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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
You have all given me such support in making the decision to go ahead and get Hector's leg amputated despite Hector also suffering from an adrenal tumour.
Hector underwent the operation to get his front leg removed on Thursday, and he came home 24 hours later. He is doing great, but I would appreciate advice on how much walking should he be allowed to do. He has been on 2 short walks today, and he seemed to cope fine, but should he be kept inside? He also now and again whimpers, despite being on his pain killers, and he is struggling to do the toilet, in particular poos, is this part of the recovery process?
I am worried if he is doing too much walking outside, but we leave him decide the pace.
He is such a brave dog, and he is enjoying being at home and getting lots of cuddles, and attention.
Advice appreciated.
Mary
HI MARY AND HECTOR!!!!! WELCOME.HOME!!!!!!
As far as activity, for now her sould just be going out ti potty and pretty.much just resting the rest of the time. He still has hospital meds In him and may start feeling a little more painful as they wera orr in the next day or two. Is he on Tramadol and Gabape.tin?
Having a good poop can take several.days due.to the meds and just trying to figure things out. He should be peeing though.
The pain meds can make him.a little whining...as can the pain itself! Crazy.huh?
All in all, this all sounds normal.....sucha rought emotio.al time, I. know this is so hard, but it does get better! Hector is full of spunk.and nothing's going to hod him.back!
h,and a tripawd's walking pace does have a little more memntum to as it is harder to walk too slowly.
Kee p us posted!!! Eating, drinking okay?
HUGS TO.ALL!
Sally and Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Thank you, and yes he is on Tramadol and Gabapentin. We are just letting him take his time on his walks, but he likes to go to the top of our road, as people come out and talk to him. I am just worried in case he is doing to much, but he does stop and sits down every few minutes. He just loves people talking to him. He is lying with me now and sleeping, but his body is trembling which is making me worried. He has just had another Tramadol.
He is really brave and loves life and so positive, but I get worried in case his adrenal tumour is starting to cause trouble.
All the best.
Mary
ReallyMary, Hector sounds "ahead of thr curve" as far as recovery goes this early on. I love.that seeing his friend brings him happiness.
And back to the trembling...usually a sign if pain.AND can slso be s side effect.of the pain.meds. Certainly check with y o ur vet if you have any wuestions, but I think the trembling is one hundred percent normal at this point In recovery.
Grab some chocolate and B R E A T H E........BR E A T H E.....eat chocolate!
My Happy Hannah whined a.d crided and pace and pace for nineteen hours straight.......so.Hector is doing great!
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!
Our vet said that Maggie was only allowed to walk for potty and for food, otherwise she was to rest. Too much activity could lead to a seroma . Maybe people could come over to visit to perk him up.
Balancing the pain meds is tough, keep talking to your vet about how comfortable Hector seems to be.
Is he having trouble balancing for potty or is he constipated? Constipation is common after surgery and with pain meds. My Pug Maggie didn't poop until day 5 or 6. Sometimes a little plain pumpkin can get things moving.
Overall things sound pretty good!
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you all, and you have made me feel better hearing your stories,mand yes I am about to start eating the chocolate which is in the cupboard waiting for me!!
You are right we need to shorten the walks, it think we all got carried away with ourselves,
He has stopped trembling and seems a lot calmer, thank goodness. I worry so much about him, as in March he had a 10cm sarcoma removed from his leg, which was a big op, and then 4 weeks later he had radiotherapy, and at the end of the radiotherapy he suffered from bad burns and then the leg became infected, and about 3 weeks after the infection went away he started limping and another sarcoma was diagnosed. He has always remained so happy, and loves going to see his friends in the park, his best friend is Toby a west highland terrier, so I am hoping he will see Toby next week.
Thank you again, it is such a help to hear your sound advice and experience.
All the best
Mary and Hector
Hi Mary,
So glad you have Hector back home with you.......hope he continues on the path to a great recovery. I completely agree with Sally and Karen, restricted walking time for awhile till he heals a bit. Other things factor in as well, meds my make him loopy, tired or any number of side effects until he is done with them. One day at a time.......
I know it is difficult to not worry about his adrenal tumor, but just get him healed from his amp, and address the tumor if it becomes a problem. Hopefully it won't, and he will be a happy, hoppy Tripawd for a very long time.
Thinking of you and Hector,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Thanks again for all your advice and and support, and I am going to take your advice and very much restrict the walking. I think we all got a bit carried away today.
All the best.
Hector and Mary
I'm glad he's feeling better, just now saw your post. Yep, keep him confined and on leash at least until the stitches come out. In time he can build up to longer walks of no more than 15-20 minutes max (and that's for a really fit Tripawd) but for now, he needs to recuperate and gain his strength. Be sure to check out the Tripawds e-books library for lots of great tips about life on 3 legs, rehab, strengthening and more.
I hope the weekend goes well for the pack! Let us know how he's doing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks again as always for such sensible advice, and I will have a look at the e-books. I think we have got a bit carried away with the walking, we were so happy about getting Hector home and so pleased at how well he is doing, that we let him do what he wanted!
He is quite peaceful tonight, and the whimpering and trembling have stopped which is reassuring.
Thank you so much for thinking of us.
Take care
Mary and Hector
Glad to hear that both you and Hector are doing so well.
You said that Hector likes his walks because he gets to see people - why not invite some of your friends over for short visits? Many pawrents have found that visits can really help with recovery - and they are good for everyone.
Looking forward to more updates.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Don't feel badly Mary, this whole journey is a learning experience, all of us have been there and felt like we overdid things at one time or another.
We're happy he's home and well!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks again everyone.
Hector had a good night, and seems a lot more peaceful and calmer today. We are going to take things easy today, and I just hope he continues to improve.
I will you keep you updated on how he is getting on.
I am so pleased I found you all, as knowing that I will get sensible advice from those with Tripawds is such a big help.
I must say emotionally the journey is a lot harder than what I expected, it is a roller coaster of emotions, and all we want is the best for Hector.
Take care
Mary and Hector
Yay for a good night! Don't forget to celebrate that!
Yes, the roller coaster is quite a ride, it's a tough one at times for sure but you are doing GREAT. Keep up the great attitude and stay strong, Hector and we are proud of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi all
Poor Hector has had to go back to the vet, we are so upset and feel we have let him down. He had a really good night, and this morning he was calm and seemed ok, but during the day his stomach was getting redder and redder, and then he was whimpering in his sleep even after increasing the Tramadol, and we thought he had an infection. Also, since getting him home he sometimes rolled on his wound, and he would let out the most terrible scream. We phoned the vet, and they asked us to be bring him in, which we did, and on getting him out of the car we gently carried him but again he let out the most terrible scream. The vet said he could see no sign of infection and the redness is common after major surgery, but they wanted to keep him in to better control his pain, which we agreed to. The vet has just phoned to say that Hector has idiopathic nerve damage. (I think that's right, but I may have misheard) and that they are treating it with anaesthetic strips cover the wound, an increase in the Gavapentin and using a stronger paint killer. They are positive they will be able to manage the pain, and are hopeful Hector should be back home in a couple of days.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar to Hector, and did you manage go control it.
I am so worried about him, and just want him back home and pain free.
Advice appreciated
Mary
1 Guest(s)
