Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
Mila had her amputation due to suspected OSA last Friday 17/12/21
This has truely been an emotional roller coaster.
We thought we were going to loose her Sunday night due to rapidly dropping blood cell count.
She ever so barely got through it without a blood transfusion.
We were finally able to pick her up this morning, 4 nights post surgery.
She’s still slightly anemic - 30 points, where ideal is 35.
She still cannot walk unassisted and sort of drags her leg when she’s being assisted.
I saw her get up and onto her bed but it’s like she doesn’t know her legs isn’t there anymore.
She also starts to bleed a bit after she walks around.
I’m hopeful that she will be able to walk again.
Has anyone experienced this?
It’s been so difficult hearing so many success stories about doggies up and walking unassisted within the first couple of days.
Hoping Mila isn’t an exception to the rule 💕
Hi Jenn, welcome. So sorry to hear that Mila is having a rough time.
Yes, others have gone through hard recoveries. Try not to compare Mila to the easier stories. All dogs recoveries are different, even though it may not seem like it. And bigger dogs need more time than smaller ones, but they get there! Really! Our Size and Age Matters Forum and Giant Breed articles share some examples.
She is not yet a week out of major surgery, and she had complications. Do they know why her WBCs dropped?
The hardest recoveries tend to happen when pain management isn't controlled. What pain meds is she on, what are the dosages, and how often?
I'll be back in the AM (it's nighttime in the states) with more thoughts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry,
thanks so much for your response.
it’s promising reading some of the articles you have linked.
Her red blood cell count became critically low (19) Sunday night.
They would rise somewhat and they go down again.
The vets were unable to find a reason as to why they continued to rise and fall, ultrasound showed no internal bleeding and blood panel showed everything was working fine.
she continues to ooze blood after moving around, but they suggested the oozing wasn’t enough to explain the drops.
she has been prescribed carprofen 100mg, 1.5 tablets once per day for 5 days.
Online
Awww..sorry sweet Mila is having recovery "issues". I know it's hard not to be concerned. Goodness knows we get it!
As Jerry said, don't compare her recovery tomothers. Every dog is different. Every recovery is different. Mila is recovering at her own pace?
All thar said, and I am not a Vet and not giving Vet adice.ahe needs stronger pain ,msdication!!!.. IF ZAI read this right, she is only on an anti inflammatory Carfropen. Call your Vet and advocate for a strong per pain med called Gabapentin!. Ahe just had MAJOR surgery! A hooman would still be in the hospital on a morphine drip!!
Is she eating, drinking peeing and drinking?? The drinking and peeing are important.
The incision should not be causes bleeding....red blood bleeding. Some oozing of more on the clear side could be expected. Is the area around the incision swollen or lots of bruising??
Her blood count was okay prior to surgery?? Ask the Vet for a plan to address the anemia. Not sure if "slightly anemic " requires more medical intervention tion or may supplements and nutrition loaded with iron. Just seems like it needs to be addressed further. Dunno...again, not a Vet.
But yes, do get that Gabapentin asap. I think you'll see her mobility improved once she gets her pain managed. And she'll get her sea legs back. Just let her rest now and assist as she needs it..
Stay strong and co confident with your energy. It will help her feel the same.
Hugs.....lots of hugs♥️
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS....Mila's story is exactly why we advocate for overnight stays at fully staffed clinics. We know it's not always possible financially or location. Wise, but she got the care she needed due to you hacing her there! Good job!
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!
She could be bleeding into her muscles at the amputation site. If her total protein is also low then that would indicate active bleeding. The other possibility is red cell destruction which is rare and in that case she would be jaundiced (yellow) and have a normal total protein.
I do agree her pain meds are low; she will likely need Rimadyl and gabapentin and some sort of opioid for 10-14 days and that dose of Rimadyl is what I would give a 75# dog; are you sure she is not supposed to get 1.5 tablets twice daily? That would cover a 150# dog.
Jerry is right she should not be actively bleeding with fresh red blood at this stage. I did need to keep my large Mastiff Tazzie in the hospital for 3 nights and she would not walk at the clinic but once she saw that we were taking her to the van for transport home she hopped in by herself!
Pam
tazziedog said
She could be bleeding into her muscles at the amputation site. If her total protein is also low then that would indicate active bleeding. The other possibility is red cell destruction which is rare and in that case she would be jaundiced (yellow) and have a normal total protein.
Dr. Pam, you are such a huge help, thank you! I hadn't even thought of that one. We so appreciate your taking time to share your expertise!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi everyone,
thanks so much for all of your support.
I telephoned the surgeon and she suggested we up her carprofen to twice daily for the next 3 days, then drop back down to once daily.
we also have some codeine here from prior to surgery and the surgeon suggested we can administer that if we feel she needs it.
if she is still struggling she said to call back.
Mila is doing a little better today, she held her own weight for a couple of seconds which is actually quite a bit improvement from yesterday.
her bleeding has also seemed to have stopped aswell.
She is eating, weeing and drinking.
although, she will only drink running water from the tap and only eat when she’s hand fed.
aparently she was a bit of a diva in hospital and has gotten used to the hand feeding 😂.
she is now booked for suture removal and chemo on the 23rd- praying she will be strong enough for treatment by then.
Another update - her heart rate was up to 120, very uncomfortable, very quick shallow breathing.
I went ahead and gave her the codeine which seems to have calmed her a bit.
Spoke to the surgeon who thought she had been discharged with a pain patch and gabapentin in conjunction to the carprofen.
Awaiting call back to collect more meds.
Good for you for monitoring Mila so carefully!! I cant tell you how happy it makes me to k ow Mila actually had been prescribed Gabapentin, as well as supposed to be sent home with a patch! Maybe relieved is a better word. To just seemingly give her an anti inflammatory really was upsetting. We try to be so careful what we "advise" around here as we are not Vets and not giving Vet advice.
We do know what the "norm" as far as pain meds are prescribed when it comes to pain management thoigh.
She probably wont need the patch now, just good proper dose of the Gaba, etc, etc.
I think her prospects of starting to show a bit more progressive recovery now are looking better!
As far as the chemo, if you feel like she needs to be a bit stronger by that time, you can always delay it a week. I dis that with my Happy Hannah. Jist did feel like she was as strong as she could be at the two week mark, so waited til the third week. It was a good plan in her case.
Sending you a group hug for a job well done!!
(((((((((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!
I'm glad you were able to talk to the vet. Sounds like some good direction that should help her feel better.
Is the Codeine still helping? I hope so! Any more bleeding?
And yep, if she still isn't strong enough to have chemo, that's OK. Allowing her body to heal on its own schedule will give her the strength she needs to sail through treatment and kick cancer's butt 🙂
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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