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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I really, really know how you feel!! When Boomer had his amputation, I was completely prepared - so I thought. I wasn't worried about the psychological stuff that a lot of pet parents worry about leading up to an amputation, I had cared for several dogs at the sanctuary that were tripawds and I knew how well they all did. The idea of Boomer being a tripawd too didn't worry me at all, I do feel very fortunate in that regard. However, I was not at all prepared for the stress of the recovery period. It takes a huge emotional toll and not matter how much you read or prepare, it will still knock you on your butt. I live with my Mom and she helps me with a lot of things but Boomer is - by NO fault of my Mom - nervous of her, so I was pretty much single parenting him during his recovery. It took five nights before he slept pretty much through the night, the first three nights he woke up and started crying at about 4am each night like clockwork. The fourth night he was nice enough to wait until 5am. After that we started to get back to normal but it was certainly not restful sleep for that first week or so. I was exhausted but I couldn't really sleep soundly because I was listening for him. I think we all went through this to some degree - single parents and whole families; when Boomer would have an off day, even when I did want to sleep and he was quiet, my brain would not SHUT UP! so I could sleep. It doesn't help much to hear it when you are in the middle of the storm, but there is calm on the way, even if you can't see it right now, it is there and you will find your way to it.
We believe in you!
Allison, Boomer & Amy
Thank you everyone for letting me know there is light at the end of the tunnel. I just called her vet and talked to her personal nurse who knows Shelby really well and they advised me to take her off ALL pain meds. They assured me she is absolutely NOT in pain and the anxiety is worse for her (and me). They also said I could bring her there and leave her if it's too much for me.
Obviously - I am highly anxious at work until I can get home to her but they assure me that since she's got her cone on, she will absolutely not harm herself - even if she continues to pace. She's just really reacting to the pain meds. I am really hoping that the valium I gave her before work will calm her while I am gone.
they also said they didn't think it was phantom leg pain since Shelby isn't looking at her amp site or her leg or anything. And that she's laying on it means she has no clue anything is really different. Again, I had no clue how hard THIS journey would be but I'm on my 3rd cup of coffee, still feeling defeated but praying for the positive energy for both of us to kick in. Thanks for listening.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
ohhh I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, but like everyone says, there IS light at the end of the tunnel, it will get better! I know how anxious you must be feeling having to be at work! I am sending you tons of positive thoughts and hugs hoping tonight gets a little easier!!!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
SO far.... everyone in this house seems calm and controlled. It's often a ruse w/Shelby but I feel confident the drugs have left her system and she's acting normal. She seems really tired (which I can imagine she is if she hasn't slept much in the past 48 hours). She ate her dinner just fine. Did her business outside but didn't really seem to want to walk. She's already back to sleep.
So I am cautiously optimistic that mom and child will sleep tonight. I am not giving her anything tonight UNLESS she decides to go bat crazy on me and then I'll give her a valium! Or a glass of wine (kidding).
I am curious about the random poop drops I found. Another theory is that the drugs caused her reflexes to be off? Or that she's confused? I really hope they didn't do something to her booty muscles when they did her amputation since the site is pretty close and I often have to wipe her post potty time. 🙁
Fingers crossed! Mommy needs to sleep!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
WOW ... just re-read through this thread since I wanted to add to it (rather start a new one) about Shelby's possible phantom leg pain and what a difference a month makes - my dog is definitely less psychotic than she was then! Thank GOD! I would have pulled my hair out by now.
But I did notice something last night - she did it twice. She was laying on the floor, sleeping or resting, not really sure and out of the blue - she jumped up and ran to me. She didn't shriek out or seem in pain - just startled. I checked and there were no earthquakes or anything else weird (not a full moon). So I wonder if, 6 weeks post-amp, it's possible for her to have phantom leg pain now? Also, yesterday before our a.m. walk, she sat down and looked like she was trying to attempt to scratch behind her left ear (she would always do this in the mornings since they had shaved that part and I think it itched as the fur grew back) but there is no leg on the left side. So I scratched it for her. She also keeps looking at her butt - and sniffing, but that's actually normal for her. She would always look at her butt if she farted or something (she also would run from her farts because she's insane). I also, for the first time since she had her amputation, saw her licking her butt/girly parts. Normal dog stuff.
So I looked through the archives and most of the stuff about phantom leg pain says they will cry out or there will be twitching of the site but I haven't seen any of that. Just twice she jumped up and ran (to me of course). So does it make sense that she would get this now? I figured if she was going to have it, she would get it earlier. Thank you!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
My Cassie went through 1 week of total chaos immediately following her surgery, with what we thought could only be phantom pain episodes, REALLY bad ones where she howled in pain. But then, that gradually went away by the end of second week, and never had similar type of agonizing episodes again.
Having that said, Cassie has continued to have exactly the same thing you described of Shelby doing. Cassie would be sprawled in the living room, snoozing, then all of a sudden, she would jump up and run for a few steps looking somewhat confused, then as if nothing just happened, she'd trot off to a different spot and go right back to sleep. There appears to be no lasting effect from these episodes, which she continues to have almost on daily basis to this date, sometimes multiple times throughout the day, and it does't seem to be really painful or anything, given she can go straight back to sleep.
We also worried to death at the beginning, but have gotten accustomed to them after a while. Unless Shelby exhibits signs of lasting distress, I'd simply monitor but try not to worry too much, although I know how difficult it is at times.
Good luck with swift recovery. Sounds like Shelby is well on her way!
Thank you for your story and experience with Cassie. That is exactly what Shelby is doing - not every night but she just did it. I don't think she's in pain since there is no crying with it. She just looks spooked or something. She also is really trying to 'scratch' behind her left ear - she literally was shaking where her leg was. And tonight on our walk, post-poop, she did her 'kick and cover' even though she was only kicking w/one leg. So I guess that's what it is and since she's not painful, I won't worry.
Shelby never really cried out in pain - at all - but she would pace and pant but those days are long, long behind us *thank GOD*. Good to know that it's probably nothing to be concerned about. Her vets said that some dogs literally chew at the site and that is cause for concern. Shelby ignores it for the most part. Thank you again!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
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