Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Maddie is AWESOME! She is finally able to sit on the flat on her butt which is a real good sign of the pain and tenderness subsiding.
Still can't lay on that side yet, but soon I am sure. Her incision is still looking great. Maybe just one little spot that looks like it is a little puffier than before. But no big deal. No draining and redness with it.
The swelling underneath is about the same. Hasn't gone down or gotten worse. I rec'vd in the mail a great package from littlemanjake, which included power paws non slip sock and some stockinette, which Maddie is wearing in this picture.
Hoping it helps with some of the swelling and will keep her from licking the incision. All though she has not yet been bothering with it.
Her meds are not messing with her anymore, and I have decided that today I will start cutting them back some.
I'm thinking by 1/3 to start with, and maybe increase the time between by a little.
What are your thoughts on this?
(She is wearing this today while I am at work. I got it pulled up on her better this morning. This is yesterday pic)
maddie, you are 'stylin'...ready for the beaches in rio for sure. glad you are doing so much better.
gayle & charon
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
Kelly,
She looks terrific! Her uneventful recovery is so similar to Isabelle's. See how she is when you get home today, since she will not have pain meds all day. If she's OK, you might want to wait until closer to bedtime. Isabelle actually had no pain meds after day 4, (I used a low dose fentanyl patch). I didn't even think she needed it that long. I really do believe not using that leg pre op is an advantage because there is already a diminished blood flow to the area...
The only problem I had, once she had no pain meds...she was on the move and I had to watch her activity. After a day or two, I gave up most of the fight & let her run around some, but Maddie is so young & will probably be even more active.
Same look on their faces in the photos! Why are you dressing me up & taking pictures while I'm stoned???
Cynthia
You're a fabulously fashionable Tripawd Maddie! How did you get the stockinette to stay on? This looks like a great solution for rear-leggers.
Glad to hear you're doing well.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
They stay on because they are fitted fairly tight. You have to be sure not to choose too wide a piece. They can be cinched up a bit at the waist or distal end by cutting a strip of the fabric . You cut a tail hole. The fabric stretches out & can't always be reused. It works nice to compress swollen tissue to just the right degree. It's also good for covering a leg incision...just need to leave it longer.
hummm, I'm not the most fashion conscious- but I think that you are accentuating the wrong end!! Maybe add a hat to draw attention from that end. 
I am really happy for you that she is doing so well.
I like the stocking net too- I haven't seen that discussed here. I agree with Jerry that it is a good solution for rear leggers if it will stay on. Adds a little compression, support, and keeps the incision covered.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Let's not speak too fast Jerry. When I get home this afternoon I'll find out whether I got them to stay on or not! lol
It fits tight enough that I think it probably will stay on, but only time will tell for sure.
I wish I was a bit of an artist and I would paint bright flowers on it and such, than it could double as a sarong!
When I first put it on her she acted like she forgot how to hop. She just stood there as if to say "YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!"
Then I showed her a treat, and she hopped right over! Called her bluff!!!!
Thanks for the thoughts on her medicine, Cynthia. I gave her a full dose this morning before I left, but it's 10 hours from me walking out the door to work, until I walk back in, in the afternoon. I'll see how she seems for a bit this evening before giving her more. I just know what a tough girl she has been for so much of the last year with her suffering with that leg. I don't want her in pain, especially if I have something to stop it. But I know she's at a point to where I can start weaning her off of them.
Karen, you are right, that is the wrong end to accentuate, specially if it were MY end! lol
A hat is a GREAT idea! and maybe some sunglasses too.
It doesn't stay on indefinitely, but nothing does. Is serves the purpose while they are less mobile. This is actually a little different quality than typical cast lining stockinette, which is what most vets use. I've had better luck with it.
Kelly, keep in mind her post op pain should be getting decreasing every day. What she experienced before was chronic and now she no longer has that pain. I think that's why Isabelle did well...her back wasn't as painful because the leg was gone. They feel better now!
Definitely sunglasses!
WOWSA Maddie!
Do those fancy panties come in other colors!??? 
Seriously, that is a fantastic way to help the healing! They make you were compression garments after lipo to help reduce the fluid buildup and swelling. Plus, it's more comfortable with support. (Yes! I've done it! There I said it.
)
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.
Update: I was greeted at the door yesterday afternoon by a naked butt'd Maddie!
Her "Fancy Panties" did not make it through the day! lol I didn't actually figure they would, but it was worth a try 🙂
She never once last night acted even slightly interested in licking her incision. She just doesn't mess with it, which I think is a miracle so far.
That may change soon with her coming up on her 8th day post op. I know as wounds heal they generally itch.
She is still doing great! I count my blessings that she had done so very well.
I even took her for a short ride to the store yesterday just to get her out of the house for a bit.
I plan on taking her to my sisters on Saturday. She has a yard with a fence so I can get some video of her stalking squirrels on 3 legs.
And she'll get to visit a bit with her monkeybutt cousins! 🙂
Maddie got nekkid! Maddie got nekkid!
Oh drats, I thought those Spankx for dawgs would be the end all be all for rear leggers.
Glad to hear she's doing well and getting out and about. Can't wait to see the skwirell chasin'.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
They'll never stay on all day. They're safe because they stretch out w/movement & can't get too restrictive.They're really for compression & maybe to avoid licking. I think Maddie's needed to be a little higher up on the waist...it take some experimenting I'd still use them for compression, though.
They work well for more sedate post-op dogs. Isabelle always took them off when she was alone.
They actually stay on front leg amps better because you make a hole for the other leg & it can't slip.
Maddie is an amp recovery star!
Glad things are still going well.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Every guys dream, come home to a naked lady!!!! Oh good grief, don't let her around those monkeybutts, all they do is cause trouble. Glad to hear your recovery is going so well. I think I got spoiled with Gus, we didn't have to many problems compared to some here at times, and it sounds like your getting lucky also, 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
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