Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our Molly is 6 weeks post op...weird to even type that, as it seems as if she's always been a tripawd. The past week she has been exhibiting a strange behavior in that she licks EVERYTHING certain times of the day. It could be the carpet, furniture, blanket, bed, etc. Molly has not been receiving as much exercise lately due to our extreme temperatures lately and I wonder if it's boredom or something neurological. Calling our vet tomorrow, but thought I would post the topic for any and all feedback!
Hmmm. Good question! We noticed that Spirit Jerry did that a lot after his amputation. While we never pinpointed why and it never seemed to affect him, it did make us wonder if he was bored.
I'm thinking boredom but let us know what your vet says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear sweet Molly is doing well! Way to bounce back sweet girl!!
Okay, this is probably a stretch...but...wonder if she could have an "itch" somewhere that she would normally scratch with her amputated leg, but is now unable to reach it. Maybe the licking is a misguided frustrating attempt to scratch where she can't reach.
Sending best wishes to Molly and her lack!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Ty did this also. Way before his amp..I still have Ty lick marks on my couch. I once asked the vet if he was perhaps lacking a mineral or something. 
Later I wondered if it was a reaction to pain, but he continued to lick even after his leg was removed. Lucy does it and she is just a high energy dog that needs constant stimulation. She gets wired real easy. Seems to happen most if I have been away extra long. So could be either. I would ask your vet if it could perhaps be phantom pain
. Maybe a new antler or toy would refocus her energy. If they could only talk......Lori, Ty and the "canine trio"
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Spoke with our vet and she believes the licking is mostly due to anxiety and boredom. Molly is so used to being outside that ever since her surgery this has been limited. Our vet is going to have us try some towelettes that have a calming/soothing ingredient similar to DAP from what I understand. I am willing to try anything at this point to help calm her down....as well as praying for summer 
We were able to go for a longer walk tonight to help get some energy out. I have searched for DAP products and it looks as if several forms are available from plug-ins, spray and collars.
If anyone has experience with this product, please share your feedback!
nhampto said
...mostly due to anxiety and boredom.
You'll find some recommendations for keeping dogs entertainined in the Gear Blog ...
Keep Recovering Dogs Entertained for Hours
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I second the interactive toys - I use them a lot to keep Jack entertained.
Another idea is teaching new tricks - I've rediscovered training and spending 10-15 minutes after our walk practicing with Jack. Everything from 'settle' to teaching her to sit back on her heels and offer her paw, to cleaning up her toys. She loves it and it really makes a difference for her anxiety and boredom levels. If you need ideas, check out Youtube. People have put up many fantastic training videos.
I just happened to look back on my FB post from a year ago and I was mentioning that Shelby, about a month post-amp, was non-stop licking her chops, her nose, etc. Her vets assured me she wasn't nauseous and there was no other explanation. Perhaps she was truly bored ... I had restricted her walks, her playtime, her food... in hindsight, that was probably it.
Good luck!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I like the way your vet thinks. We've heard good things about DAP products. Let us know which one your vet recommended.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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