Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Starting a new topic here to provide updates on Sheldon's recovery. His journey starts in the Presentation and Diagnosis here:
https://tripawd.....a-tripawd/
His last pee was around 4:30am this morning, and since he's been drinking a bit of water this morning, I thought he might have to go again so we went out around 1PM today, but he didn't have much interest in going. He did seem to enjoy the bright sunshine, snow and fresh air. So we just came back in. The short walks outside take a lot out of him and he seems very tired right now.
I don't want to push anything on him but I was wondering what the longest period between pee breaks would be and not raise any concern?
I know he went at least 9-10 hours without peeing from when we brought him home until this morning. I also know it may be a few days until we get poo.
I just don't want to force anything, but maybe we'll try again later around dinnertime if he's up to it. Right now he's napping quietly and seems content and comfortable.
I did see from ypur other post handsome Aheleon is hone and surgery is done!!! YAY!
At this point wouldnt be concerned about the pee since he had a nice long flow early this a.m. He's still quite woozy from the strong hospital meds and probably doesnt feel much like getting up unless absolutely necessary.
So the surgery, the pain meds, the not really wanting to get up yet and unsteady mobility can all make him want to delay a pee.
Try and look for signals if he gets antsy or restless then take him out at rhat time, rather than just periodically trying to get him up to pee. Usually, when they realize (hru their drug haze) they need to go, then they probably will.
Most importantly though, what's his water intake been like? Is he eating yet? The drinking is more important than the eating at this point and, yes, peeing is more important than pooping.
Not a Vet so give your Vet a call as to when (and if) there should be any concern. Because of all the reasons I mentioned above and because he has already peed really well once, the Vet will probably reassure you that not going til this evening is "probably " not a problem.
Glad he's resting well and is comfortable. Yes, any bit of a walk to go potty will definitely tire them out this bery early on.
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!
Yay, thanks for starting Sheldon's recovery topic 
I don't want to push anything on him but I was wondering what the longest period between pee breaks would be and not raise any concern?
Excellent move! Vets tell us that an animal shouldn't go more than 12 hours without urinating. Here's a blog post that might help you help him feel comfortable enough to wee:
How to Help a New Tripawd Urinate After Amputation
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Update: last night around 7PM we went out and he finally peed! Holy moly that was a lot of liguid! 
So by my math it was about 15 hours between pee breaks. 
It's amazing how long they can hold it in, and Sally, you're 100% correct when he's ready to go he'll go. He's been drinking more or less his normal amount and also eating a little bit. He's getting spoiled on the sliced turkey I use to give him his meds. But he always eagerly gobbles it up.
Also another little victory this morning. Around 5am he stood up entirely on his own and even started heading towards the front door to get ready to go out. I noticed he had much more pep in his step and I didn't have to support him all that much. He seemed way more alert and wanted to roll in the snow but we're not quite ready for that yet! 
And bonus - he peed again! I think the anesthia drugs are finally gettting out of his system.
Now we wait for the poop...
One thing I forgot to mention is that I modified his Ruffwear Flagline harness so it wouldn’t interfere with his incision.
On his amputation side I connected the middle strap to the rearmost strap buckle and just tied off the rearmost strap. The left side remains the same. This still gives him the support but doesn’t rub the incision.
YAY FOR WEEEEE!!! That's super good news, what a relief for all of you. And at least he did it at a reasonable hour so you could all get some rest. Sounds like that was all he needed to get his motor running again. I'm so happy for you guys, you and Sheldon are on your way to better days ahead. That 
is just around the corner.
Very inventive on the Flagline mod! I'd love to see it on him if you're able to take a pic while he's wearing it.
Cheers to a great day for all of you 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Update: This morning we went out around 5am and WE NOW HAVE POO!
He's definitely feeling much better. Yesterday I was working from home and instead of sleeping most of the time, he was mostly alert and watching me. His water and food intake is now pretty much back to normal.
Overall I'm pleasantly surprised how quickly he's recovering. His incision looks good - no oozing or swelling so far. His pain med dosage is essenially cut in half compared to prior to his surgery. I was expecting much worse, but I think it has to do with a lot of the mental preparation and great information from all of you on this site.
Here's a pic of him in the modified Ruffwear Flagline harness . This morning when we went out he hardly needed it, but I always have my hand on it just in case of a faceplant. The picture is him in front of the sliders to the deck in our backyard where he would normally go out. He thought he was ready to descend the full flight of deck stairs to the back. I had to coax him back to the front where we had been going in and out and there are only 2 steps.
He looks great and I believe he feels great too!
Sheldon with his older playmate Emily. I've got 2 orthopedic beds pushed together so they (and myself) can chill out.
Each day getting better than the last.
Awwwww sooooo sweet, the photos made my day, what a sweetheart. And Emily too 🙂 I also believe he feels great, he's smiling in that last photo! Bet Emily is so happy to have her best pal back and on the mend.
By taking things slowly and carefully, you're making the recovery as easy as possible. It's good to know that his healing is on track and the worst that you prepared for hasn't happened. YAY! YAY!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
POOP AND PEE!!! ALERT AND WANTING TO DO THINGS HIS WAY!! EATING AND DRINKING WELL! !! YAAAAAAAAAY!👏👏
Sheldon is showing the world how larger pips can rock life on three!! And it's still so very, very, very early in recovery!
Smooching Sheldon's mug right through the screen....and Emily's too!!! Good looking pups!!
Thanks for the grest update....and it really is a great one! Stull slow and easy though Mr Sheldon.
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!
Update: Pretty boring update - of which I am perfectly happy with He made his second poo of the day last night before bedtime. Without getting into the nasty details, but this one was a doozy!/;'.
Each time we go out he wants to walk more and more. Last night we walked a full lap around the yard and he wanted to keep going, but I'm still being very conservative in his activity level. He even barked a few times at whatever he sensed was around - this is totally normal for him He's a pretty laid back guy, but his energy and strength is pretty much back to normal now. I just need to reign him in to not overdo anything. He's definitely getting spoiled with the extra loving we're giving him (and Emily too!)
His last dose of amantadine was last night. We were instructed to keep giving it to him until it ran out. His carprofen dose will stop tomorrow and will only be given on an as-needed basis. The only other meds he'll continue to get is 300mg of gabapentin 3 times a day for soreness.
His incision is healing up nicely and he's scheduled for suture removal on the 22nd. We had made the appointment ahead of time the night we picked him up.
Still taking one day at time
Cheers!
-Rob
"Boring" is good.....but this wasn't exactly boring! Love that he is wanting to do more and that he is fully engaged. A spunky attitude speaks volumes about how good he feels.
And stitch removal day calls for a drive thru cheeseburger on the way home. Emily gets ine 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!
Boring is the BEST when it comes to recovery! YEAH! And yard patrol withtoo? Well that's the best news EVER!
His decreased pain control and gradual return to strength and sparkle is exactly how we hope things will play out. CONGRATULATIONS!
Keep on being as conservative as he will allow. It won't be easy, he'll want to do more and more. But even a few weeks out and he'll still need you to make sure he doesn't overdo things. His brain will think he's 100% long before his body does. Keep on being the great pet parent you are and he will have a fun, healthy, happy life on three!
We are cheering you on for more excellent days ahead
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Update: Short one today, but I got my first post-op Pyr-paw last night!
Really windy rainy day here today so we have a nice excuse to keep the walks short and quick and just relax and hangout inside.
Everybody have a great weekend!
Cheers!
-Rob
3-paws up for that one! YEAH! Thanks for the good news. Enjoy the snuggle time and have a great weekend too!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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