Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone! I'm posting a new topic because I have a behavior question. Did any of you see aggression toward doggie brothers and sisters post amputation? I know it's very soon - Maddie was just released from the hospital yesterday. She is doing GREAT by the way except one issue is that whenever she sees her brother Chim Chim she tries to attack him. For a dog that is in recovery, she sure does move fast when she goes after him! It happened yesterday in the middle of the day when he was just walking past her toward the back door. We immediately separated them, thinking she is still really drugged. Thankfully I'm able to shut the door to the family room where Maddie is camped out so she immediately relaxed Last night though we tried to take them out for a pee together when she seemed more with it, and it happened again. Otherwise she is doing very well. Eating, hoping, drinking, standing, peeing. She didn't sleep well because she had to wear the "cone of shame " - but otherwise she's resting very comfortably. Anyone encounter something like this? Any suggestions? For some reason the vet only sent us home with meds thru Sunday so I am going to call them for refills today and also ask them about this. I'm assuming it's just because she's wounded but I'm wondering if it will ever go back to normal or if separation is the new normal?
Bobbi & Maddie a/k/a ManiacMads
Front leg amputation 10/17/17 due to Osteosarcoma
She's Madeline, She's Madeline
Online
I didn't have that issue with my Hzppy Hannah, but certainly others have (dogs and cats), so hopefully they will chime in.
And yes, you afe exzctly right. It's a combo of drugs and the fact that she is vulnerable and a "wounded" animal. Animals in the wild hstray hidden until their "wound" heals. Maddie is just I e day home and still jas hospital meds in her that make her feel even more vulnerable.
And yes, do get your Vet to give you more pain meds! Most dogs stay on them for approximately two weeks, some less, some more. My Happy Hannah was on them three weeks, at a tapering off level. You can p@ay it by ear, but zi would get at least a two week supply. It's always good ro have a little extra on hand anyway.
No worries a out the "agression".'''She's just in a vulnerable state and is trying to protect her "injured" self.
Continue to take it slow and easy. Sounds like Maddie is doing really well 🙂 🙂 🙂 She may have a bit of a crash in a day or so after the hospital meds are out of her system, so don't be alarmed.
Lots of 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!
That's great she's doing well otherwise. But she may also be in more pain than she's letting on, so keep an eye on her. All animals act out when they are in pain and feel defenseless. Your instincts are spot on about the wounded animal aggression, and although I can't recall a case where that's happened before I'm sure that it has. Since I don't have multiple dogs in the house I'm not the best person to help with that but I'll say that it's likely once she is totally healed the pack will get back to normal.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you both for the responses. I called the vet and spoke to his surgical nurse. She had no advice on the behavior but said she'd talk to the surgeon about additional meds but usually they just stop them cold turkey! If they won't give us more, I will call our regular vet and ask them to give her more.
She is doing really, really well. I'm so proud of her. She gets up and hops to the door when she's has to pee. No poop yet but of course I know from reading the forum, that will take a few days. She's eating great and taking all her meds. She tires out very quickly but so far she's been a real trooper!!!
Bobbi & Maddie a/k/a ManiacMads
Front leg amputation 10/17/17 due to Osteosarcoma
She's Madeline, She's Madeline
Well, Maddie, you are a real rock star 😎⭐️ hopping and peeing and generally in good humour 👍🏽
Ditto for Sally and Rene she may be in pain and also feel vulnerable hence the attacks 😤🐾
I am surprised with the vet's choice of stopping meds cold turkey, this is major surgery after all.
Very wise you'll get further advise (and more meds) from your vet 😉
You're both doing really great, me and Angel Eurydice are thrilled!
😘😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
I'm on board with everyone that Maddie seems to be acting out of vulnerability and maybe some discomfort. Loki is super submissive to his tiny brother (and pretty much everyone else), so no attacks there, but we did notice that he would more frequently get up and move far away to avoid conflicts post-op. Maddie must just be more "assertive"! I hope you're able to secure more pain meds for her, too. So happy to hear that your girl is up and moving, meeting her milestones!
~Brittnie & Loki
🐾 Loki, Dog of Mischief 🐶
I loved life as a tripawd for over three years following right forelimb amputation due to an aggressive and recurrent hemangiopericytoma. I reclaimed my place among the gods and valkyries in Valhalla on November 11th, 2020. My parents miss me tremendously, but I know they'll keep me in their hearts forever... and don't worry, I've approved my mom's use of my Tripawds account.
I did get more meds - although not a lot more. No more Deramaxx which concerns me. He did give me another week of Gabapentin and Tramadol. So far she's not acting like she's in any pain at all. More just tired. She obviously wears out really quickly. And her stamina seems to be less each day which worries me. She was actually trying to do more the day after we got home than she has been yesterday and today. I mentioned in another post that she's sort of "coughing" or raspy exhales whenever she hops anywhere. She's fine when she lays down or is standing still. But as she hops, she lets out these really loud "out breaths". I'm thinking of getting another chest x ray when the sutures are removed....
Bobbi & Maddie a/k/a ManiacMads
Front leg amputation 10/17/17 due to Osteosarcoma
She's Madeline, She's Madeline
Don't panic 🤚🏽🤚🏽
This is called recovery, girl, chances are you are approaching the famous crash ...
She was obviously very, very excited to come back home but now is realising life has changed and she needs to further adjust on three.
Hopping for a Great Dane or any other giant breed involves a huge effort especially if they lost a front leg.
She will be puffing, yes, but if breathing is normal lying down or standing still I wouldn't worry.
I would wait and give her more time to adjust ...
But if you are really worried call your vet so you get the reassurance you need, they are there to help us and to answer our questions.
You'll both be ok, sweetie 💕
😘😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thank you - I think you're right Teresa - it's probably exertion since she really only does it when she's moving. When she's laying or eating or even just standing, her breathing is fine. I think I will talk to the vet when I take her in for her suture removal - that way they can hear it themselves too. We are trying very hard to keep her completely sedentary except for three outside trips a day to potty. We have been very fortunate that her incision is healing really well, she doesn't seem to be in any pain and she's happy just to hang out and sleep! I am going to give it time!!!
Bobbi & Maddie a/k/a ManiacMads
Front leg amputation 10/17/17 due to Osteosarcoma
She's Madeline, She's Madeline
☺️😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
This whole recovery part is abput having patience....and thats REALLY hard to do, especially this early on! Once you start to see the tiniest improvement though, you will start to feel some relief. Doesn't mean you'll be able to be anymore patient...just a little relieved 🙂
Some dogs do appear to be a little perkier first day or two home, but they have lots of good hospital drugs still in their system! You seem to be managing her pain just fine. Rest and potty breaks, yep, that's what it's all about right now! Good job!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. You could video the "sounds" Maddie makes when she gets up and gets moving for the Vet and e.ail it. Sure it's nothing to worry abput at all, but just for your own peace of mind. Eating, drinking, pooping, peeing...all good signs!
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!
Hi Everyone. Today Maddie is going in to get her stitches out and see the surgeon for a follow up. The heavy panting seems to have resolved but I'm not sure if that's because she's better or because she seems to be so lethargic this week. She was doing great till Tuesday then suddenly didn't want to eat. By Wed she was back to eating - just not her kibble. She'll eat chicken, instinct medallions, some cans, but no kibble (which is fine - I don't care as long as she eats). But since Wednesday night I've been having a problem getting her to drink. I tried adding enticing flavors (chicken broth, etc) but she just turns her head away. I have been able to get her to eat some ice cubes and she has taken a few drinks here and there - but nothing like her normal behavior. Did anyone else experience anything like this? The first week she ate and drank really well and wanted to get up and go out, etc. Now I have to coax her to get up and go outside and when she goes, it smells like ammonia which of course is not good. Any thoughts? She's still on the same pain meds except Deramaxx. She also finished her antibiotic.
Bobbi & Maddie a/k/a ManiacMads
Front leg amputation 10/17/17 due to Osteosarcoma
She's Madeline, She's Madeline
Just make note of everything and have the Vet maybe do a blood work up to make sure no UTI is gpong on, etc. The ammonia smell could be meds relsted I suppose, but just fet the worknup to be sure. Take in a fresh pee sample if you can
My Happy Hannah would not drink water either for about two weeks! I had to entice her with a scoop of ice cream swirled in the water. Yeah, we'll pretty much try anything when it comes to drinking and eating!
You can ask the Vet about maybe starting to taper off slowly a pain med or two. And then if you need to add them back in you can.
Some dogs seem to oerk up after stitches are out...some don't. It took me three weeks before I could say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!
Oh the way home, stop at a drivethru and get her a bacon cheeseburger. I bet she'll like that 🙂 We want pictures!! 🙂
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...one more suggestion. Ask your Vet about a dose of fluids (subq). Sometimes thst perks a dog up and gets them to drinking again too. We see that often here.
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!
Hey sweetie 🌺
Eurydice stopped drinking for about 3 weeks after surgery.
I tried to mix yummy things in the water but she wouldn't have it.
So, I got a really big syringe from the vets and would place it in the side of her mouth and squish water in.
She could not not drink and it was done gently so she never panicked.
I asked the hospital how much should she drink per day (according to her weight and taking into consideration what she'd eat too) and for Miss Cow I had to "syringe" in 1l and 1/2 to 2l per day.
I kept a written record of water consumption and spread the takings throughout the day.
This way the urine was always normal and she got what she needed.
At some point (about 2 weeks on) she started to refuse water even with the syringe so I bought a liquid at the vet (brown colour and apparently tastes like chicken) which they use for pets recovering from surgery who refuse water and initially was giving that straight and then started to mix it with water increasing the water contents a little more every day until she was back to plain water.
I'll try to look up the name for you.
Eventually Eurydice went back to drinking water normally and so will sweet Mads.
Try this and I'm sure you'll be successful, it's just another little snag during recovery...
You're both doing really well, so proud of you!
Sending you big hugs and cuddles 😘😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Here it is, sweetie 🌺
Eurydice luuurved it 💗
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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