Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Y'all!
My 8 year old Dobergirl, Kali underwent a left rear amputation 1 week ago because of a fracture occurring at the site of a bone lesion. We are still awaiting pathology report.
4 days post op, she seemed to be making a remarkable recovery. Her spirit and energy were back. It seems in the past 3 days, she is moving less and appears to have more discomfort. My question is about a hard knot of tissue under and around the incision. We will be visiting the vet later today, but I just wondered if this was a normal stage of healing.
I appreciate any information and thank you!
Michtx
Hi Michtx, I'm in the Tripawds Chat room right now if you want to talk.
I'm sorry to hear about Kali's amputation. You're both here among family though, and we'll support you no matter what the pathology report says.
Many dogs slow down during the first week or two. Usually it's because they've been feeling great from all the pain meds and doing too much activity. When they slow down it's their body finally catching up with their brain. Some R&R and strict activity watching will really help but be sure to mention this to your vet. Right now Kali should only be doing leashed potty walks. While she heals be sure to check out our e-books library to learn about how to get her into shape and live healthy and injury-free on three legs.
A hard knot of tissue can be any number of things and usually it's not serious. It's a good question for your vet though so please let us know what they say OK?
Thanks for joining, your future posts won't require approval.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
P.S. Looks like Nitro the Tripawd Dobie will have a new gal pal! Be sure to check out his blog!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yp, ditto Jerry!
Kali probably felt a little better the first few days because she had strong hospital pain meds in her...and then they wore off.
Right now just short potty breaks and resr, lots of rest. What pain meds is she on now and how regularly? Most vets send them home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, antibiotic and Gabapentin. They have ro be given in a consistent basis to stay ahead of the pain. They can also cause some lethargy and maybe some wooziness.
The cet will figure out the lump..could be fluid bump which is normal.
STAY CONNECTED! YIU ARE NOT ALONE! This recovw part is no picnic for a couple of weeks. Her sparkle will come back so bright you'll need su glasses! 🙂
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Thanks for the support and replies! I checked out Nitro's Blog - what a handsome and inspirational Doberdude ; )
I think we have Kali's pain level controlled, although she is a very stoic pup. She was never lame on the leg until it fractured at the lesion. She's currently taking Prevacox, Gabapentin and Tramadol along wth Amoxicillin. The only clue of discomfort that I have is her much slower gait ( compared to day 4 post op) and some occasional quivering of the muscles around the amp site.
I decided on a call to the vet - less stressful for the Kaligator than a trip to the vet. Still waiting for a call back. Kali did have a significant seroma post operatively, now mostly resolved with the exception of that handful of very hard tissue. I'm assuming it's normal, just want some reassurance from the vet and to know I'm doing everything I can for her. She is tolerating the occasional cold pack to the area and a gentle massage.
I've already read "Three Legs & a Spare" - what a godsend to have as a resource to help educate, guide and calm us. Will be reading Loving Life On Three Legs next. When we picked her up after surgery, the vet said, " Kali will be fine, it's you I'm worried about" - LOL! He always keeps them overnight post op, but the human-animal bond between Kali and me is a little too strong for her own good, and he knew she would have much less anxiety at home - plus hubby and I have medical training. First night was hellish, but the only break from her old night time routine currently is that she wants to lay on hard surfaces instead of mats, cushions or her beds.
I'll let you know the reply from the vet.
Hi Mitchtx and Kali and welcome to our community,
I have a Great Dane who lost her front leg a little over two months ago and, like Kali, everything was ok until day 5 when her medication started wearing off.
As you probably know by now, missing a back leg is much easier than a front leg as the vast majority of the weight is supported by the front legs, so your girl has a head start!
There are a few dobbies here, I wish I knew how to send a link to some of their videos but I will try to send you more info soon.
As for Kali's recovery, generally after stitches are removed our furry friends get much, much better and progress is much faster.
We didn't have any problem with the incision so no advice there but I am glad to hear you already placed a call to the vet, you are such a good Mom!
Keep us posted!
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to Kali 
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Right, got it !
Go to the Hopping Around forum and check "Sadie running around the yard"
That girl hops as fast as the wind !!!
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Awwwww, what a gorgeous Dane - so regal! So good to read and see all these success stories. Thanks again to all replies - it's such a relief to be able to post questions and concerns to those who have gone thru this experience.
We made the trip to the vet after all. Here's what we think is going on: as the seroma resolved, it left left behind blood and by products that hardened. She has no fever and no discharge from the incision site, and the hardened tissue is only along the inner aspect of the incision. If it was infection ( which was a concern since the area is also reddened ) there would likely be fever, incision drainage and reddening on both sides of the incision. Her blood work came back today with a low hematocrit, so it will be rechecked Monday.
Treatment is moist heat to the area several times a day - simply a towel drenched in hot as possible tap water ( tested to not be a burn risk), wrung out and applied to the area until no longer warm to the touch.
The good news is that she did well with loading and unloading from the SUV ( despite Mom's clumsy lift and carry maneuvers ) and the anxiety of the vet visit. Hooray for small victories!
HOORAY FOR VICTORIES!! Every victory arpu d here is a HUGE victory! We love celebrating the joyois signs of progress!
Sou ds like your vet has a really good handle on things, as well as respecti b the bo d you a d Kali jave. Very nice.
The jard surface may feel cooler right now than the bed. Dogs seem to seek out cool spots while recovering.
Glad you got the reassurance you needed from your vet. These first couple of weeks have auite a few ups and downs. Eventually it's all ups!!
Hang in there! You're doing great!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Do you have a harness yet. Many fans of the Ruffwear Webmaster Plus harness on this site. Otis is 100 pounds and it allows me to assist him without straps digging into his body. I also like that I can attach the lead to the top, keeping it out of the way of his legs. He likes it - he can roll and do all of his normal dog stuff in it. Might be useful for in and out of the car. See the gear blog on this site for more details.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi Mitchtx,
So happy to hear the news 
nothing serious huraahhhh !!!
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your gorgeous girl
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Howdy & welcome!
OMd, I'm assuming that's her in your avatar? She's beautiful!! Pictures please?!
Very happy that everything is going well for you and her. Once her staples/stitches come out you won't be able to keep up with her!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Sadie has a love/hate relationship with her Web Master harness . Hates having it put on, loves getting to go on walks. It works great for a large chested dog like a dobie, because the extra strap prevents it from shifting forward, even if it does shift a bit from side to side.
Good luck with the warm compresses! Sadie is such a wiggleworm cuddler that i would end up with the compress on me, not her. 🙂
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