Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi everyone, this is Ute's mom.
It's been 10 days since my Husky, Ute, had his amputation surgery. He has been recovering very well, but over the weekend, I noticed that Ute seemed less energetic and he was not eating. Then I noticed when he urinated, the urine was quite reddish-brown. So I suspected he had a Urinary Tract Infection. I brought him to the vet this morning and the vet did a urinalysis. He also did an abdominal x-ray to rule out the possibility that Ute could have bladder or kidney stones. The x-ray showed no stones, but it did reveal what might be a splenic mass. He said we would have to do an ultrasound to confirm that it is a mass. The vet wasn't sure if Ute had a UTI so they're going to do a urinalysis culture. He also was sure if this possible "mass" was related to the blood in his urine. I guess I'm wondering if anyone else's dog had a UTI, or anything similar, following the amputaton surgery. I'm not sure what to think about this splenic mass. ????
Tazzie had a UTI post-op, but she had been prone to these before surgery. Male dogs are usually fairly resistant to UTIs unless they are not neutered, in which case they can get prostate disease. Dogs can also get bladder stones, but this should have shown up on the xray. A rare disease called hemolytic anemia causes a large spleen and red urine due to destruction of red blood cells. Osteosarcoma doesn't met to the spleen, but hemangiosarcoma often starts there.
I would go ahead with the ultrasound and urine culture so that Ute can get the proper treatment!
Pam and Tazzie
No, UTI's however if a catheter was used during surgery anything is possible. Keep us posted on the results of the ultrasound ...
Fellow husky & tripawd,
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Thanks Pam and Tazzie!
I'll run this by Ute's vet and see what he says and we'll get the ultrasound scheduled for this week. I appreciate the prompt response!
Gotta go...my 15 month old daughter is literally trying to drag me away from the computer. AHHHHH!
Thanks!
Hayley and Ute
Hi Kim and Buster,
I never thought about the possible UTI stemming from the use of the catheter. The results of the urinalysis this morning did not show an infection, so they sent of the rest of the urine sample for a urine culture. I'll know more in about a week. I scheduled an ultrasound for tomorrow. I'm so worried. Just when I thought we had a handle on things. I can't imagine putting Ute through another surgery.
Thanks for your support!
Hayley and Ute
Hi Hayley and Ute - we're sorry to hear about this issue with Ute 🙁
Normally, I would offer the advice, "try not to worry, stay positive and upbeat because Ute will feel everything that you feel", but I've had my share of worry this past weekend with Zeus and it's the first time really worrying since the amputation 6 months ago and I was sick to my stomach with worry, not sleeping and headaches most of the weekend. Long story short...what helped me most was saying the serenity prayer...OVER and OVER and OVER again. I must have said it 1,000 times.
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference". I found a little peace with that and it helped me let go of my worry at times and it did remind me that I cannot change what is happening, I cannot change what will happen, so I'm best off trying to enjoy this very moment that I have with him.
We're thinking of you and hoping for the best. Please keep us all posted.
Much love,
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Ute said:
... he was not eating. Then I noticed when he urinated, the urine was quite reddish-brown.
My folks noticed this shortly after I stopped eating for a while. The doctor told us this can happen when bile backs up in the system from lack of digestion, or somethig like that.
Once I got my appetite back – with the help of some new meds in my case – the discoloration went away. Hope its something as simple in your case. Best wishes your way ...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
