Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Totem, our 4 month old puppy, had a hind leg amputated one week ago due to multiple breaks in his femur. He is healing well, we think, and the vet assures us that he is doing good.
This past weekend he began to lick his stitches so we had to resort to the dreaded cone, which he does not like (nor do we). Here is my concern: he just seems lethargic preferring to lie on his cushion. He is eating well, pees and poops fine. He does not appear to be in any significant pain. He is just disinterested in doing much of anything.
So, is one week too soon to expect much energy? I must say when he sees another human he goes nuts like he did prior to his injury, but around home he just lies around, especially since we added the cone.
I'm not a vet, but FWIW it sounds like a relatively normal recovery if all other signs are good. pain signals , however, can be tricky and that laying around all day you are describing is concerning, especially because he's so young. While he technically shouldn't be running around crazy and jumping off furniture etc., most young dogs would at least try, and are more energetic at this point.
We humans tend to have a hard time seeing pain signals in animals. What pain medications was he given after surgery? And what is he on now now? At one week out he should still be on something. Most dogs are on meds for 10-14 days. If he is not, my guess is that he needs pain control, which in itself could make him sleepy but at least his body will be able to mend better with pain management .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Ditto everything Jerry said. It is still early in recovery from MAJOR surgery, and pain management is bery important. And it does sound like if he's eating and pottying and gets engaged when a visitor comes....all good signs. Even for a pupoy though, it should just be leashed potty breaks for a few minutes and then back in for more rest for the first two weeks-ish.
AMD some sogs do seem to "shit down with the cone. It impacts their line of vision, their hearing, all sorts of little changes that they do understand.
As long as uou can watch him, I would definitely give him some time without the cone. Just make sure you are watching. You can also trie a tiny tee shirt, or a onesie type thing on over his butt to serve as a barrier if he tries to lick his incision. Can also try one of those blow up soft cones. Check out our gear shop.
Will look forward to your update. Reme, recovery doesn't last furever!
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!
We're two weeks out from surgery and days 7 and 8 were low like this and probably the hardest days for me. She was disinterested, sleeping or just watching from her bed. For us reducing meds by half starting day 9 helped (though I was definitely worried pain would return, thankfully it didn't seem to). I think also for her there's an element of shock she's working through. We saw a holistic vet who was really soothing to her with this aspect of the transition. I forget who it is but someone here told me "it took me three weeks to say I did this FOR my pup and not TO her" and that helped me 🙂 Good luck to you and your little pup!
Devo's Tripawd Story here
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