Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello All:
First off this website and the info contained therein has been a god send and given me confidence, knowledge and hope when I was pretty low recently.
Reggie (boston terrier) has gone almost completely deaf as he is a senior dog (12years) and has also experienced some undefined kidney issues and an ear infection which has caused his head to tilt dramatically (this has improved with drops and antibiotics). This past thursday morning when I came home from work (work overnights) Reggie was startled by my other dogs barking and must have forgot of his recent issues and immediately jumped off my bed to greet me....it was obvious something was broken.
Immediately took him to the hospital and the surgeon advised of a serious Y-fracture and advising of the cost of attempting to save the limb would be upwards of 5500. Immediately I started to worry, he then offered amputation which I was shocked about but he advised if you had a million dollars he would choose amputation. He advised of the benefits and success rate, and if they found any instants of cancer this may have removed it (no cancer however) all of this in addition to the cheaper cost (4000 in the end) made my decison pretty easy albeit I did / do feel guilty.
From what I can gather reggies incident is quite common and he has displayed alot of what I have read about however I have some concerns about his recovery:
- This has been day 6 post-op and he has finally defecated and walked some steps. He does yelp in pain at times when I pick him up now, nothing severe but this is the first time he has started to do it.
- I understand the effects of the meds he is on (tramadol, Rymadol etc) but his panting and what looks like anxiety in his face seems to be going on longer and longer which concerns me.
- My ground floor is wood, and he has definite issues with slipping. Do most dogs get used to the flooring? I am going to get some area rugs in the meantime but I hope he gets used to it w/o the aid of boots.
- While he has eaten he has eaten very little dog food, and has been fed by hand, do most dogs get used to eating as they regularly did?
Thanks!
regnice said
First off this website and the info contained therein has been a god send and given me confidence...
Thank you! It's comments like this that make all our efforts worthwhile. Welcome and best wishes for Reggie! Please keep us posted, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Your concerns are indeed common, and it sounds like you've been doing your homework. Reggie is in good hands. Loss of appetite is common. Most members see vast improvement once off the pain meds. Please check out any traction link for lots of helpful tips to help improve traction for Reggie and prevent falls.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Reggie's family!
We had a lot of yelping going on during recovery but then we didn't get Gabapentin which is supposed to help with nerve pain. However, that is ONE big surgery, so things really take time to heal, especially on the inside. So I would assume that it may hurt a little if you pick him up. -Worth watching, but don't worry too much.
My dog took ages to finally poop again and if Reggie finally did, hey! that's great!
As for the panting and anxiety: meds can cause that, but so can pain. Personally, I would present that to the vets and ask them to maybe adjust his pain regimen or dose. Sadly, both too little and too much meds can cause this and sometimes doses have to be adjusted.
My dog doesn't have boots but he still has issues with slippery floors. Hence, my house is full of rugs. I always joke that you recognize a tripawds home by the number of area rugs... There are other ways to get more traction , like Pawfriction or Toe Grips that may help, too, but for us, rugs are a necessity.
My dog didn't eat for a while either but his appetite returned as he got more mobile. Nowadays I have more of an issue of keeping him slim.
All the best to you and keep us updated
Tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Feeding by hand is very common around here. I think my dog was too distracted by the meds and her recovery to focus on eating, but she gradually started to do it on her own as she felt better. I also discovered she's much happier to eat while laying down these days - we put the bowl near her amp site so she can reach it easier. You may also want to try feeding him foods that interest him more if he doesn't seem interested in food - Jack got a scoop of pumpkin on top of her kibble for a few weeks.
Geez! What an amazing senior pup you have and what an amazing devoted and loving human she has!!
You've gotten great advice from everyone. I waould say DEFINITELY get some non slip scatter rugs or cheap yoga mats for traction . A senior three legged doggy with dizziness from ear infecrion needs to feel confident kn the floors.
For now, handfeeding him anything he will eat is good! Cheeseburgers, steak, scrambled eggs and bacon, cheese pizza...anything!
How often is he on Tramadol and what is the dose a.ount? How much does he weigh? Check out the link to phantom pain , or phantom limb pain and see if that sounds like the type of quick yelps he has. You may ask your Vet about Gabapentin as that helps tremendously. Also, I'm sure the Vet is keeping tabs on the kid eys to make sure the Rimadyl and other meds don't play havoc with them!
Make a note when the pantng starts. Is it an hour or more before his next dose? Yes, the Tramadol can cause panting and anxiety, but so can pain!' Ugh!
Peeing and drinking okay? And YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOP
Slooow and easy...short, short potty break and rest, rest, rest. No stairs, no jumping, just rest and loving and spoiling.
Update when you can and let us know any questions you may have. Recovery is no picnic!
Higs
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 to everyone for the support advice and most of comfort!
Its been a week since the accident, and I feel Reg has taken a step back with walking. While I he has only gone out for pee breaks, he looked very unstable yesterday, even fell over. His head tilt has also has come back. I'm wondering if this has to do with possible vestibular disease and if he may have it.
I'm concerned that the added balance issues with the advent of the loss of limb will make this adjustment unsurmountable. I'm trying to keep positive and understand its only been a week I am just very very worried.
I spoke with the surgeon with regards to the meds, I have stopped the tramadol at this point and it seems as if his panting while still present isn't as scary as it was, I also have toyed with the idea of splitting the dosage in half as he just taken his last Rymadol. He is also making groaning noises.
Ill keep you guys posted,
Once again Benny, DCjack, tinsch and Jerrys pack THANK YOU
Oops...apologies to Reggie...called HIM a her!
In my very unprofessional opinion you jave a couple of issues making recovery a bit more difficult than "usual",'but certainly not insurmountable!!!
The vestibular issue DEFINITELY could interfere with his balance! My senior four-legged boy had the vestibular thing going on...his head tilted and he walked like a drunken sailor. I don't recall the exact treatment...seems like it was a very strong steriod (not Prednisone but something else....dexa..??...geez...can't recall). Anyway, that seemed to work.
Now, take that out of the equation and it's not unusual for a senior to need more than a week to adjust to mobility issues while recovering from MAJOR surgery.!!
Still toy with the pain meds a bit and try to have him on something! I would think his moaning is a sign of pain. And yes, panting can be TRAMADOL, vut can also be PAIN!
So I would definitely ask the Vet abput another treatment for the Vestibular issue. I think you mentioned he was on an a tibiotic for that? Correct"0? Anyway, IF the Vet prescribes some sort of strong steroid, he CANNOT have that until the Rimadyl is out of his system for four to five days. Not a Vet and not giving Vet advice. Just bringing up some things ro discuss.
I know all this is so stressful. Ups and downs during the first weeks of recovery are "normal". Add extra "issues" and it can seem insurmountable...but it's not!!! TRY and stay patient...hard, we know!!
We'd love ro see pictures of this cute boy!
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!
regnice said
...I feel Reg has taken a step back with walking.
It is still very early. Recovery can be a roller coaster ride. Once the stitches come out there are various starter exercises you can to to help Reg build strength, improve proprioception and develop balance.
If you're still concerned then, consider taking advantage of the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab. The Tripawds Foundation will pay for your first consultation if you visit a certified rehab vet/tech (CCRT or CCRP ). They can provide a professional evaluation and prescribe a custom-tailored conditioning program to get him Loving Life On Three Legs !
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Reggie and parent,
My dog is 11.5 and we're a bit over a month post amp. I was initially only send home with 10 days worth of an antibiotic and Rimadyl which didn't turn out to be enough. Schlomo doesn't tolerate Tramadol well either and he did develop phantom pain (yelping) so two weeks post amp I got Gabapentin and Amantadine. He's off Gabapentin now because he had a side effect from it but most dogs on here do really well with it as it has fairly wide safety margins. He's a sensitive guy this one.
The adjustment takes time, we are still in the middle of it and today Schlomo is weaker than he was yesterday. My rehab Vet told me to give him up to 6 months before we can really see how much he bounces back or forward. It's only been a week for you. I know how stressful this is. I was panicking (still am) and Sally told me many times to keep breathing and give him time. Slow and easy she would say.
So for what it's worth try to keep in mind how early on in recovery he is. At the same time it's also important to stay alert and observe his behavior, which you are doing beautifully.
The first 3 weeks are really hard, I think it's still hard now... We had more downs than ups. Today is the first day he tried himself on a bully stick with one front paw left. It's a process.
Sending you positive energy!
Mascha & Schlomo
admin said
regnice said
...I feel Reg has taken a step back with walking.It is still very early. Recovery can be a roller coaster ride. Once the stitches come out there are various starter exercises you can to to help Reg build strength, improve proprioception and develop balance.
If you're still concerned then, consider taking advantage of the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab. The Tripawds Foundation will pay for your first consultation if you visit a certified rehab vet/tech (CCRT or CCRP ). They can provide a professional evaluation and prescribe a custom-tailored conditioning program to get him Loving Life On Three Legs !
You aint kidding. I also will be looking into the rehab route, thanks for this. As we all do, I just want him to have a continued good quality of life, I have to constantly coach myself to avoid negativity and stop projecting human feelings onto him.
schlomo said
Hi Reggie and parent,My dog is 11.5 and we're a bit over a month post amp. I was initially only send home with 10 days worth of an antibiotic and Rimadyl which didn't turn out to be enough. Schlomo doesn't tolerate Tramadol well either and he did develop phantom pain (yelping) so two weeks post amp I got Gabapentin and Amantadine. He's off Gabapentin now because he had a side effect from it but most dogs on here do really well with it as it has fairly wide safety margins. He's a sensitive guy this one.
The adjustment takes time, we are still in the middle of it and today Schlomo is weaker than he was yesterday. My rehab Vet told me to give him up to 6 months before we can really see how much he bounces back or forward. It's only been a week for you. I know how stressful this is. I was panicking (still am) and Sally told me many times to keep breathing and give him time. Slow and easy she would say.
So for what it's worth try to keep in mind how early on in recovery he is. At the same time it's also important to stay alert and observe his behavior, which you are doing beautifully.
The first 3 weeks are really hard, I think it's still hard now... We had more downs than ups. Today is the first day he tried himself on a bully stick with one front paw left. It's a process.
Sending you positive energy!
Mascha & Schlomo
Thanks! I appreciate the info, it really helps. The Rymadol was done today, he panted and groaned after about 25 minutes of taking it. It may have been possible that the Rymadol was the culprit all along, as when I gave him the Tramadol at about 6pm there was no panting, no groaning and he seemed comfortable. I will heed your words and remain even keeled!
benny55 said
Oops...apologies to Reggie...called HIM a her!In my very unprofessional opinion you jave a couple of issues making recovery a bit more difficult than "usual",'but certainly not insurmountable!!!
The vestibular issue DEFINITELY could interfere with his balance! My senior four-legged boy had the vestibular thing going on...his head tilted and he walked like a drunken sailor. I don't recall the exact treatment...seems like it was a very strong steriod (not Prednisone but something else....dexa..??...geez...can't recall). Anyway, that seemed to work.
Now, take that out of the equation and it's not unusual for a senior to need more than a week to adjust to mobility issues while recovering from MAJOR surgery.!!
Still toy with the pain meds a bit and try to have him on something! I would think his moaning is a sign of pain. And yes, panting can be TRAMADOL, vut can also be PAIN!
So I would definitely ask the Vet abput another treatment for the Vestibular issue. I think you mentioned he was on an a tibiotic for that? Correct"0? Anyway, IF the Vet prescribes some sort of strong steroid, he CANNOT have that until the Rimadyl is out of his system for four to five days. Not a Vet and not giving Vet advice. Just bringing up some things ro discuss.
I know all this is so stressful. Ups and downs during the first weeks of recovery are "normal". Add extra "issues" and it can seem insurmountable...but it's not!!! TRY and stay patient...hard, we know!!
We'd love ro see pictures of this cute boy!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
I am really thinking Vestibular disease may be the culprit. According to my vet there really isnt a definitive test for it but when everything else is taken off the board, it is deemed this through process of elimination. He took his last dose of Rymadyl today, and I have come to my (non veternarian) conclusion that this was the culprit as he took tramadol and he was as calm as could be.
I hope to take him to the vet on Sunday and will ask her about the Prednisone. Since it is a cortecosteroid (sp) I agree he cant take it for long, but if it helps with his balance while he is adjusting I believe it will only help.
Thanks for the advice, personal experience and comraderie.
Pics on the way!
Here are some pics of my main man and main girl Dutchess
https://www.ins.....y=matty_xl
https://www.ins.....y=matty_xl
https://www.ins.....y=matty_xl
https://www.ins.....y=matty_xl
regnice said
I have to constantly coach myself to avoid negativity and stop projecting human feelings onto him.
This is exactly why our best advice is to Be More Dog
. When you have a chance, listen to the podcast for helpful tips!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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