Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, Sierra came home Saturday morning after spending two nights with the vet. There were not any complications, just apparent pain issues so it took a little longer to ween her off the iv pain medicine. She was sure happy to be home and we were ecstatic to have her home. She has been doing lots of sleeping which is a good thing.
Today she seems a little more uncomfortable. Her back legs shake a little when she stands so the strain of rebalancing and learning how to move is taking its tolls on our little lady. We have been good at keeping her locked up except for eating/drinking and potty trips to the yard trying not to over do it. She seems to be panting a bit more today and we don't know if it is because of pain or side effects of the pain medications (tremadol). All the laying down on her 'good' side (left) also seems to be taking its toll on her.
She had a bit of fluid when we picked her up but it seems to be slowly decreasing. It looks like some of the fluid has 'moved' to her left side from laying down so much and wondering if that might be causing some pain. Small amounts of fluid are draining through the incision and it is pinkish so I think we are in good shape. We dab that with a warm cloth several times a day. [We started putting some warm, dry compresses to try and stimulate blood flow so it would reabsorb so will see what that does. The vet said cook a big pot of oatmeal and let it cool. Heat it in the microwave when you need it and put it in a plastic bag and it just forms to the body. We went with uncooked rice but both are good ideas if you don't have that nice wrap I saw on the blog some where.]
My guess is that all the healing and strain is taking its toll and assume this is one of the bumps. She seems to move about OK for food and potty but you can tell she hurts. The tail is tucked and ears are drooped so we can tell there is some discomfort. Is this part of the ups and downs everyone refers to?
If we wanted to try and do some stretches for her to try and help her legs out, how long should we wait? She does not seem to want to lie on her incision side (right) at the moment and seems really uncomfortable to lie on her left so we are a little apprehensive about making her so we can massage or stretch her legs. Any ideas?
our vet told us that all excercise and activity was to be very very limited for the first two weeks. Other than going out for potty breaks and such to keep them quiet andf in a small comfortable area. everything you are describing sounds normal right now and yes Im sure there is a lot of pain and stiffness, I tended to forget that Cooper had just undergone a major surgery and if it had been me I probably would have laid around and cried like a little girl 🙂 the fluid and panting and all the things you describe I would say are pretty much the normal ups and downs. I know I worried incessantly until Coopers incision was finally healed. I would double check with your vet about any kind of excercises or stretching this early on. Keep us posted!
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Yay for Sierra!
Coopsdad is right; although it's important not to baby her too much, you do want to make sure she takes it easy for the first couple of weeks, at least until her stitches are out.
The incision leakage sounds like normal seroma-type stuff.
I like that oatmeal pack idea! We've never heard of it, but it sounds pretty neat.
Is the pain wrap the one you are thinking of called "Bella's Pain Pack"? We love this one!
Her reactions sound normal. Most dogs do have ups and downs during the first few weeks. Many come home, still high on surgery pain meds, and overdo it. Then they crash and burn for a few days. What kinds of pain meds is she taking? Have you talked to your vet about upping (or decreasing) the dosage? pain management is tricky business those first few days. It's hard to tell whether the low ears and whimpering are a sign that she's in pain, or that she's seeing pink elephants and is too doped up.
Be sure to mention these things to your vet, just so they know how she's reacting. And then watch these post-amptuation recovery tips and videos from the good people at California Animal Rehab.
I hope this helps! Let us know how the rest of the week goes. Three paws up for a successful recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yep, sounds like a " normal" recovery so far. I found that Gus and Tramadol didn't get along very well, excessive panting, restlessness, not much appetite, but he did his business, which is always a plus. Gus' amp was a left front, which was the side he would lay on 95% of the time, so I think he had a little adjusting to do getting use to laying on the other side, but I don't think it created any problems. I let him do whatever he wanted, which was lay around and not be himself for a good week after, by week 2 he was having some phantom pain but it usually only was a couple times a day, Gabapentin helped with that , so he was on that along with rimadyl for a couple weeks, but I did notice a change for the better once he was off tramadol, but I would talk to your vet before taking him off anything. And yes, these are the ups and downs, those terrible 2's that go along with it, just hang on for the ride, it does get better, and usually you will notice a point where all of a sudden Sierra will look alot better everyday, but your a little ways from that yet. Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Yep, sounds normal to me too. I would ask though, if you could increase her pain meds or possibly add Gabapentin? My dog was on Tramadol, Gabapentin and Deramaxx. The Gabapentin does wonders IMO. Maggie was on it prior to amputation as well and a true godsend for her pain.
Keep your chin up and here's to hoping she improves daily!!
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
As I read your post it sounds so familiar when Tasha was in the early days of her recovery. Tasha had a very bad time for 2 days ( should have kept that journal) I think it was on days four and five. The vet had us increase her pain meds for those 2 days due to her pain seemed to increase and she seemed so uncomfortable but on day 6 things started to turn around for us and after that everyday she showed improvement. Tasha did a lot of low crying but on day 9 she came off all pain meds and at that time the crying stopped. Tasha wouldn't lay on the incision side until the stitches came out. We were all happy the day she was finally able to lay on her amp side again and the day she was able to roll over on her back was a celebration at our house. Things for Sierra sounds pretty normal in the recovery, hoping very soon you will be amazed by her. We all no how scary watching our babies during the recovery but hopefully very soon life will be so much better.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I think I would have to agree with Coopsdad about if it were me!
Yes, I was referring to Bella's Pain Pack which I thought was ingenious!
The panting seems to persisting this morning so we will check in with the vet. I know the rimadyl and deramaxx are alternatives or or similar to the previcox she is on. Is the gabapentin something that might replace the tramadol? Or do they they mix those two up? She also gets one previcox each morning. She has finally settled back down and is lying on her amp side at the moment but don't know if it is because the other side is too sore or what. I guess we should take it as one more baby step in the road to recovery.
yes, the Deramaxx is an NSAID. The Gabapentin is good for phantom pains but I didn't know that when I put Maggie on it...she was on it prior to amputation as she was in DIRE straits and Tramadol wasn't cutting it.
Maggie was on Gabapentin and Tramadol before and after amputation.
Baby steps for sure...you'll get there! How's her appetitie?
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
She is eating fine. We fed her as normal when first home (twice a day) but then spread it out throughout the day at recommendation of vet to reduce shock to the gut I guess. She is still eating just fine but with a little less vigor. She was interested in grass yesterday when out for potty so her stomach must have been upset. Licking her lips more so vet wants to do a quick check up to make sure there is no infection.
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