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.
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I know it could be the meds, pain killers, etc. But Lorna doesn't get excited or move very much since the surgery. Tomorrow will be 1 week post-op and I am not seeing signs of the old Lorna returning? Yesterday she didn't move when I came home and it took 4.5 hours for her to get up and just move to the other side of the room. I'm a fire fighter and seen deadly car accidents, house fires, bad medical calls.....but when it comes to my dog and not knowing what to do...it kills me
It's only been a week, what Lorna Doone needs most right now is lots of rest and time to recuperate. Confinement is also key to safe recovery, so if she's not moving around too much, that's a good thing!
Most members report seeing vast improvement at the two-week point or once their dogs kick all the pain meds. Try to Be More Dog and take things one day at a time.
Thanks for asking, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think the giant dogs take a bit more time to get back to normal. My Tazzie weighed 190 pounds post-amp and she was able to go to the bathroom by herself and hop around well but it took her about 3 weeks to be strong enough to handle chemo. After that she was back to her goofy self. Hang in there!
Pam
Welcome to Tripawds! As the others have said, give her time to adjust to things. She will take her lead from you, so try to be the strong pack leader. If you need to "lose it" for a few minutes, go into another room to let it out. You'll soon see that Lorna will be back to her old self soon. The 2 weeks post surgery are awful, but after that things improve immensely! Please keep us posted. Sending you golden hugs.
Cathy
we agree - every dog recovers at their own rate. we saw a MAJOR improvement in gayle once the tramadol was out of her system. paws crossed for improvements every day!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
My pug Maggie was pretty small, about 17.5 lbs after her rear leg amp. We had a smooth surgery, no seromas or infections. She was walking the day of surgery, and figured out how to pee day one and poop by day six. She wasn't really hungry the first few days after surgery, and was a bit picky for a couple of weeks, but I was never concerned about her going too long without food.
A textbook procedure… except man did she take her own sweet time getting used to being a tri-pug!!! It was about four weeks after surgery before her personality started to come back. She just seemed mad all the time. Of course she was an obstinate pug who did not like change, so in hindsight it made sense that she took longer than most.
Give Lorna time and space to heal in her own way, they all seem to do it differently. And one week in is pretty early. There have been a few lucky pups who hit the ground running (or hopping) but most of us had at least 2 weeks of worry!
Of course if you are ever really concerned about Lorna you should call your vet- don't feel bad about calling them, even if you are not sure there is a problem. Your peace of mind will help you deal with the stress of the recovery process.
I've been reading Lorna's blog, nice to see you here in the forums.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I have a very large golden and it was really about 3 weeks before I saw much of "my dog" in his recovery.
Hang in there....I know its exhausting and draining! You both CAN do this!
I agree with everyone that you should give it some time. I know it's hard because we all want to see proof that we made the right decision. However, amputation is such a major surgery! Sadie was amazing for the first couple of days, then it seemed like she had this huge setback. It's like it took a couple of days before her brain realized what happened to her body. Almost everyone goes through the "two weeks of hell", but it really does get better. Hang in there and keep us posted.
Lisa
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
We had a similar experience. While high on drugs, Dakota's first few days were great. Then the surgical pain relief in his system was metabolized and we were on the oral drugs. Good stuff, but not nearly as good as an IV. Dakota tanked pretty hard at one point and I thought he was as suicidal as a dog could be. However, it didn't last and he is about to be 4 months post-surgery and is back to normal. Well, normal for him. 
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Those first couple of weeks are tough ones. It's a total rollercoaster. Hang in there though, hopefully you'll start to see your old Lorna coming back. Tai seemed just plain old depressed for a while but when they start coming around they improve leaps and bounds, or hops. Keep your chin up.
Laura
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Re Lorna not herself....I had same thing with my German Shepherd. First few days after surgery all seemed normal except missing leg. then about day 5 she crashed and sort of slept another 5 days...then gradually started being herself. I also know for sure she really lost her personality being on lots of drugs before surgery. Even couldn't bother barking at intruders. Hopefully you will find things improving. Best wishes from Jellie Bellie.
With our dog, Hunter, she was much worse on pain meds than off them. They just did not agree with her and you could see it in her eyes. Luckily she wasn't on them long (maybe two or three doses) before we realized they were making her uncomfortably loopy. She was so much better when we stopped them. I'm not suggesting that you stop Lorna's meds, that's up to you and your vet, but just keep in mind that her attitude will greatly improve after she has recovered from the surgery and is off of the meds. For now, try not to worry while she recuperates.
Hunter – 12 yo female Rottie/Lab mix
Diagnosed with a fracture in an osteosarcoma on 12/23/10 (right rear leg)
Amputation on 12/29/10
7-Month Ampuversary on 07/29/11 – clean bill of health, great blood work and clear chest x-rays
Hunter gained her wings and flew free on 08/19/11
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