Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My Rusty had his front right leg removed this past Tuesday (March 18 2014) due to osteosarcoma. He has been doing well. He was discharged to our care yesterday (March 22 2014). His discharge meds were Tramadol, Deramaxx (NSAID) and Tribrissen (antibiotic). When he was sent home he was wearing a neck collar to keep him from getting at his surgical site. Our vet told us that we could remove the collar at any time that he did not see the reason to keep it on unless we saw rusty picking at his surgical wound.
Here is my question: When we removed the collar, Rusty has chewed through the fur down to skin an area on both his left front leg and his right rear leg....is that normal? Is that a sign of depression? Is it possibly an allergic reaction to one of his medications? I will call the vet in the morning, but thought I would ask. I replaced the collar in the middle of the night and he has not made any attempts to return to that activity, nor could he...
Thanks for any advice or insight!
Sounds like more of a stress reaction. Did he chew or lick? My 8 yr old quad pug came from a rescue, with lots of issues from his first home. He has doggie OCD, and one of the things he does is lick his paws, for hours sometimes. When he is agitated or things aren't normal his behavior is worse. I've heard of a few other pups who do that after amp surgery, and I all cases I remember the behavior goes away when things get closer to normal.
Another thought- is he licking at areas that were shaved for IVs or maybe areas where he got injections?
If he is reacting to stress then anything you can do to make things more normal should help (not easy right now I know). Also, I've had luck with distracting my pug from his licking with a chew toy. You might have to hold it for Rusty until he figures out how to do it with one paw (he will!), but chewing on something might help.
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
It is definitely licking...thanks for advice
That is what I was hoping it was... I will get a chew toy
Oh poor Rusty! If she's licking in other places besides the incision area, I have no idea what it could be but I would let your vet know for sure. Good luck with the chew toy, I hope it works.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We do not know the cause. I was concered that he was having an allergic reaction to one of his post-op meds...however after consulting with the vet this morning, that was found not to be the case b/c he felt that they would have seen the reaction while at their office for the four days following surgery (which made sense). They are going to keep him there and observe him for the day. They think that he has some anxiety or depression following his leg amputation (who could blame him?) It just breaks my heart that he could be really upset following what we had done for him. I hope that he can get past this and go back to being a happy dog!
Overall recoverymis gong well and that's great! Yes, this IS major surgery.....humans wold still be in the hospital!
My first thought also is that these were locatins where perhaps blood was drawn or injections given, etc.
I can definitely tellnyou that my Happy Hannah did this also. She's a rear leger and chewed and licked her front paws...mostly at the "knee" area. I figured it was where needles went in and out. Also sort of a misplaced target......she mayhave been feeling pain from jer amp. site...nerves firingogg, etc....and she "thought" it was her amputated leg. Of course, there was noleg there so perhaps that is why she chewed at her front legs. Just trying to figure it out at the time as she never did it before the amp. Well, she still does it some to this day!!! She doesn't lick til they're raw or anything like that.....just til they're nice and slimey! I divert her attention and that usualy akes care of it.
I really wouldn't be concerned. I also think once things "normalize" more, this will fade away.
Keep us posted and give Rusty big hugs for us! And one for you too!
((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Yeah that does make sense. I would focus on interactive toys like these, and remember that dogs don't feel anger or blame toward their humans when going through this. They feel "off" and just want to feel better, so they show it in different ways. He will be back to himself in no time, hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Mine has been licking her front paws too since her amp surgery just 10 days ago. I thought it might be a reaction to meds but as we decreased them the licking has increased. I haven't worried about it yet and she seems real happy but you bring up some interesting points. I should really keep a closer eye on this.
ANother topic, does anyone know the average length of time for the stitches to dissolve?
Ok, we are now 2.5 weeks post amputation and rusty has now started peeing on himself frequently. This is new as he never did this in the past. He finished his antibiotic yesterday which is only recent change...any thoughts? He is to start chemo on Tuesday!
I am just so sensitive to any changes that he has and I don't want to read too much into things
It's good to be on top of any changes that are happening, you're doing great.
When you say he pees on himself, is it a lot at once? Or a little at a time? Does he show any signs of straining when he does try to go?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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