Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My lab/golden retriever mix had his left front leg amputated on May 3. He has been home for one week. He was just starting to get around well and we saw a glimmer of our dog until May 10. When we brought him home, he had severe bruising all on the underside of his belly from his neck all the way down his body and he had a lot of swelling. The vet said the swelling and bruising was much more severe than she had ever seen. They ran a lot of tests to ensure there was no internal bleeding before they let him come home. They said they thought the bruising was from a fall he took his first day on three legs.
We have been hot/cold packing everything and the bruise itself seems to be better, however, on Tuesday, his urine was a very dark brown and the swelling has moved down to one of his back legs, causing him to have difficulty walking. He also will periodically yelp out in pain and look toward his daddy part area. After many more dollars and many more tests yesterday, the vet tells us they really aren't sure what the problem is. They think his body is re-absorbing the blood from the bruise, which is causing the dark urine and the pain but they also said this never happens in dogs. very frustrating.
Today, his urine is a more normal color, but he can barely move. He is on a new medication that causes drowsiness, but we can't even get him to stand up to go outside. Does anyone have any insight to this? It is so heartbreaking to see him like this. He was progressing so well and now we are worse off than we were before the amputation. He is still on pain meds and an antibiotic and this new med that I think is another type of pain medication, but i can't remember the name right now. Has anyone else experienced this situation?
Gosh, so sorry you're having these extra challenges on tip of the "normal" recovery challenges.
I jave no insight, but a couple of wuick suggestions....get a second opinion!! Also, move your post over to "Ask A Vet" and maybe our volunteer vet can give you some insight.
Do you recall the purpose of the other med they jist gave yoi? If it's ACE, that's a very heavy tranquilizer. Had he been overdoing it prior to this? Usually dogs are given Tramadol, Gabapentin and Rimadyl and an antibiotic. Jist a quick thought...is vet checking his liver and kidneys? Rimadyl can cause issues sometimes.
Glad his urine color is back to normal. That's good.
Wish I could be more help. Hopefully others can chime in with more input. Hang in there. Recovery is full of ups and downs the first couple of weeks.
Paws crossed for healing and getting through this recovery phase with no.more issues!
Stay connected! We're right here by your side!
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!
I'm really sorry, I know this is super hard and emotional to deal with. Stay strong, your pup needs you more than ever.
I second the vote for a second opinion ASAP. When you aren't happy with the results of your current treatment, go elsewhere. I know it's an ordeal, and expensive, but if your current vet has admitted they don't have a clue, and haven't referred you to someone else who might, then it's time to find a new vet. If you want help finding a clinic just holler and we can try to point you to one OK?
Yes, more specifics on what medication he's on too.
He's still not that far out of the early stages of recovery either, so this is more than likely just a bump in the road but you guys can overcome it! Sometimes complications happen, but they are usually resolved without any further glitches.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry your boy is having trouble- is his name Sam?
Maybe you can clarify something- When he first came home after surgery he was already bruised? The fall you mention, was it at the vet before he came home?
They think the bruising is just from the fall? That doesn't sound right to me- do they know how he fell or what part of his body he fell on? My dogs fall periodically and they don't have huge bruising- if any at all. I would be concerned that something was damaged internally around the surgery site which resulted in the excessive bruising- where else could the fluid be coming from?
What medications is he on besides the new one- and can you find out what the new one is and what it is for? Lots of meds can cause drowsiness.
Hopefully the bruising and swelling are subsiding and Sam is dealing with a bump. But if you think the bruising or swelling has not subsided then I would seek another opinion ASAP.
This is an extra tough recovery and you must be worried and exhausted. You are doing your best for Sam- hang in there and stay strong for him. Don't feel bad about questioning your vet or getting another opinion, Sam is your only concern now.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Some dogs cannot take Rimadyl and it can cause internal bleeding and bruising. Is this one if the drugs he us on? I vote for a second opinion, too.
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
The bruising moving down his leg makes sense to me ... bleeding under the skin (which is what bruising really is) will go to the lowest area.. so as he lays, the lowest areas are his belly & his legs. Therefore, it's all going to go there. Yes, as his body gets rid of the extra fluids & bruising, it will go to his kidneys, which the extra blood cells will then turn his urine a darker color. So as a nurse I would think that increasing his fluids and his walking would maybe help. As far as him being in more pain with walking right now, that also could just be the normal having to get used to using different muscles. Try some gentle massaging along his back & hips. It can't hurt.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
We have been taking him to the University of Missouri vet hospital where oncologists, surgeons and other vets have all looked at him. As of today, we cannot even get him to stand up. We are taking him back to the hospital but I have no confidence they will be able to diagnose anything. How do I move this post to the Ask the Vet section?
samsmom said
How do I move this post to the Ask the Vet section?
You can't. We could, but if you have questions for our veterinary experts here we recommend you start a new topic there with a very brief overview and a specific question, with a link back to this topic for any with the time to review all these posts.
Thanks, and best wishes!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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