Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 9 yr old old golden retriever, Tucker, had his left front leg and shoulder amputated last Tues 11/8/11. He can walk, has had no eating issues or incontinence, but he seems to be declining rather than improving daily. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and had the amputation within a week of diagnosis. CT scans, etc showed no additional tumors (of course micrometastisis is likely we are aware). We were scheduled to begin chemo tomorrow, but I am delaying and bringing him in instead for an exam and tests to make sure there is no infection or other issue to rule out. I know chemo will knock him down again/set him back and I don't want to do that until he shows some momentum. He is an extremely gentle dog, and we are keeping up with his pain meds, but he never wimpers, doesn't pant much or flinch or otherwise indicate pain of any sort. So while I cannot rule out some pain at this stage, it doesn't make sense that it would be worse than directly following the surgery, when he definitely seemed to be doing better than he is now – smiles, tail wagging, etc. His disposition continues to decline.
Basically he seems to be increasingly depressed and losing his will to live. He lays flat on the floor (on his side) and is increasingly unresponsive — to the point of not even avoiding making eye contact. It takes a significant amount of of puppy talk, high pitched voices, dancing around, encouragement and excitement to get him to even lift his head. His favorite thing prior to the surgery was chasing a ball, particularly swimming to retrieve. Obviously we cannot take him swimming until his staples are out and incision is healed, but he wont even put the ball in his mouth now. When we lift him up he will walk to his food bowl to eat and outside to go to the bathroom, but then he just lays down and wants to stay laying down. Either outside or inside.
I know from when he was neutered as a puppy (9 mos, I believe) he was very much a drama "king" and acted similar — like he couldn't get up and needed to be hand-fed and have the water bowl brought to him, etc. But at that age we were able to trick him with something irrestible and he snapped out of it and never fell back into it. However, we cannot get him to snap out of it this time.
Has anyone had this challenge following an amputation, and how did you get your dog moving into a routine where he/she saw that she could do all the fun things that he/she used to do with 4 legs? If this was a human child, we would certainly have him on a very rigorous physical and psychological routine to accellerate the physical and emotional healing process. While we know at least the basics of what to do physically to get Tucker up and going (some frequency guidance, etc would be useful) we feel entirely lost about how to stimulate a more positive psychological healing process for him. All we have read and heard indicates that dogs do so much better than humans about handling an ampututation, snapping right into the 3-legged routine, etc. but we are not experiencing that. How do we build up his self esteem and demonstrate that he can still do the fun things he loves?
Tucker is a 9 yr young Golden retriever (Goldrush bloodline). Osteosarcoma in front L shoulder 11/2/11; front left amputation 11/8/11; chemo – Carboplatin starting 11/21/11. Mast cell tumor chest/neck 2004.
Hey Tucker and pack,
Welcome to tripawds. Your future posts will not require moderation.
Boy- Tucker sounds just like my pug Maggie! I always said Mag was a drama queen, and a dog who just did not deal well with any kind of change to her routine.
Assuming there are no medical issues- you may just need to give Tucker some time to adjust to his new body. And actually- you are still pretty early in the healing process. Many people see big improvement in mood and ability around 2 weeks which usually coincides with the staple or suture removal.
That being said- Mag was not a happy pug for at least 4 weeks after surgery. We had no physical complications- but she just seemed to have no energy or ambition. At her age of 7.5 she had slowed down some, but now she was really a slug. But my concern with her was that she was just not happy- no spark. It got a little better when the sutures came out and I could start to take her places. She got discouraged when she would fall while walking (she was a rear amp) and I had to really encourage her to try again. I did have to resort to some tough love as well- around week 3 or 4. My parents got in the habit of carrying her when she was with them- and then she started to expect it. We had some standoffs when she would not want to come in from outside on her own- I just left her until she came in.
What did I do? I tried to get her back to some semblance of her normal routine as soon as possible. As soon as the sutures were out I started taking her places she liked- even if she couldn't walk to far. I got her around people she liked- that seemed to perk her up some. I kept trying to entice her with her favorite toys. And I had to make her get around on her own (within reason). I knew she could get outside and up and down the couple small steps to the backyard. I would help her balance when needed- but no carrying!! When she gained some confidence she seemed to do better.
Eventually she was walking a mile on her own (6 or so months later though, which was half the pre amp distance) and she got over being discouraged when she fell. In fact, she would often fall into a sit on purpose to change direction! She lived almost 4 years after her amp from mast cell cancer as the happy, obstinate pug I had always known.
Good luck with Tucker- I hope you see some spark soon.
Karen and the pugapalooza
tuckerpawfoot said:
...we are keeping up with his pain meds... he seems to be increasingly depressed and losing his will to live.
What pain medication is Tucker taking? Please don't mistake the side effects of some drugs for human emotions. Some dogs just need more time. And all will follow their pack leader so be sure to be strong around Tucker. As Dr Waldman says if you want life to be normal again, you must act as though it is.
Every dog is different. Most people see a vast improvement with their dogs once off all the pain meds and/or at about 12-14 days. Until then there is no need for Tucker to be up and about except to eat drink and do his doody. Take things one day at a time, consult with you vet with any concerns, and please keep us posted.
PS: 8 Days does seem quite early to begin chemo, but we are not vets.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome and sorry you to join us here, but this is a great site for info and support!
You guys are still pretty deep in the thick of recovery. The pain meds really mess with their personalities, and probably just the pain of the recovery does too. Abby was VERY depressed after her surgery. She would go outside and 'hide' behind our big potted plant and nothing would entice her to come inside. We would just leave her out there with the front door open hoping she would come in. Eventually she always did, but it was worrisome. (Especially since it was Nov and cold out! Ok, San Diego cold, but still, cold to us...) The only thing that would cheer her up was if someone other than me or my hubby came around. She was all tail wags for visitors, but didn't really care for us too much during that time. It was rough - but once the pain meds were done and the staples were out (around day 12-14), we started seeing glimpses of our girl again.
I hope this is just a bump in the road and soon he'll start to feel better and be his old self.
Also, I think it's a good idea to delay the chemo. You know your pup best. Abby had minimal side effects, but it's probably best to wait until he's feeling better.
All the best. Please keep us updated!
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
My 11 1/2yr old Rottie is 16 days post op for a rear amp with OSA and she has pretty much seemed to be in a coma since surgery. It didn't worry me as much the first week because the pain meds were pretty heavy but as we weaned her off she seemed even more "depressed". Naturally, I have been assuming that she has lost her will to live and probably feeling my emotions around her, tears, smothering her with hugs and kisses might have been making her even more depressed. I don't know. But yesterday we made the trip to NEVOG (vet oncology group near Boston) and once she was out of the car, she was like her old self- happy, walking faster than I could keep up, etc... In fact the doctor said she was very upbeat and not showing any physical signs of illness (does missing a leg count?) but anyway his recommendation was to get off the Gabapentin asap because with Tramadol it is most likely making her the vegetable I've been seeing around the house. He recommended just one Previcox a day, which I'm not a huge fan of, but I will try it for a few days and see if I notice a change in her personality. He said the appearance of depression/lethargy is pretty much normal in many dogs, older dogs can take about 3 weeks to bounce back and to keep in mind every dog is different.
Good luck!
Joanna
Thanks for the feedback Joanna, please consider registering so your posts don't require moderation and to take full advantage of everything the Tripawds community has to offer. We'd love to hear more about Nina's story in a new topic or blog.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Nothing to add other than I'm sorry you are going through this with Tucker.
Sending lots of healing and happy wishes!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Here is a link to a video of Bo, 8 days post-amp. He was extremely lethargic and unresponsive. We took him to the vet and we attributed his "depression" to the meds. Specifically, the gabapentin. We weened him off slowly and around 3 weeks post-amp, we started to see the real Bo again. Don't hesitate to call the vet if you are concerned about something! Good luck and keep us posted!
I know that you are worried about Tucker. This experience takes a gigantic toll on both us humans and the Dogs! Please remember that Tucker just had MAJOR surgery!! He needs LOTS of time for his body to heal and rest. Besides the fact that the meds can make them tired ,weak, depressed and loopy his body is not only healing from the surgery but his muscles are also trying to recover from being used in different ways. It takes alot out of a new Tripawd to get up and around when their muscles are not used to being used in these new and different ways. I think when Dogs first come home after surgery they are happy to be home and they want to see what's going on and then after the first few days the gravity of what has happened to them sets in. I know it can be very disheartening and frustrating to see Tucker this way. I had a very hard time getting my Dog Valentina up to do anything also. She was so super lazy and it really worried me but I tried to think if I were to have my leg amputated would I want to get up and run around so soon? Probably not. One of the worst parts of this process is the waiting and the wondering if and when everything will turn out ok. I just tried to stay positive and and to appreciate the small things. I would have never been able to get through this ordeal without this site and prayer. I will pray things get better for Tucker. Poor guy. I know it seems like forever when you are in the midst of this but things will get better. It just takes time. Valentina didn't want to play with her toy or do much of anything that she used to enjoy until about 5 weeks after her surgery. Although she did have some complications. But every Dog is different and sometimes their age could be a factor in their recovery time. Hopefully once he is weaned off of the meds and the stitches are removed you will begin to see small improvements each day. Then before you know it he will be back to his normal happy self. Of course I cannot witness the condition of Tucker so please if you feel something really is wrong , see your vet right away. I sure do hope that he is just tired and doped up and nothing is really wrong. Good Luck with Tuck!! Sounds like he is a really sweet boy. 
Hi Tucker and Tucker-parent! 🙂 Welcome to the forums!
My Katy is a bit over 2 weeks post-amp (same leg as Tucker) and I worry about her a bit as well. Here at home she lays around, sleeps a lot, doesn't want to do much of anything. I agree with Angel in that "the gravity of the situation" seems to have hit her. She's almost 9 now, so I don't exactly expect her to act like a puppy, but a little more energy would be nice.
I think the key is, just figuring out what works for your kiddo. Katy likes to go for car rides, loves to go out and meet people. While she was still recovering and had her sutures, I took her to school with me (I'm a vet tech student). Now that her stitches are out, I wondered about the need to still take her with me. But it really seems to brighten her up, so I think I may continue for the next few weeks until Christmas break. I know that recovering from major surgery is rough and can lead to unintentional depression (just from not going anywhere or doing anything for long periods), and I imagine it's similar for our tripawds. So getting her out in the sunshine, back into the "real world" can only be beneficial for her physical and mental health. I do agree as well that the pain meds kinda futz up their personality a bit; Katy's doing great so we're weaning her off the Tramadol (with the vet's permission of course) and I hope to see her back to her old self soon.
Everyone's said it so well, amputation is a massive surgery and takes a lot of recovery time, both mental and physical. It's a big change in Tucker's life and yours, and it just takes time to figure it all out. There are plenty of supportive folks here on the forums if and when you ever need to talk/vent/cry/whatever. Starting a Tripawds blog is also very therapeutic, and a great way to keep track of Tucker's progress (and he WILL make progress!). We're all here for each other, and for you. 🙂
I'm Crystal, but you can call me Katymom. :) I'm Triproud of my Tripawd!
Katy Sue Sarcopski – born approx 2/03, found "the lump" 9/7/11, suspected soft tissue sarcoma (most likely liposarcoma) 10/11, became a Tripawd 11/1/11, official diagnosis of infiltrating lipoma 11/23/11
Follow her "tail" at katydidit.tripawds.com!
I agree with everyone else that it is a rough two to three weeks. One thing that REALLY helped pull Levi out of his "funk" was a drug called Methocarbamol (sp?) It is a muscle relaxer. He was having muscle spasms and he didn't want to move...once we relaxed those muscles he slowly "came back to life" and by week 4 we were finally off all drugs and he is his normal self...No idea if this is what's going on with your dog of course but thought I would share...!!!
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Rumbles also seemed very sad and depressed about 1 week after his surgery. In fact, googling "dog depression post-amputation" was how I found tripawds.com! The information here helped me to understand that the pain meds were probably the problem.
Sure enough, as we decreased the dosage in the days leading up to his 2-week, "staples-out" check-up, he was back to his happy, rumbley self.
I hope things work out well for your Tucker and that he's feeling happy and perky real soon!
Thank you everyone for the helpful information, kind words and support. It is a HUGE help.
We took Tucker to the Vet yesterday and as you had all indicated, the medication was definitely a factor. We reduced the dosage and while he is still not his old self (as to be expected considering the major surgery and change he is undergoing) but there was notable same-day improvement. They also ran blood tests and examined the sutures to make sure there was no infection and everything came back very positive.
He even climbed the stairs (of his own accord, certainly not with our encouragement we were actually watching somewhat in horror, but didn't want to discourage him, so just made sure we were there to provide support should he need it), so he could sleep where he used to before surgery, outside our 4 yr old twins' bedroom door to protect them, as he has since their birth. That was huge! So we are very encouraged. Today he has been getting up and down of his own accord and has not been licking, so no need for the "cone of shame " which has also helped his attitude. No chasing balls yet, but we feel more confident that day is not too far away.
Sutures come out Monday, and we will start chemo then as well. I am sure it will knock him down a bit, but at least we have more confidence that he hasn't given up. Thanks also for the muscle relaxer (Methocarbamol) recommendation. We will inquire about that with the vet. He is a bit stiff on the other legs when he gets up and we know he has a touch of arthritis, so that would probably help (as long as it isn't a problem in combination with chemo). Any additional advice is welcomed as we proceed on our journey.
Interesting about the searches on "post amputation depression". I actually was referred to tripawds by my vet, so while I spent considerable time with that exact search on the site itself, with limited luck, I never did the search on google... all my searches there were about "canine osteosarcoma". The best learning comes from mistakes! Thanks again.
Tucker is a 9 yr young Golden retriever (Goldrush bloodline). Osteosarcoma in front L shoulder 11/2/11; front left amputation 11/8/11; chemo – Carboplatin starting 11/21/11. Mast cell tumor chest/neck 2004.
Oh hooray that he is feeling better. Ive been so hoping we'd see an update from you that he was doing better!
The fact that he went to sleep outside the kid's bedroom door is the sweetest thing!
Please give him a big hug from me and some smoochy kisses from Abby!
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Wow....this is EXACTLY what is going on with Charlie (8 year old golden retriever-right front leg amputation). I posted the same sort of information in the same forum under "Sleepy Pup". We feel like he is just so sad...we just feel awful! He stopped the meds (tramadol and rimadyl) on day 14. It is day 18 and he just wants to lay around...only getting up to go out, eat, and drink and then he's right back to his bed. He is readjusting all night trying to get comfortable.
We just can't wait to see Charlie's happy self back...wanting to play. We're going to try to get him upstairs this weekend so he can sleep with us, where he always did.
I love tripawds...sooooooooooooo helpful!!! We're just going to hang in there and hope he comes out of it for now!
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