Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Trouble stayed two nights after her surgery, but several do go home the first night. If you are comfortable watching and taking care of her it sounds like she is doing well. Is the emergency vet close in case you should need them?
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
My two cents . . . .
Not all veterinary practices are set up to offer 24-hour care, which is the gold standard. For these smaller clinics, in the best case scenario, you can transfer the patient to a 24-hour clinic. Worst case, you take her home with very specific instructions on care and who to contact in the event of an emergency. IMHO, never in any circumstance should a dog be left unattended overnight after major surgery like this. You just don't know what can happen.
She's much better off in your care at this point than being alone. So try to breathe, this is only temporary, she'll be fine.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Please tell Miss Pixie that the Oaktown Pack (three rescue GSD tripawds and one 4 legged mutt) is sending her all their strength and love to help her heal up fast! We can't wait for pictures and to share her road to recovery! Its gonna be tough to start but you have a whole community here to lean on, who will lend and ear and a paw whenever you need it!
xoxox,
Travis Ray and the Oaktown Pack+1
G'morning, everyone, this is Pixie. Shhh...my mom is sleeping. She finally fell asleep pretending to watch a movie. I'm not dumb, I know she was really watching me out of the corner of her eye! She's a bit slow on the uptake sometimes, but I love her anyway. She seemed surprised when I woke her up around 2:30 for a drink and a bit of chicken and rice. She didn't give me nearly enough, my stomach was still growling, so I demanded a bit more and then went back to sleep until this morning.
Poor slow girl, she seemed surprised again when she came back from getting my morning pain medicine and found me sitting up in bed. Well of course I pushed myself up on my one front leg, that one doesn't hurt and the one that did is finally gone! After my meds, I ate a bit more chicken and rice and lay down again. I'm still not strong enough to walk outside yet but mom keeps changing the sheets on my bed, so I'll rest up a bit more and give the outside a try later on.
I think I'll take another nap and let mom sleep some more. She seems more worn out than I am, poor thing! Thanks to everyone who posted nice stuff for my mom to read and who talked with her on chat last night, I think it really helped her. Oh and she was really happy when the doc called early this morning to check in on me. He offered to stop by and give me more pain meds if I needed them, but I told her I didn't. Paws up and talk to you all later!
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
Pixie you are one strong pup! I knew you could get through this first night, I just knew it. GSDs are tough that way!
It was good to keep your Mom company last night, I wish we couldda stayed up later because I figured she wasn't going to get much rest. It's hard for out people not to worry about us but hey, we get lots of attention and treats over it so it ain't so bad after all now, is it?!
That's great your doc checked in on you so early, he sounds like a super duper vet. Now rest up sweetie, so you can start ruling the house from all 3!
Good luck today. xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Pixie, sorry I'm late w/ the welcome wagon and sorry you had to find your way here, but it sounds like you are doing great! Tell your Mom to try not to worry. There might be some bumps in the road while you get over the surgery, but she'll be amazed when she sees how fast you adapt. Tell her that being a Tripawd Mom is going to be even more awesome than just being your plain ol' Mom. She'll see soon enough!
Hope your recovery continues to go well! Keep us posted,
Jackie, Angel 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!
Pixie is doing great! She seems frustrated that she can't just get up and go and is already trying to do so. Found her on all 3's at one point and used a sling to help her take a few hops. She got tired pretty fast but what a break through! It makes me happy seeing her sassyness coming out again!
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
Hoooray! This is fabulous. By the weekend I'll bet that she'll be moving around more. How's her appetite and thirst levels?
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Appetite? - Check
Thirst? - Check
Moving around the house on all 3's 2 days post-surgery? Definite check! Last night (the next day after surgery) she got up and adjusted herself in bed. This morning, she made a bee-line for the door when she had to go out! She squatted with no problem. When she turned around and saw me, she hopped over and put her head under my hand. It was such a happy moment!
By mid-day, she's getting up and moving about when she wants to. She tires quickly so it's mostly short trips but I know her strength will increase in time. She's handled hopping up onto her beds when she wants to with ease. She's laying in her customary spot next to my desk as I write, snoozing comfortably.
I want to thank everyone again for being here, for the support and encouragement. Jerry, you rock, dude! Look at what you have done for your fellow tripawds! Jerry's parents, you rock for everything you do to keep this site the amazing support it is. Thanks to all the folks who posted with their support.
Pixie and I will post some pics and more updates soon! Will there be any gatherings on the East Coast soon? We can't wait!
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
resqdogs said
Appetite? - CheckThirst? - Check
Moving around the house on all 3's 2 days post-surgery? Definite check! Last night (the next day after surgery) she got up and adjusted herself in bed. This morning, she made a bee-line for the door when she had to go out! She squatted with no problem. When she turned around and saw me, she hopped over and put her head under my hand. It was such a happy moment!
By mid-day, she's getting up and moving about when she wants to. She tires quickly so it's mostly short trips but I know her strength will increase in time. She's handled hopping up onto her beds when she wants to with ease. She's laying in her customary spot next to my desk as I write, snoozing comfortably.
I want to thank everyone again for being here, for the support and encouragement. Jerry, you rock, dude! Look at what you have done for your fellow tripawds! Jerry's parents, you rock for everything you do to keep this site the amazing support it is. Thanks to all the folks who posted with their support.
Pixie and I will post some pics and more updates soon! Will there be any gatherings on the East Coast soon? We can't wait!
Wow, that is such fantastic news! I'm so so glad that this has gone so well for you and your baby girl!
"You aren't doing it TO him, you are doing it FOR him. Give him a chance at life."
Check out Fang's blog at http://cldavis......pawds.com/
Paw shucks Pixie, we're just thrilled that you're kickin' some butt! I hope today was even better. You are making one of those pawesome recovery stories that we will share with others for years to come.
Be safe out there will ya? I know you're in NJ so take it easy and PLEASE keep us posted on how you're doing. xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear Pixie is doing well. Awesome! You guys take care of yourselves with that storm.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Hi, all! Yep, we were right in the eye of the storm here in Southern NJ but we are incredibly thankful to have come through pretty much unscathed. A few big branches came down and the top of one tree snapped off, but nothing damaged. Reports are coming in from family and friends who are all safe and sound, but we are sad for the folks who have sustained major losses...and there are many. NJ needs your prayers!
As far as Pixie is concerned, she is continuing to make progress. After she figured out the mechanics of movement with 3 legs, she was up and around a few times the first two days. Now when I grab her leash and collar and offer a walk and she literally jumps up and hops to the door! So now, a couple times each day, she's doing a short walk. It's great to see her enjoy walks again without pain. I'm keeping them short for now and will increase them gradually as I see her strength increase and make sure her remaining legs can handle it.
One thing that sort of surprised me is that Pixie hasn't shown the slightest interest in her incision or stitches. It's almost like she doesn't know it's there. When I've been helping her and accidentally touched it, she hasn't seemed to mind. The vet tells me that in 10 days or so, he'll take the stitches out.
My vet has been great. He called to check on her the day after the storm. He agrees with me that she doesn't seem to have much discomfort and that the pain meds she's on may be sedating her a bit so we are gradually decreasing them.
A friend who hasn't seen Pixie since before her surgery came to visit and commented that she looks younger. I agree! The pinched, pained expression is gone from her eyes and the sparkle is back!
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
Hurray! I'm glad that things are going so well!
"You aren't doing it TO him, you are doing it FOR him. Give him a chance at life."
Check out Fang's blog at http://cldavis......pawds.com/
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