Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I've been told we can do five to ten minute walks down to the corner a couple times a day this week. I wonder if that will be enough to sate the beast.
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Good news about R's freedom walks!!! I'm sure he will .love them😎 I know he'll enjoy being able to stop amd sniff all the things he's been missing!
Let us k ow how it goes!
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!
Sorry for late response. Work and a dear pup here not well.
I agree with Jerry, especially so soon. Sounds like pain which may be exacerbated if you exercise him too much too soon.
Maybe a nice easy stroll around the block...or halfway around the block..or 2 houses down and back.
Goodness, I am not a vet. This recovery has been a blessing even though you don't see it. Think down the road. You want to fetch, walk, play. 1 week really isn't the time to test him in my opinion. I don't feel bad if he's frustrated, I'm glad you're doing it. I cannot tell you how many pups have done too much too soon and paid for it after.
You are a smart woman with a smart pup... maybe hiding treats under a harder to turn bowl all over the house cheering him on will help his happiness. Krun is a genius with that. Me not so much. Please think down the road for a moment. His incision looks pawsome...omd it's perfect. Find your zen...damn, go to the garage and get your workout. Go gentle with your boy. It really will be worth it in the end.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Oh, I was thinking the Vet had told you to do those walks. Yeah, forgot it's just a week out. So guess it boils down to how far away te "corner" is.
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!
Jackie, sorry to hear you have a pup who's not feeling well! Hope they're back to 100 soon.
I think we did better here without the trazodone yesterday as far as just overall not-ourself and... the anxiety was hard to tell. By late afternoon I thought maybe I was seeing less curl tucked and confused-face but hard to tell. And then we had thunderstorms roll in early evening. I think maybe we were more anxious about those than usual though. So, hard to tell.
The vet was the one who cleared us for 5-10 minute walks. I wasn't allowing him really even those for the first week. We went potty in the backyard on a leash. I guess potty breaks were up to 5 minutes, but probably not 10. Not because I wouldn't have been willing, but we're suburban so our backyard just isn't really big enough for ten minutes of exploration. Yesterday though I let him accompany me down to the mailbox and he was THRILLED. So I asked the vet about short walks. My understanding is, yes, very short. Like, we tried one up three driveways and back yesterday evening. He seemed happy though admittedly confused that we turned around so soon. The 'corner' is probably five driveways up. I think he's just really ready for seeing and smelling a few new settings beyond living room and backyard, even if that's only five driveways up and back. I might also let him into my home office today... whoah.
We've been very lucky with healing so far. Just one more week to go and then hopefully we get this stitches out. Then our next step is seeing if chemo is a good fit. (They'll do his first round next Tuesday if all is well.)
I hope this gives you some hope, maybe a little light at the end of the tunnel
This forum topic probably could not be timed any more perfectly than now https://tripawd.....e/#p233198
I think you will be surprised at how R adjusts and goes back to playing fetch and tug once he is recovered. You are getting there!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Yay...I found your post! I was just wondering about R and how he's doing. I'll have to check out your instagram page on R...as soon as my nephew explains exactly how to use instagram! Sometimes I feel like the guy in City Slickers trying to understand how to program a VCR...remember those! LOL
Reading your posts has been very helpful since our fur babies surgeries were only about a week apart. I've struggled a bit as well in keeping Chance occupied...he doesn't seem to enjoy the brain games that I have. I've eased up on his restrictions after the first week...no cone, no kennel (unless I'm out of the house and nobody is home). I have put his bed out front of the house when I'm out there washing the car or watering the lawn...he enjoys just being out there. I also took him on a couple rides in the truck...that really raised his spirits.
I haven't tried taking him on a walk, but I like your idea about the short walk to the mail box. I might try that today. Question for you...when you take R on the short walks, do you use any type of harness or is he doing well enough without one? I have a Ruffwear harness but not yet comfortable using it on Chance until at least his staples are removed.
Thanks for sharing your journey with R!
Hey Chance's human! If you want to feel really old, babies trying to figure out magazines aren't touch screens: .
I don't use a harness, but R is super happy to just bounce, bounce, bounce along. He doesn't seem to struggle with his new kangaroo walk at all. At least not for short distances like we've been doing. I do always bring his sling with me, even when we're just going potty, just in case he loses strength in that leg and I need to hold up his back half for some walk back and/or to help hop over the doorjamb.
We've been all trazodone free for more than a day now; I do think he's less anxious without it. Also less sedated, of course, but, tradeoffs. We're living in a relatively small space so there's only so much he can run around anyway. Tomorrow we'll try cutting down the gabapentin, as according to doctor's orders. See if that affects our overall bouncy.
Things are moving right along, I’m glad he’s happier (and you sound good too!). Here’s to continued improvement! 👏
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good to hear he is doing better and it seems like he is more with it and happy. I know that has to be a relief for you! I think that little light at the end of the tunnel got a bit brighter today
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Hahaha.....Loved the video!!🤣🤣
You so indeed have a "speedy recovering Tripawd RockStar"! As we always say, every recovery is different, every dog is different. R is going at a pace that works for him. Clearly up7 and uour Vet have a good handle on who he is as a personality and how much ore freedom you are able to start giving him.
Soooooo glad you are done with Trazedone and glad you are seeing some pawsitives as a result.👍
Your "five driveway" story reminded me of a member named Otis. His outing consisted of walking down five houses, laying in the yard of the fifth house, relaxing, sniffing the breezes. This was the ritual he repeated qoth great joy.
We would looooove to jave video of Mr R on his outingsor just sleeping. We love pictures around here!!..
You have done such a good job and can really start to see the rewards of taking such good care of R.
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!
He is such a BOY. I got about twenty minutes of adoration cuddles (me doing most of the adoring, really, but I'll take it) and now he is very clearly lying with his butt to me in a 'no touchy' stance again. Well, brief joy.
We did our five driveway walk twice today. I'll keep an eye on him in the morning to make sure it seems like he isn't sore from that. Also might cut down tomorrow a little bit when we cut down the gabapentin, just in case. He's not gonna like that.
We saw the neighbors on our way back from our 'walk' and R was 100% ready to drag me over to say 'hi'. Leashed, so I could hold him back, but soooooo ready.
Wondering, does anyone do warm compresses past the first week? (I know, not vets, just asking generally.) My vet said ice first two days, warm compress for five days after. He doesn't seem to mind, so if it was helpful, we might keep it going.
Warm or cool compresses are never a bad thing in my honest opinion. Especially if he's enjoying them and it gives you 'cuddle' opportunity.
Leg massages, back massages, all good if you go easy and follow his lead.
Im looking forward to seeing his bunny hops too 😊
Sounds like today was a decent day... you both needed that ❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
He's such a spunky, rock star doggie! He's ready to take on the world it seems.
I agree with Jackie, heat and ice therapy is such a treat and if he enjoys it then why not? It's a good way to spend quality time together.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Loved the video! It's so true...kids these days!
I wasn't given Trazodone for Chance, but started weening him off the Gabapentin and Tramadol. Vet visit today to remove sutures/staples and asked them to check with the Dr to see about when he can be totally free of the meds. He's not one to complain so I can't tell how much pain (if any) he's in...he does love the warm pack though! He falls asleep every time!
Since I read your comments, I've started taking Chance on short outings...Chance thanks you!
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