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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Hello,
My 8 pound Yorkie Max has his front right leg scheduled for amputation next Tuesday. I was wondering what will I expect for the recovery process? He is having his leg amputated due to an injury. I've seen on other places some people sleep with their dogs after surgery. Can I do that or is not recommended? Anything/everything that I need to know, please tell me! I'm getting an orthopedic bed tomorrow or Friday for him and getting him groomed Friday.
I am a very nervous mom about this, but I know it is good for him.
Thank you!
Heather
Hi Heather,
I'm so sorry you and Max have to join our club! But we are glad you are here. Be sure to join us on our Zoom call tomorrow at 8 Eastern / 5 Pacific. Meanwhile check out our What to Expect articles and Jerry's Required Reading List too.
Also, if sleeping with you is normal, that's fine but put your mattress on the floor so he doesn't jump off the bed. If it is not normal, don't upset the routine.
I'm sorry to make this short, my Nellie is pining for a walk! I'll be back tomorrow with more feedback.
you’ve been a big help! He sleeps with me every night, so I will definitely try to move my mattress to the floor.
Thank you for the articles! Will definitely read them.
Thanks again!
Heather
Hi,
Just wrote a post and it disappeared!
So, I wanted to say welcome to you and Max.
I've always slept with my small dogs. When my first Tri Maggie lost her leg to cancer I set up a recovery sleeping area in the living room for us. It did not work at all, neither of us got much sleep! I don't know why I never thought to put my mattress on the floor....I just lifted her on and off the bed. Luckily she was very cautious and never tried to get up or down on her own. Years later my Pug Boy had two knee surgeries (2 years apart) and I put my mattress on the floor each time. It worked very well.
One thing to consider- put a pee pad under Max for at least a few days after surgery. Sometimes after big surgeries my dogs have lost their bladders (once bowels). I sewed a couple of old towels into pockets to hold the pad- that way with an accident I only have to wash the towel, not all my bedding.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you for the advice!
When he had his luxating patella surgery I slept with him on my mattress on the floor so I think that will work.
I got him a cheap bed and some puppy pads for now.
Thank you for all the advice, everyone! I’m very nervous but kind of just want to get it over with, because I know he’s in pain now.
Just catching up and reminding you you are not alone, as you can see from the great input you have gotten from Karen and Jerry.
You have asked some great questions and you are doing an excellent job of preparing for his homecoming.
I've slept with my dogs in the bed literally ever since I was a very little girl and that was many, many, many moons ago! When my happy Hannah had her rear leg amputation (125 lb dog )i had a twin mattress that I put on the floor downstairs so we could still all sleep together.♥️
Years later my Pug Boy had two knee surgeries (2 years apart) and I put my mattress on the floor each time
KAREN will have 5o tell me of my me is correct. But of I recall, Pug Obie got so used to you picking him up off and on the mattress (maybe six inches off the floor), you still had to do it long after his sirgery healed.
Don't you have a picture of him sitting on the mattress waiting for you to lift him off?
We are here for you and Max to help you navigate through recovery every step of the way. It's no picnic at first as you can imagine. He will have just had major surgery and, hopefully, be on some good strong pain meds, all while adjusting to three.
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!
Well, Max had his surgery. I will be picking him up shortly.
Doctor said he did great! Nervous about the recovery period, but we will get through it. Thank you for all the tips and I may have more questions coming your way!
Oh that's awesome he made it and is on the road to recovery! WOOHOO!!! One step down.
Ask any questions you'd like, we are here to help and will be sending tons of pawsitivity to you both.
YAAAAY! Surgery is done and he handled it like a Champ!!
STAY CONNECTED!! Bringing a dog home same day as surgery can be a bit rough sometimes.....shaking off anesthesia....being drugged up from strong hospital meds, etc.
Let us know when you get home and update us as the night progresses, okay? Let us know what pain meds he came home with, dose, frequency, etc.
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!
Hi!
He’s VERY whiny. He’s on these medicines:
Buprinex, Meloxicam, and Clavamox.
He had these injections today: Penicillin, Ketofen, Cefazolin, and Buprinex.
Are these good? I think he’s whining because he’s coming out of anesthesia but I’m not sure. I will get medication dosages later tonight or tomorrow. He won’t let me out of his sight.
Being whiny d03s not surprise me st all! My Happy Hannah even stayed the first night at the clinic, yet when she did come home 24 hrs later she was quite whiny and restless .
Are these good? I think he’s whining because he’s coming out of anesthesia but I’m not sure
In my non Vet opinion the meds all sound good. Max was given a pain control (Ketrofen and Buprinex) and the other two are to fight infection pote trial, bacteria, etc. We 0ften see Buprinex used for the surgery pain in cats. Considering Max's big boy weight of 8 lbs, I'm sure that pain med will serve him well.👍
The Clavamox is an antibiotic and the Meloxicam is for inflammation as well as for pain.
It may take awhile for him to settle down "some" so try not to worry. It's exhausting mentally, emotionally and phusically getting to this point. Grab some shut eye when you can
If you can get him to drink a lottle that's good. Obvioisly getting him to eat some with hiss meds is also good......sometimes hard at first though.
Hang in there!!! Recovery doesn't last furever!!!
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!
Thank you!
He is now down to 7 pounds they told me today! He won’t stop whining and almost howling- like. piercing like bark. It’s awful.
So he went to the vet? What did they give him for the pain? It sounds like he has unaddressed pain needs. Could be a suture that's bothering him but more likely it's severe pain from the nerves that were cut during surgery.
I noticed you didn't mention any Gabapentin for his nerve pain? This is very common in dogs but it needs treating ASAP. Please ask your vet for a prescription today. Pain can delay healing and cause the weight loss because he's not feeling well.
I hope you can get some into him asap. It should help him within 24 hours. If not he may need to go back to the clinic so they can do an IV infusion of pain medication and break the pain cycle he is experiencing.
Hello!
We went to the ER vet early this morning. They gave him another injection and sent him home with Gabapentin and he’s doing so well. He hates the cone and won’t chew with it on or drink water so we’re trying to figure that out- but he has eaten chicken baby food and some pumpkin and he’s gone to the bathroom. We’ve made great progress!
Good job advocating for Max!
I'm glad you are seeing some relief for his pain and progress in recovery.
You might try a baby tee shirt to cover the incision to give him a break from the cone or even a cat sized recovery suit. When my last dog had her spay surgery I used This Recovery Collar, Callie, a 15 pound Pug Mix wore a medium. I thought she would like a recovery suit better but she hated that and did fine with the collar.
Be sure to keep a collar on him though when you can't be right with him if he can get anywhere near the incision with his mouth or tongue.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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