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.
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!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi everyone - our beautiful Harley had his left hind leg amputated yesterday as a resulted of sarcoma and pathological fracture. It has been an exhausting night for him and us. He was obviously very spaced out when he came home last night and slept for one hour, but has been awake since. The crying has settled a lot, but we cannot get him to pee. Eventually, he wet himself in his bed last night, but he's not even slightly interested when we take him out ot his favourite patch of grass. Just wants to sit. Is this normal? Thank you for any advice x
Hi Harley and family, welcome. Yep, that's a pretty good description of the first night home when your dog has had surgery on the same day. I'm so sorry you guys had to go through that! The good news is that things DO get better!
What kind of pain management does he have, as far as meds, dosages and timing? Many times pain control needs to be fine tuned so the dog is comfortable but not totally zoned out. If he continues crying please call your vet asap to work on a pain control schedule that will help Harley feel better.
Many dogs don't want to pee because they are super wonky on the meds, or sometimes they don't like that their human is trying to help them with a sling. If you are doing that, have you tried backing off and allowing Harley to pee in his usual way, without any assistance (but of course while you stand by and supervise)? Is he standing on his own yet?
You shouldn't allow him to go more than 12 hours without urinating. If that happens again please manually express his bladder and let your vet know. Here's a video on how to express a male dog's bladder:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for the response. We are trying not to feel overwhelmed or over anxious but it's tough seeing you fur friend so distressed!
Harley has a fentanyl patch in his right hind leg and he is on 300mg of gabapentin three times daily (only had first dosage so far) and then 100mg of carprofen daily.
He seems more confident on his paws when moving with the sling, but when we stop he just wants to sit. So, when I try and back off to let him pee he just sits or lays down.
As I write this note he has finally gone still, quiet and put his head down and looks like he might actually have a rest (fingers crossed).
Thank you again for the support,
B
Oh the Fentanyl can make dogs REALLY wonky! Poor guy is seeing pink elephants and that's not easy for you or him.
Fentanyl will wear off by tomorrow so you should start to see some sparkle come back. The Gabapentin dosage sounds about right.
You are on the right track guiding him to pee, and your attitude is good too. Stay pawsitive! Hang in there, things do get better! Please keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAAAAY FOR PEE!!! As Jerry said, the patch really does whack them out! The patch can make them quite vocal and whiny too. Sounds like he jas ample pain management . Even of it makes him whacked out, it's better than being in pain. As the patch becomes less effective, he should become. more aware of his surroundings and get more stable in his mobility.
Let us know how thi gs are going. I k ow yoi are exhausted empty and phus. It gets better, promise!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too 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!
1 Guest(s)
