Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Tripawd Family,
I've decided to start a new thread in here to post about Shadow's post amp. recovery. Today is Day 3 of Post Amputation, and to tell the truth the last couple nights have been a little rough for my boy. I think the pain meds are doing a real number on him, the doctor sent him home with a Fentanyl patch, Rimadyl and Cephalexin (antiobiotics), and Tramadol for when the Fentanyl patch comes off.
He hasn't shown interest in wanting to get up on his own, only when we take him to the restroom and to eat. He lays there kinda zoned out with a few soft whimpers once in awhile. I spoke w/the surgical vet and he told me to take off the Fentanyl patch, as that could be the cause of his whimpering and anxiety.
I've read some wonderful recovery stories here where some tripawds are up and about trying out their 3 legs by Day 3, and Shadow's always been in top physical shape and full of energy. It's weird to see him this lethargic. Not sure if this is normal and I should have cause for concern? I'm hoping now with the Fentanyl patch off, he will snap out of this weird haze.
Tina and Shadow
Tina and Spirit Shadow
We picked Trouble up on day 2 after surgery and they took the patch off before we came home. Otherwise, she was on the same meds as Shadow. She really did not get up and move much the first few days home. She would go out to potty and follow me in the house just a little, but the rest of the time she slept and rested. About her 4th or 5th day home she began to show signs of being herself again. Being off hte meds really does help a lot.
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.
We had trouble with Paris post op also and all the meds, she would lay around and cry out and we had many sleepless nights. She did get up and about right away. I would talk to your vet again and maybe back off some of the meds. I think Paris had trouble with the Rimadyl and was fine on the Tramadol because she had beens on that for almost 2 months pre-op. Good luck, hang in there and it will get better.
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Hi Tina - yep...the pain meds do a number on our fur kids. Zeus was only on tramadol (he never had the patch) and he panted the entire 2 weeks. Pain medicine affects them similarly to how they affect us...when I had to take some narcotics for surgery, I was loopy and "high" for lack of a better word, but I was able to communicate that to people who were taking care of me...our fur kids can't communicate it in words, just in actions. Shadow's reaction to the pain meds is pretty normal...I'm glad the patch is coming off, but I would ask if he needs the rimadyl...I've read here that many dogs have had negative affects from it and I know that my other boy that was on it for his hips had some bad results with it too. I would think that the tramadol would be enough - but all dogs are different. Please keep us posted and HANG IN THERE....3 days down, 11 to go.
Much love
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Lily came home with just Tramadol and Rimadyl and seemed bizarrely normal for the first 3 days. We tried to keep her from moving around too much but it caught up with her on day 4 and now her muscles are really sore and she has been going into her kennel for quiet time. She had her bandage taken off yesterday and it looks really good. People on this site have said the muscle twitching and soreness are common and the doctors also said since she doesn't seem depressed or have a fever then it seems normal for her to behave this way. We're on day 6 now.
Hi Everyone out there,
I'm brand new to this and not sure if I'm doing it right, but I so appreciate finding this discussion about amputation and recovery. Our dear Elko is a 9 1/2 year old Leonberger and yesterday afternoon his left hind leg was amputated. He had suffered a pathological fracture due to osteosarcoma. We really didn't know what was best to do for him, but the oncologist at Colorado State Vet hospital was very encouraging and felt Elko could have up to a year more with us with amputation and chemo. So we went ahead. I'm scared about it though--I want to be sure we can take care of him when we bring him home today. To begin with, it's very cold where we live (Wyoming) and half his body is shaved. I need to make some sort of coat/pants for his poor bare rear end. And I'm a lousy sewer.
I'm really glad to read your reports on how the pain meds might affect him. We'll be watching his responses carefully. I saw him after his surgery yesterday and he was awake and able to recognize me I think. I'll be getting a call from the hospital in a little while with a report on him this morning. I hope he's OK. He may be in better shape than I am psychologically . . .
Hi Tina and Shadow:
My girl didn't do well with the meds, they had her on Tramadol and the patch. She just would get sick all the time. She's big girl but it was too much. We pulled her off the Tramadol and left her with the Deramaxx anti-inflammatory and the patch for 3 more days.
I would take her outside and be with her on a leash, for some reason the lease got her interested in moving about more. (Happy associations with walks I guess). But for the most part she would just lay around, sometimes I would curl up by her and massage her and it seemed to make her happy. The first time she showed interest in one her toys, I thought my husband and I were going to break into song.
After the Fentanyl patch came off and we just had her on Deramaxx she really perked up. She's tough so I think it was easier for her to deal with discomfort (like us, they just sleep it off) than be seeing pink elephants float around.
To Elko's mom: Our girl is a rear amputee and we were concerned with winter also (it was pretty cold in Kansas in December), she didn't take to the modified boxers too much so I would either drape her like she was a show pony or just warm her up when she came back in. Since she's a malamute I think they truly have anti-freeze in their blood, because her naked liittle butt would always feel warm.
You may have notice that many people have mentioned to make sure there's a area clear of snow for him to go potty in, having that rear leg imbalance in the snow might put him on his rear and you don't want that to happen right after surgery, it might rattle their confidence. Not to mention the general confusion when he tries to lift that missing leg!
Hang tight guys! It will get better!
Kim
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
elkos mom said:
I'm brand new to this and not sure if I'm doing it right . . .
Thanks for Joining the discussion Elko's Mom! You will find loads of advice and support here.
Please feel free to start your own topic to share Elko's story. Just click Add a Topic in the Share Your Story forum, or pick another forum with specific treatment concerns, etc. We wish you the best for a full speedy recovery and look forward to hearing more.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Miax came home with a Fentanyl patch and Tramadol and whined and panted quite a bit. After the patch came off the whining stopped but he still panted. He did nothing but sleep, eat about 3 bites of food and drink a little for the first 4 days. Sleeping helps them heal, I think, just like us. Max had some other issues that we were dealing with besides the amp, so the rest of his progress is not the usual. Ill leave that out. After the initial 2 weeks you will be amazed at how well Shadow does. Every dog recovers at their own pace, so ther are no absolutes. Is Shadow a rear or front amp? For now, just remember to sleep and take care of yourself as well as Shadow. This is a tough time, but will quickly pass.
To Elkos Mom......Max is a rear amp also and we live in IL. It has been FREEZING here this winter. Max has been fine with no covering as long as he isnt out for more than potty and a few sniffs. He has a good undercoat started again now, so it bothers him even less. Today our high was 5 and we were in the back yard chasing the stick for 20 min.
Good luck to you guys.......this is the worst part of the whole thing and will soon be over.
Paula and Max
Paula and Spirit Max
Hi Tripawd family,
What a difference a day makes! Shadow is up hopping around today, I actually have to keep telling him to relax and lay down. He can officially get up on all 3's without the help of the sling. I think the Fentanyl patch and the sedatives did a total number on him. I took the patch off at 11am yesterday, and stopped the sedatives completely. He slept through most of the night last night with no whimpering, except for the occassional squeal when he gets up too fast to change sleeping positions.
He seems a little anxious and restless today, wanting to walk around and trying to go to differnt parts of the house where he shouldnt be walking (no carpet), he tried to make a dash to go upstairs earlier! He is also breathing heavier and panting on and off. Also not taking water as readily as he usually does. I tricked him by adding some chicken broth mixed with filtered water. That did the trick. Could it be withdrawal effects from the patch/sedatives? I think I will take him off Rimadyl today, his last dose was this am. Will keep up with the Tramadol. He never had any trouble with the panting on Tramadol when he was taking it pre-op for pain, so hopefully he won't start! Surgery wound is healing very nicely, and the drain they put in him is keeping the area very dry and flat.
So now that he is more mobile..we are relieved. Next challenge: Bowel Movement!! He hasnt gone since last Thursday evening before his surgery. I emailed the surgeon yesterday, and he said not to expect a BM for another 2 days....that just seems weird? Did everybody else's post amp tripawd take this long to do a BM?
Thanks and love to all,
Tina and Shadow
Tina and Spirit Shadow
Yes, Trouble was quite a few days before BM. Of course I don't know about the two days she spent at the hospital, but after coming home I'm thinking it was 3 days. It was long enough that we were beginning to be concerned. It seems odd, but I guess it really is normal for them.
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.
Cemil took awhile too. His operation was on Monday last week, he came home Thursday and delivered a little constipated one, so I put some oat bran on his food that evening and the next morning, and that got him back on track. He hasn't needed anything since.
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Tina & Shadow,
I sent this to you via email but wanted to say on here, our vet suggested mixing a little Pumpkin Pie Filling in with the dog food. It was very healthy and lots of fiber and good stuff to help the #2 along! It worked well for buddy that's for sure!
Missy & Buddy
That's good news! It does sound like everything is proceeding normally. Even the lack of a BM right now. Yep, pretty normal, I was the same way. The meds play lots of tricks on our systems, it takes a few days to get them out completely.
You are doing everything right, keep up the great work!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yay we had a BM this morning! So today we are posed with a new challenge. Runny nose? Any other tripawds have a constantly running/drippy nose days after post amp? Shadow's nose been running since yesterday afternoon. I emailed our surgeon and he said it was not a cause for concern. But the nervous mother in me just won't relax. Help!
Tina and Shadow
Tina and Spirit Shadow
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