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
My name is Sally - our 7 year old beautiful black lab is Sam. I am posting for the first time.
First - let me thank you all so much for your stories and advise - Your courage helped us make the decision to have surgery to amputate Sam's left front leg - due to Osteo Sarcoma tumor near his wrist.
Today is Saturday - Our surgery was Monday - we brought Sam home Wednesday - everything went really well - and he seemed great- getting around very well - but tired - all of a sudden yesterday morning he wouldn't eat - wouldn't look at us - After a couple of hours we took him to the vet - There he got a clean bill of health - lung xrays are clear - no sign of cancer in lymph nodes around surgical site - doesn't seem in pain. He brightens up around other people - but at home he seems depressed - we've been careful to give him his "space" to be alone and sleep - but sometimes he just sits there and stares at the wall!
I'm worried -
Any words of advise?
Thanks,
Sally
Hi Sally.
Welcome to you and Sam. You are in a good place. The first 2 weeks after amputation as ofen been described on this site a "pure hell".
I found that to be very true when we went through it. I took Wrigley to the vet several times because "something wasn't right" and got sent home several time with " everything is just fine". On a few occasions we needed to drain, and check, but all in all she her recovery was just fine. The medications they are on for that recovery can make things seem very out of sorts. It may explain why he stares at the wall. They can be pretty dopey.
We found that Wrigley didn't want to eat alot too. I cooked some lean ground beef for her, or boiled some chicken breasts, and those worked well. She also liked the Bil Jac liver treats so I gave her those. I would give her whatever she would take. I also started giving her some canned wet food - the Innova EVO. That worked too.
Just remember Sam just had major surgery and needs rest and time to recover.
Try not to worry- as our dogs can mirror our emotions and our anxieties can make them feel like "hey, what's the matter, mom's upset, so I guess I should be too"...
The first 2 weeks is so hard- and for some on this site, even after that the recovery went a little slower. Take each day one day at a time, and hour by hour if you had to ( that was great advice I got when we went through our recovery).
Hang in there and keep asking for help if you need it. That's what we're all here for.
Wishing you all the best.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Hi Sally!
My Max is a Golden Retriever amputated 2 weeks ago as well. He acted very similar to Sam when we brought him home. I assumed it was the pain killers and I also felt like he was going through a sort of depression from leaving the hospital. Not that he doesn't get enough attention at home but he is a "humans dog and not a dogs dog". He thrives on attention from humans and received alot of it 24/7 at the hospital so I felt like he missed watching all of the techs and doctors and getting attention from them. That's just my theory though. You know your dog better than anyone so trust your instincts.
Hang in there and Good luck!
Shaun
Hi Sally and welcome. I cannot agree more with Seanne. The meds can make them pretty dopey. Give him lots of attention and love, he'll be his normal self before long.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Sally,
We are very sorry to hear of Sam's diagnosis and want to lend as much support as we can. This will be the toughest portion of your journey, but know that better times for all your family are ahead. Cherry is also a left for-leg amputee and her operation occurred in mid November last year. She started her chemotherapy treatment literally hours after the amputation. I can totally sympathize with your concern about the appetite and apparent depression. Addressing the appetite first, I had to "stuff" Cherry for almost all meals for the first two months which also was the duration of the chemotherapy. The chemicals will severely cut into their appetite. She did accept vanilla flavored soy milk rather early and I added a generic Ensure from Wall-Mart to help the nutritional content. I also started to write down absolutely every morsel that Cherry ate every day. This allowed me to properly access how much she was actually in-taking. Small amounts and often appeared to be the best. Everything from soda crackers to hard cooked eggs.
A constant theme I put into my postings is to treat the spirit as well as the body. They need a purpose. In Cherry's case, it is our daily trips in the car/truck. She always looked forward to these trips and it was the first place where she would actually take food from me. Find Sam's love that he can do now and exploit this love. I will do wonders for all the family. I also kept a journal detailing our journey and post these entries on the internet. You can follow at http://home.com.....ryjourney/. There are many others who also post such journals or blogs. We may need to keep a list to help those who are just starting on their journey. Cherry is doing absolutely wonderfully as we approach the six month mark. With your love and support, Sam will also make as good a recovery.
We all wish you the best, will remember you in our prayers, and look forward to hearing of you journey.
Thank you all for your words of comfort - Sam has been literally sleeping all day - only gets up with a happy wag if a visitor comes to the front door - otherwise, goes right back to his chosen "corner" - I hope that this experience will help me help others through these first few weeks -
I've been feeding him by hand - and giving him tastes of all his favorite foods - thanks for all the suggestions - I'm trying not to hover over him - he really seems like he wants to be left alone.
I'll let you know how he's doing - and if anyone has similar stories of a loving dog who all of a sudden doesn't want any part of his mom and dad - please let me know!
Thanks -
Sally
Hi Sally,
Welcome to our little community, I am sorry that your Sam is struggling. My 4 year old Lab, Paris also had a tough 2 weeks post op. She was a different girl at 2 weeks post op and after we weaned her off all meds. I promise you that your boy will be more like himself each day that goes by! Hang in there, we all know and understand what a scarey time this can be, you are not alone.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Hi Sally- Our Mastiff Lira had a front leg amputated 10 days ago. I thought she was " depressed" as well, same symptoms as your dog - not eating doggy food, but she'll sure eat canned dog food, human meat, dog cookies, and other goodies. I decided to give in for the first two weeks for sure ( seems like many of them have a tough 2 weeks post-amp if you read back from all these great pawrents!! ) and then we'd see how it goes. It has taken 7 days for her to return to her "normal" bodily functions!! Every day will get better. Lira is all done her Gabapentin now, and only has three more days on her Tramadol. Her stitches come out on Wednesday. She is still not totally herself, yet, but I know it will only get better. Most people loook at her with pity I think, but no one has made any derogatory statements to us so far.. I am prepared, though, and will tell them no one knows our dog like we do, and we did this out of love for her. Hang in there- these pawrents on this forum have been a constant source of comfort for us these past 10 days. Good luck- go with your gut, and you'll be OK!!
Carmen and Lira in Saskatchewan, Canada
Sally,
Thank you for joining us and becoming a part of our Tripawds family. As you've seen, everyone here is wonderful and has terrific experience and insight to offer you as you cope with Sam's recovery.
It sounds like you understand Sam quite well, and are doing the right thing by not hovering too much. Try not to worry. Sam sounds like he's having a pretty typical recovery. We'll be he's not mad at you; just saving up his energy for new and exciting strangers that pop in to visit. Heck, he sees you all the time! After he expends all his energy on other people, he's resting up once he's by himself again and with you.
Hang in there. The next couple of weeks will be ruff, but you'll be amazed at how quickly he bounces back after all. If you want to talk, stop by anytime. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This morning Sam seems better - he ate almost a whole can of dog food (fed by hand to start)- and he wagged his tail when we went outside. Our vet told us to give him pepcid for an upset stomach and cut out his previcox for a few days - only on Tramadol for pain. That seems to be helping.
I keep in mind the experience and advise you all have given me. I can't tell you how much better I felt when I read that others recovering pooches have reacted similarly. I am able to breath again - as I relax, he seems to too.
So thanks so much - Now I have some experience to help someone else! Tomorrow - Monday will be 7 days! One day at a time -
Hi Sally and Sam,
My Brandy girl (13yo lab) had her front leg amputated almost 3 weeks ago. I can't she had any real problems at all (Thank God) but I will say that some days are definetely better than others for her. I have notice that she really does go on my emotions though. I just try to stay as upbeat and give her TONS of love and she seems to follow suit. I try to keep things as normal for her as possible. I, too, started giving her canned food to ensure she ate and now she begs for it. The day after her surgery she was up and eating on her own but 2 days later I was feeding her by hand. Sometimes she seems so tired and it's a chore for her to even get up to go potty and other days she's up bouncing around. I took her off the Tramadol after 1 week because she didn't need it anymore and I have noticed a big difference. Just keep your head up and she Sam will follow suit. You have found a wonderful support system here at Tripawds.com. I can't begin to tell you how much everyone has helped me. It now feels good to give some support to someone else. Best of luck to you and Sam>>>
Kristen and Brandy
Sam update -
You were right!!! All of you who were kind enough to post advise and comfort - this just takes some time.....Sam is doing much better - he's actually interested in things - looking at us and responding to us.
We went on a 10 minute walk at lunch time and a 10 minute walk this evening - at one point he was running (kind of a gallop actually - very smooth) only for about 30 seconds - we live in the country and he has lots of land to roam but he's staying close to me - I made sure he didn't over do it.
Today is exactly one week since surgery - sutures come out Thursday we hope - I cut back on the pain meds just a bit and it seems like he is definitely clearer. I'm still feeding him by hand - which is fine with me - becasue he doesn't seem interested in food unless I do.
Thanks to all - thank you, thank you - I thought I was going to lose it the other day - your words of encouragement and reassurance have really kept us going.
I hope I can help others as they read this - we aren't out of the woods - but we are on the upswing !
Sally (Mom), Paul (Dad) and Sam
Wonderful news, Sally. So glad it is looking up for you guys. You might try feeding Sam some baby food if he isn't interested in eating. Once when Trouble was really sick, she would eat baby food from a spoon and was excited to get it.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Yeeeeeaaaaaaay!!!!! This is wonderful news, thank you, you made our evening!
It sounds like things are going pretty normally. You're doing fine, especially by monitoring his activity level. Stay strong, we know you can do it.
And yes, you are definitely helping others. Thank you so much. {{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My 7 year old Golden was diagnosed March 30th with Osteosarcoma. He also started to limp and after 2 biopsy's was determined as Cancer. It is in his front left paw. I was against amputation at first but the more I am reading, I realize it is more as a pain reliever for him and not a cure.
His spirits have been great, so I spoke to another Dr. who handles Chemo. They gave me several options. My head has been spinning on what to do. His x-rays are clear and I need to make a decision. I would hate to have him go to sleep b/c of a bad paw and not the cancer. If he was showing no interest and had bad x-rays,,my decision would be to make him comfortable. But just waiting for the cancer to progress or for him to break his paw is heart breaking.
I am glad I found this site,,,,,it is giving me so much info on what could happen if I go with the amputation.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
1 Guest(s)
