Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Yes that is a great point Luanne, thank you!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Everyone here already covered the basics, but I think there are three main things you need to remember.
1. Take a deep breath, the next few weeks will be hard and full of self-doubt, but that's why we're here. Hop into chat when you need to. It helps calm the nerves.
2. Every dog recovers at their own pace. I was luck, Barret rebounded instantly but I have seen enough struggle in some of the other members here to know no 2 experiences are ever the same. The drain may be bugging him, or too little drugs, or not enough drugs, it is so hard to tell.
3. Take charge of your dog's health. If you're concerned, talk to your vet. If they brush it off, talk to another vet. We had issues with phantom pain . After lots of phone calls and a few additional office visits I finally was able to get the right combo of medications so we could all sleep through the night.
Best of luck, let us know whats going on,
Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Well I think I almost lost my mind last night. We took Sadie out to go to the bathroom, again pretty much carried her and forced her to stand and she would not go - so no peeing yesterday 
We got her inside and she was bleeding from tube hole really bad. We looked and the one end of tube where blood and fluid was draining out was pushed all the way in her body from trying to hold her up outside with towel. Well now this momma went into panic mode. Got on the phone and called vets and left message on after hours message for emergencies and good thing the vet got back to me within 15 minutes because by that time I was pacing back and forth thinking the worst. She said it was ok just to get Sadie in today when we could and she would fix it and she wanted to see her anyways. She asked if tube has been draining and I said not much only alot when we move her, but the reason for this is she is not moving and pushing the fluids out. She went on to inform me that we are going to have to make Sadie move (yah, easier said than done). My husband and I both tried at different times this morning to get her to just sit up and she just stared at us. I tried reaching under her to help and push her up and I could not budge her.
I left the house and just broke down crying where she couldn't see me, I think I am just totally stressed out. Someone asked above if she had a patch on and she has nothing on covering her wound, just the tube and stitches and she hasn't had to wear the cone this far because of course she is not moving to even check it out.
I guess I just have to listen to you all and just take this one day at a time. Keep your fingers crossed for Sadie. Thanks!!
PS I will post pics this weekend
I don't remember if you said this or not, but are you using a sling to move her (as opposed to you lifting and carrying)? You can make one out of those cloth grocery sacks pretty easily, and with a little finagagling, can arrange it so it doesn't touch the incision. That might be an easier way to force her to move without her feeling smothered or crowded. You can even loop a piece of robe through the handles after you get her up, so all of the support from you is far away from her body (if that makes sense).
We were lucky in that Sampson rebounded pretty quickly--despite being geriatric and arthritic. OTOH, he was as stubborn as all get out, and there were MANY moments of frustration along the way about other things, so I know how you feel. Our big thing was food. For six months, getting him to eat was a CONSTANT battle of wills.
It is good that you don't let Sadie see you frustrated--even though you are. It's okay to feel that way, but trying to be positive around her is a good thing <3
Good luck today!
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
I'm catching up here. My heart is breaking for you. If I had to pick up Jackson every day for days after the surgery, I'd be crying my eyes out too. I'd probably be doing in front of him, so kudos to you for holding it in until away from her! You're doing the best you can!
I wonder if that drain has been causing pain for her. Or maybe not pain, but she may feel it. Front amps have to change their gait - their stride - in order to walk. If every time Sadie even gets up, she may feel the drain and, d'oh, the tender area where her limb once was. It's all new sensations for them! Nerves are firing that don't have their normal endpoint. Because of all that, she doesn't want to move, which means she hasn't learned HOW to walk yet as a front amp. Having you guys to carry her everywhere doesn't help. BUT, what choice do you have?! I'd be slinging Jackson around, too!
I'm hoping your vet gives you a lot of help and advice. Maybe take the drain out? Her pain meds sound good to me. I presume Sadie is a little bigger than Jackson. After his amp, he was on 50mg anti-inflammatory AM and PM, and 50mg tramadol AM and PM. If she's getting double that dose, I presume she's larger than Jackson. But, dogs respond to these meds differently. You could try to back her down on tramadol. That one can get pups higher than kites.
Another trick - get one of her favorite people to come over! Have that person prepared for what they'll see, and then let Sadie get loads of love. Her tail will wag! She'll pass out hard afterward, but the uplift could be worth it. Another idea - where in the country are you? Are you in the massive chilly air now or not? If not, take her out. Get a blanket and sling her to it and let her breathe in the fresh air and new view. Maybe this spot could require a car ride? Most dogs love car rides! She may even find herself pulling herself up to sitting in order to watch. Have hubby in the back with her to help her up to a sit and hold her there. She'll be too distracted by the air and view and anticipation to notice she's moving and working!
Oh do keep us posted about today's vet visit. THIS WILL GET EASIER! There's something amiss here and once it's fixed or healed (2-3 weeks), she'll be BETTER. SHE WILL. It just may be ugly until then. HOLD ON!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
No we haven't been using a sling to help her walk, just a towel once we get her up because we were told not to push on the draining tubes, which the two ends of the tubes were about 5 inches apart, before the one end got pushed into her body because of the towel anyways. Every time we have her sit up or move her, a lot of blood and liquid just pours out so I was hoping to start using a sling once the tubes were removed, but because of her inactivity, I think that is going to be at least a few more days because of the fluid still pouring out (and it is really messy)
She was on Tamadol for about 2 weeks before her surgery because of the MCT in her front leg and if anything that pain medicine at that point made her feel better and we couldn't keep her down, she was jumping all over the place and I had to keep getting her to lay down.
As for carrying her around, trust me, that is not what we want to do but on both our front and back door there are a few stairs, so to even try to get her outside the stairs would be too much when we are having a hard time getting her to hop.
I would say Sadie weighs around 90 lbs, way too heavy for me to budge if she doesn't want to be moved. It has been a while since she has been weighed. But you could be onto something about the tube bothering her - It is just so hard to tell because she isn't trying to get to it like it is bugging her (which is good). In the middle of the first night home, she woke up and I was laying a ways a way from her and she just sat up and stood up and fell face forward because she had no support. I am wondering if that could have scared her, because she hasn't wanted to move since then. I just wish dogs could talk 
My husband just called and he is taking her to the vets at 4:00 today, so I really hope she will explain to him how to work with her. She really didn't show me how to get her up or make her walk or anything, she just said she would do it herself with help. Mostly we just talked about medicines she was on and what to watch for, etc. I'm keeping my fingers crossed
One other thing I just noticed as looking through the photos on here, Sadie's bruising is really bad, maybe about 3 or 4 inches all around her incision and really black and blue
Maybe your vet could remove the drains? We were a front amp, but didn't have them, so I admit, I don't know much about them...but they sound like a PITA.
I will say, I still have both my legs...but I have had quite a few surgeries, including one to realign my leg, and it blows my mind that dogs rebound as quickly as they do--and by "quickly" I mean even the ones that take a few weeks. I think once she finally gets up and going (which, frankly, can be the hardest part, IMO...breaking the seal, if you will), she'll be good to go. You just have to get her to that point. <3
As for the bruising...Sam had a lot of brusing and swelling (but no seroma issues). It's pretty common with orthopedic surgeries. (I think my last one, I was black and blue from my knee, up to and around my butt)
Hang in there--and good vibes to Sadie at the vet!
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
If we could all fly over and give you a great big hug right now, we would! You are holding yourself together incredibly well, that's for sure!!
Yeah, somethingis a little off right now..whether it's the drugs (which, since she handled tramadol so well before, it shouldn't be a problem now) the drain, being afraid, not sure what the heck. After talking with the vet...is this your "refular vet.....a specialist.....the surgeon...? Anyway, if you aren't satisfied, get a second opinion immediately.
My Happy Hannah had horrible swelling, bruising red, blue, fluid pocket, etc. And the drain is supposed to prevent that type of fluid build up (seroma )...I think anyway. She didn't have a drain but eventually, the fluid was absorbed a d the discoloration went away.
Yeah,to try and get her up on her own right now seems pretty impossible. Once any underlying cause is removed, perhaps it will get easier.
Did the vet say she was up and moving before she released her from the hospiatal? Is she still sitting up to eat? Has she peed this orning? Has she pooped yet?
Unless there's some REALLY good reason, I'd make sure not to leave her there over night tonight...especially if o one is there to watch her.
I'm soooooooo sorry Sadie is havi g such a slow recovery. I know it's so hard to watch. You are displaying incredible courageAND patience!!
I think she'll start feeling better, as will you, when tney get that drain out or re-adjusted.
She's thirteen...this is major surgery...she's a big girl. All that certainlh adds up to a slower recovery.
We'll all be waiting to hear from you. Yeah...we're all here giving you advice to try not to worry.....but we're all gonna be "worrying" until we hear back!!
Surrou ding you with hugs that heal and empower.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Hey Sadie & Family!
I just thought I would pitch my two cents into the pool here too . . .
Have you been doing any warm/cool compresses on her incision site? Boomer's surgeon had me do cold compresses for the first three days or so to help with swelling and bruising then on day three he had me switch to warm compresses to help the body reabsorb any accumulated fluids which really seemed to help. Boomer's bruising was pretty extensive and angry looking at first, my Mom said she thought it looked like a slab of raw meat which was a fairly accurate description. He was groggy and lethargic most of the time but would get up under his own steam, I really didn't have to lift him much at all, but he was a right rear leg amputation and the mechanics are different for front leg amps.
If she is eating well and has a good appetite use that to your advantage. Somebody here already suggested many small meals throughout the day and I second that idea. If food gets her motivated, use that any way you can - make her work for it just a little bit, like your vet said, any kind of movement will help get that fluid out. It is amazing what some dogs will do for food - I used to work as a dog caregiver and one of the dogs in my care needed to be sedated for a quick medical procedure. Because of his behavioral issues and size (90 lb rottie mix), I stayed with him the whole time. When we took him to his recovery run he was out cold, the room was a bit chilly so we covered him with some blankets to let him sleep it off. When I left a few hours later, I brought a bowl of food down to just leave for him in case he got hungry in the middle of the night - he had not moved an inch since we left him in the run. As soon as I put the food bowl down he jumped up on his feet and wolfed the food down like nothing was wrong (except that he kept swaying from the drugs 
). The techs were shocked that he was even awake enough to eat anything let alone gobble down a whole meal. The second he was done eating, he flopped over on his side and was again out like a light.
I know the drainage is gross and messy, Boomer didn't have any drains but he did have a spot at the lower end of his incision site that was draining for the first 24 hours or so. It was a lot like Sadie, no drainage if he wasn't moving but anytime he got up and started moving - especially if he had gotten nervous or upset and was moving more quickly - fluid would start dribbling out. I have a bunch of old towels that I use for the dogs, so we just spread those around on the rugs and his bedding so that we didn't have to worry about the drainage making a big mess.
We are sending good vibes your way, stay strong and take joy from the tiny little victories, over time they will build up to bigger ones.
We have always seen a different vet when we went. This new one is a young girl but we talked to out regular vet and he said he was doing the surgery and monitoring Sadie during all this, so let's hope he is. When my son and I went to pick Sadie up the young vet and a vet tech brought sadie out with a towel under her and she made it all the way to the car, so she was doing a lot better than now. The vet said she had sadie up about 3 times each day during the first two days she was with her and also said Sadie sat up when the vet got there Monday morning. When we got her home my son picked her up out of the car and set her down on the ground standing up and I got the towel under her and she just laid down and it was cold and damp out so I told my son to just get her in the living room and when my husband got home he could work with her. Sadie laid down on the blanket and I got her something to eat because the doctor said she wasn't eating. She wolfed it down and laid there for a few minutes and then started pulling herself around the blanket little by little, I guess till she got confortable. We were sitting there and my husband walked in the back door and Sadie's tail started wagging and he came over and talked to her and started petting her. A while later he went to take a shower and then kept coming in to check on her and then that is when she started all the whining and crying and we called the vet and he (our regular vet) said they just get frustrated. So we left her alone for a while and when we took her out after carrying her down the stairs she just laid down outside and wouldn't move, so we left her there and stood back and watched her. Finally after about 15 minutes (we were freezing because it was cold out) we picked her up and she went to the bathroom and we tried to get her to hop it but she just laid back down. That is when we carried her back in because it was starting to rain. Did the same thing later that night and she went to bathroom and everthing seemed like it was going at least ok. During that night I was sleeping on couch and woke up because she was moving around and before I could get over to her she jumped up and fell face forward on the floor and since then it has been all down hill. We have rugs all through our home, so she won't slide. I have raised her drinking dish. I get so shocked when all the fluid comes out, it is not a dribble it is a lot about the size of a grapefruit and so messy. I have been washing blankets like crazy and it goes through on my rugs, so lots of scrubbing there too. Well I guess I just have to wait and see what the vet says. You guys are the best!!
Sorry for the caps:
YOUR VET IS SCREWING UP THE PAIN MEDS
No way 100mg PER DAY is enough for a lab. I'm going to assume that your dog is about 50-60lbs? The RECOMMENDED DOSE of tramidol is:
Dogs: (chronic cancer pain) All weights The usual dose is 0.45-1.8mg per pound of pet’s body weight every 6 hours
50mg every 12 hours is a useless dose. You might as well throw the pill away... its doing NOTHING to control the pain if your dog is 'lab' sized. TJ was on 2 pills every 6 hours (8 per day) and that helped him greatly. Now he takes none... but I Still have a few for 'bad days'.
Call your vet, tell them to recalculate the dose and for a the exact weight of your dog that should be AT LEAST 100mg every 6 hours. DON'T GIVE ANY PILLS TO YOU CALL YOUR VET, TELL THEM THE DOG IS IN PAIN, AND YOU WANT A PROPER DOSE FOR TRAMIDOL. Then have them print you out a new label with the proper number of refills.
Then get a new vet... yours is screwing up.
I didn't think of that, but there is a very wide margin for the acceptable dose for tramadol in dogs. It is tough to tell if they are in too much pain, have had too many drugs, or if they're just being stubborn and uncomfortable.
My vet once told me it would be very hard to cause an overdose by over medicating with tramadol.. worth asking about.
For unofficial reference, my 20lb boy was on Tramadol 50mg 3x daily, Gabapentin 100mg 3x daily, and Rimadyl 25mg 2x daily.. pretty much the max dosage for 20lb dogs.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Hi Sadie and family
So sorry you're going through this. Balancing medication is not easy, however, I tend to agree with the above comments. Our dog was on 100mg three times a day to begin with and then it was reduced to 100mg twice a day. After a week or so, she went down to 50 mg twice a day and then after three weeks she was off the tramadol completely.
Our pup is a five year old doberman with front right amp. She weighed 72 pounds pre-amp. 75 pounds a week post-amp. Yep... She actually put weight on after her amputation. I felt so guilty, I fed her treats all day, every day. Yasmin loves subway meatball marinara. Tablets in soft cheese and smoked salmon, steak and lamb. It's no wonder she put weight on.
Speak to your vet about Sadie's medication. If you're not happy, seek a second opinion, or a third! I rang our vet surgery so many times each day, every receptionist knew my voice.
The hardest thing is feeling pawsitive but it is surprising how much it helps (both for you and Sadie).
Sending you hugs
Kate and Yasmin xxx
I rang our vet surgery so many times each day, every receptionist knew my voice.
Ha! My vet's one receptionist still knows my voice. The others, all I have to say is "this is Heather Crotsley".. I'm usually interrupted by "Oh, Barret's mom.." despite the fact I have 2 other dogs who've been in recently.
I had a hard time with this in the beginning and felt guilty for every call I made, but eventually it sunk in that the vet is working FOR YOU and your dog. Not the other way around. They don't know your dog the way you do. You have to be aggressive and be an advocate for them since they can't speak up.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
I just wanted to add - Hang in there! It will get better.. I totally feel for where you are right now. Heartbroken and unsure of what to do. Take a breath and call the vet, be assertive if you need to be. We all do the best we can and we're there for and love our pets like family. And we're here for you as a shoulder to cry on and to celebrate your victories.
Let us know how it goes this afternoon,
Heather & Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
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