Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Sorry not to get back till now but the past few days have been a bit hectic.
My wife has calmed down over the whole thing. I had to work Friday night so she was left alone with my daughter to take the Colonel out.
He did great. He goes out does his thing and climbs right back up his handicapped ramp with no problem.
We put carpet down everywhere to cover our tile and hardwood floors so he would not slip.
He is getting real bored with being off in one room even though we are always near him.
He wants to be with us at all times by our side, not laying around watching us through a Baby gate.
But I know the best thing for him is to take it easy while he recovers.
The drugs are not bothering him at all, his wound is starting to get the normal color back and the purple is starting to go away.
I would like to know more about the Holistic treatments . I am not sure if there are any vets that do that around here. Could you send me some links?
You guys are all great and have helped alot.
This whole thing at this time of year has really taught a great lesson on what Christmas really means to my family.
Just having Klink around for the Holidays puts things in perspective for all of us.
Tim
Glad to hear things are going well Tim for you and the Colonel. I don't know anything about the Colonel but if he is normally not a "Crazy" guy, I would seriously consider letting him out sp he can be with you. My Supai hasn't been restricted since she came home, but in the house she is very calm. In the short time I have been dealing with this your best ally is your dogs attitude and being with the ones he loves the most will go a long way.
As for Holistic Vets, the Surgeon who I went to gave me 2 references. If they can't help good old Google, also there is a Discussion page with Vet referral, hopefully there is one in your area.
Good Luck, off to take Supai for a walk in the Snow!
Shaun & Suapi
roadrnnr said:
I would like to know more about the Holistic treatments...
Check out the new Tripawds Nutrition blog Supplements page. We've added lots of links there, both to discusions here in the forums and information from manufacturers.
K9 Immunity and Power Mushrooms seem to be the most popular. We used K9 Immunity with K9 Transfer Factor for Jerry and believe they helped greatly.
Sounds like the Colonel is recovering well. Tell him to hang in there and he'll be running around in no time! Thanks for the update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
roadrnnr said:
I would like to know more about the Holistic treatments . I am not sure if there are any vets that do that around here. Could you send me some links?
No apologies necessary, believe me, we all know what it's like to take care of a post-amp Tripawd! Sounds like things are going great though, that is so wonderful to here. Yeay for Tripawd Pawer!
OK so about holistic treatments, we have a couple of links on our Resources page that might help,and check out the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's website too. Good luck, and keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We had doggie beds and comforters placed all around our house... Jake could hop over and plop down where ever we were. He also didn't like to be alone. Of course, when we had to leave the house, or go to work (at least for the first 2 weeks post op), we kept him closed in the study... because we were afraid that he might try to jump up on a bed or couch, and then hurt himself if he tried to jump off himself.
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Well Klink had a major set back yesterday.
My wife let him out in the morning and his rear leg seems to have weakend or he moved it the wrong way or something. The leg acted very weak, it kept giving out on him and he was really laboring to walk on it.
This is what I was afraid of with him. That leg was always strong but he always had problems with the one that was taken going lame etc.
He went off the runners we have and also slipped on the floor twice also.
His incision also started leaking slightly what looked like clear and bloody fluid.
That seems to have stopped today.
His balance this morning is still weak although he has been out twice and did his thing.
He will not go up his ramp now, seems scared to try it so I have been using the sling to get him up it.
We have a checkup with the vet today at 2 and I am not sure what I am going to do at this point.
My wife cannot handle taking him out by herself and I have to go to work mabey tomorrow night.
If his other leg will not handle his weight my options seem hopeless.
I'll keep in touch.
Please don't give up hope. Remember that Col. Klink has just had major surgery and is on pain medications. At this point it is premature to think that he won't be able to support his weight. Remember the first two weeks are the hardest. You will get through them. It is good that you are going to the vet so you can get his/her professional opinion but as someone that has worried through it, take a deep breath and use as your manta "This too will pass, This too will pass." Keep us posted. I am praying for the Col. and for your family. I feel for your wife. When Emily got bad at the end I could not support her in her sling and harness. Luckily for me I have grown sons that were able to help out when my husband was not home.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I agree with Debra, please don't give up hope. We have all been where you are, for the first few days I could barely get Zoe outside without forcing her. It is a major surgery and he is trying to compensate and recover, under the influence of his pain meds. I want to try to reassure you that it does get better. Please keep us posted.
Well we got back from the vet.
His bruising is a little more than he liked so he adjusted his meds and gave us some more stuff for his inflamation.
He showed me the best way to support him also and was not overly concerned Klink hurt his leg, what I mean is he did not think he did. He was still getting used to walking and the slips made him skiddish.
When we had him out today he seemed not to be bothered to much.
I am "slinging him" going up the ramp for now just in case.
The visit did put both of us at ease.
It's been a long day and we are all home now resting and Klink seems to be doing pretty good this evening. He just went out and is now pretty content.
Thanks Everybody for the encouraging words.
TTYS
I am glad to hear that your news was good news. Tasha had two very bad days after her surgery, day 4 & 5, but everything started improving on day 6, what a difference a day made. I hope that Klink will continue to improve everyday and will soon be up and running and playing again.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
I am glad you could see your vet today. The first weeks are made of ups and downs and vets are there to give us support during those weeks. As others said, do not give up hope. Take care
Greta news Tim, glad to hear the Colonel is back home! That is where the healing is done. Sounds like you need to take it slower with him, nothing wrong with that. The goal is to get better, it's not a race. Dogs are individuals, don't worry if he isn't progressing as fast as others. I am sure you could find post that show he is improving faster then some.
Good luck.
Shaun & Supai
Glad to hear that Kink got to see the vet and there wasn't too much to be concerned about. 
Remember this was a big surgery, and Klink is on lots of pain meds... so many things going on right now. Slinging him is the best thing you can do while he learns his new balancing act, and is doped up on his meds... Just till he gets his strength back. Then having the harness (after sutures come out)... that will also help so much! Everyone says the first 2 weeks are the worse, and boy they are so right! I don't think my husband and I got much sleep those first 2 weeks... and I almost had a heart attack the first time that Jake lost his balance and fell... directly on his incision with a big thud! OMG! 
As everyone else mentioned, there will be ups and downs during his recovery... So hang in there... and spoil your baby!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
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