Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Tasha came home yesterday from front leg amputation and she has been doing pretty well...much better than I had expected. She has been eating, sleeping and going the bathroom without any issues. I know I am completely putting the cart before the horse but I have some questions about walking and exercise.
She seems to tire very quickly. When I take her out to go the bathroom (which is the only exercise she is getting) she will make it a few hops and then lay or sit down. When she comes in she is panting and usually collapses as if we just went for a run. Also her walk is a mess. She walks like she is drunk or a newborn doe. She seems to walk crooked and her back legs seem to wiggle around a lot.
I know it is only 4 days since her surgery and maybe it is the drugs (she is taking 200mg of Tramadol and 75 mg of Rimadyl 2x a day) or just too soon. I guess I am just questioning did I do the right thing and will she be able to walk and run and swim...all the things that she did before.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Kathy and Tasha
Tasha was a German ShepherdBorder Collie mix who was diagnosed with OSA at age 8. On December 29, 2011 she had her front right leg amputated and received 4 rounds of chemo. Sadly and suddenly Tasha became sick and we discovered she had liver cancer that had spread to her lung. After almost 19 months, Tasha earned her wings on July 17, 2013. No regrets and never forgotten.
First of all, congrats on the eating, drinking and going to the bathroom! From what I've seen on here, some dogs have quite a time with those at first. Zeus also exhibited the behavior you described. Although he was eating, drinking and eliminating right off the bat, his walk was very unsteady - somewhat of a sideways hop that first week- and his back legs would visibly shake. At one month out, that has improved with additional exercise and his endurance is slowly increasing (he is 11 yrs old, so not quite as quick a recovery as some of the youngsters). We didn't see a true difference until 3 weeks. I believe the meds definitely affect their balance. Zeus was on 50 mg Tramadol 3 times daily and 200 mg Gabapentin twice a day. Due to "tweaking" his back one week after amp, we had to leave him on the meds longer than normal and we just now finished weaning off the Gabapentin. The vet recommended weaning one med at a time, so tomorrow we start reducing the Tramadol, but I can already tell a huge difference.
I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences. Good luck to you!!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
How wonderful that Tasha is doing so well such a short time after her surgery! Yes, I think she is doing very well, being able to eat, sleep and go to the bathroom without issues when it's only been a couple of days.
Your girl has been through major surgery, is on drugs, and is having to essentially re-learn how to walk. After reading many blogs and forum posts after the fact, I think I probably hovered and worried over my Sylvia much more than I needed to. 
But I'm not ashamed about continuing to use a sling for a few weeks and babying her.
I guess what I really am saying is that Tasha seems to be where she needs to be in the healing process. As new tripawd pawrents we (understandably) try to figure out if what we're seeing in our dog is normal or not . . . if we are over- or under-reacting . . . In most cases that I've seen here, we (again understandably) see every shake, every wobble, and every pant as a possible cause for concern, but again in most cases, our furbabys are actually doing better than we are!!
Hang in there! I don't know what Tasha's amputation was the result of (cancer or trauma or ???), but I can say that we were so relieved to have Sylvia's "offending leg" (osteosarcoma) removed we actually didn't really second-guess ourselves. The pain was gone. The cancer was removed. Once she healed from the surgery, I don't think she realized that she was missing anything! I'm sure this will be the same for Tasha!
I'll be looking forward to hearing more about your Tasha-girl!
- Karen and Sweet Spirit Sylvie
Sweet Silly Sylvie, the Old English Sheepdog
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11/04/2010 at almost 7 years of age * Left hind leg amputated 11/09/2010 * Chemo on 12/10, 12/17, 01/10, 01/31
Sweet Sylvie's earthly journey ended on Nov. 3, 2011, one day short of a year since her diagnosis and 6 days short of her one-year ampuversary. Her family celebrates her life as a sheepdog – ever the puppy, ever silly, ever sweet – and are grateful for our 7 years together.
we think it's the drugs. tramadol makes many pups act strung out, really makes them pant alot (gayle's experience) and is just like a bad acid trip for some. it does control the pain, but it's a difficult drug for many to handle. take a breath, take another breath, and just let tasha rest as much as she wants to while she heals. the first two weeks are called 'hell weeks' as they are full of changes, stresses and lack of sleep for the humans. you guys will get through it, but you will age 10 years in the process. remember, if you ever have any real concerns, contact your vet and get answers.
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
It actually sounds like she is doing very well at this point, 4 days out is really early in the recovery process. The walking wobbles are most likely a combo of the drugs and Tasha having to learn how to walk and balance again. This is a huge change in her life - it really is amazing she can walk at all if you think about it. Yes, our pups are resilient but they still need some time.
Our vets said that most dogs do fine on three, so when Maggie struggled I was sure I had made the wrong decision. But I just had to give her some time.
And it's no wonder she tires easily- try hoping around on one leg for awhile, you tire pretty quickly!
It seems like most pups here really come back to themselves in about two weeks- it often coincides with the sutures coming out and the end of all the meds.
I hope Tasha's recovery continues uneventfully.
Karen and the pugapalooza
ksplaine said:
Tasha came home yesterday... She seems to tire very quickly.
It is still very early. What Tasha needs most right now is rest. She shouldn't be doing anything except getting up to eat drink and do her doody.
Many members have found the book Without Regret helpful in coping with the doubts you're feeling. Take things one day at a time and before you know it Tasha will be surprising you. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I tortured myself with every wobble and pant during Tate's recovery, and it is really hard to know if you are doing everything right when it comes to pain meds. But I agree with everyone else, Tasha's recovery is proceeding normally.
And she will walk and run and swim. Here's Tate at 6 weeks post-amp, and believe me, on Day 4 I never would have believed he could do this again.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Love love love watching him here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh yes! I agree, she is doing excellent!!!
In this early phase, dont go by her walking and mood since both have been totally altered...go by her eating habits!!
There is a lot of worry you are going to experience over the next 2 weeks so, try to not worry as long as she is eating.
I'm not opposed drugs...but that's a lot of tramadol! You might want to ask the vet if you can cut that back some. You'll be surprised how much better they do if they aren't on tramadol (if they don't need it).
Lots of good wishes coming Tasha's way!
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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