Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, our 6 year old Great Dane called Boston had his left rear leg amputated a week ago for osteo sarcoma and has been recovering brilliantly since - and looked good even for a vet's visit yesterday. But last night and now today he is shivering a lot, doesn't like moving and generally looks unhappy. We're guessing he's hurt his back or his leg during one of his short walks, and given he's already still on anti-biotics and pain killers there's not much we can do but keep him quiet... has anyone else experienced this?
Graeme and Lisa
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It's still very early in Boston's recovery so he doesn't need to be doing any walking other than toe eat, drink and do his doody. Perhaps he has overdone it. Or, twitching in specific areas can indicate nerves on the mend or phantom pain.More information about recovery, care and recommended exercise for new tripawds can be found in the Tripawds e-books .
Consult your vet with any serious concerns. We'd hate to hear about a fever or infection!
Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Not mich to add to what Admin. sai. I would go on and give the vet a call, if u availabe tonight, then in the morning.
If infection and/or fever have been ruled out, then you may ask about uppi g the pain meds. Is Boston on Tramadol? How about Gabapentin? The latter is used to treat phantom pain sometimes.
Did Boston do any jumping or stair cli bing or too mich walking? Have yo tried gently massaging and see id that helps?
I kow it's hard watching yor pup be uncomfortable. The first two weeks has so many ups and downs. It sou ds like you've already seen some of Boston's sparkle come back so that's a really good sign! It can be easy to do "very little and stil "over-do it" at first. It's s very, very early in recovery...especially for such a big guy.
When you can, P.EASE post some pictures of your Boston! I'm sure he's absolutely magnificent"
Keep us posted, okay? Hugs to you and that delightful Boston! We're cheering for you!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
You'll find recovery is up and down. Cora was doing pretty well and overdid and then she was miserable and I think that was 7 days out. Hopefully in a few days you'll be making some big steps forward again. Let us know how he's doing and yes, post pictures. We love pictures.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Thanks guys, sorry - I should have explained... we only let Boston out for the toilet, but we're on 7 acres so he tends to take a while making up his mind where he wants to go, thus the "short" walks. And the entire property is on a hill, so not having level ground aggravates the problems. We chatted to the vet this morning and she feels it's most likely muscle cramps, strains, etc and she's given us some Mobic again to reduce inflammation. It's comforting to be told there will be "ups and downs" so that we don't see every setback as an impending disaster - just a bad day, as such (but watching carefully, of course). We'll post some pictures ASAP. With four legs Boston was 75 kilograms, so yes - he's a big lad and has lots to adjust.
The cancer was low in his leg and the vets decided to cut through the bone high up, rather than remove at the joint, so he has an invisible "stump" so to speak which we believe is prone to phantom pains.
We live in a very small, Australian country town and the local vets provide a great, personal touch. And many of our Facebook friends have been brilliant (yes, you Kirsty!) But the experience available from Tripawds members will be invaluable, too. Thanks again. We'll update regularly...
Graeme and Lisa.
Good, it sounds like you got some reassurance from your vet. And, not being a vet of course, it does seem that, by leaving a bone "stump", that would be more painful during recovery. Ouch!
Yeah, its so hard not to worry about every little thing that happens! A dog "burps" and you think, "oh my goodness his ribs are collapsing"
I've forgotten who it was, but one member took her dog to the vet in a panic because that morning, she woke up and her "good" leg just didn't seem to be holding up. She pranced i to the vet's just fine! They decided the dog's leg had merely "gone to sleep" and needed a few moments to get foing again!
Actually, the fact that yor propery is "hilly" will be good for building muscle down the road. Right now I'm sure it makes things more difficult, but it WILL get better!
Yeah, sweet Kirsty has been having us send positive energymyour way. She's a very kind soul.
Thanks for keeping us posted. You mayhave a few more ups and downs...but the UPS will soon take over!
Hugs to all!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Love "The Little River Band" so that makes me part Australian, right? And depending on your age, you're saying, "Who?"
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!
Here's Boston yesterday. Happy to report he's looking a lot more comfortable today. He had the anti-inflammatory drugs and pain-killers, but he also sat on Lisa's lap (as Great Danes do) and that let her massage his spine for quite some time, which he seemed to really appreciate. No doubt, daily massage sessions are on the list!
benny55 said
Good, it sounds like you got some reassurance from your vet. And, not being a vet of course, it does seem that, by leaving a bone "stump", that would be more painful during recovery. Ouch!Yep, but apparently keeping the bone joint and associated muscle gives him more balance. I thought about posting a photo of his surgery, but wasn't sure it was appropriate...
"Little River Band"... you know, Glenn Shorrock still gets around. We're the same vintage, Sally.
Welcome. Boston is a very handsome boy. Try not to let him overdo it as that can slow the recovery process. I know I thought Sassy was able to walk a lot more than she should have at first. Also all that walking he is getting used to now using muscles that he really didn't have to use before.
Sounds like you have a plan though. Keep us posted
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Wow he is SO handsome! Thanks for sharing, he looks fantastic.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think it is more common in a rear amp to leave part of the femur, that's what Mag had. In her case it was not long enough to see except when the stump area twitched. Our surgeon said it was a easier surgery for Mag to cut the bone than to try and dis-articulate at the hip.
Boston is quite a handsome boy! I'm glad his recovery has been pretty smooth. Mag didn't have any of the symptoms you describe, but then she never got close to overdoing...she spent most of her time in bed!
I hope the rest and meds have him feeling better.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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