Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi!
My Chester had his front leg amputated 5 days ago after months testing and even disc surgery and still undiagnosed lameness. He is a very active 7 yr old rescue Boston Terrier that we just want to be able to run and play as he should be and so wants to. He also had a small tumor removed from his anus, non cancerous!
My question is about recovery. He was doing so great and yesterday we noticed he was yelping randomly, once after he sat down, then again as he was standing and again when he stood. We noticed his rear leg muscles twitching after these yelping and him now limping slightly on his back leg (so we think, we aren't sure if this is normal limping or newly normal walking as a tripawd.)
Today the yelping is much louder, still only a few times but once laying down. He just can't seem to get comfortable, spent a lot of time standing today. He is having some leakage due to loose BM so he tends to leak and then not want to be in his bed so I am constantly keeping and changing out his bed linens.
My question to any other people who have gone through recovery, is the random yelping normal? He doesn't yelp when I touch him, just at random times. Maybe his staples are pinching or maybe he pulled a muscle in his leg? Previously he had his arm wrapped up for 3-4 weeks and was running around on 3 legs with no issues, I assumed he would recover and walk much easier since he had that but maybe I was wrong to make an assumption. Just wondering if I should schedule a vet appt this week or not. Our vet is going on vacation next week so she won't be the one removing his staples...
Any thoughts? Anyone experience the same thing?
My immediate thought is that he has been overdoing it on his rear legs, maybe pulled a muscle? or maybe he has something in his pad?
if you have checked the pad then perhaps massage the leg and use an ice pack on it?
Hope it's nothing more than that
Hello and welcome. I'm sorry you guys are having a rough spot here. What you've described sounds like phantom leg pain (click on link for info).
Is Chester on any pain medications? If so, what? Typically vets will prescribe Gabapentin in order to alleviate the pain. Modifying his activity is also important. Five days isn't a long time after surgery, even if he was an unofficial Tripawd before. It's a lot of work getting around and usually this kind of situation is resolved with pain medication, more regulated activity and core conditioning & fitness exercises, which you can read about in the Tripawds Gear blog .
So I'm curious, what was the final diagnosis that required the amputation? You guys have been through so much! Try not to worry, things do get easier as the weeks go on. Chester's size is a huge advantage in getting around, as soon as he's over the recovery hurdle he'll be rockin 3 legs like a champ!
Thanks for joining, your future posts won't require approval.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chester is on many pain meds. He has been on Rimydal since April, when he had is ruptured disc surgery in his neck. He started tramdol day of amputation and that ends on Wednesday. He has been on Gabapentin since March when we found out about his ruptured discs. Additionally is on an antibiotic.
He may have overdone it, he was very much walking around for the two days after. Now he doesn't want to walk much at all.
There was no final diagnosis really, his vet was confident that he had shoulder instability of some sort. After months of rest and treatment, he lameness got worse. He hadn't been using his leg in at least a year... we rescued him last September. He had two xrays and two MRIs and nothing showed up. We all decided for him to have an active life for his remaining years he could adapt very easily to life without a limb. After his amputation the vet examined his shoulder and joints and found massive amounts of scar tissue on his tendons in the shoulder which she believed was caused by an untreated injury. So we all agreed amputation was the way to go and her findings post amputation supported our decision. (We've spent upwards of $10,000) in the past year just to try and find out what is wrong and it could've been double that to repair and treat this injury that may never fully allow him the pain free lifestyle he so deserves! With scar tissue so severe he may never have been able to fully use his shoulder without pain.
If he lets me, I'll try ice and massage on the rear legs. Its challenging with him since he has the incision on his butt too. Poor guy can't sit or stand! I'll check out the phantom pain too!
Just another 6 days and the sutures are out and then it is on our way to more easily getting him around properly.
Thanks for the responses!
Melisa
WOW elissa and Chester! You two have been through sooo much! One thing for certain, Chester sure did hit the puppy lottery when he found his forever home with you!
Ditto everything said already.
This IS mafor surgery AND, on top of everything else he had butt surgery!! He's got so e great big OWWWEEEEs going on!! OUCH!!
All the hospital.pain meds are out of his system now. The pain meds he's on now need to be given on a very consistent basis without skipping doses.
Perhaps you can .massage genty up a d down his spine a d his neck to see if there is any flinching. Also, is it possible he could still be having disc issues? Walking as a tripawd, especially overdoing it at first, may have aggravated his back issues.
For whatever it's worth, I joinged this site in the sixth day after my Hap p y Hannah's amputation because her recovery was sooo nard on her and I thought I had made a horribly wrong decision! She was restless, could not sleep, barely laid down, whining, etc. Every dog's recovery is different! It was I to the third week before I was able to see ner sparkle coming back and to see it was a great decision!!
I would definitely see about keeping him on pain meds longer than Wednesday. I'm no vet of course, so talk it over with her. You may want to go on and take Chester in to make sure there are no issues with his disc, etc. Otherwise, I think you can chalk this up to overdoiw it, along with so.e phantom limb pain AND butt surgerh!!
When you can, we would LOVE to see so e pictures of Chester!
Stay connected, okay? We are right here with you! This will all get sorted out and he will get over this recovery phase and be sooooo happy to be pain free AND loved!
Hugs!
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!
chesterthe3leggedboston said
He may have overdone it, he was very much walking around for the two days after...
Rest and confinement are certainly key to a safe and speedy recovery. There will be plenty of time for regaining strength once he's all healed up. Consider reviewing the Tripawds e-books for details about the amount and type of exercise veterinarians recommend for Tripawds on the mend.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ok so I totally think the yelping and shaking are phantom pain ... New question. We woke up today to a red belly just above the penis that's all tucked. Unsure if any amputations also had this? Might it be related to his tumor removal? I don't wanna freak out over nothing but also want to be sure it's not infection.
Ok sorry for another post... visited the vet. Everything is looking good, redness is normal healing and bruising. We did up the Tramadol to see if that helps with the yelps and shakes!
I did create a blog site with pics for those interested
http://chestert.....25/photos/
You can also follow him on Instagram @Chesterthe3leggedBoston. https://instagr.....gedboston/
Thanks to all for your insight and support in this overly cautious mama!
Post all you want...especially when it's a good update about Chester AND links to photos!! I'm going over to look at them in just a minute.
Just wanted to say YAAAAAAAAAY FOR CHESTER thst his check up with the vet was A~Okay!
And we all understand the "cautious mama" syndrome. This journey makes you crazy with worry over every little hiccup! As each day progresses and Xhester's sparkle comes back even more, you'll start loving in the present all the time and let go of the fear. We call it Being More Dog. Or, in your case, Being More Chester!
Now how 'bout a little scoop of ice cream to celebrate a good report!
Hugs!
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!
Just hopped over to his blog and the instagram photos...ADORABLE!!! A D O R A B L E!!!!!!
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!
You go Chester.....but not too fast or too far for now 
Its hard not to let your fur kid overdo it when you're just so happy to see them getting around on three legs. My Dobe nitro experienced pain - I should say, more pain - a couple weeks after surgery, and we discovered he needed chiropractic adjustments to help with his new gait. He is a front amp, however. Hope Chester is feeling better soon.
paula and 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
Don't feel badly about notifying your vet whenever you have a concern. Remember, that's why you pay them. You aren't being a pest, you are being a good advocate to Chster. We can offer our insight but not being vets or seeing Chester in person, we can't really tell you what something is, and of course shouldn't either. I'm not certain what that spot could be, but it's worth emailing over to your vet for some insight as well as asking about phantom pain relief medications.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We are in almost the exact situation and need some help. Lois is 11 days post surgery. She seemed do be doing great, her incision looks fantastic, but she is doing the same, yelping and crying out, can't get comfortable. She is taking Tramadol and for a while we thought may it was the tramadol that she was having a negative reaction to. But now I wonder if she is just not medicated enough. It's been horrible. Has anyone heard of a reaction to Tramadol? If not, we need to add a medication or up her dose. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Kim
kimnorg said
We are in almost the exact situation and need some help.
Welcome Kim, and best wishes for Lois! Please consider starting a new topic or a Free Tripawds blog so others can follow your story.
...yelping and crying out, can't get comfortable...Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Heavy panting, pacing and general discomfort are indeed common side effects of tramadol. Sudden outbursts and muscle twitches can indicate phantom pain . Search the the forums above for more feedback from others, or search all blogs here . Or, download the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to these and other common concerns.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kim...sorry to hear about Lois's pain! How much tramadol? And is that the only meds she's on? My Dobe nitro was also given gabapentin (helps with nerve pain). At the time that nitro experienced what Lois seems to be going through, my vet wondered about random nerves still dying off from the surgery; in which case it should be temporary. It turned out that Nitro's body was out of alignment due to the new way he was moving after losing his front leg. He needed (and still gets) chiropractic adjustments. This has helped him tremendously....just something to think about.
paula and 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
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