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
We had to have Samson's hind leg amputated on Tuesday. He has bone cancer. I had read a lot about how well dogs so on three legs, but had no idea the recovery would be this hard. He is so lethargic. We basically have to encourage him to get up just to go to the bathroom. One of my biggest concerns is that he has not pooped yet. He is eating well and i know that is good. He can hardly squat long enough to pee as his other leg gives out and he tumbles over. He is an 8 year old Rott that is in very good shape. not overweight at all and muscular. can someone share with me if they had issues with the pooping and if the lethargy is normal?
Hi Kathy, welcome, your future posts won't need approval.
I'm sorry that Sampson and you are going through this ordeal, you're right, it's not easy, not at all. We are here for you and you aren't alone, nor do you have the only dog whose ever been in this condition after surgery: about 95 percent of them are exactly the same, at least for the first week or two, sometimes longer but not often.
Keep in mind, he's had major surgery and the combination of pain killers and anesthesia takes a toll on the body and psyche for a few days. If he's eating, wow that's awesome! I'm going to be the reason he falls over when he pees is because he's doped up. What kind of pain medication is he on? Pain meds are good, don't get me wrong, but at this point he'll probably need a little extra support via a sling and maybe a harness when his stitches are out.
The thing is, try to put yourself in his paws and how you would be feeling if you had a leg amputation just day before yesterday. It's difficult for us to see our dogs so weakened because we are used to them being so strong, but overall, if you really think about it, dogs do so much better than humans do in these situations.
Whatever concerns you have, let your vet know, and you can also share them with us here too, we will try to ease your worries. Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books Library, they're filled with lots of info that will help you through this, and then help Samson get strong once he's healed.
Hang in there, it gets better!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My Leland was a hind leg amp also. He went 4 days before pooping. It's great that Sampson is eating as Leland didn't have much of an appetite. As Jerry indicated Sampson is probably still recovering from the meds he was given at the clinic pre and post op. Leland was a little out of it for the first couple of days but then the haze of the drugs starts to wear off.
My husband and I helped Leland with a belly sling for the first 2 weeks. He was doing pretty good after week one but I continued with the sling until the staples were removed. I didn't want him falling and messing up the incision site. After the staples came out Leland did really well figuring out how to maneuver on his own, getting up from the ground on his own, and pottying without me hovering.
The first couple of weeks will be the hardest as most will agree but after that you'll start seeing the sparkle in how Sampson used to be start coming out.
Just hang in there and we're all here to lend support.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Thanks for all of the encouragement! I am sure the drugs do play a part. he is on Tramadol for the pain and rimadyl for the inflammation. We can't really tell a difference in him according to the time we give him his meds. he is just lethargic all the time even if it has been 12 hours since meds, but he could still have the remains of pre and post op meds so maybe that is it. I am afraid for him to poop... seems like it will take a lot of work and he will be working muscles that are going to be sore from the surgery. Just seems odd to me that he is eating and not pooping.. i am not sure if i should be concerned about it or not.
Leland didn't do well with Tramadol so our local vet had him on Gabapentin. From what our vet explained Tramadol is a narcotic pain reliever and it can affect a dog's mood/behavior. With Gabapentin it's blocking nerve signals to the brain. From reading other postings it looks like Tramadol and Gabapentin can be given together or separate. If you feel Sampson is still lethargic in a day or so and just not himself you may want to consider speaking with your vet about adjusting his medication.
I know from this site that Gabapentin is used a lot in treating "phantom limb pain" so just keep that in mind if you notice Sampson in pain.
Stay in contact with your vet and as Jerry says "you want to stay ahead of the pain and not trying to catch up" or something similar to that.
Keep us updated and sending positive thoughts to Sampson for a safe recovery!!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
My Shelby was also a rear-amp and I was concerned about her pooping but she was a hearty pooper (always) and did great. I have seen stories here about dogs that were up to a week w/out a poop! I know if you add some canned pumpkin (the pure stuff - no sugars) that can help move things along since it's high in fiber.
Shelby was on a Fetnyl patch and Tramadol and it make her crazy. We had to wean her off some of that stuff but definitely stayed on top of her pain.
Sounds like Sampson is eating and chillaxing well .... he's in recovery mode, which is great!
Hugs and healing vibes!
Alison & her Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Keira was a rear amp as well. It took her about 5-6 days to poop! If it ever gets to the point you're really concerned call the vet. I talked to mine probably every other day with questions. It's the best way for reassurance! It sounds like Sampson is relaxing and healing. Also, him not moving around too much will make the recovery easier from what I have read! Keep an eye on him and remember, the medication they take (tramadol) is pretty good stuff. (I've taken it for back problems... trust me it makes ya woosy!)
Oh I forgot to mention...most dogs do take time to poop after surgery, some up to 3 or 4 days. You can speed things along by adding a bit of metamucil, olive oil or canned pumpkin pulp to his food.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome. It's a rough road, but Samson sounds like he's pretty normal in the recovery process. My girl didn't have an issue with not pooping, but she did stumble a time or two while she was getting used to going potty on 3 legs. She was definitely lethargic for the better part of 2 weeks, once the initial dopeyness wore off. Now, 3 weeks out, she's starting to be more playful and energetic for short spurts. Give Samson time and you'll see your pup start to be more like himself in a while too.
Eureka! His stools have moved! after not getting up all day long yesterday other than at 7 in the morning and 6 in the evening to go outside Sam actually started pacing in the room we have him in (our bedroom) and trying to go behind the chair or get into a corner. All the while he was doing a soft cry. i knew he needed to go out but when i would put his leach on and try to get him to go out he would not go. finally at 2 in the morning he went over to the doorway and we took him out. I think we both feel better now!
So happy to hear! Sounds like things are going well. I cannot think of any other suggestions...the others covered it all. I would encourage him to get up every couple of hours. Take him out, give him water or ice keep him hydrated. Each time he gets up he will be closer and closer to figuring "it" out. I know it is hard but try to treat him as you normally would. Dogs can sense anxiety. Your doing a great job.
Laurie
That is great news!!! I'm glad Sampson finally pooped. His tummy probably wasn't feeling too good with being constipated so fingers crossed he'll start venturing out and wanting to get up a little more.
There will be highs and lows during recovery but this is definitely a "high".
Keep up the good work Sampson...you'll get it figured out!!
Sending positive thoughts to Sampson and family!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Whew! What a relief! That's awesome, I'm so happy you guys have reached this turning point. WHOOHOO!!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lucy Lu had rear leg amputation at the Animal Medical Center in NYC this Tuesday. She had two mast cell tumors removed within the past two months and the oncologist felt amputation was preferable to radiation. After biopsy of the leg, the oncologist was happy to report that the mast cells had not spread to her armpit lymph node, but because there were many mast cells in the leg, she was pleased that we had done amputation rather than radiation. Mast cell tumors are nasty as they appear in 40% of dogs who've had one, and these are new tumors not related to the first ones.
Lucy was her happy floppy Havanese self when I picked her up at the hospital. The surgery site is red and swollen, but she does not seem to be in any pain. She is eating well and has pooped twice! Our only problem is that she thinks she can do everything she did before surgery and I have to restrain her. She's light enough to carry up and down stairs to poop and pee, but my living room looks like a battle zone with having to block off the couch. I tried an X-pen, but she hated it and kept one of my neighbors up all night whining and barking. I went out to do some shopping, leaving her in the X-pen. When I got home, there she was greeting me at the door -- X-pen a total failure. Will now confine her to the living room and keep the bedroom blocked off (small NYC space).
When she has sutures removed we will start her again on Palladia for six months. Oncologist also suggested an annual chest X-ray and ultrasound to make sure there is no metastasis. So glad I have pet insurance covering 80% as I am retired and living on fixed income.
I told Lucy she'd look great in her bikini this summer -- we're looking forward to many happy years as she is only seven.
1 Guest(s)
