Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone,
Sadie is 7 days post op. Has been doing great considering. We are starting to ween her off pain meds per vets instruction. We have lowered the dose so that we get her off them slowly. Yesterday she seemed to be down a little. She is an 8 year old weim that has always been one big ball of energy. She has been resting and we have made sure to keep her calm. She just seems to be a little down. I can't tell if she's in pain because she is so good at hiding it I think. She is eating, drinking and going potty which is a positive I know, but she just has a sad look on her face and seems really wiped out. I know this is probably a normal reaction to this surgery, but just want to ask all of you since everyone has been through this. She is a front amp and her back legs seems to be pretty tight. We have been massaging her and icing the wound when she lets us. She doesn't like the ice too much. I guess I am a little blue too because I have been with her everyday and had to go back to work today (gotta pay the vet bills!) My wife is with her today so she's not alone. Also, how long did you guys have someone stay with your pup till you left them alone? I wish that I could crate her, but no shot. We tried crating her as a puppy and she wouldn't have it. I'm afraid she would her herself trying to be the escape artist she is. I know I probably seem to be rambling, but I'm just a worried pawrent. Thank you for all your support and help so far. You guys have been awesome.
Brian
Hi Brian....first off, keep focusing on all the positives. Dogs take their cues from us, so if you're blue, she knows it. Also, even though you're cutting back on the meds, she's still on them (which is a good thing), and the meds can still cause behaviour changes. Plus, even though you'd love to see it, it's not time for her to be bouncing all over just yet. She is still VERY early in her recovery period, and she really does need to take it easy for now. Like Jim and Rene - the founders of this great site - say, if you want things to get back to normal, behave normally. Its HUGE that she's doing things like eating, drinking and going potty; not everyone has even those small victories for some time. Our dobe, Nitro, wouldn't even eat for the first week, unless we spooned yougurt down his throat to get his pill in him.
We were fortunate enough that between the two of us, he had someone with him for the first 3 weeks; then I had friends stop over while we were at work to check on him for a time. Stay positive, don't baby her (like I did), take it one day at a time. Things will slowly get better. Join in the chat room , call the helpline, whatever helps YOU through this...we're here for you.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I had to crate Shelby when I wasn't home and she hated it. HATED it.... but it was for her safety.
I can say that Shelby also went through the 'blues'.... in her first couple of weeks. Dogs nest and Shelby was no different. She would hang in my bathroom all day and appear to be 'pouting' but I think she was really just recovering. It is still really early in Sadie's recovery so I am sure she is just resting and healing.
But feel free to call your vet if you seem really concerned.
Hugs!
Alison with Spirit Shelby 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
Keep a close eye on her for signs of pain. Many pups here were on pain meds for 2 weeks after surgery. She might be fine coming off them so soon, and of course follow your vets instructions. But do call them if you see signs of pain.
That being said, Maggie basically laid in her bed for several weeks. Each pup has to get used to their new normal on their own schedule. And don't forget, for most all new Tripawds just getting around is exhausting. And you really have to watch your attitude around Sadie, I made that mistake with Maggie. I was grumpy, she was grumpy. It's not a cure all but our attitude really does affect theirs.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
It took our Max a while to get to a new normal. Once he got his stitches out and was off most of the drugs he perked up. Plus I do think it takes a while for those muscles that haven't been used as a tripawd before to get adapted to their new gait. Once his stitches were out we focused on his exercises being more core strengthening than walks etc. Max was always extremely active and I think it takes them a while to find a new balance in activity. Sadie is doing well and I'm sure she'll find her new "groove". Keep us posted and staying positive for her.
Linda & Max
Adding my "ditto" to what everyone jas said.
It IS very early in recovery from MAJOR surgery. As you mentioned, Sadie is good at hiding her pain. You may want to talk with your vet about not reducing them fro now. Of course, every dog is different, but most do stay on pain meds fairly consistently a d the tapering off starts towards the end of week two (usually, but not always). My Happy Hannah did start her tapering u til the third week as she was still javing discomfort and just not getting her sparkle back yet.
If you aren't observing any severe swelling, you can probably stop with the ice packs since she doesn't like them. Definitely continue massaging her legs, shoulders, up and down her spine.
One thing that is often suggested to help "activate@ a bit of sparkle is to jave someone she really likes come to the door, knock loudly, act all excited to see Sadie and being her a cheeseburger! Believe it or not, it helps sometimes! As already pointed out, make sure you keep your energy upbeat, confident and positive.
So yeah, sounds like a pretty darn normal recovery..or maybe even a bit better than most! Of course, if you have any concerns, call your vet. You know your Sadie better than anyone.
Update when you can.
Hugs to all!
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 advice everyone. She seemed in better spirits last night which made us all happy. The one thing that has me really worried is leaving her alone for work. We have a sitter coming this week while we are away and I will be off for two weeks after this week (I'm a teacher, so yay winter break!) Hopefully after my break she will be strong enough to leave alone for a few hours. That would be 4 weeks post amp. Thanks again for all the encouraging words and advice. I don't know what we would've done without this website. When is the right time to start core strength activities and what have you found to be most effective? Thanks again guys!!
Brian
Glad to hear Sadies better. We started leaving Max home alone about the 4 week mark and he was fine. Some here have no choice but to start that way earlier so 4 weeks of having someone with them is really great. We also started the core training about that same time. I did a "search" on the site here and found some great videos of step by step exercises to build up Maxs strength which were fun for Max to do too. Maybe admin guy ( Jim) will see your post and give you a few links for those. 😀 You might want to look into one rehab visit if you've got one near you because they can really give you great tips too on core strengthening that you can do yourself too at home. Don't know if it's used up but there is a Maggie Moo grant here to help pay for a visit. Check with admin ( Jim) here to see if it's still available. You guys sure are great advocates for your Sadie! Be proud of yourselves and give yourselves a huge pat on the back!
Linda & Max
Brian said
When is the right time to start core strength activities and what have you found to be most effective? Thanks again guys!!
Yay Sadie! She will be so hoppy to have the pack together this season.
You ask great questions about getting and staying fit, and Linda's tips are spot-on. Rehab vets recommend getting started right away, but under supervision of a qualified practitioner. And yes, Tripawds Foundation makes it easy to do that, we still have grants available to pay for a first-time visit to a rehab practitioner:
http://tripawds.....bursement/
Check out the Tripawds Gear blog for lots of tips for core-strengthening and getting fit, as well as our e-book, Loving Life On Three Legs , which is all about fitness after surgery.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh---I feel like I am following in your shoes, Brian. My Hannah had her surgery last Wednesday, December 9th and I have been going through some serious thinking and trying to figure out if her recovery is "normal". She is not having mobility issues, she is eating and drinking, resting like she should. She appears a little depressed, but I think it may have more to do with the gabapentin than anything else. That stuff makes her STONED OUT OF HER MIND!! But better to be quiet and stoned than shot out of a cannon (not that she was ever shot out of cannon, but whatever the "Hannah equivalent" would be, lol).
One thing Hannah is doing when she goes outside is eating grass. She's either hungry or she has a bellyache----in the past, she ate grass when she had a bellyache. Maybe that's why she's so "blah". I know I am "blah" when I have a bellyache.
Diane
Our vet told us that dogs recuperate much quicker the quicker you get them back to the schedule they were used to. We asked him how soon we could leave her alone while we worked and he surprisingly said the quicker the better. Of course this really relies more on how well your fur-baby is doing, but Harmony had her spleen, leg, and a tumor on top of her head removed. So when he said the earlier the better, I was totally surprised.
We took his advice and after staying home with her for a week, we got back to our regular schedule and she was perfectly fine. In fact we thought she might have done better because she was actually allowed to rest instead of dealing with our incessant care-badgering. We didn't crate her, but did have her sequestered in the laundry room where she could feel secure.
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
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