Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My greyhound, Ghost, had his right front leg amputated Tuesday due to fibrosarcoma. He came home that evening and wasn't home 5 minutes before he fell trying to get up. He began bleeding heavily and we took him to the ER vet. He has been there or at his regular vet ever since. He has not been able to get up. He keeps falling and has not walked at all since the surgery. He is eating.
I am so discouraged. This is not at all like what I have read about. Does anyone have a similiar situation or can anyone offer help? My heart is breaking seeing him like this.
Pam
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Thanks for posting, and we hope you find some support here. While the majority of stories we hear are positive, unfortunately yours is proof that complications can and do occur.
At least the fact that he is eating is a good sign! Does anyone else have advice for dealing with such issues?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am sorry to hear the complications Ghost is having after surgery.
Any chance that he was discharged the same day, that he was still groggy with anaesthetic and pain killer?
I stayed overnight at the vet clinic after the surgery. When my mom picked me up the following day, she let me walk by myself, but used a bath towel around my chest as a safe guard in case I lost balance and fell, then she could lift me right away. I spent my first night home in the kennel, mom wanted me to just rest.
The following morning, I was so happy to see mom. I forgot I needed big time coordination to stand up, I fell and landed hard on the wire at the entrance to the kennel. My wound instantly bruised up deep-red in colour. That definitely slowed down my recovery.
Is he still staying at the vet clinic? What did the vet say?
Any chance also that he was worried about getting up and end up falling again?
Please keep us posted on how Ghost is doing.
Love,
Genie
What do the Dr's say? I personally feel he may have been discharged too soon. I know I picked my Buster the same day after his biopsy and he was in a drunk like state. After my dogs amputation, he was released 2 days later.
Please keep him confined in a crate, he needs help adjusting, and too prevent further trauma.... What type of pain med is he on? Is it an adverse reaction? The first couple of days they really need to supervised & limited activity.... Keep me posted..
Kim & Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Doggie prayers for you Ghost. I hope that everything starts to look better for you. Make sure to keep us posted.
Kellie
jerry said:
Thanks for posting, and we hope you find some support here. While the majority of stories we hear are positive, unfortunately yours is proof that complications can and do occur.
At least the fact that he is eating is a good sign! Does anyone else have advice for dealing with such issues?
It is May 20th and I am happy to say that Ghost is doing well. He almost did not make it but he pulled his strength from somewhere and all the prayers helped pull him through. He was finally able to come home and stay there the Sunday after his Tuesday amputation. He is doing well now and seems happy. He especially loves visitors and visiting. He is a Delta Therapy dog and he made a short visit back the VA Hospital yesterdayfor the first time since his surgery. Boy were those patients and nurses happy to see him.
My question is this...... Once in a while (few times a day) he will let out a yelp. Not a high pitched one like I normally get if he is hurt but a lower sounding one. Is this common? Is it phantom pain , a muscle twitch? When it happens he is either just laying there or standing there. Nothing is touching him or bothering him. Just wondering. This just started about two days ago. It is exactly 3 weeks since his surgery.
Thank you so much for this website. It is a great help.
Pam & Ghost
Pam Lucas said:
Once in a while (few times a day) he will let out a yelp. Not a high pitched one like I normally get if he is hurt but a lower sounding one. Is this common?
First of all ... it's great to hear ghost is doing better. Thanks for the update! And our question is this ...
Is Ghost still on medication. My people are not veterinarians, but they believe the moaning we commonly hear about is a dog's reaction to medication. We can handle pain better than the dopey feelings. Those pink elephants some of the medications cojur are really scary.
If it persists, I'd definitely seek a professional opinion. But in the mean time, try not to baby him when he moans. I know this may be hard, but it will only reinforce the reaction.
Thanks again for sharing your experiences. It should be helpful for others to know that complications can arise. And that they can be overcome!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for your reply. Ghost is NOT on medications. He has been off of them for probably a week or so. It is not a moaning it is a quick yelp. For no apparent reason. My DR is giving him some meds today for diarrehia. She said it could be gas pains. Once we get the diarrehia fixed if he is still yelping (it is ocurring now about 10 times a day) she said it could be nerve pain or phantom pain . I feel like every time the poor guy makes a step forward he falls back one also.
Having said that......he is a happy guy. He seems to not be dwelling on his situation.
Genie said:
I am sorry to hear the complications Ghost is having after surgery...
Genie,
Thanks for the post. Just letting you know that Ghost is doing much better now. He almost didn't make it but I am happy to report that he is up and getting around MUCH better. He is having issues with diarreha and yelping for no apparent reason. I am working with my DR on those.
Thanks again for the post. Sorry it took me so long to reply.
Pam
My dog Ben had phantom pains for about 2 weeks after surgery. It was not fun listening to it, but it did go away. When Ben would yelp, I would go over and soothe him, and then give him some meat treats to distract him. Ben has not had phantom pains since.
Good on ya Ghost (great name by the way); sounds like you're doing well and finding your way around. These little aches and creaks will go away in time once you find your balance. I had tummy problems after my surgery too beacuse of the antibiotics (constipation).
Big kiss
sorry about Ghost. He has been through a lot and need lots of time to heal! my thoughts are with him.
micki z.
Thank you for sharing about Ghost, but I am so sorry to hear all you have been through. My girl, Bailey (10 1/2 Golden) is scheduled for her surgery this coming Tuesday (7-29) for the removal of her left hind leg. I am reading as much as I can to learn and to understand what to expect and what to do. I am sorry you all have gone through so much. I am sorry that such wonderful living creatures have to even go through any of this. It just does not make any sense to me. All they want to do is make us happy, to give us love. To Ghost and to all of the others thank you for helping and for letting us know we are not alone. This is just not fair that cancer should even be in their lives. I am so anxious about all of this. Bailey has shown no signs of pain and now she is about to experience some great pain. I can just imagine Bailey waking up and wondering what the heck has happened? I truely hope Ghost is doing so much better now. Thank you for sharing.
Debbie said:
Bailey has shown no signs of pain and now she is about to experience some great pain.
Before my diagnosis, I only showed pain once in a while. My people couldn't even tell what leg I was limping on, until it got really bad. We dogs hide our pain and vulnerabilities. In the wild, we would get thrown out of the pack, or worse, for being weak.
The surgery pain is nothing compared to living with a tumor. We get over that quickly, with lots of rest. Just be a strong pack leader and pretend that life is normal around Bailey. Before you know it, it will be!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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