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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The Vet at the Hospital told me to clean her wound with 70% peroxide - if this is not a good way to do so what is please! Thanks, my first experience in taking care of my little amputee wonder dog.:0)
Hi Sheebee, welcome. I'm in the Tripawds Chat Room right now if you want to hop on over.
Thanks for fostering this sweetie. How did she lose her leg?
Keep in mind I'm not a vet so take this for what it's worth, but we don't use peroxide based on what our friend the Preventive Vet says here:
Wound Care: Do NOT Use Peroxide to Clean
Instead, he recommends:
reach instead for a hose or, even better, a bottle of saline wound flush (or even a saline eye/contact lens flush or saline nasal spray) for your first aid.
Is the incision bandaged? If it's kept clean you shouldn't need to touch it. If you see fluid buildup and it's a simple seroma (click for info), then warm water on a clean wash cloth should be fine. We've covered this topic here:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm surprised your vet told you to do that- my understanding is that using peroxide can slow healing because it harms delicate new skin.
I was told to keep the incision area dry for the first two weeks and not to clean it. I tried to keep a clean towel on the areas she slept and we didn't have any trouble with the incision during that time. Others will chime in with advice and many are far more experienced than me!
It's so kind of you to take care of a foster who's healing from an amputation. She's very lucky to have you!
We too were not told not to clean the incision and just laid a towel under Max. He came home with a light bandage on but they said to take it off on day three and just leave it. I think keeping it dry helps healing in both people and animals.
Linda & Max
I wasn't advised to clean my cat's surgical site except to "snap the drain". I used a warm, damp washcloth to gently clean the skin around the site so none of the drainage would dry and get crusty and itchy.
My cat did not wear a cone or shirt or anything and when I she seemed interested in the site I would just lay the warm washcloth over top for a few minutes then she'd ignore it. I know it's unusual for the pets not to wear a cone but my vet said she didn't need one. I don't know how he knew.
I'm happy your pup is home with you. This will be a fabulous way to bond. Phoenix will know he/she is loved.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Well, as you can see, there's a whole lot of support here!
Stay connected and let us know how things are going. Recovery is no picnic...for either of you! But it's generally harder on the human than the pup.
What pain meds did the vet give you? It's important to stay consistent with them so the pain never gets ahead start.
If he doesn't poop for a couple of days, that's not unexpected. Just make sure he pees and drinks. Happy Hannah NEVER missed a meal, but some dogs don't have much of an appetite for a few days.
Try and get some rest when yiu can. Phoenix may be a little restless and uncomfortable for a few days. Some dogs don't seem to have many issues at all. Every dog is different...every recovery is different.
Sending hugs and love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
As a nurse I would say no peroxide!!! If you need to clean the incision for any reason, just water - you can take regular tap water & boil it, then let it cool to room temperature. Then use a clean cloth, cotton balls or gauze. But you really shouldn't need to clean it unless it's oozing. Peroxide kills good cells and will slow down the healing process. It's good for things like abscesses because it fights infection, but this is a surgical incision so it shouldn't be infected.
Is your foster a front or back leg amputee? Murphy had his front leg removed and we just kept a clean t-shirt on him to keep the incision clean. Someone recently posted pictures of the rear amp with boxers on and that seemed to work for them.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
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