Once Mack is all healed up, and starts to rebuild his strength, then you can focus on rehab and exercise.
Most importantly, regarding that whole worry thing, forget about it. Otherwise Mack is going to follow your lead and be down in the dumps himself. Seriously, the worst recoveries we are about, are with dogs whose people fret, worry and regret. As Dr Waldman says, if you want life to be normal again, you must act as though life is normal.
Sorry to hear about Mack's hurdles, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Poor Mack and poor MOM!
I hope we don't sound jaded but I would guess we hear about a down swing in each amputation recovery 7 out of 10 times. When you've been around a while and see others go through it, you'll see why we don't get panicked.
But that doesn't mean we don't have sympathy!
So, try to stay strong and don't panic too much. It's a terrible recovery but it will get better.
We are here if you need to vent though! Vent away!
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.
Hang in there, Mack. You'll be feeling like new soon.
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.
Maggie's amp was a long time ago so sometimes the recovery details are sketchy. One thing that does stand out is how much time those first few weeks I spent thinking I had done the wrong thing because Maggie wasn't herself.
Mag's amp was before Tripawds was here so we went it alone, and the vets pretty much said most dogs do fine on three legs...so when Mag didn't come around I worried.
Of course when ever you are concerned you can call your vet- I'm sure you have contributed plenty to their practice so don't feel bad about calling.
But it does sound like the normal ups and downs most pups seem to go through. Once Mack is off all meds and the staples or sutures come out you will probably see a consistent improvement.
I would try different foods- but don't pressure him, he may not feel like eating too much right now. Don't stress around him if he doesn't eat, I did that with Maggie and it made things worse.
Hang in there Mack's mama- it does get better!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Well, speaking as an "anxious mom", I can tell you first-hand that Tate declined as well after the first week and his appetite was up and down. We never hesitated to add something he likes to his kibble to get him to eat. We just cleared two weeks today and he's better but still variable. Yesterday morning he was up and at 'em, this morning he slept in. He scarfs his kibble then the next time he has a couple bites and walks away.
Hopefully by now you've heard back from the vet and have some answers. I'm with Karen - call. Because if you assume it's the normal ups and downs and then it's not, well, it could mean trouble he doesn't need right now. I don't care if they roll their eyes ("It's Tate's mom...again!") I just handed you thousands of dollars of my hard-earned money and darn it, you are going to get it right.
Please keep us updated, we all care about you and Mack.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Ah yes, hang on tight, it's a rough ride this first couple weeks. Ups and downs, when Gus came home he was really active, I'm thinking this is going to be easier than I thought, ha, it didn't take to long, probably around the 3-4 th day, sometimes he would eat, sometimes not. I started giving him canned food, something he hadn't had before and that helped with is appetite, but he still had a spell where nothing much interested him, he just laid around and really wasn't himself. AND, this is why we tell people if you get a chance to sleep, take it, about this time you start to feel like a zombie at times, it's only been a year but I remember very well. So, try to hang in there, pay attention to him, make sure he isn't getting an infection or having some kind of complication but from what you describe, he sounds like a normal recovery so far, but I'm with Tate's mom, call when you think it's needed, thats his job, and I'm sure your vet would want to be kept updated in case there is something that needs to be addressed, good luck, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Thank you all so much for the encouragement. Vet said it is too early to panic and that the not eating will come and go...we decided to mix in some canned food to his regular kibble. This is a real treat for him and after a few minutes of laying there sniffing the air, he did get up and eat it ALL! Hooray!
I also think I may have been taking it too easy on his meds. I know the vet said he could have Tramadol 3x a day, but I had only been giving it to him twice a day because he seemed to be doing fine. However, my husband made me think twice about this by pointing out that Mack has been over-doing it - playing with Rozee, tried to jump up onto the couch, etc. - and that maybe he is feeling more pain because of that. This actually makes sense when I realized that Mack did go potty but only after I relented and carried him outside. Then when he was sniffing and staring at his food bowl as if he really wanted it but took FOREVER to decide to stand up, I thought...hmm...maybe he is in more pain than I realized. Bad Mama!
I gave him an extra dose at noon today and he has hopped himself out to the potty (when I let him out of his confined area) and he ate dinner with no hesitation a little bit ago. So I guess he was just really feeling sore and getting up was just not something he felt up to doing. I am going to be more vigilant about keeping him confined - we had relaxed since he seemed better. I think he overdid it and just couldn't TELL me that he was in pain...wouldn't that be nice?? I really think someone needs to invent a dog to human communication device. It would have helped!! Mack could have said, "I really need to go pee, Mama but I hurt too much to get up so I'm holding it here...help!"
I'm a tough love person by nature (my kids call me Mama Hulk 
) and have refused to do any carrying...I stomp my foot and point to the door just like I would normally. I didn't want him to think Mama was treating him differently but boy! when I finally carried him out today did he ever have to go! Poor baby! I still feel bad that he was holding it for so long while I fretted over what was wrong with him. Duh! He had to pee! Who can eat when you need to pee so badly?? Sheesh, Mama!
We'll figure it out. The extra pain med has seemed to help even things out but now I know to watch for more subtle signs from him. Mack works hard to get his humans trained properly...we are just slow learners. In the meantime, thank you all so much for the support. I cannot imagine having to go through this alone!
Glad to hear that he's doing better. The first few weeks can be tough for sure. And yes the eating will have ups and downs, Cooper still has days where he doesnt eat much and then days where its all he seems to want to do. Coopers activity level has changed a lot with the amputation and I think that has a lot to do with his appetite swings. It really does get easier as the days , then the months go by! Take good care of Mack and keep us posted please.
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
DOn't be hard on yourself. He's fine now and we all live and learn. Man o man if they could only talk to us, how great would that be?!!!
I made my Maddie get up and try and keep things as normal as possible. However, I also probably erred on the side of a little more meds is better than too little. But a I know a lot of dogs have issues with tramadol and Maddiie really didn't.
I'm glad Mack's feeling better and eating now. Remember it's one day at a time.
Thanks for the update on Mack. As I am learning, the people here really are concerned with the welfare of our babies and us 🙂
Take care and keep up the good work.
Maddie Mae and Mom
Yay Mack!
Don't be hard on yourself Mama Hulk, you are doing your best. There's a fine line between too much babying and not enough, and you'll figure it out. There are lots of good reasons for applying tough love during recovery, you're doing fine.
Soon you'll be speaking eachother's language, you'll communicate so much better than before the surgery, just watch. Till then, hang in there! Let us know how things are going OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Way to go Mack! Glad to hear you're eating again (you just had to convince Mama Hulk that you "needed" canned food). Here's to continuing forward with your recovery and giving your Mum's nerves a break
Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
How are things with Mack going now? Still doing okay with the meds and confinement?
Rooting for Mack here!
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
1 Guest(s)
