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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Otis becomes a tripawd today
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Member Since:
1 October 2017
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20 January 2018 - 1:26 pm
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Whew, so glad to hear Otis is doing better and thankful that he was on antibiotics!  I just read about the abscess, better out than in!!! If he weren't on the antibiotics it might have been much worse! Ok, now back to healing Otis... no more of that, you have healing to do! winker It is amazing what comes out of the mouths of children, that was really precious. I got my grandson a book about a tripawd from here. It is just so cute and even though Huckleberry's amp was trauma induced I thought it would be a nice way for him to see that animals can live well without the spare. They live 1000 miles away in R.I. so they haven't met Huckleberry yet, but he is always talking about Memere's kitty with the 3 legs, lol.

Maybe now that things are calming down a little we can get some more pictures of your handsome Otis and you can restock your chocolate way-cool

Hugs,

Jackie and Huck heart

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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20 January 2018 - 9:54 pm
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You are doing a REALLY good job of monitoring Otis and, as Jackie said, staying ahead of any potential crisis.

Glad to hear Otis is feeling so well! 🙂

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!

Member Since:
11 January 2018
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21 January 2018 - 7:49 am
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How is Otis today? Hope the antibiotics are helping and fever is down. Looking forward to an update on your beautiful tripawd giant!  Gus is in more pain today - limping on 3 legs. Guess it's good practice for tomorrow... And it helps reinforce for me why I need to have them take his leg. 

Sarah

Member Since:
15 December 2017
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21 January 2018 - 11:48 am
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Sarah, videos helped me a lot when I was making the decision and also right before Otis went in for surgery so I hope this one will assure you that hopping is better than limping. Otis was (is!) a super athletic dog, but he had some rough recovery days with this infection. I am absolutely over the moon happy with what he is able to do 13 days post amputation. Here is a video of him wearing a harness for the first time ever and hopping through our yard today: https://www.fli.....N07/9cP7V4

It may not look like much, but it made me so proud and happy! His infection is under control, some discomfort this morning, but definitely looking better. His staples come out tomorrow. We are awaiting results of wound culture to see if we need different antibiotics, but everyone is calmer and happier today, Otis included! There are some new photos on our Flickr album as well.

I have an overwhelming amount of gratitude for everyone here for getting me through the two weeks! I know there are still ups and downs to come, but for now we are really really happy with Otis' progress,

Camille & Otis (my fiance Joseph also stars in this video! He works out of town M-Fri so it's been nice to have his help and support this weekend too 😊)

Member Since:
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21 January 2018 - 1:32 pm
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He looks wonderful! Considering how long it has been since his surgery I think he is making terrific progress, what a sweetie! I am so glad he is feeling better. Really curious to see how those culture results come out. I am glad you had help with him this weekend, I know this has been stressful. 

Sending you big hugs!

Jackie and Huckleberry heart

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
11 January 2018
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21 January 2018 - 8:19 pm
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Oh, he looks wonderful!  Looks like he’s moving pretty easily!  

Hope the night and tomorrow continue to get better.  

Sarah

Member Since:
15 December 2017
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22 January 2018 - 7:58 am
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Staples came out this morning! The Vet and Vet Tech said Otis was so relaxed while it was happening they thought he had fallen asleep! It took a while with such a big incision and such a big dog, but I'm sure he is happy they are gone. 

Still awaiting results of the pathology report on the bone and the results on the wound culture, but Otis is doing great. Our GP Vet wrote us a prescription for amoxicillin, anticipating that it would be the right antibiotic for his infection, but no confirmation yet. 

-Camille & Otis

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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22 January 2018 - 10:50 am
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Awww that is super duper news to kick off the week, congrats on making it to this stage of recovery!

Good boy Otis!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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22 January 2018 - 10:55 am
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That's great news! Otis is sliding through this like a champ clap Hope you all have a restful day today winker

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
11 January 2018
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22 January 2018 - 2:07 pm
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This is great news!  Hoping for more good days ahead. 

Sarah

Member Since:
10 January 2018
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22 January 2018 - 2:17 pm
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YAY!!! awesome news. I saw Otis hopping through the yard and wow!!! that is amazing. Po is far far far away from hopping like this. this is an amazing recovery. !!! way to go Otis 🙂

Canada
Member Since:
7 July 2017
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22 January 2018 - 5:51 pm
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Yay Otis! stitches are out!!! Way to go buddy! You’re doing fantastic! Loved that video!clap

Petra, Stewie 🐾 and his Pride  >^..^<heart

On July 10/17 I became a Super Tripawd! You can find out more about my Pawrents Allensong but first Check out my 🎗 journey Super Stu Remember...“live in the moment!“  

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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24 January 2018 - 9:55 pm
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I almost missed thr HAPPY STITCHES ARE OUT PAWTY!! 🙂 🙂   GOOD JO. OTIS!!!   Lpve that he was so relaxed he almost dozed off! 🙂  Now THAT is a happy dawg! 🙂

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!

Member Since:
15 December 2017
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26 January 2018 - 12:50 pm
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Otis has been itchy since his staples came out and it has been quite a task to keep him from licking, but the incision scab is falling off and he is looking great! He is hopping around and we went on our first walk (very short) and he was SO EXCITED to be hopping down the driveway.

We FINALLY got the results back from the wound culture and I am REALLY glad we did it, so I wanted to share the results for anyone else in the future who might have an in infection issue with their dog.  

Turns out Otis had a human staph infection (MRSA ) and burkholderia. Uncommon, but treatable. When I first heard MRSA -- I was totally scared, but our GP vet assured me we could take care of both of these. We were given two options: bactrim (cheaper, human antibiotic that I'm sure you're all familiar with) and marbofloxacin (more expensive, animal specific antibiotic). Despite the HUGE cost difference (marbofloxacin -- brand name zeniquin-- will cost us $200 for a two week supply-- partially because Otis is so big), we have chosen to use that one because we do not want the stress with the associated risks to Otis' immune system of the bactrim. We were told that although cephalexin, his original antibiotic, carries similar risk, the risks happen at a much greater rate with bactrim. Examples of negative side effects are dry eye (manageable, but not desirable) and blood changes that could generate immune mediated reactions such as destruction of platelets or red blood cells. After Otis has been through so much and we are finally to the less stressful aspects of recovery, we thought our money was well spent on Marbofloxacin.

This is all probably pretty boring but someone might find it useful so I'm sharing. I have to say I am so glad we did the culture because based on Otis' activity level and wound, he looks totally healed! Had we gone based on appearances alone, we might have had a bigger problem on our hands down the road.

I have uploaded more pics to our Flickr album and took a short video of him hopping down the road on his first walk! Everyone is so right, you have to walk fast to keep up with these hoppers!

Lots of love, 

Camille & Otis

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26 January 2018 - 1:40 pm
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No, No not boring at all!!! I am thrilled to get the information and although I am sorry you had to have yet another medicine expense, it is TREATABLE! I have never heard of burkholderia, I will have to do some research on it. MRSA is a bugger in people, it really probably is a good thing that you went with the veterinary formula of medication. I don't think I would have risked it either. I am so glad things are finally turning around for you. You might want to try those warm face cloths on the scabby area for relief, maybe if you do that he won't try to go at it so much. They get so crusty, itchy, and it pulls on the skin and fur growing back. I cannot watch the video yet, but I can't wait to see it when I get home smiley

Big hugs,

Jackie and Huck heart

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

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