Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yes, it's common for it to take a few days for the first post-op poop.
Hey just checking in on Boots. Do we have 
? Our paws are crossed!
PS Great idea to add the cooked sweet potato!
Boots was doing great up until this past weekend. She was having regular bowel movements and eating like a horse and showing really good signs of her “normal” self. Over the weekend (and after all her meds) ran out she started having diarrhea and only eating fresh cooked chicken. She took 2 doses of Metronidazole which seemed to help the diarrhea but then it came back and seems worse. Her back left leg has also gone limp and she no longer stands or gets up on her own. We took her to the vet/surgeon yesterday where they removed her stitches and did a bunch of tests. All tests onsite came back with good news but now the vet thinks it may ne her liver or spleen and some form of cancer eventhough there were zero signs of it at all ever. I am not saying the vet is wrong but it seems incredibly odd that all of a sudden this all just came on. Maybe I am grasping at straws here but I was reading about the side effects of Metronidazole and her symptoms check alot of the boxes bit the vet did not mention it. We brought her home and are awaiting cytology results (about a week) for the liver and spleen. Meanwhile we are trying to keep her comfortable and get her to eat and give her water.y wife and I are really angry and stressed because all we can do is try to help her but with no real instructions as to how or what is actually wrong. Anyway, sorry for the brief rant of frustration but thank you for checking in. Hopefully whatever this is will pass. 😞
I'm sorry Boots isn't doing well. As far as water intake, try adding some broth or the liquid from a can of tuna or salmon. That might tempt her in to drinking. You can also put some high value food into her water bowl so she has to get water to get the food.
I’m so sorry to hear that Boots has had a setback. Hopefully you will get some answers very soon. I think we’re in a similar boat.
I haven’t been on here over a week because I was waiting until Summer’s (our greyhound) stitches came out. She had her amp surgery on September 11. The first week or so was hell, I’ll admit. I was just about to come on here yesterday after the stitches were removed to say that Summer was doing quite well. She had gotten her appetite back, was asking to go for short little walks in the yard, and seemed to be getting her spirit back. BUT yesterday morning BEFORE we took her to get the stitches out, she refused her breakfast. The surgeon removed the stitches yesterday early afternoon and said she looked good. He seemed pleased with her progress. I told him she had refused her breakfast; he didn’t seem concerned. Summer is supposed to start chemo next Tuesday. But now she’s not eating at all, hasn’t eaten anything since the day before yesterday. She’s drinking some. Her energy level is down and all she does the past 2 days is lie around looking forlorn. I’ve tried making her some homemade meals (turkey crumbles with rice, etc), offered her favorite treats, but as soon as I put the dish down in front of her, she literally turns her head and gets up and moves to a different spot. I’m so worried. I’m wondering too if the cancer has popped up so soon somewhere else. They had done lung xrays prior to her amp surgery (which were clear), but did not xray her other legs or spine (or any organs, other than the lungs). It’s such a quick about face in her recovery that we’re a little stunned. I’m hoping perhaps she just has an upset stomach from when she ate a lot on Tuesday, but normally that would have passed by now. She doesn’t seem to be in pain - no panting, no pacing; she’s been off all her meds since last weekend and was doing just fine without them. So I understand your concern and worry...and, yes, anger. Some days it all seems too much.
Please keep us posted.
Robin & Summer
Erica I'm so sorry that this is going on. Ack! Not what any of us were expecting. It's got to be so hard to wait for the test results! I hope you get them sooner than a week. And yes, her symptoms do sound like the side effects of Metronidazole!
In the meanwhile, yes, anything to get her eating and stay hydrated. See our appetite tips, and our pilling tips. There is some helpful info in there for you that may help her perk up. Also, RX Vitamins Edible Green Clay does wonders for runny poop situations. You can get it on Amazon overnight or even a human version at Whole Foods
Try to keep in mind that vets always give the worst case scenario. Many times it's not cancer but something that is very treatable so hang in there and stay as hopeful as you can. Try to be patient for the lab results but if she doesn't improve by tomorrow let your vet know asap before the weekend.
Robin, I'm sorry to hear about Summer! Please start another topic or post in your other one if you haven't already so we can support you two OK?
Thank you all for the kind words and encouragement for Boots. I called the vet today and they prescribed a probiotic to help with the diarrhea. She is eating bland cooked chicken and drinking water. She sleeps alot in between bouts of the diarrhea but overall is stable and does not appear to be in pain. Much less bouts of it today. I noticed her stomach was bloated last night but seems normal size today. I am also not hearing the gurgling noise I heard last night. Her back left leg is still limp but she does put a little weight on it in the yard. Hoping the probiotic will help quickly and keeping the faith she will be back to her old self soon. (Fingers crossed) ☺️
Crossing fingers right along with you. This stuff isn’t for sissies! Hopefully the probiotic will help and Boots will be feeling much better very soon.
Robin & Summer
Update on Boots… the probiotic seems to be working as her diarrhea has subsided. However, her back legs are completely limp and she is unable to stand or move around. She has been sensitive to the touch on her hip and legs. All of the x-rays and tests do mot show any signs of anything that would explain this setback. I called the vet again today and she is now back on Tramadol and Gaberpentin. She is resting and no longer restless but just wondering if anyone has experienced this as part of the “normal” post op setbacks? Still waiting on the cytology results….
Hi Erica,
Good to meet you, though sorry this is happening for dear Boots. 
This is out of my depth personally, but I can mention two things I’ve heard from others in two other similar sounding scenarios:
In one case @jerry suggested to the dog’s parent to potentially have them seen by a neurologist. (That dog was also discovered to have a UTI, so maybe something to watch for?)
Another scenario was one my pup’s Certified Canine Rehab Therapist mentioned about a dog she worked with whose back legs were also essentially non-functional. Though in his case he could do a step or two before collapsing, so that feels different than the way you describe Boot’s experience. She did underwater treadmill work with the dog over three sessions giving him a chance to try out his new tripawd gait while bearing very little of his own body weight. After three sessions the dog was doing great.
The thing that gives me pause is:
She has been sensitive to the touch on her hip and legs.
Your question could be one for Tripawds resident vet expert, Dr. Pam. Or @jerry who’s seen a lot.
Sending care your way
Natalie & Juno (aka June)
Thank you Natalie,
Boots did see a neurologist as well and underwent tests and there was nothing found. The neurologist said that it could just be a “minor” disconnect that will correct itself but this was on Wednesday when it was only one leg that was limp and now its both her legs. I understand that healing takes time but its just so crazy that she was doing so well and then just went downhill so fast and the doctors don’t seem to know what is wrong. The only test she has not had yet is an MRI so that maybe the next step but in her current condition I would hate for her to have to endure another test and anesthesia. Just disheartening because we are doing all we can and its incredibly frustrating to not know the root cause of what is going on.
What you describe kind of reminds me of something an acquaintance's dog went through. If I remember correctly, I think he had an infection in his spine, which caused weakness and loss of coordination in his hind legs. It had a funny name - I want to say something like spondylitis? I am not a medical expert of any kind, but I thought I'd throw that out there just in case its something your vets haven't evaluated. I hope you're able to get answers and Boots back on her feet.
Erica, what is the vet's plan to address the symptoms? Other than the pain medication, how long are they giving it until the next step diagnostics, if you choose to do the MRI.
We have had many members here go through ups and downs like this, so that part isn't unusual but I know it doesn't help you feel any better, or Boots. She's seen some good specialists. What about a rehab therapist or pain specialist? If you'd like us to point you to one please let me know.
The vet/surgeon will check-in again tomorrow or Monday to see how she is doing and decide next steps from there. I know the vet also wanted to wait until the cytology results come back as well but I feel this is a separate issue that is independent of what Boots is currently experiencing. I have found a Rehab Specialist not too far from us that I want Boots to see. I was actually scheduling an appointment with them prior to the issue with the limpness of her legs and diarrhea starting and they suggested holding off on bringing her in until she was more stable. The good news is she has kept her appetite, drinks water, and has been “normally” going to the bathroom. This gives my wife and I hope while we wait for the next steps and results.
Ok that is totally reasonable. I'm with you, it does sound like a separate issue but I'm not a vet so take that for what it is.
As for the therapist, if they know what's going on, how she's been evaluated by other specialists and they can't find the issue, they might be more wiling to see her sooner. We've seen therapists pinpoint pain issues when vets can't. They're just so used to dealing with it on a daily basis they see more clients with pain-related and mobility issues. I feel like it's something to investigate after you hear back from your primary vet.
That's a really good sign that her appetite and thirst, and potty breaks are all good again! YAY!
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