Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, I really was doing just great. Yesterday, which is 1 week post-op, my pawrents noticed that my front leg (the only one) had become swollen. It is really bothering me, so much that I don't want to walk anymore. My pawrents became very concerned and took me to the vet praying that I didn't somehow injure this leg. The vet said that it appears to be just post operative fluid in my leg. (Just like it used to be other places.) I am eating, drinking, and there is no temperature. I just don't want to walk. Anyone else experience this? The vet said that it will eventually go away on its own.
Slow tail thumps today,
Charlie
Your pawrents are really good people for taking you to the vet! We are glad to hear it wasn't anything serious.
I had the same problem after my surgery, only the fluid went to my incision site. The vet told us that the body fluid had to go somewhere after my leg came off, I guess it can land in all sorts of places! I had a lot of it, so the vet drained it right there in the office. It was sooooooooo gross! But she said it was completely normal, and not to worry.
So take it easy Charlie, and let us know how you're doing. We're thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear it is not too serious!
For our fluid and swelling our vet recommended using hot towels several times a day on the swollen area. We used a heating pad too on low and monitored it closely to make sure it was not burning the sensitive skin. Ours was like Jerry, it pooled at the incision site.
I think belly rubs will help to get the fluid moving too. (If not, it is at least good for the mental relaxation and recovery!)
Tripawds Rule!!!
If you need to apply heat, you should consider Bella's Hot-n-Cold Pain Relief Pack.
Check out this product review video may people made of me using it. You can even save 10% by using our "TRIPAWDS" coupon code.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I had the same experience as Jerry (yuch, it was gross); wish I'd had Bella's Hot-n'-Cold Pain Relief Pack then - it looks like a must-have for Tripawds! Hope you feel better soon Charlie Brown.
Thanks for all of the advice. My leg is still swollen today. My mom thinks that it is a bit smaller. The good news is that I will not let my pawrents help me anymore. I am reluctant to get up and go, but when I need to go outside I want to walk myself. My gait is different. I am walking kind of hunched over. My mom thinks that I am trying to keep some of the weight off of my front leg. My mom said that she will be happy when she can just stop all of this worrying. My dad keeps reminding her that it has only been 9 days.
Wet kisses,
Charlie
Yup, humans lack that kind of patience, don't they?
Keep an eye on the leg. Well, not literally on it, of course! Take it easy and keep us posted. Hope you feel better tomorrow.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Charlie Brown - I hope your leggie is a little better again today and that you can get around a little easier. I know parents are not very good at being patient so you may have to keep reminding them to 'hold their horses' (whatever that saying means). Things will get easier over the next few days and weeks.
Darcy
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Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Hey Charlie, my surgery buddy. I want to let you know that this fluid thing must be a a most for us tripawds. I had one too. At the beginning of the week my dad noticed I had this "bubble" close to my incision and when he mentioned it to my mom after she got home from work...well you know mom's she had to call the vet and ask. It turned out to be something that normally happens after this type of surgery and like crystal says they told her to use some hot towels (wished we knew about Bella) and that if it got bigger I could come in and they could drain it. Well it did, so yesterday my mom took me to see Jennifer (technician) and she took good care of me. They drained it and now I am feeling much better. Tell your mom to keep an eye on your leg and get lots and lots of rest. Lots of love.....
Kellie
Hello friends!! So, 2 nights ago my mom was just staring at me and staring at me.... Anyway, she loves our vet very much but she is an ICU nurse and something just didn't seem right to her about my swollen front leg. And then, the light bulb went off!! The shirt that I was wearing to cover my staples fits me just fine when I am up, but was totally cutting off the circulation to my leg when I laid down!! When I laid down and bent my arm, the top of my shirt was so... tight! My pawrents cut the opening so that it is very loose and now.... NO SWELLING!!! I am feeling so much better. Thanks for all of the support everyone!
Big tail thumps,
Charlie Brown
Hooray! Woof! Woof! Woof!
That's great news and trhanks for the tip. Others who use tripawd t-shirts to protect surgery scars will surely find this helpful! Thank you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That's great news! One cautionary piece of advice to those of you that have an amputee in the care, they are very sensitive to the stump and the bandage.
Ben came home and had the same problem with swelling and the bandage. My mate Cindy tried to adjust the bandage, and unfortunately it snapped back on Ben's newly amputated wound. Ben bit her in the face and gave Cindy stitches. She will always have a little scar on her face from Ben's bite. Mind you, Ben had reached 11 years old at this time, had been around plenty of people and dogs, and had never bit any dog or human.
So be very careful with the bandages and the fresh wound, cause the dog might react in a lot of pain.
YEAH!!!!! Charlie so glad to hear that you are doing so much better and that you mommy is an ICU nurse. Got to luv them! As for my seroma I had it drained last friday and they took 20 cc out. Well by Sunday when my pawrents took my bandage off it was back and bigger in size. When I went to the vet on Monday for my ckup and my chemo they said that they could drain it again and it would go away, or have a little bit of patience and let it go away on its own. So instead of pricking me again, we have decided to give it a chance to go away on its own. My dad keeps a very good eye on it (if not my mom will get on his case) and so far I am doing well. Thank goodness for these pawrents that take such good care of us. Lots of lickies....
Kellie
Glad to hear that you are feeling better.
My mom took me to start my chemo (8 weeks post op amputation) yesterday but due to a low CBC) low blood count they couldn't start it. They are going to try again on Friday.
Mom is very worried about me as I have been very depressed lately but I hurt my front leg 2 weeks ago while visiting the vet and have been "yelping" when I go to adjust myself. My vet did some x-rays to determine that the cancer hasn't spread to my other limbs and my lungs. And good news it hasn't spread. Mom is just thinking that it may be arthritis in my front leg because on rainy days I just want to sleep and on sunny days I am more myself. I have been eating all alone after surgery right up until last night at supper. I ate a little but just wanted to sleep. I didn't eat all of my breakfast this morning either.
The vet is worried that I will not be able to take the Chemo as my blood levels are low before I even start my treatments. She thinks I may have problems with my Bone Marrow. Has anyone else had this problem? And if so were you able to eventually start Chemo. Can you please le my mom know. It would ease her mind.
Sasha and (a very worried) Sherry
That's great news about your x-rays! Now just let that sore spot heal.
Sleeping is normal, it really hasn't been all that long since your surgery, your body needs time to heal. But if you're still not eating after a couple of days, your Mom may want to ask the vet about that.
As far as low white blood cell counts, that happens quite a bit with other dogs here, and they were able to start chemo. They might have some advice for you, like Kelly.
Your Mom might want to think about consulting with an acupuncturist who also handles supplements/nutrition advice. When I went to see one, she really helped a lot by explaining what supplements were and weren't working for me.
Relax and remember, recovery doesn't happen overnight. Take it easy buddy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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