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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Sorry to hear about this news Kim. I'm not sure if this helps, others here can confirm if this is true, but I recently read that you need to get the pet moving shortly after amputation so that the other legs and paws don't swell. I wonder if there are some type of rehab maneuvers (like isometrics that I did after knee surgery) that may help.
Hope things improve soon.
Kerren and Mona
Sorry about the news. Even when you think you are prepared it is still hard to hear.
I've read about many front amp tripawds having swelling in the other front leg. The fluid that builds up after the surgery needs to go somewhere. Of course check with your vet, but I'm thinking it is nothing to worry about.
Did your vet by any chance give you the mitotic index from the tumor? It might be good to know has you make your next choices on treatment. My Maggie had lymph node involvement too, quite unexpected as we had tested before surgery. Did you guys get an abdominal ultrasound?
Overall Maggie sounds like she is doing pretty well. Remember, she doesn't know anything about being sick- she just wants to get on with her life.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
DITTO KERREN AND KAREN. None of this is unexpected...although you weren't expecting it....does that make sense...sora'? Yhe swelling is most likely fluid related from the surgery...could even be something as simlle as a bite kr something in her law.
.Maggie could care less about any diagnosis and she certainly does NOT jave a time frame stamped on her butt!! This "report" has changed nothing in Maggie's world!!!
For whatever it's worth, the surgeon who amputated my Happy Hannah's rear leg due to osteosarcoma said there was lymph node involvement to the loint the disease had actually "destroyed" it. .The pathology report did NOT confirm her assessment. Regardless, Happy Hannah refused to allow any "disease labels" to determine how she felt and had THE most glorious one year and two months as a well loved and very spoiled tripawd!!!!
And...on top of everything else, it is still VERY early and recovery but she IS starting to get her sparkle back...slowly but surely!!! She has made trmendous progress since she's been home! Stay focused on those victories and celebrate each one!!!
YAAAAAAAAAY PEEING!!!! YAAAAAAAAAY POOPING!!!! YAAAAAAAAAY MAGGIE AND YAAAAAAAAAY MOM!!!!
Hugs and love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS...Is there anyway to put rails in the ramp...or something lining down the sides? If dogs see a visual of something down each side they feel more secure.
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!
Thank you so much for that reminder! Yes, all things considering, except for the biopsy bad news she is doing pretty well. She had a fall today that scared me but she seemed to shake it off in a few minutes. She figured out how to turn around finally too! I was a little annoyed with the hospital today - the surgeon, the resident and an intern all called and gave me different instructions about what to do with Maggie's swollen paw. I called my own vet and he gave me some suggestions that made sense so I will give it a few days and see what happens. Maggie's paw swelled up like this once before and the tumor she just had the amputation for appeared a few months later so I had a bit of a panic attack. I am trying to be strong and brave for Maggie because I know she senses my stress and it doesn't help her recovery. I am so grateful for this site and people who remind me to keep taking those deep breaths!
I do have a question: does anyone know how often Maggie should be getting up and moving? The surgeon didn't say in his instructions so we have been trying to keep her quiet except for going out to pee two or three times a day, but my vet is wondering if she is retaining fluid in the leg because she is laying on it too much. Has anyone had any experience with this?
First of all, glad YOU are feeling better! Everyting is sooooo new and scary, but eventually you do becomes more relaxed about things as you settle into the new normal.
And yeah, an occasional "face plant" happens! Glad she shook it off with no problem.
'Understand your frustration completely about getting different answers about her swelling! Sounds like y our regular vet made good sense out of it the best.
Basically, the first two weeks should be about rest, for the most part....no jumping...stairs....running, etc...just going out for pee and poop. That said, now that you are going into the second week, start following her lead....if she feels like getting up more, it's okay to take her on SHORT walks...it may even be helpful at this point. So yeah, if she's up for it, I'd add a few extra trips outside formjust sniffing and looking for sauirrels!
Stay connected...you are doing GREAT!!!!!
Hugs!
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!
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