Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Tripawd Family,
Theodore has been doing great! He is 8 days post-amp, and on Sunday we finally felt like our boy was back to himself again! But that same night, he wet the bed. Since then he has been unable to hold in his urination in the mornings before we take him out, and when he does go outside his stream lasts almost a good minute with frequent urination throughout his walks! I called the vet, she said sometimes the IV fluids cause the kidneys to process differently for a "few" days, and that if it were a UTI his antibiotics should help with that too. We are well past a few days post-surgery and it's still going on, no signs of improvement. Has anyone else experienced this?
Now on to a quick vet frustration. The vet asked that we give them a call to schedule the appointment to have Theo's bandages removed this week, well when I called them yesterday they claimed they had absolutely no time available. I really wanted to get angry considering we just gave them $3500 and now they basically aren't providing adequate post-op care to our dog, the care that they recommended. They basically told me to take him to his primary vet, sorry but I don't feel like paying $100 to visit my primary, when I paid you guys for the post-operative care already! So instead, we are going to wash our hands and remove Theo's bandages ourselves, then use some common sense to evaluate if it looks "normal", and go from there. 
I also went ahead and booked his appointment for staple removal for next week just to be safe.
I hate to be negative when Theo is doing so well! We also meet with the oncologist tomorrow!
Snagglemom
First, congrats on things being so great overall! That is a big reason to celebrate! 
How does the incision look? If it's dry and there is no oozing or wet areas it's probably OK. If it makes you feel any better, many Tripawds don't have bandages at all; our next vet visit after amputation is for staple/stitches removal, at least it was that way for us.
I understand your frustration with how you couldn't get in though. Many people do encounter this when they try to get in to see their specialist for general things like this. Oncos are so pressed for time, there are so few of them. I am surprised they couldn't have a tech do it though. I totally see your reasoning and why you are frustrated; they got paid, your primary care vet did not. So I would probably do the same thing you did.
Before you meet with the onco, review this list of questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So glad Theo is doing welland feeling good, especially this early in recovery!!!
And I certainly understand your frustration with the vet! Y o h paid big money which was supposed to i nclude certain things! And I agree, at least a vet tech could hacpve handled this. When you go in for stitch removal I would certainly express your disappointment!!
Not sure about the peeing issue. He's been on antibiotic treatment since the amp and eight days later "developed" a urinary infaction? And reacting from the surgery IV fluids eight days out??? Hmmm......no makey sense to me! Perhaps the Onco can give you advice in t h is area. I assume he's drinking regular amounts of water and staying hydrated??
The fact that he's feeling so good a dyo h are seeing his sparkle come back...that really is great news!!!
Update us tomorrow when you have a chance, okay!!!
Alright!!! We have a one week ampuversary to celebrate!!!!
Hugs and ice cream for everyone!!
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!
Is he still on a narcotic such as Tramadol? That is a common cause of urine leakage. If he is straining to urinate or you see blood then a UTI or bladder stone is possible. IV fluids can cause increased urination for a few days. Is he drinking increased amounts of water? That could also cause increased urine. If he is still having issues when you see the oncologist I would consider a urine test as well as a recheck of kidney enzymes prior to any chemo (most vets can do this while you wait. It takes 15 minutes at our clinic although a urine culture takes a few days).
Pam
Pam- You may be on to something. The incontinence started the day we removed his Fentanyl patch and switched back to the Tramadol. He's drinking normal amounts of water and I haven't noticed blood, but I will definitely ask for a urine test at the Onco tomorrow just to be safe.
I just wanted to say I'm so happy for Theo that he's doing so well overall. I'm glad you'll have his urine checked by the vet tomorrow...just to be safe. My Leland wasn't on Tramadol (he didn't do well on it) but he was on Gabapentin so I didn't notice any problems with urination. However, he was placed on Prednisone for autoimmune disorder and that med did affect his urination similar to what you mentioned.
And regarding the issue with the vet not changing Theo's bandages...I can totally understand your frustration. Perhaps you could speak with the administration or owner of the clinic to express your concerns.
Wishing you and Theo the best!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Glad to know Theo is doing ok.
Jerry is right - most of our dogs didn´t have bandages, or, like in my case, I was in charge of changing them daily and doing the basic cleaning. Just took Johnny for the removal of the stitches, and some still stayed on for some extra days and I took them out myself at home to spare Johnny an extra trip to the veterinary clinic (no, I have absolutely NO medical or nursing training, just a mother of 3 humans and now one tripawd).
You may want to look at other incisions to see if Theo´s looks "normal", and/or take a photo of Theo´s and post it here at Tripawds. My vet works a lot over the smartphone for these small things. I take a photo and he looks at it and gives me a feedback.
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
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