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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Oh thank dog! Thanks for letting us know. It's always a good day when you know you've dialed in the pain control.
I also love that you're trying the Assisi loop. So far the feedback on it has been hit or miss, but most natural medicine remedies are that way. What works for some ... Glad it's working for Sonny.
Yes pain meds make a dog (or person) sleepy. That's good in so many ways though because it allows the body to rest and use energy for healing.
He's making progress and you'll be able to put all that behind you in no time. Stay strong!
Sonny seems in general so tired and just wants to lay in bed all day. He does have moments where we connect or his tail will wag, but he certainly is not "himself". He is on a lot of meds that would do that but I was wondering is this normal? He is 3 weeks post-op.
Yes, two weeks out is not a long time for most dogs. Between the pain medication and the trauma that amputation puts on the body's tissues and blood vessels, it's exhausting. Forget what you see out there, all dogs are on their own timelines. Sonny is a special dog, with his own timeline for getting his sparkle back.
How is his eating, drinking and pooping? Is it getting normal? How is his mobility right now?
In those moments when you connect and you see his personality again, what were you doing that made it happen? Try to replicate those moments, but do your best. not to put pressure on either of you. My guess is that in a couple of weeks you'll wonder why you were so worried.
Thanks for the response. Sometimes when I come home after being away for a bit I get a tail wag. The other day he even greeted me at the door and it was the best gift in the world. Other times I will just get super excited and say his name and what a good boy he is and see the tail wag a bit in his bed. Last night when I went to the bedroom for bed he stayed in his bed in the living room for 20 minutes and then came to my room to lay in his bed and when he got to the door I said his name and was so excited pumping him up and his tail wagged. His mobility is fairly good. We can go outside to go to the bathroom and he will smell outside for a little bit. He gets up sometimes and walks around the apartment. Nothing too crazy though. He mostly just lays in bed.
Something else that happens is when he will roll around in his bed or adjust positions sometimes he will let out a yelp or cry. I try to palpate him to localize the pain, but never can. I end up just massaging his body to relax him. Is that something that happens in this process / is normal?
So it sounds like a normal recovery, especially for a 10.5 year old larger dog. I'm not a vet but everything you are describing sounds like a general recovery at the 2-3 week mark. Remember, older and larger dogs need more time to recover than younger ones.
Recovery is hard work and we just aren't used to seeing our dogs so out of it or tired. The rest is medicinal for him, it is helping his body heal and get ready to have his life back again. Some of this can also be boredom. interactive brain games will keep his mind engaged with you, and strengthen your bond. His enthusiasm to games he enjoys will show you that his sparkle is still there underneath the epic work that is amputation recovery.
Try doing some fun but gentle things with him this weekend and see what happens. Even putting his food (kibble) in a rolled up towel and encouraging him to unroll it is a fun thing that may put some sparkle back in his eyes.
Patience, grasshopper, he will get there!
Update: I just took Sonny for a walk in the snow and he was so happy! Smelling everywhere, saying hi to other dogs. Wagging his tail. Definitely the best I've seen him yet. I am so happy.
WE are hoppy that YOU are hoppy! 
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