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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Post-Op Incision Infection Care
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16
10 February 2012 - 8:21 am
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Sadie had her drain out yesterday. She seems more comfortable without it. Back at vet this morning for day treatment/monitoring..checking to see if she needs drain back in over weekend. I hope not. the area at  the "L" incision site is bigger. Vet confirmed it has dehissed and we will be looking at ongoing wound care and probable debridement. Deep breath...it is about the size of a clementine right now. My fear is the tissue underneath and around what we can see is necrosed more than we know. This could get really ugly. And we also find ourselves at the point of "ok, money-wise we have spent "x" amount already...are we going to NOT do this part after putting her through all this, because of the cost? It may not be wise financially, but I think sometimes you just have to finish what's been started and worry about the other later. As long as it is reasonable for Sadie, of course. The vet and surgeon are both puzzled by her having this infection. Vet has said that because this is not what THEY expected, this is not what WE expected that they will do what they have to in order to make Sadie better with as minimal charge as possible. I know they feel badly about this complication...and I'm sure they don't want a customer taking any further steps to point fingers, either! If it is MRSA or other hospital acquired infection. (Healthcare..human and animal is so messed up). I'm not interested in why or how she got this, anyway.  Sadie is on so many pills, I can relate to the update on Crystal, I think it was, about starting your own pharmacy. And Sadie is no longer interested in being helpful when it comes to taking the pills.(9 of them this morning!) She's on to us.big-blink We must get more creative tonight. Now, Sadie is itching everywhere..face, paws, ears. And she is sneezing non-stop. I'm sure its some kind of allergic reaction to who knows what!! She's not eating much, but tiny bit of human food...sausage, rice. I do NOT look forward to the next few days and what news they will bring. But today, Sadie was perkier this morning. She's eating a little at least, peeing, getting around quite well considering this awful hole in her incision, and these things I am thankful for. I appreciate your prayers and comments.. hoping for better news this afternoon.

17
10 February 2012 - 3:16 pm
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Glad to hear that Sadie is doing a little better. I sure do know how awful it is to have complications from the amputation. And the way this all started for you is just terrible in itself. Having a positive attitude definitely does help so I am glad you realized this. I know it is very very hard. Part of me didn't want to be positive. I wanted to wallow in all of the horribleness of the situation. And being sleep deprived didn't help. But after being on this site and having all of the support and encouragement from everyone I realized that it was very important for me to stay positive. I'm not saying that I didn't start to slide back the other way sometimes but for the most part I tried my best to be positive for Valentina. I camped out in the living room with her. Got lots of supplies that I needed to care for her incision and I put large comforters all over the floor to catch her seemingly endless drainage. Some days Valentina had 2 to 3 cups worth of drainage leaking from her wound. It was a slow steady flow all day and night!! It just about made me lose my mind. But trying to stay positive and going on this site is what got me through. I rented a bunch of DVD's and I didn't leave Valentina's side for 5 weeks. I even made somebody watch her so I could take a shower. She wanted to lick at her incision and I could not stand to put the cone on her so I watched her constantly. Then one glorious day she turned the corner and we were out of the woods. I did lots and lots of praying during that time too. As for the eating I gave people food to Valentina also to help her want to eat. Rotisserie chicken was her favorite. She also had scrambled eggs and cooked ground chicken and turkey. Valentina was on about 17 pills a day so that was a real challenge. I bought canned ground up Dogfood and made little meatballs with the food around her pills. I also put peanut butter and cream cheese around them too. I had to keep changing things up with what I hid the pills in because she caught on. I just hated shoving them down her throat. It seemed so mean. If it was only a couple that would be ok but 17 was a little extreme. And she was on them for such a long time. Sorry to hear that Sadie has been itching now. Hope you can figure out what is causing that. Poor girl. I'm praying for her. You are being a good Mom! Hang in there.

knoxville, tn
Member Since:
12 February 2010
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18
10 February 2012 - 5:31 pm
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this is just so scary, and so frustrating we know.  hopefully, sadie is turning the corner and all the drugs are helping her get better.  know that so many of us are sending our best wishes, thoughts, 'juju', and 'mojo' your way.  it's a tough row to hoe, but you are doing great by sadie and we know you guys will continue to be brave and solid for her.  breath...

 

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

http://etgayle


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10 February 2012
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19
10 February 2012 - 5:56 pm
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Like you, we are confused and upset by the whole process.  Our Massimo just had his back left leg amputated on Tuesday and he doesn't seem to be acting the way we were told.  He is constipated, but won't eat the pumpkin.  He is such a picky eater that we can't even mix it in anything.  He hasn't pee'd all day.  And the wound is quite red.  A friend loaned us a "comfy" collar as he hated the hard plastic collar that the Vet sent home. We have shoved an endless number of Tramadol pills down his throat in hopes that they will ease his pain.  We can't seem to find info on what to do immediately following surgery and are worried.

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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20
10 February 2012 - 7:43 pm
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Hi Massimo,

Thanks for joining us. Your future posts won't require moderation but do consider starting a new topic so we can better help you.

First, stop and take a deep breath. While this process can be overwhelming and scary, rest assured that we are here to help you both get through this.

Have you read our Required Reading List and our ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare"? You'll find tons of good information there that can help put your mind at ease. Plus, the support from this community is just incredible. Many folks have had ruff recoveries and even when things looked bad, their Tripawds bounced back and life got back to normal.

Tuesday is not a long time, you can't expect much these first two weeks (we call them the Two Weeks of Hell). But have you talked to your vet about what's going on? That is the first place to start.

Keep in mind that most dogs don't want to eat much during the first week, Tramadol will really kill an appetite. But they do get it back, I promise.

As for the wound, the key is to look out for a bad odor and greenish, yellowish discharge. Most wounds are really, really red and bruised (see our gallery for some pics), but they do ease up after a week or two.

Things WILL get better, you just need to be strong and take every hour one at a time. Your dog will look to you to be a strong pack leader, and that will help the recovery immensely.

I hope this helps. Again, start a new topic so we can know more about you, we'd love to hear about why you're here.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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21
10 February 2012 - 7:57 pm
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Sending good thoughts for Sadie.  It sounds like you are being very strong for her and that's very important.  I know it's hard and we totally understand.

Sending tons and tons of healing wishes!

Her Retired AvatarComet - 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.

WYO
Member Since:
10 February 2011
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22
10 February 2012 - 10:12 pm
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Just curious, did they take a culture and test for MRSA to find out what drugs it may be sensitive too if it is positive? My dog did have MRSA and it was a long and financially draining ordeal for us. There were only 4 antiobiotics we could use and two lost sensitivity. The culture is so very important to finding out what you are dealing with. And just like you, we decided we were too far in to go out. One year later he is great!

23
11 February 2012 - 5:25 am
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Thursday they took out Sadie's drain. Went back on Friday and she had to have it put back in. The "L" part of her incision fully dehissed. Vet said tissue underneath is not perfusing. Infection continues to drain from that area despite the big gun antibiotics she is on. In response to the MRSA question, I am going to follow up because a wound culture was done and it was/is being tested with aerobic and anaerobic culture. Staph would be included in these, and I assumed MRSA specifically, too. I did mention MRSA possibility to vet a while back, so I'm hoping he did this, but I will check to be sure. He said the wound does not look good. I knew this in my gut. It is going to be huge underneath. The word "skin graft" was even mentioned. They have Sadie scheduled for surgery again on Monday at 2:30pm. When asked, the vet felt it was ok to wait until Monday. I fall apart again. How much is too much? For Sadie? For me? The vet said he felt Sadie could tolerate this surgery. (debridement of area and cutting away of dead tissue.) If this wound turns out to be the size of a basketball, we face yet another ugly decision...Sadie has been through all of this and it is possible that it will all be too much in the end. My family is aware of the risks..as well as potential for bright future. Monday will come and we will see. In the meantime, Sadie is wrapped up tight in Valentines Day coban wrap and is living in the moment. I think I will join her.

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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24
11 February 2012 - 1:04 pm
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Dee, I know this is scary but this isn't all that unusual unfortunately. She will get through this. She is still a pup and so much more resilient than any human being ever would be in this kind of situation. Please hang in there and know we are all thinking of you and sending lots of love.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

San Diego, CA
Member Since:
29 October 2010
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25
11 February 2012 - 1:52 pm
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We will keep a good thought for Sadie and hope for good news come Monday!

Hang in there Sadie. We're all pulling for you!

Jackie, Angel 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!

Las Vegas, Nevada
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14 August 2009
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26
11 February 2012 - 2:17 pm
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Oh dear.  I'm so sorry to hear.  We are rooting for you Sadie!

Her Retired AvatarComet - 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.

Member Since:
18 January 2012
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27
11 February 2012 - 3:26 pm
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Thinking of you and wishing the very best.  I hope the surgery really kicks off a healthier healing. We were going to contact the 'Angle network' (i think it's called)  if Baby's expenses had gotten worse.  Luckily, we didn't have to, but you may want to consider it.  It's mentioned in the Three Legs and a Spare book.   May you and Sadie look back on this a few years from now as a bad bump in the road.

Hang in there,

Judy and Baby

28
11 February 2012 - 5:25 pm
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Praying that Sadie's surgery will fix the problem and she can begin to really heal. And you too. I know it feels like too much to bear but you'll get through. I definitely think the surgery is worth a try. It may make all the difference. I really hope so. 

29
12 February 2012 - 5:05 am
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Because I have to work this weekend, my husband took Sadie to vet on Sat. He wanted to assess her and flush the drain. The vet is seeing her on his own time. HIS idea..and he has been taking her chart home and is meeting us at the clinic on Sunday. We are getting great attention, but it worries me as well. This vet is going above and beyond with his time. When he met with my husband on Sat, he said they identified the bacteria from culture from Sadie's wound. Of course, my husband does not remember it and did not ask to have it written down. surprised He did  confirm that it is not MRSA , though. Vet said it is very rare. So we have changed antibiotics again. I am dreading Monday, and it can't come fast enough either....Sadie isn't eating anything anymore really. 2 days of that.. she would nibble some people food up to that point. She barely drinks. She is sleeping even more than before. She cries easily if touched in tender area. I feel it is the infection mostly...meds do cause some of this, but it hasn't been to this extent. I will go to vet with my husband and Sadie today. (Vet asked my husband if I could make it next time)wink (I am a nurse, and though I know nothing about veteranary medicine, I can interpret the lingo). Plus, I have been the go-to person through all of this. I don't really have anything new to say, I guess..just needed to get it out there. I will post what the bacteria actually is when I find out. Sadie just needs to get through this day and hopefully healing can begin.

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18 January 2012
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30
12 February 2012 - 9:07 am
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It is good to 'get it out' here.  I can't imagine your pain and worry.  When we're dealing with cancer and our furbabies are in great pain, we have to make the tough decisions sometimes... but this is so different!  If it's just the infection and it can be cured it's a very temporary nightmare, so you want to fight! but... it must be horrendous to see Sadie suffer.  Poor Mom and Dad.  Let us know what you find out Monday.  Our hearts are with you and Sadie.

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