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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Hi, our rottie had amp surgery on front leg on Tues. He is still at the surgery center. Vet said he is eating at taking his meds but hesitant to stand on his own. He is standing up with help. Vet is keeping him again tonight and said we can most likely pick him up tomorrow. I read so many post of dogs going home next day so I am concerned. Note he is very sensitive to anesthesia/ meds. What are your thoughts on this? Thank you in advance!
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
What is your boy's name? How big is he? How old?
I know it's hard to do but don't compare your boy's recovery to other pups, each pup recovers on their own time line. I ask about size and age because sometimes the bigger and/or more 'mature' pups take a little longer to get their sea legs. And sensitive dogs will often take longer to get used to their new normal.
Also- if he is sensitive to meds then it could be that he is extra loopy and not wanting to stand on his own.
Eating and taking meds are great signs, I'm sure the vet would have told you if there was a medical issue to be concerned about.
And to share my recovery story- my Pug Maggie lost a rear leg to mast cell cancer. She was one who was hopping the day of surgery on her own and she came home the next day, she actually never needed help getting around. But once home she proceeded to spend most of the next six weeks in her bed! I was sure I had made a mistake by choosing the surgery but she just needed the time and space to adapt on her own schedule.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
No worries, okay? Every dog is different. Every recovery is differe t.
As Karen said, try not to compare your pup's hesitancy to be mobile right now to others. Karen shared all the various reasons some dogs take a bit ,on her than others. Many dogs DO need help getting up, standing, hopping a few steps for awhile.
Your pup just had MAJOR surgery, is shaking off anesthesia, is on strong good pain meds, all while adjusting to three legs! A human would be in the hospital and probavly still on a morphine drip. Plus, when a human does start walking, at first they're using a walker or crutches!
He'll get the hang of his new gait. And he'll probably get it quicker once he gets home and may need sling/harness help at first. Although my Happy Hannah did not like sling help at all. She just froze.
Eating and drinking? Great news!! He's ahead of the curve in that category!
When he gets home, no stairs, no jumping, just short leashed potty breaks and then back to bed. When he does start getting his mobility back, he may have a few face plants. That's part of his learning curve. If you have hardwood floors you'll want non slip scatter rugs for traction .
Oh, and don't event bother to look at his incision or draw attention to it. He just wamts to see your smiling face telling him what a good boy he is and he's going home!!
Stay connected and update when you can.
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!
Hi and welcome! How are things going today?
As Karen and Sally mentioned, don't compare and your worry level will go down. Your dog is unique, and will recover on his own timeline. We tend to see bigger dogs taking a bit more time to get their sea legs but it will happen!
In the meantime check out our What to Expect series for some tips about preparing for his homecoming.
Let us know how today goes!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, thank you all for the support. We are going to pick him up now. The vet said he is moving around while laying down and adjusting himself. They said he isn’t getting up to walk but it sounds more of a personality thing and said with a little giggle that they think he will do better at home. That sounds like our pup! He doesn’t want to do anything he doesn’t want to do and loves the comfort of his own home.
YAAAAAAAY!!! HOME SWEET HOME IS THE BEST THERAPY!!
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!
We made it home. He isn’t walking on his own but he is wide awake. His back legs seem weak ( which they are usually fine). I can imagine that would happen after laying around for three days post op. Front paw is swollen so I imagine it would be hard to walk on. When should the swelling go down?
Larger dogs may take a bit longer to get going. Confinement and rest are all he needs right now. If you need to provide support in the meantime, you can make this DIY dog sling from a reusable canvas shopping bag.
Post a picture of the swollen paws, and send one to your vet for a professional opinion. Take things one day at a time and please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, so we have been home for 26 hours. Surgery was Tues. His paws are still swollen but he has pee’d a few times and they look a little better.
We both have to assist him to go outside and go potty. Good news he is whining when he needs to go out. He did poop out some nuggets on the pee pad.
He hasn’t figured out how to get up yet. He used to get up using his front legs and we can see he is trying with the phantom limb. He starts shaking when he tries but needs to figure out to use his back legs.
He is eating a drinking fine. He also has a slight cough. Could this be from the fluid build up?
traci805 said
He also has a slight cough. Could this be from the fluid build up?
Possibly, yes, or from the intubation used during surgery. He is lucky to have you helping him over this recovery hump...please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Okay, even little poop nuggets call for a YAY!!! And eating, drink, peeing, three more YAY YAY YAY!!
So the back paws are swollen? Woild expect it to be more around the remaining front leg as fluid is being reabsorbed into his body. You can run it by the Vet if you are concerned.
When he is trying to get up, is it from a squishy bed or from a firm bed. Firm beds offer better support and a sturdier foundation for trying to stand.
Keep massaging him all over his spine, his hips, his neck and shoulder. His muscles are probably very tight as they are adjusting to three. Sometimes arthritis that wasn't noticeable before shows up when adjusting to three, and it takes a bit more patience.
Is he on Rimadyl? What are his pain meds , dose and frequency. How much does he weigh?
As Admin Guy said, the cough is most likely due to the intubation during surgery. No worries.
Once the stitches are out you can start rehab. Check your area for a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist. They are absolutely invaluable in helping tripawds adjist to three. They''ll show you simple exercises to help him build his strength and coordination. The Tripawds Maggie Moo Fund will pay for the first visit.
Hang in there! This is the tough part and you're doing great!!
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!
Hi traci,
Just wanted to say yahhhh for being home, eating, drinking and pottying! Give that boy a belly rub for us!
Figuring out the whole life on 3 can take a minute for some of the bigger pups. He sounds like the kind of fella that likes to do it his own way at his own pace. 😉 What is he on for meds?
We'll be cheering you both on and looking forward to the next pupdate.
❤ Bev, Moe cat, autumn angel Roane & angel dog Gypsy
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Hello! Thank you for the support and recommendations! We had a really bad day yesterday and we are pretty sure it was the Trazadone. He ended up spending the night on the living room rug because he didnt want to move. He had tremors (sleeping and awake) and no desire to get up to even go potty. I got a hold of the Dr. and they said it could be serotonin tremors and to discontinue the meds. Today the tremors have lessened and he is able to get up outside with us using the sling. He even got up to go to the bedroom which was our initial place for post-op recovery. I looked up serotonin tremors and he fit some of the symptoms, fatigue, restlessness, not urinating, and muscle stiffness in his limbs.
Currently he is on anti-biotic, carprofen, gabapentin and acetamenophin. Seems to be doing better and is sleeping well.
Swelling in paws has gone down some and he pee’d twice today so small victories are being celebrated today.
Reading someone who commented on my other post, they had trouble with Trazadone as well and I learned it is for high anxiety which my dog doesn’t have. I assume they prescribed it as a precaution. Looking back, our boy spent 3 nights at the surgery center and didnt want to get up there either. If he was on Trazadone it all makes sense now.
What is Rimadyl used for? I will ask the vet about it
*Also want to plug Trupanion insurance. They have been great!!!
Rimadyl is the same thing as carprofen, anti-inflammatory.
My quad-Pug boy is super sensitive to sedatives and anesthetics so I avoid them as much as possible. I'm guessing they gave him traz to keep him quiet after surgery but should have explained what it was for when the sent it home.
Glad to hear he is doing better!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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