Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Max surprised me today. This morning after breakfast we went out onto the lawn as usual - and he had a 2-legged wee!! (Occasionally using a plant pot as a support, and me holding the lead!!) - pretty impressive!
Then this evening, I went out of the room for a few minutes, and when I came back in he was fully stretched out on the sofa😳!! My husband had been reading and only half saw him hobble around the coffee table and jump up onto the sofa!! (I had put books on the place where he normally curls up for the duration of his recovery), but had moved them - and he jumped at the chance (literally!)) He’s still there, snoring his head off - I’ve managed to squeeze in next to him - but I don’t have the heard to turf him off!! I’ll just make sure he gets down carefully...
GOOD BOY MAX! RECLAIM THAT SOFA!! 😎 Er....I mean "naughty boy" Max.😉 No jumping on sofa
And YAY for the pee stance! You are showing everybody how to get back to normal on three.
Thanks for the smiles today!😁
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!
OK - Max had a really good sleep on the sofa, but at bedtime, didn’t really want to move and I didn’t want him to stay there in case he fell off or something. But his normal response to being asked to do something he doesn’t want to do is to roll on his back and ask for a belly rub, which he started to do. However, he was lying with his back along the edge of the sofa - so rolling backwards would have meant him falling off, so I put my hands out to stop him... he realised and I think he must have twisted something as he made this awful deep groan and sat leaning into me for ages before lying down again... it must have been really painful. I went to get a treat, which is normally the answer to everything - which he ate, but still didn’t want to get off, so I went to get another (wondering how I was going to single handedly move him) and by the time I got back from the food area, he’d come through to meet me!
We went into bedtime mode and he then went really quickly to the lawn on the lead, did his business, had a quick lie down to recover and came back again. No problem at all! I’m currently sleeping downstairs on a sofa bed next to him, and by the time I came back from getting ready for bed, he was on his bed next to mine, where he slept all night, apart from a few struggles to his feet to change position. Early this morning he moved from his temporary bed next to mine into his real bed in the next room (yes I know...) then later ate his breakfast, out for another 2-legged wee and poop, rest on the lawn, back in - all OK - so I think his painful episode last night didn’t cause damage.
However, he’s been really subdued since breakfast - just lying sleeping and being extremely stiff when he stands up... We’re now 7 days post op and we’re going for staples out next Thursday (4th June). I’m letting him sleep as much as he wants at the moment and letting him say what and when he wants something. He is getting stiffer as he moves less than in the past. Any ideas?
Thanks (sorry for the essay and more questions!!)
Jill
I’m letting him sleep as much as he wants at the moment and letting him say what and when he wants something. He is getting stiffer as he moves less than in the past. Any ideas?
Jill you can ask as many questions as you'd like, really! It sounds to me like things are moving right along and he's on a pretty good recovery timeline. Yes, he will have some days that are more energetic than others and as time goes by he will have more of the bouncy days than couch days! If he is eating, sleeping and pooping today, I wouldn't be too concerned.
As for the stiffness, that's to be expected as his body adapts but you can help him in many ways. Have you tried very gentle massage or passive range of motion exercises with him? Check with your vet first to make sure it's OK and you may also want to see these fabulous tips in Griffin's blog post, "Griffin's Rehab Exercises." The two that I believe Max may be ready for are:
MASSAGE: Begin by kneading with your fingers to pick up the loose skin around the neck. This is a great way to relax Griffin and signal the start of your therapy. Use firm but gentle pressure to massage along the spine. Use circular motions with your thumbs on either side of the spine or cusp your fingers and run down along the back. Begin at the neck and move down towards the tail. You can also continue your massage through the limbs. Focus especially on the triceps (muscles behind the bone in the front limb) and hip flexors (muscles in front of the bone in the hind limbs). If his muscles are tight, you can begin by applying a warm compress for 5-10 min the the muscles. A warm compress can be a moist towel (place in microwave for 15 sec and test on yourself to make sure it’s not too hot) or a heat pad on low setting.
PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION (PROM): Griffin should be lying on his side. Take each joint through a full range of motion (wrist, elbow, shoulder, ankle, knee, hip). Keep the leg parallel to the ground and do not pull on the paw. Place one hand above the joint and one hand below. Gently flex and extend each joint. Pulse intermittently to improve the range of motion and hold each stretch for 10 sec. Do this for 3-5 min. Instructional Video:
Don't furget our Tripawds Foundation will also pay for your first rehab visit with him, have you booked an appointment yet? Therapists like to see new Tripawds within 2 weeks of surgery so why not give it a try? You'll learn lots of ways to help him get strong and stay flexible, and injury free!
You're doing great observing Max's behavior. Keep calm and know that rest is medicinal, he will find his new normal groove before you know it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry - I am so glad I found this site!!
I have been gently massaging him, but those videos are excellent and I will try them. Thanks. I was a bit worried he had done some damage last night as the sound he made last night was so visceral - and the fact that he gritted his teeth after must have meant it really hurt!! He’s definitely stiffer today, but he is moving. It’s more when he first stands up after having a sleep. However we actually had a big tail wag earlier (food was involved!)
Does the rehab visit apply in the UK? I’d seen it mentioned on the site, but assumed it must just be for the US... if it does apply to the UK as well, how do I find one? (ie what do I google?!)
Thanks again.
Jill
landymax said
Does the rehab visit apply in the UK?
Yes, The Maggie Moo Fund is a global program. Reimbursement is only available via Paypal for residents outside the U.S.
See complete details and application requirements here.
Need a therapist? See the Tripawds Resources page to find a CCRT or CCRP . For UK residents you will find a link to The Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists. If you do need to Google it, search for Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists, CCRT, CCRP, CERP, and/or VMRT.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ditto Jerry and ditto the great links of Griffin's.
Max sounds like he's doing really well. And yes, he "owns" you and I love that part!😉 No way you could resist all his cute antics. You're doing a great job of monitoring him and giving him such good care.👍
Yes, tweaking a muscle happens soooo easilty....back, shoulder, neck....all very breakable ! As you massage, check any areas where he might show tension. Do his shoulder and neck, then focus on back and spine. You may, or may not, find tenseness.
Cont to take it slow and easy Mr Max😊
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!
Max had his staples removed yesterday and it’s all looking pretty good. He’s much more confident moving about, and today we had a couple of very short pootles just outside our gate and along the lane, to give him a sniff and a bit of exercise.
I had to email an update to the surgeon on Monday - so I also sent photos of his wound and a few videos of him moving. She was really happy with how he’s progressing.(I was going to post the videos on here, but can’t work out how to!)
I mentioned physio to the surgeon, and she put me in touch with the physio at the Vet School. We had a video consultation with the physio on Wednesday and she gave me lots of exercises to do with Max to build up his strength and stamina. We have a follow up video consult in 10 days time.
We’ve still to hear about the histology results of his leg and lymph node - the results from that will determine if Max needs metronomic (?) chemo.
Wooohoo! Congratulations on getting the staples out and the A++ report! Max, you have many more pootles in your future 
Sounds like you have some really great communication with your vet team. Can I ask who the surgeon is, and what vet school you worked with? That's wonderful! Don't forget you can apply to the Tripawds Rehab Reimbursement Program, which may pay for your first rehab visit .
We would love to see videos! Just upload them to YouTube first, then grab the "Share" URL assigned to the video and paste it into your forum post here. Make sense?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks x that makes sense re the videos... I’ve never uploaded anything to YouTube before - first time for everything!
The vet school is the University of Liverpool Vet school (https://www.liv.....c.uk/sath/) - the surgeon was Prof Comerford for Max’s amputation - but everyone has been brilliant at the hospital. We were very lucky that we live only 30 minutes away from the hospital - it’s one of only 7 animal radiotherapy centres in the UK. Some people had to travel several hours to attend.
I’ll post the videos later...
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