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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Hi everyone, I'm new to this site but have found it incredibly helpful and reassuring as my partner and I are currently navigating our pup's hind leg amputation recovery. I wanted to share some updates since very few things feel normal in our lives right now. We adopted Paloma about six months ago. She had undergone a paw amputation due to someone strapping a firecracker to her hind leg. Despite the trauma, she has been nothing short of trusting, calm, and really the best dog we could ever hope for. The paw amputation never healed properly though, as she constantly relied on the amputation site to prop herself up, scratch, and just utilize for doggy things. We decided it would be best for her to undergo an amputation. We are currently at day 7 of recovery-- the first few days were filled with lots of yelps, crying, and her feeling frightened anytime we tried to lift her onto the couch or any of her other favorite spots in the house. She's still not sleeping through the night, and still seems to be in pain at various points throughout the day. Seeing her go through another painful recovery has been difficult. I suppose the intention of this post is to get reassurance that things will get better and we'll have our spunky pup back in due time. Any tips, tricks, or good vibes are welcome. Thanks to all for sharing your stories-- I didn't feel emotionally prepared for what this last week has been like, but reading folks' similar experiences has been so comforting.
Hi and welcome! We are so glad you decided to post and share Paloma's experience.
Oh my DOG what a terrible thing to do to a dog! Aggh!
Thank yo for showing her that not all humans are horrible. What an amazing pup, and you are so awesome for helping her through this time and giving her a great life.
Yes, things do get better. At this point it starts with good pain management . She shouldn't be in pain, although discomfort is to be expected. Tell us what medications she is on, how often, and what the dosage is. Also, what is her weight?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for showing this beautiful Soul what it feels like to be loved.
And yes, it does get better!!! Right now you're in the hardest part pf recovery. It's almost impossible to be "emotionally prepar3d" when we see our pips in pain and just not being their nor al Hhappy selves.
We have to remember, It is MAJOR surgery and recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. Humans would be in the hos for days and prob on a morphine drip!
You are in the "What have I done TO my dog phase?" Soon, like all of us, you will be so glad you did this FOR your Paloma♥️
It does sound like she needs better pain management . When you tell is what ahe's on now, doses, frequency, her, weight, etc as Jerry asked, we should be able to give you some guidance to help her be more comfortable.
For now, it's just potty breaks and back inside for rest, rest and more rest. Is she eating, drinking, pottying ? Is she mobile enoigh to get up on her own yet? Does she need assistance walking to go potty?.
We'll look for an update when you can. Try and get some resr yourselves. It's exhausting emotionally and physically to get to this point jn the journey.
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!
Hi! Thanks for your responses! Paloma is 28 pounds. Currently she is on the following meds: Carprofen 25mg every 12 hours, Trazodone 100mg 1.5 tablets as needed every 8-12 hours , Gabapentin 100 mg every 12 hours, Clavacillin 375 mg 1/2 tablet every 12 hours, and Tramadol 50mg every 12 hours only if needed. We are currently on day 9 of recovery. She is still not sleeping through the night, but seems to be doing better; the incision looks so so much better. She doesn't like to be helped up on the couch or moved really at all. She will let out some yelps and has started peeing as soon as she gets scared. Is this normal?
You are so welcome. So her pain medication sounds like a reasonable combo for a dog her size, but talk to your vet about bumping up the Gabapentin and Tramadol to every 8 hours, but see about alternating the timing so she has Gabapentin at one time, and the Tramadol later on. That might give her more consistent pain relief. Time the last dose to just before bedtime and see if that helps.
That's awesome she is doing better! And healing. WHEW!
If she's yelping when you move her, that could indicate she's got some muscle strain going on. This often happens to new Tripawds in the neck and shoulders. Will she allow you to very very gently massage her in those areas? See if she reacts when you try. If so, that's a sign she could be hurting.
The peeing could be related to her anxiety about being touched. It's a condition known as hyperalgesia. Here's a good article that mentions it. More frequent pain relief may help, so talk to your vet. If it continues after the pain medication timing changes, consider having her evaluated by a canine rehabilitation therapist. These experts are pros at pinpointing mysterious aches and pains. And the Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so it's a win win!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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