Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My dog, Violet, recently had her right front leg amputated due to osteosarcoma. The surgery was done on Thursday and I brought her home Friday. I started back to work yesterday and had thought I was being smart by confining her in a playpen. My mom got home after work and Violet was out of the playpen. I just noticed a small amount of seepage. The wound doesn't appear infected. She's also been going out for walks to go potty. I'm just wondering if it's normal to see a bit of blood. And should the wound be washed? She doesn't seem in pain, but it's still worrying me.
Violet, you are a true tripawd escape artist!! You behave yourself sweet girl👍
A little seepage is not unusual.....not smelly, not infectious looking goo, stitches still looking good, etc. She probably irritated her incision a little doing her great escape.
Continue to keep her activity level to bare minimal. Are you able to make ,the pen more secure if you have to be gone? Potty breaks and back inside.
Most Bets do not advise cleaning the wound per se. If she has a bit of blood you can gently dab with warm water on a clean cloth around the incision .
If it continues or gets worse you can contact the Vet.
You're doing a good job!!
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!
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Hi Meghan and Violet. As Sally mentioned, its definitely OK to just leave the wound and not try to wash it. Healing will happen without intervention unless she gets into something really dirty and gross.
Seepage is normal as long as it's more watery than bloody. This is known as a seroma . It's body fluid working it's way out. Just keep her activity to a minimum to minimize the drainage. It will re-absorb back into the body over time.
If she's able to jump out of the playpen then I would just keep her confined to a room where she can't get too much activity.
Let us know how she's doing when you get a chance!
Hi guys,
She is very much an escape artist. Always has been.
I had her in her kennel today, which she did not like. But I figured it was the safest option as she can open doors. I put a t-shirt on her to cover the incision so she doesn't lick it.
It does look like dried blood. I haven't seen anything that looks watery.
She refuses to let my mom and I carry her down/up stairs. So the only way to get her outside is to let her do it on her own, but guided by me with a sling and her leash. She also won't go to the bathroom in the yard, so I have to walk her down the street a few houses. But other than the potty breaks she relaxes In the house. I do have an appointment scheduled tomorrow with the vet because I'm super paranoid.
She's still in great spirits and today was whining to go out to the backyard because our other dog was out there sunning herself. I made a little bed on the deck for Violet so she could kind of be out there with Cleo. It constantly surprises me how well she's doing.
Thank you so much for the advice!
Violet sounds like a very feisty and determined little pup!!. Open car doors....really??😎
Dogs love having their own special potty spot....even if it's several doors down!
I'm glad she got to lay in the sun with Cleo. The warmth of the sun, tje fresh air, all very healing.
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!
She is a very determined dog, which I'm very thankful for. No, not car doors.. although I'm sure if she put her mind to it she could. She opens the doors in the house. If she's outside, she'll open the door to get in.
I am worried that her bowel movements aren't right. She peed this morning at 8, the next time wasn't until 6 pm. I'm used to her peeing every time we'd go out for a walk. And she definitely pooped more too. Is it normal for them, when being on pain meds to not go to the bathroom as often?
Yes, I think she enjoyed being outside with Cleo. She went out for potty today with Cleo- their first walk together. It was great to see.
She opens the doors in the house. If she's outside, she'll open the door to get in.
Violet, you are such a smart pants gal🤣
Glad she and Cleo got to share a walk together. Getting back to some normal routine feels good.
Yeah, the meds can slow up the poop. Sometimes it takes several days before first poop. Even then it might not be every day for a little bit. Wouldn't worry about her not peeing as many times as usual as long as she's drinking her nor al amount. She'll probably pee more frequently as she gets further into the recovery.
Give Violet an extra treat for us....and Cleo too.
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!
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