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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Hi there, congratulations TJ on your new identity as a tripawd!
I hope he has a smooth transition off pain relief and that you get a little bit of his personality back everyday. Our little Dotty is at day 9 post surgery and it's a joy to see her eyes bright and her ears doing their normal thing. It took a while and we are still battling some issues but I feel like everyday brings a little bit of progress.
What a lovely looking fella TJ is, good luck over the next few days.
Don't forget to post lots of updates and don't be frightened to ask for advice or support, the tripawds community is something very special.
Victoria and Dotty
TJ on the car ride home.... laying on my arm for support.
Here's his 'no really, I can't feel a thing' face
Today is good. A bit of restlessness but the vet OK'd some tramadol to help the patch control the pain. He's been hopping around pretty good and has learned to lower himself somewhat gracefully. Swelling is way down and none of the stitches have weeped. He's pee'd but has not pooped even though he has eaten. I guess that will be a surprise when that comes out.
He let me carry him up the steps and we got a solid 5 hours sleep...
Back to the vet Friday to get the patch off... and more pain meds.
Awwww you sweet pup! You look like you're feeling goooooood!
To get things moving along, you can try adding a tablespoon of metamucil, steamed pumpkin or squash, olive oil or oatmeal (any kind of fiber really) to each meal.
I'm glad to hear things are going well! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dogs beware......this is what you looks like if you mess around with drugs!!
Glorious to have TJ home and peeing and walking and sleeping five hours straight!! That's a biggie! My Happy Hannah did of sleep for Nintendo hours! NOT fun!
Even drugged up, TJ is a very, very handsome man. You can really SEE his gentleness! Maybe.....just maybe.....after all you've been trough he'll have a relatively easy recovery!! Paws crossed!
I kw you're beaming having him by your side!
We are all here for you! You are sooooo strong!
Enjoy your drugs TJ---withdrawal from your happy high can be a bit bumpy!!
Lots of love, Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
It seems that TJ has quite the saggy boob to deal with... I'm sure there is a medical term for it.... whatever the fluid that pools in the saggy skin is called... and he's a bit sore from laying on the same side all the time.
He's up and walking and even standing for a bit. He's only actually sit three times, but he's learned to do the rear end then the front leg thing to lay down. Much more graceful than he was yesterday.
The patch is slowly coming off... I have re-taped it a few times to try and keep it in place. Will have a big pain meds discussion with the vet. Previcox and Gabapentine (sp??) with tramadol is not going to cut it.
Hopeful tonight will be another 5 hour sleep a thon. TJ has been sleeping most of the day but I hope what activity I can get him to do has made him tired enough.
So day 2 is mostly done... and mostly panic free (on my part). Still hasn't pooped (gave him pumpkin from the can... not sure if its the right stuff) but has pee'd.
What a wonderful thing for you and him to be back home together. When Snoop came home the first two says he thought he was super dog. The effects of the patch I'm sure. We made sure he was careful. They do need rest, it's a major surgery to heal from. But what's great is that TJ is back home,getting stronger everyday day. There really is no place like home!
tjmcbipper said
TJ has quite the saggy boob to deal with... I'm sure there is a medical term for it....
Post-amputation seromas are perfectly normal. See that link for an explanation, and watch our video interview with Dr. Pam discussing seromas, phantom limb pain and other common complications for more information.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
can't get over the fact that he slept five hours straight! Hope that keeps up!
Yeah, had to learn about the seroma ere and from my regular vet........surgeon didn,'t prepare me for squat!!
it will probably turn really "pretty colors for awhile too! You'll get info. from the links, but basically it's just fluid that used Tom go them the legmlookngnfor a place to go until his body absorbs it......something like that.!
TJ probably won't be exactly comfortable sitting for awhile. It took Happy Hannah several weeks before she was ablemtomlay on her "sore" side. Some do it sooner, some take longer. It does seem to signal the pain is going away.
Look for ward to more posts ad to celebrating first poop!! Drugs can play havoc on the poop response_
Love that sweet face of your boy.....very sweet soul!
Sleep tight and check in with us tomorrow.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
TJ looks great and it sounds like he's handling thing pretty darn well.
I wouldn't worry too much about the whole "poop" thing. Shooter ate good from his first day home and it took 3 days before he ever pooped.
Glad both of you are able to get some sleep and hope tonight is just as good or better.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
What a difference a day makes 
Its 2am-ish and TJ is restless and will not lay down. Trying cold compress / ice (wrapped in a towel inside a baggie) to get some relief. Not sure if its a seroma or what but the entire chest is BRIGHT red (but not hot to the touch... normal/cool if anything) but he will not lay down.
Won't be waiting till 1pm for the vet.. will be there at 8am sharp.
Try not to worry, it sounds like normal post-op bruising but it's good to go with your gut and have your vet look at it. Let us know what happens. Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Keep us posted! Sending you good thoughts!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Well I guess TJ was just fooling around with me last night.
Took him to the vet to get the patch off and he's fine. Up on all three legs, doing steps (up better than down) and generally doing what TJ does.
So I guess the first part of the trip is done. His pain and tumor is gone. He's still black and blue but getting around as good as when he had the leg and limp.
Now just wait and see how his lungs hold up.
Diet will slowly change to a raw diet and hopefully that will give him the strength to put up a good fight.
Thanks for all the help and advice on this first part. I'm going to enjoy the heck out of this summer and my TJ.
So so glad TJ is feeling better!!!
Re: the raw diet. I'm no vet but I did months of research before I switched my dogs to a home cooked diet over 3 years ago and I feel like I have to share what I've learned... Call me a know-it-all, LOL
Raw diets can be great for healthy dogs. There is no denying that. However, healthy dogs have healthy immune systems that can fight off the natural bacteria that grows in raw meat (humans can't.. It's why we cook our chicken thoroughly). Dogs with cancers already have compromised immune systems so they're less able to fight off the bacteria. Contrary to popular belief, dogs CAN get salmonella. It just only appears in dogs with weak immune systems.
I (and Dr. Dressler and my own vet) recommend cooking meats at low temperatures to kill the bacteria without creating carcinogens. Include veggies (cooked until really soft or puréed raw) and whole grains in a balanced diet. To make it easy for me, I use my crock pot.
My sources:
My blogs here: http://www.that.....gs-health/
Dr. Dressler's dog cancer survival guide (he provides the chapter on the dog cancer diet free on his site)
Dr. Pitcairn's book on Natural health remedies for dogs and cats
Conversations with my vets
Ok, I've said my piece I'm sure that whatever diet you choose for TJ will make him happy and healthier. After all, high quality kibble is better than average or low quality and raw or homemade is better yet!
Good luck and hopefully the rest of recovery is smoooth sailing from here on out!
Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
So glad n' decided to have an "up" day; HOWEVER, DO NOT BE SURPRISED IS HE DECIDES TO HAVE A DOWNDAY TOMORROW:-) The first two weeks can be full of ups and down...and for so e.. ore ups than downs!
You have a great attitude and that will benefit TJ I. such a positive way. Yes I ready, you enjoy every blissful. moment with your boy and make som e magical forever me Tories! And don't forget to post pictures! He's such a ha some, sweet faced boy we'd love. more photos!!
Rest while you can! My Happy Hannah WS restless and wouldn't lay still much at all the first week or two! Sounds like TJ is ready to sleep well to right though!
Look forward to more wonderful posts highlight I g all his victories!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
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