TRIPAWDS: Home to 22971 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Update on Titus 6 weeks post-op
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Singapore
Member Since:
22 September 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
18 November 2008 - 4:15 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi folks,

I'm happy to say Titus is doing extremly well after a rollercoaster of events.  Just ten days post-op his stitches opened up to a 2x3inch wide wound. Titus had two flaps of dying skin that did not receive any blood supply after the surgery, so the vet had to snip the skin off. Frown The wound then became the size of my fist

He also had an infection from two strains of bacteria that were resistant to the antibiotics (Clavulox) he was on. The vet took him off the antibiotics and painkillers and gave him Gentimicin. Titus was also having diarrhea (must be from the meds) since surgery. The wound was so big and there was plenty of drainage. The vet recommended it was best for Titus to stay for a few days until the infection clears up(since the antibiotic was in the form of injection/daily), and we should let it heal from inside out. I didnt want to risk more infections at home as it would delay the chemo treatment, so poor Titus was there for a full week until the fluid turned clear. He'd lost 10kg since surgery. 

A week after Titus came home, his appetite improved tremendously, and appeared to be very active. We managed to go for short walks despite his gaping wound. Managing the wound was not too bad, 4 ten-minute flushes per day, each followed by an application of Solcoseryl. It helped with the drainage a lot, and granulation tissue formed well for the skin to adhere to. I was extremely concerned about so much tissue  being exposed, and everyone who saw it stayed away from him 🙁 It must be difficult for Titus because he's such a people-loving dog.

Titus was given the green light to go ahead with his first chemo (carboplatin) on Nov. 1, and wow he handled it extremely well. He was extremely hyper after that session, so much so that i got a little concerned. The vet said different dogs react differently so there's really nothing to worry about. Anyone had a similar experience?

This Saturday will be Titus' 2nd chemo session, i hope his blood work comes back normal. When he had his blood checked 5 days after his first session, the vet said it was excellent. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this week. 

As for the wound, its the size of my thumb and closing up nicely. I am more relieved now that he's gotten over so many hurdles and only to stay positive and acting like nothing's different from before.

I pray that all your new tripawds' recovery will be smooth and know that no matter how tough it gets, our pooches seem to know that they can breeze through it. It just takes a lot of time, patience and lotsa love on our side. I know I am stronger now because Titus has taught me so much in these toughest of times. 

 xx,

Carol

"A dog is the only thing in the world that loves you more than he loves himself."

OSA in left hind leg–30 August 2008. Ampuversary–4 October 2008.

Titus earned his wings on 15th July 2010.

He is dearly missed and our love lives on.

Member Since:
2 November 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
18 November 2008 - 9:44 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hey, Carol and Titus-

Glad to hear that things are improving and the chemo is going well.  Sounds like you have done a great job with his wound care-kudos to you!  Good luck with the rest of your treatments.  We are soon to get Blackjack's staples out and get him started on his chemo, so we are hoping for similar good results.  We'll keep you both in our thoughts and prayers!

 Nancy and Blackjack

Metro Kansas City
Member Since:
23 October 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
18 November 2008 - 5:05 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Carol,

Glad to hear things are going better for Titus! That must have been hard for you with his wound. Part of Calamity's issues were from the initial wound when the bone came through her leg, thus leaving the blood vessels/tissues too damaged to heal. Our wound was much smaller though.

I hope Titus keeps up the good healing!!

Janie & Calamity

Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/

Member Since:
15 August 2008
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
20 November 2008 - 4:38 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh my! The poor baby! I am happy to hear that he is doing better. Leo and I are wishing him well.

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online: Meg_1
Guest(s) 231
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17733
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256803
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG