Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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Hi Everyone or anyone willing to offer some advice.
I just left the hospital leaving behind my 19 month old Weimaraner “Pinot”, scheduled for rear right leg amputation tomorrow. It has been a long few months for Pinot after being struck by a car and fracturing 3 bones in his joint. He has undergone two surgeries with complications and is on his way for a third. I am sooooo scared and so confused. I can still back out of the procedure, but the alternative is putting Pinot down or praying for a miracle to relieve his pain. The vets are so accustomed to this procedure and feel 80-90percent certain he will do well. I on the other hand am exhausted watching my beautiful dog suffer. Don't know what to do?????
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Hi Laurie, we totally understand what you're going through and hope you find the support you're looking for here. It's OK to be nervous, just don't let on to Pinot how you feel. What he'll need most is for you to remain a strong pack leader. You'll find that most dogs cope with recovery much better than the people who love them.
First, don't worry. Pinot isn't worried. He only wants to be out of pain, and this final surgery should take care of that. There's no need to "back out" and if there is one rule around here it is that there are no regrets allowed. Pinot is young ind if he is otherwise healthy and strong, he should do just fine. FYI: Many have found the book Without Regret to be a big help going through this. We did.
Second, check out our top ten concerns posts. Much of these pertain to cancer in dogs, but you'll find plenty of advice and tips for caring for any amputee dog. If you have specific questions, be sure to search both the blog and forums first. You will find most questions have already been answered elsewhere.
Next, we've moved your post to its own topic here. That way the discussion is all about Pinot and everyone can track his/your issues and progress, providing specific pertinent advice without it getting lost in the other thread.
Finally, please consider joining and be sure to log in when you visit the forums. That way your posts will appear immediately without requiring moderation. We look forward to your updates. Best wishes for a complete speedy recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Believe me I know just what you are going through. My 9 mo old puppy lost his front left leg within the last month, also due to an auto accident. It was much tougher on me than it appears that it has been for him..and he still is recovering as two of his other legs, right front and left rear were also broken.
His attitude was amazing when I picked him up to bring him back home. He was much more his normal self after the amputation, I think it was a relief for him to not have to be in pain and be dragging a useless leg around.
I have, fortunately, not had any problems with his incision site and he goes back this coming Monday to have his sutures removed.
This site, and the kind canine loving people here have helped me a great deal through this process, and another thing has has helped me was to see videos of happy, successful tripawds just loving and living their lives! So know that Pinot will be fine, he'll no doubt surprise you with his resilience! There are lots of tips here that will make life easier for Pinot, such as runners for slick floors, harnesses to help support him for difficult terrain or help getting in an out of vehicles or up and down stairs.
Good luck to you and to Pinot! We'll be thinking of you and will look forward to an update!
Hugs, Rangersmom
I'm sorry Pinot has had such a rough time since the accident. If all of the 'senior' dogs can do as well as they do, I have no doubt a youngster can do well too. Recovery time is no walk in the park so to speak, but it only lasts a couple of weeks and then they are moving on. Trouble gets around faster on three legs than she did on four. My husband has COPD, and has a tough time trying to walk her on a leash, she is just too fast for him.
Don't worry, everything will be fine.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hi Laurie,
I truly think you'll be amazed. Here's some pics of my girl (BIG GIRL) and she's doing great, she'll be celebrating her 5 months post op and cancer diagonsis in a few weeks.
This is 9 days after her surgery, enjoying the snow. (We have her off almost all pain meds by this time because she wasn't doing well with them)
This next pic, I was surprised when I checked the date because I thought it was taken more recently, but it was taken January 31st, not quite 2 months post op, and she had 2 chemo sessions by this time.
We went for a walk today, back to where you see her here, right by our house, she and my other dog just LOVE it. My allergies were causing my asthma to act up and, here she is, cancer doggie, kicking my butt, saying, you are a big wuss.
I have had computer issues, but they are getting straightened out, I am transferring my doggie diary to a 'dog blog' and will let everybody know when I have it all transferred over. It will be very candid thoughts, pics, etc of our experiences.
I won't say what you are about to go through will be easy, it will not. However, you will be surprised, even stunned on how your baby will recover and endure. Our girl went for a visit through my work place and a few other friends businesses yesterday and it was funny how many people didn't realize she was actually missing a leg!
Good luck, hang tight, if it gets hard, jump online and sob on this site's collective cyber-shoulders. It has helped me immensely!
–Kim and Tika the Tri-mala-pawd.
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
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