Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Rascal, our lab mix, had his amputation today due to trauma. Short story is he was missing for three weeks, showed up last week on our back stoop with a partial front leg missing. When we took him to the vet last week, he was very septic and malnourished, so he has been on antibiotics for the last week.
When I took him this morning, the vet said the surgery would take about 45 min-1 hour. Well, 2 hours later he still wasn't finished. I was assured that everything was ok, and was told that I should go ahead and shuffle my kids and then come back to pick him up. On my way back the vet called and said Rascal was having a hard time coming out of the anesthesia and in a lot of pain, so she would feel better about keeping him overnight where she could monitor him better. I just called to check on him and she said he was doing ok, but had spiked a fever and she was giving him IV fluids and IV antibiotics. The longer she talked the more I began to feel like he might not make it. The last thing she said was to keep my fingers crossed and pray. Feeling kind of sick at the moment. Has anyone else had a furbaby spike a fever like this? Any words of encouragement out there? Thanks!
I'm so sorry about Rascal having a tough time. I really don't know anything about having a fever after surgery. But it does sound like the vet is doing everything possible to help him. That is encouraging. And if she/he didn't say anything alarming about the outcome, then I would try to think positive thoughts.
I am sure it will be a long night for you... I'll be thinking of you and Rascal.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Rascal is having a hard go of it. He's already been through so much, poor guy. I don't know about fever spikes, as we didn't have that issue, but if he is having a fever than the vet's office is the best place for him. He is obviously a very tough dog with a strong will to live after what he's been through, so hopefully he will get through this as well.
Sending good thoughts out to Rascal. Hang in there. Please keep us posted and we will hope to hear a good update!
Abby sends healing kisses,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Thanks for the encouragement. We knew he was septic going into the surgery and his original antibiotic prescription was for 14 days and he's only had seven, so maybe these IV antibiotics will give him a good boost. I just feel so helpless thinking about him being there alone and being scared. He was running (yes, running!) around in the field last night and seemed so much like his old self this morning. Thanks for any good thought that can be sent his way!
I'm sorry Rascal is having a tough time. But it really does sound like the vet is the best place for him to be. And don't worry too much about him being scared- he is probably pretty doped up and either sleeping or really out of it- he won't remember much of what is going on.
He is a tough little guy- I hope we get a good update from you soon.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Oh poor Rascal! This is a lot to worry about but like everyone says, if he is in the hospital he is in the best place possible. We know how worried you must be, and we are too, but he is definitely a tough kid and can pull through this. All of us are sending lots of love and wishes for a good recovery, please let us know what's going on OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Said a prayer for your pal!
My Bud dog was in the ICU and he was given IV antibiotics, pain meds and fluids. He did not have a fever but there was infection in the bone which caused the femur to fracture resulting in the amputation.
His surgery also was to take 45 minutes and was over 2 and a half hours. The added time was due to scar tissue and culturing samples of the infection.
He stayed in the ICU on the IV drugs for 3 days.
I think the IV antibiotics are a powerful way to quickly get to an infection. It's also a good way to monitor dosing and be effective in the timing of doses.
Yes I was a wreck but we were allowed to come visit. Seeing him was very calming for me. It wasn't nearly as dreadful as I had imagined it all to be. Underneath the bandages and tubes was our boy.
The reason I tell you all of this is because Bud is still here with us....now almost 11 months post amp.
At the time we had a friend send her priest uncle of another Faith to give Bud a blessing. I was honored by her request.I figured no one can ever have to many prayers or blessings. Maybe your vet thinks so too!
Keep faith and hope in your heart!
Well we just received the call that Rascal didn't make it. He was very septic and it was just too much for him to overcome. The vet was great, wish we had seen her first. She felt like he should have been hospitalized from the time we found him last week. I so appreciate all the encouraging words and getting to read the stories of many of your furbabies. Thanks again for all of the advice and encouragement.
we are so sorry to hear that rascal didn't recover from the surgery. hindsight can be such a clarifier of 'shoulda, coulda, woulda'.. know that rascal loved you and your family, and was a brave boy. his suffering has ended, and he is running free with the other tripawd heroes. love never ends.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I'm so sorry to hear about Rascal. He fought a very brave battle. Sending consoling thoughts and prayers your way.
We are so sorry to hear about Rascal. Your family is in our prayers.
Ginger and pack
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that Rascal didn't make it. He was obviously a very brave boy. He is running free now and will watch over your family from his new vantage point.
Sending hugs and healing Abby kisses,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I'm so sorry to see Racal didn't make it. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing you had done and were doing all you could for him. Our thoughts are with you, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
So very sad to hear of your loss! Sending heart healing wishes to your family!
I'm just so very sorry about Rascal. What a heart-break. Sepsis is difficult to treat successfully. But at least he was in professional care and was getting all he could. The vet made him comfortable, I'm sure.
Please find comfort in knowing he didn't die alone in a field some where with his leg in a trap and was able to get home.
I send my heart-felt condolences.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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