Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone!
Well, I think Vaughn is doing OK. One minute he seems to be great and then something will alarm me.
First of all, I should have read more before his surgery about what type of beds to use. The ones I have are all too soft and I now know he should have a firm orthopedic bed . My friend brought me a huge ortho bed and he sure likes it but I kind of think it is too high and maybe not firm enough. It is about 6 inches thick. Do you think a thinner one would be better? This is pretty firm but just not sure if a lower bed would give more support.
Second concern, his remaining front paw is very swollen and he will cry sometimes if I touch it but other times not. So I am not sure if he is just being a dramatic greyhound. The vet said to gently massage up towards the top of the leg. Has this happened to anyone else's dog? Sometimes I think it's because of the way he ends up laying on it or maybe it is just because of how much he has to use it now. He only goes out three times a day to potty.
I am still giving him 600 MG Gaba in the morning, 300 mid day and 600 at night plus Rimadyl twice a day. I also got some really good Glucosamine, MSN, Green Lipped muscle joint support chews since I can't add his normal powder to his food since he isn't eating as much.
I do want to find a Physical Therapist to see him soon. I think I know a clinic where they do rehab so I will be checking.
There is no way I could get him in my car yet so I have a friend taking me Thursday for his chemo and Friday to get the staples out. She has a van.
Thank you so much
Love Pam and Vaughn
Hi Pam,
I think it's normal to be yo-yoing between thinking everything is great and being alarmed right now. Since the vet is suggesting massage from the paw towards the top of the leg, it makes me think she think the swelling is just blood pooling in the paw. For us humans, we'd put on compression socks. I don't think there are doggie compression socks though. I'd love for someone to prove me wrong.
As for the bed, I think the height doesn't matter too much if it's firm enough. I have these for my dogs and they're wonderful. I've had 2 of these beds for 7+ years and they're holding up. Now, my tripawd is a rear amputee so it may be different for Vaughn, but Loki has no problem with these. She'll spin in circles before laying down without a problem. They're not cheap beds, but I fully vouch for the durability. I have no regrets.
Sealy Lux Pet Dog Bed | Quad Layer Technology with Memory Foam, Orthopedic Foam, and Cooling Energy Gel. Machine Washable Cover. Large, Modern Gray (Max Large) https://a.co/d/4IXolex
Hi Pam,
I agree with Mischief. Sounds like your vet may have seen a little swelling. The massage upwards helps push that up and through the heart. I had our Chiropractic vet tell me that when my youngest had a TPLO surgery.
I didn't have my orthopedic dog beds when Sassy had her amputation (I always was going to buy one but never got it done before she passed). I do have them now and I use the Big Barker Orthopedic beds the height is about 7". They have a 10 year guarantee not to flatten their website even says 1 year trial period now? I have only replaced 1 and that is because I thought it needed it. I donated it because it was still in great condition and wasn't flattening just felt like mine needed a little more support it was coming to 8 years of being used by Rotties. https://bigbark.....jQEALw_wcB
Sounds like over all Vaughn is doing pretty well. We all go through the period of worrying if they aren't doing what they should or be doing to much. Sounds about right for pain meds.
Michelle & Angels Sassy, Bosch, baby Simba and Sweet Snickers
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hi Pam...yep, this whole journey is one big roller coaster! The pic of the bed you showed me looks like its a good one. If he lets you massage his foot, I think that is a good idea - maybe if you could put a wash cloth in the refrigerator, and use that as you're massaging, that might feel good to him. (unless he is like my crazy Westie, who won't hardly let me touch his feet). If you're like the rest of us here, you are constantly second-guessing everything you do. Hang in there, once the staples come out, he should feel so much better - that was when Nitro really turned the corner. You've got this!! And we're all here to help.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Hi, Pam
I was hoping surgery proceeded per schedule and if really sounds as if Vaughn is doing quite well. Stay ahead of that pain. Pofi was also front amputee and had some random swelling a few days post op. Remaining front limb AND his neck on that same side. He was sort of oddly jowly looking for a day or two before it all seemed to reabsorb.
We did have an orthopedic foam bed already, from Snoozer, and it is a good 6" high and it was still plenty firm enough for him.
And also, I get pretty fussy when my feet swell, so I can't blame Vaughn a bit! It can hurt!
FYI, I gave Pofi Gabapentin 3 x a day for a full month post op and only then started cutting back slightly on dosage.
Go Team Vaughn!
Lisa Marie
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Thank you everyone for your replies! You are a huge help!
Maybe someone can help me figure out how to help Vaughn lay down so he doesn't lay on his arm the way he has been. I think this is why it is swollen.
Sometimes it will take him a half hour to figure out how to lay down. I try to let him figure it out but I would love to ease him down in a comfortable position if I could but he is 85 lbs and actually I guess I am afraid I will hurt him if I try to get him to lay a certain way.
Once he is laying down and ends up in a strange position on that arm I would love to figure out a way to move the arm out from under him but I can't pull on it and if I reach behind and try to move it that way he usually gets up or he cries. And again I am so afraid I will hurt him.
Any suggestions?
(last night he went to sleep on the arm but this morning it is out from under his body so that was great to see)!
I have no suggestions on that on how to help him lay down. My personal opinion is to let him lay down on his own. If he isn't comfortable he will move. I know it's hard to know when to help and when not too. He will get everything figured out. He is still really early in recovery 🙂 Just one day at a time.
Michelle & Angels Sassy, Bosch, Baby Simba and Sweet Snickers
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Hey Pam just catching up on things. I agree with Michelle, he will move when he feels uncomfortable. If he was totally out of it with post-op pain meds then in that case some assistance is good but a little tough love goes a long way. If you still want to try, what about bribing him with some tasty treats? I can often get Nellie to roll over onto her other side with treats.
And yep, it's still very early. He's doing great from all accounts. That leg swelling is something we've seen here before. It's very likely fluid build up (very common and normal) and he may still get a seroma at this time, but as long as there is no gross discharge it's probably not an issue. Just keep your vet in the loop if it doesn't go away in a few days.
Adding my ditto to Michelle 's reply.. Spot on!
Just like people, dogs have a "favorite side" on which to sleep....a favorite position. He's figuring out how to "reclaim" his sleeping position while adjusting to three and while navigating through the early part of recovery.
Patience Grasshopper, patience 👍
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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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