Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Toby is getting around a lot better which is the good news. The bad news is that he has an infection trying to set in at the surgical site. He has had more drains added because there is still quite a bit of fluid built up. I don't know if it is normal for a rear leg amputation to build up stuff in all that loose skin around the abdomen. Our vets have been fantastic and are really trying to stay on top of it. He goes to the visit the vets for the day (everyday this past week) to have his drains flushed and today since it is Saturday he just went for a short visit. He will have two days off and then back on Tuesday. They have changed his antibiotics and hopefully that will kick in and fight the infection.
Has anyone else dealt with infections? It is sort of worrisome because we don't want it to turn into a major complication.
Tazzie developed an infection of the surgery site while she was still in the hospital so she needed IV antibiotics and then needed oral meds for 6 weeks. This was most likely due to a pre-existing liver infection so I would not expect most dogs to need that kind of therapy. It sounds like your vet is on top of things. Sometimes seromas develop on both front and rear leg amputees and drain tubes are one way to deal with it.
Pam and Tazzie
Sorry to hear of Toby's complications but as Pam said, "it sound like like your vet is on top of things". We were very fortunate that Cherry did not have any complications regarding the amputation. While they felt that Toby could wait for two days before going back into your local vet, I would keep an eye on the drain. If necessary, you could always go to an emergency room to have them flush the drains. Better safe than to have this infections get out of hand. However, it does sound like they are doing every thing possible at this time.
Keep everyone posted. Paws Crossed and Nothing But Pawsitive Thoughts From California,
Bob & Cherry
Hi Toby - hang in there pal!
I didn't have any infections after surgery...I can only offer added prayers from above. Mom is praying too that all gets cleared up super duper fast. Tell your pawrents they are doing a great job!
Spirit Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Toby, you are in great care, tell you pawrents to try not to worry too much. We know that's hard, but we like to say, 'don't worry about things that haven't happened yet.'
Those antibiotics should do a good job at getting rid of that infection.
I wish we could offer more than some virtual hugs and kindness! Try to hang in there and let us know how your next vet visit goes OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Take those meds, and get better quickly, Toby. We'll be waiting for a great update.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Yesterday we were having more yucky stuff coming out of an area where the stitches refuse to hold. We had to go out of town for the day yesterday so off to the emergency clinic where Toby got flushed out all day long and received another antibiotic (we are on three now). Today one of the wonderful vet techs at our regular vets office came out to our house and gave him another good flushing and consulted with our vet while she was here. Next plan is to do a minor surgery tomorrow to repair some of the suture areas, to see what is going on in there and to hopefully give the wound a good cleaning.
The good news is that he is not running a fever and his spirits are good. Luckily he is pretty good about taking his medicine, especially if it involves cheese.
Thank you so much for the good thoughts and everyone keep your fingers crossed that we get this nasty stuff cleared up soon.
Good luck Toby with your minor surgery! You've alredy had worse, so this shoud be peanuts to you. Keep the spirits up, the best medicine of all...
Ask your vet, or alternative vet if rinsing with onion-water would help... it is used on kids. Stinks though 
Paws crossed for you (the back ones in my case 
)
Horacia
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
Glad to hear Toby is coping well with these setbacks. Thank you for sharing the details! They will certainly help others prepare for the otherwise unexpected.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Continued good thoughts for you and Toby.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Just and update on Toby. We finally are getting the infection under control. After taking several days to get labe results back from the lab, we learned he had a drug resistant strain of a bacteria (not staph but another nasty bugger). Luckily there was one antibiotic that the bacteria is sensitive to. So he just has to get a shot once a day and it is starting to clear up after four days on the medicine.
He is definitely feeling better and is starting to get around more. He is back to laying under the dinner table and begging for banana from his daddy in the morning.
Thanks so much for the good wishes.
Oh that's great to hear! Glad it wasn't staph, that can be bad. While he's on the antibiotic, be sure to give his gut some good bacteria to help his immune system stay strong. A little plain yogurt should do just fine.
Mmmmm, banana! Yum.
Keep it up Toby, we're rooting for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Feel better, Toby! I'm glad your fever is gone. I will pray for your recovery.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
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