Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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4/28/20 4:00pm:
Time goes by fast!
We got home with Oakley around 2pm after our car ride home. Oakley walked out of the vets on his own power until he got just outside the door where he decided it was time to sit down and rest. We picked him up, got him settled in the car, and home we went. He was very nervous and on-edge most of the trip but settled down near the end. He must have known we were headed home!
Once we arrived we carefully got him out of the car and into the yard. He immediately found a spot to take a pee which made us very relieved.
Once in the house, we got him settled and offered him some food and water which he gobbled up.
He came home with a small dressing on the surgery site for protection due to travel. We have since removed that and he did not have any discomfort with the process. He seems happy thus far and not in any noticeable pain. Was sent home with Rimadyl, Gabapentin, and Tranexamic Acid.
We plan to have a lazy afternoon and evening and then try to head outside one more time later tonight before bed. We are amazed at how well our boy is doing thus far and hope this trend continues.
Also... I started a blog as well to help better document the journey: https://oakleyt.....pawds.com/
Hi Paul! Congratulations on getting your boy home, peeing, and eating already! Wow! I grinned at the first photo of Oakley because Griffin looked exactly like that when he came home - goofy and loopy! It sounds like you have things well in hand - good for you. How did Odie react when his brother came home? Good luck with the first night! ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
Wheeee! Oakley's home! Yipeee! 
He looks alert and so happy to be back in the pack. I'm so happy things are going well. We will keep our paws crossed for a restful recovery.
Thanks for the note about the Tranexamic Acid. I had to look it up, and see that it's a bleeding preventive (something especially important for Greyhounds who are more prone to bleeding issues). I love that your vets gave it to you, Oakley's in great hands!
Gonna hop over to your blog now, thank you for starting one so that everyone can learn from his story.
Rest up and take care. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Stacy! Odie was very curious and had the "where have you been" look on his face when he saw Oakley hop through the door. He is definitely happy to have his brother home though. Odie has severe separation anxiety and can't stand being alone.
Not sure if I mentioned this here yet, but Odie is a bit special as well... Back in 2015 he had either an FCE or spinal stroke leaving him immediately paralyzed in his back legs. A lot of prayers and therapy later he walks but still has some issues. I documented most of that journey over on his Facebook Page: https://www.fac.....Greyhound/
We are also in the process of adopting a Galgo from Spain... his name is Hermes and he is actually missing a foot. We are a whole family full of special dogs.
It's weird to be grateful for the unfortunate situation we are going through as a world currently with the pandemic, but due to it Hermes arrival is delayed and we are happy we get to focus our attention to Oakley and his treatment and recovery. We know his third brother Hermes is thinking about him an ocean away. 🙂
Hi Paul - I keep referring to the pandemic as my silver lining, allowing me to be at home caring for Griffin 24/7 while also still being gainfully employed. I'm a school principal, so having the flexibility to take Griffin to appointments right now would be much more difficult if school were still in regular session. But now that he's recovering nicely and cabin fever has set all the way in, I think he would enjoy being back at doggie daycare with his friends and I would definitely love to be with my students! Do you have any idea when Hermes will join his brothers? ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
We assume it will be a month or so after travel bans are lifted due to the complexities of having him fly over. He luckily is in the hands of an amazing Galgo rescue and we are in touch with them weekly to get updates on our boy Hermes.
My wife Amy is a 7th grade reading teacher here in West Virginia so we also are finding it to be a blessing that she can be home with Oakley during recovery.
Oakley ate another small bowl of food with his medications around 8pm and then we took him out into the backyard again.
No 💩 yet... but he did pee again on his own power.
He sure does get moving when he wants to go which makes us a bit nervous and not sure how to react. I’ve been using a beach towel around his midsection when we first get up to help take a little weight off, but he seems to enjoy managing himself in the yard so I basically look like a soccer goalie just prepared to dive in and catch him if he loses balance.
This picture doesn’t do it much justice, but we are now all tucked into bed with pillows and he seems extremely happy and ready for a good nights rest.
Here’s to hopefully a peaceful pain-free night with no complications. 🤞🏼
Awww sweet Oakley, you are such a good boy! I just want to snuggle with you.
It's wonderful he is moving around on his own. I think your role as soccer goalie is spot-on. Some dogs don't need as much assistance as we think.
Cheers to you and a snuggle filled, restful night.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
4/29/20: Our first night was a little rough, but got better. Despite his big bed and lots of pillows, Oakley had a hard time getting settled and was trying to get up every 20 mins or so and panting constantly. We took him outside around 3am then decided to give in to the fact that he kept looking at our bed. When we put him in bed between us, he instantly relaxed and slept the rest of the night giving us all some much-needed sleep. At this rate, he may be sleeping with us for a while. This morning, he decided he wanted on the couch, and before Amy could stop him, he hobbled over and jumped his front leg up. He is definitely strong-willed. It’s hard to keep him comfortable and he still gets scared and whines some and still wants to do the things he likes (he was insistent on moving to his favorite couch spot just now and did everything it took to get there). He is still such a sweet and loving boy and we will adapt. ❤️
Awww of course he will adapt, he already is! As a big dog, it's not that much of a stretch to get up onto the couch so I wouldn't be too worried. It's the bed that you really want to be careful with, just make sure he has a soft landing or better yet put your mattress on the floor. Lots of people do that.
It's his strong will that is going to help him be the best Tripawd ever! I'm glad your night improved and hope you get even better sleep tonight.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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Being strong willed during recovery is a great trait to have! Then again when they do naughty boy stuff like trying to run to the goal too fast that it stresses out the "goalie"........
I love that he wants to get to his old routines as soon as possible. And trying to separate a dog from sleeping in HIS bed with his hoomans is not a good idea with a strong willed dog like Oakley😉
This is sooooo early, so very early, and just the fact that he is mobile is great!!
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!
Yay for snuggling in bed at night! Griffin was too zonked out on meds his first night but his desire to sleep with me was the motivation for him learning how to climb up on my bed (not too high and using his bed as a place to step up makes it easier) within a couple of days of surgery. It seems like Oakley is doing phenomenally well right now - good for him! And good for you for taking such good care of him and being willing to adapt to whatever he, Odie, and Hermes need! Sending positive vibes to all of you! ~ Stacy
Griffin lived an amazing life for 11 years! Diagnosed with osteosarcoma on March 17, 2020, Griffin's right forelimb was amputated on April 2, 2020. Ten days later he was running and playing fetch! Lung metastasis discovered in July 2020 did not slow down Griffin and he lived joyfully for the next 7 months, passing peacefully at home on February 11, 2021. https://griffin.tripawds.com
5/1/20 - Getting Use to Life on 3 Legs
Well all I can say is we've had a pretty amazing two days and are now four days out since Oakley became a tripawd...
Oakley seems to be getting a good handle on what his new life looks like. A typical day has started with us carrying him downstairs for breakfast and then outside for a bit. He then has discovered he can still jump up onto the couch and settles into his favorite spot to spend the day. Last night he slept soundly in bed with us ALL NIGHT without a peep which was great for him but even better for us hoomans.
He shows no pain and has really been doing great resting and recovering. The surgical site looks amazing with minimal bruising and no noticeable concerns. The more we have allowed him to do things that resemble his normal daily routine, the happier he seems.
I spoke to PVSEC and we are currently scheduled for a surgery follow-up on Monday May 11th and an oncology and possible first chemotherapy appointment on Thursday May 14th.
I’ll leave you all with this cute photo from yesterday... Oakley was so happy to be outside for a bit that he decided to lie down in the yard and enjoy the sunshine for a bit. 🐶
Oakley is soooo handsome! This update made my day! He really is having an amazing recovery. So glad he is demanding to return to his normal sleeping arrangements😎
Keep on keepin' on!👍
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!
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