Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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OOOOMMMMMDDDD! Is Mojo comfortable or what??!!! I love this! It speaks volumes about how good Mojo feels. Pure bliss right there😎
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!
That’s wonderful! Bet it was the best feeling to roll around on the grass again! So happy to see this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Noticed today that her compression shirt started to give her a sore on her front leg from where it would dig in while she's laying down. Looks like it has rubbed the skin a little raw but that could also be from her licking it. Got the okay from South Paws that we could take it off (three days ahead of schedule) so we did and hopefully she'll stop licking her leg and doesn't cause a bigger issue. We've got her wearing her thunder shirt to try and protect the staples as best as possible but it doesn't cover the entire incision.
I know Mojo has to be happy the compression shirt is off. I'm sure the raw spot will start to clear up too.
Almost stitch removal time, right?? That requires a cheeseburger drive thru for Mojo on the way home👍
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!
It seems we may have waited too long to take the compression shirt off. 
We put the cone on her for overnight to ensure she didn't lick at her leg and give it a chance to dry. At 1:30am Houdini stuck again and escaped from the living room, I had happened to wake up and thought I heard a thumping. Came downstairs and she managed to squeeze between the recliner and wall (w/cone on) to escape and I found her laying in the mud room. Took her out to potty and then back inside with a kitchen chair blocking the small area so she couldn't squeeze thru again. Fast forward to breakfast time where she stood to eat and I got a better look at her leg and snapped these pics. There is a bit of an odor as well so I'm guessing it is infected, sigh. I sent the pics off to South Paws and awaiting a response. Any suggestions on if I should try and clean it and what to use?
Aww poor pupperz. Well it doesn't look too bad really, the odor could just be from being covered up and moist. I wouldn't do anything until South Paws calls. Don't panic, it looks like something that can dry up in a few days but unfortunately, probably will only heal if she wears the cone. Ugh! Sorry!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That has to be a big owwweee😱
Is Jerry said, just leave it alone until the vet gives you some Direction. Probably just letting it dry out will do the trick, but he may want some sort of Salve for spray or powder or something on it or may not.
Where does she usually sleep at night? Is it possible you could have her whatever that is, with the cone on the course, but she may not try to escape if she's in her normal place
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!
South Paws got back to me a recommended a warm water rinse with mild soap twice a day and I can apply Neosporin as well. It's gotten a bit worse and smells horrible. I talked to the Oncologist yesterday, he actually called to tell me that the biopsy results did come back as Osteosarcoma and if Osteo could have a range of severity he'd almost say it was a mild case. Basically she had less cancer cells in the leg then typical other dogs with Osteo have. He said he takes it as a positive. She was put in the randomizer for the Trial and will be in the chemo group after all. Then we got talking about the sore on her leg and he said it's the third instance of extended wearing of a compression shirt causing this type of sore. I got the feeling that he was a bit upset with the surgery dept and said he'd be sending them an email once we were off the phone. For other pups that are given a compression shirt for recovery be on the LOOKOUT for this type of sore. The Oncologist said she would have been fine probably just wearing it a week....we went a week n a half and surgery dept wanted us to go the full two weeks. They'll be taking a good look at it tomorrow and told me they will likely get her on an antibiotic for it. He also said that since I still have some Gaba left from before surgery I can give her 2/day to try and make her a little more comfortable.
Benny, she usually sleeps in her bed in the living room or on the carpet of our formal living room. We don't have a baby gate long enough to keep her in the formal living room since it's basically an entirely opened wall. She has gotten in her bed a few times post amputation but I think it's a little hard for to get turned around to her pleasing once she is in there.
Oh, and she broke out at 5:30am and was laying on the kitchen hardwood, lol.
Hahaha.....seems to me might as well forget trying to corral Mojo in. Ahe clearly is ready to raom😎
I actually remember questioning that "they" wanted the compression shirt on for two weeks. Glad the Onco is goi5 to address that.
And heck yeah, a "mild case" sounds like a pawsitive to me!!! Interesting observation from the Onco. Sounds like you jave a good one.
Give Houdini Mojo a smooch for us😘
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!
Oh ugh on the sore spot, yikes! Guess the techs were getting a bit too enthusiastic with the compression shirts. Honestly I don't like the coverings. They can help prevent seromas on forelimb amputees, but they also keep the parent from seeing what's going on underneath. And then things like this happen sometimes. Plenty of front-leg amputees (including our Jerry) go without them after surgery and do just fine. Maybe some day someone will invent clear post-op compression shirts. Poor Mojo! And you, sorry you have to deal with the grossness.
But hey, "mild" osteosarcoma sounds like a pretty good bit of news! When it comes to cancer, take it where you can get it right? 
If she's breaking out into the rest of the house, well that's a pretty darn good sign that she's not letting the sore spot slow her down one bit. Mojo is pawesome!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
STAPLE REMOVAL DAY! (well sort of)
The surgeon was really pleased with how well her incision healed and that she seems to be doing well on 3. He apologized for the compression shirt wound, cleaned it up a lil bit including shaving the fur around it and put three staples in it to keep the skin together and promote healing thou he said if the staples come out it's okay. He didn't want to close it up completely because there was still a little bit of fur inside. She's on antibiotics now and I have to try and apply some Neosporin to it once a day...and she has to wear a cone. He said it looks a lot worse then it is and the tissue is healthy with a good blood supply. It should heal up in 10-14 days.
Unfortunately because of the wound the Oncologist wants to delay the start of chemo so that the wound has a good chance to heal up. So she goes back in a week to have her wound re-checked and as long as it looks good they'll start the chemo that same day.
Had to run out this evening and didn't even bother with the baby gates. Figured if she didn't feel confined then maybe she'd just lay in the living room....she was laying in the mud room when we got home. We may just let her be overnight and only block off the steps so she can't try and come upstairs.
Wooohooo for no more staples! I'm glad the compression shirt wound wasn't too bad. WHEW!!! Delaying chemo sucks but is a good idea, you want her body as strong as possible before getting started.
It's awesome the way you are gently allowing her more freedom. At this point in recovery, what you are doing is perfect. See how she does and if she seems too tired in the morning, you know she was going wild downstairs by herself. You are an excellent observer of her behavior. Great job!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAY FOR STITCH REMOVAL 👏👏👏(well, except for the three new ones)!!
Sounds like your Vet is on top of it and being cautious as well. 👍
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!
Mojo has been doing well and her leg wound is healing up nicely but not closed up yet. SouthPaws appt tomorrow to have her leg re-checked and if they think it looks good enough she'll get her first chemo treatment.
Been trying to figure out how to post a video but they all seem to be too big for the Tripawds site. Is there another site that will allow for slightly larger files?
Best way to share videos is post to YouTube first, or Vimeo. Then just paste the Share link to auto-embed movie in your post.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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