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.
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Bailey, our 9 year old Lab was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma on his front left limb. His lung x ray and abdominal ultrasound was clear and 10 days ago, his limb was amputated. He is a big guy and took time to get back on his feet. After a 3 day hospital stay, he is back home now. He has been eating well and taking his pills but our dear boy seems to be anxious..he is panting constantly and relaxes only after i give him anti-anxiety medication. I really don't want to continue doing this and am wondering if this is common across recently amputated dogs. He has always been an extremely loving and happy dog and I'm finding it hard watching him become so quiet and anxious. I have been laying warm towels on his operated area hoping the phantom limb syndrome is reduced. I really would like to know how dogs have responded post amputation as I am worried about Bailey's behaviour.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I hope you don't mind that I moved you first post here- since you are in the recovery phase with Bailey.
I'm sorry you are dealing with amputation and cancer, but this is the best place to find information and support.
What meds is Bailey on? Many dogs pant and might seem agitated on pain meds, I had that experience with tramadol. Do you think he is having phantom pain ? Many find relief from that with gabapentin.
10 days in is still pretty early in the recovery. Bailey has to get used to his new balance and he is using muscles in a different way so he is probably pretty tired. I know the guidance I got was that dogs do great on three... not that they have to recover first! My little pug Maggie was a slug after her rear amp- I really thought I had made a mistake.
All dogs recover at their own pace, but 2 or 3 weeks seems to be the average for pups to get their sparkle back- Maggie made me wait 6 weeks!
There are lots of resources here- be sure you check out Jerry's Required Reading List, and many have found the e-Books you can Download very useful.
Be sure you are talking to your vet about how Bailey is acting- sometimes a minor med adjustment really can help.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
It is still very early in the recovery process. Many here have had issues with the tramadol. Check it out. Hopefully Bailey will settle down soon. Keep us in the loop. We are here for you.
Sorry you had to join us, but you are surrounded by caring people with first hand experience.
What kind of painnmedsnis Bailwnon? How often? How much does he weigh?
My Happy Hannah was on Tramadol and Gabapenti. While lanting can be a side effect of the lain meds, it can also be a strong indication of lain.
It was sbout three weeks before I could see Happy Hannah starting to get her spsrkle back. Youllw start to see Bailey get better and better slon! PROMISE!!
Hugs to you both!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Welcome, but sorry for the diagnosis.
Panting is pretty common and (as everyone has said) could be a side effect of the meds or he could be experiencing pain (real or phantom). I also suggest massage in case he is experiencing muscle spasms from using himself in new ways - not only does it help those, but relaxes them.
Keep us updated and sending pawsitive thoughts to all of you.
Luanne and Team Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
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