Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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Brand new member with many thoughts running through my head and just needing to not be mad at the world! Scarlett, our almost 10 year old English Bulldog was just diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and much like everyone else been given several options, with amputation pretty much being a necessity at this point. Fortunately, I work for one of the larger emergency vet companies, so I have many good doctors and resources helping us out...but I am trying to process it all as this came as a major shock to myself and 14 year old daughter! Scarlett is going in for her scans tomorrow to see if it has spread and whatnot...but I am really grappling with the fact that in order to prolong/make her remaining time more comfortable is to remove her leg! It is easy to give that advice to others but now being on the other end of this...my brain is just shutting down. The one thing I keep telling myself is that being a Bulldog, Scarlett's current life is laying around with us watching TV and snuggling...so activities are not on the top of her list! This is just such a hard decision as you would never know anything was wrong short of her limping around. Where my others animals I knew it was time...this just feel different and devastating all at the same time. Ultimately, her scan will give us more of a prognosis and how to move forward...so I will have more of an idea tomorrow...but I needed to get the ideas and this rant out of my head and into the universe. Thank you all for allowing me to do this and any advice/stories/ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Hello to Scarlett, the best English Bulldog and her hoomans💖 Your post.has been approved and we are all here to help you in anyway we can.
You have come to the best place possible for support, information and understanding. Everyone here has been through all of the emotions you are feeling, the ups and downs involved in the decision, etc.
This is just such a hard decision as you would never know anything was wrong short of her limping around
Yes, it is a hard decision and, if you are like most of us, your emotions are all over the place.What you have to remind yourself is that dogs are so stoic. If they are limping, they are in pain. For Bulldogs especially to show pain through limping, you have to know that it hurts. If your vet has not yet put her on pain meds as you navigate through this process, do check into some pain management for her.
Once you get clear scans and once she has been evaluated and you know she is a good candidate as a tripawd, you will feel some relief.
Every dog is different, but generally recovery from the surgery lasts about two weeks. Some dogs have some mobility within 24 to 48 hours after surgery, some take a couple of days longer to get their sea legs. Good pain management during recovery is important to help in the healing. It's also important for Scarlett's hoomans to stay upbeat and convey a pawsitive and co fident energy.
If you have hardwood floors, you'll want non slip scatter rugs for traction . She'll be avle to continue to snuggle with you on the couch and watch TV. You just dont want her jumping up by herself at first.
Here's a link to help you formulate questions for your Surgeon, etc.
https://tripawd.....dogs-cats/
Just wanted to pop in and give you a couple of tips and to remind you YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Give us an update when you can and stay connected, okay?
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!
PS. Here's a link that has a variety of "Bulldog" stories...
One American Bulldog named Loki has been a tripawd f0r five years!!!
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!
Update 1/24/2025 - Scarlett was seen by the amazing team at MedVet in Pittsburgh…and we got a small win for now. Her chest xray came back clear and as of right now there doesn’t appear to be anything in her lungs. Her leg is in pretty bad shape so I did make the decision to go forward with amputation (followed by her chemo and possibly joining the Yale study). I’m probably taking this harder than Scarlett, but after consulting several team members and reading many posts here…it is the best decision. Especially given the fact that she still has her wonderful personality and let’s be honest…she spends most of her day(s) in one of her many memory foam beds with her OSU blankets LOL. My biggest concern, as with the doctors (for now), is just her adjusting as a bulldog with 3 legs. With her surgery being next week, I plan on this weekend getting carpet remnants for the hardwood floors to help her get around a little easier and going to make a ramp for the 2 steps (the only steps she will need to manage) that go out to the back for her to go potty. Then from there whatever else I can do to make her life easier to get around. I have always been a planner with my family and friend to make life easier and be prepared for anything…so this helps my plan being as ready as I can for her and to make her life easier.
So one day at a time and after a very long and emotional week…we have some hope for her future. Her surgery is scheduled for Thursday…and I will update once we get through that!!
Hey Scarlett's Dad! You are in really great hands there at that clinic, I've heard great things about them. So happy her scans are clear. And while it sucks to have to move forward with amputation, by doing so you can channel your energy into things that will help her, as you are doing.
I encourage you to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds Recovery Shopping List to see what else you might have not thought about. As for a ramp, if she's never used one before keep in mind that many dogs absolutely hate ramps. Dogs have poor depth perception so if Scarlett is one of them she may be reluctant, and find those two steps easier. Usually a small amount of stairs are fine for a Tripawd, but adding some traction tape is helpful (there is clear traction tape out there for hardwood steps).
Yes, one day at a time. We will be with you every step of the way so holler with any questions!
Hi!
As Jerry said, everyone on this forum has gone through the emotions you have gone through. I too was angry at the world and devastated about my 10 year old labs diagnosis. I have read the great recovery stories on here and also the stories that didn’t turn out that great. My dog and I are lucky ones….we have had a little over 6 months of pain free great times together and continuing. After, he recovered I forgot all about the emotions you are going through now and believe it or not they have faded a lot in my mind. I only hope for that for you and a great recovery for Scarlet. Just know that whatever the outcome and how many times you may wonder if you did the right thing….you did and Scarlet knows it.
Wishing your family and Scarlet an easy recovery.
Amy
Update to Scarlett - her surgery went well Thursday and she has been back home recovering since Friday afternoon. It was definitely a shock to my system to see her this way and second guess my decision. But once my daughter and I snuggle her up…the emotions fade away. So far the toughest part has been just helping her getting around. I know I prepared as best as I could and need to take it one day at a time…but when you go from your dog going potty, eating and drinking on its own to you need to hand feed and carry them outside…it can be tough. Especially when she is a stubborn bulldog LOL. She has been tolerating food well (still loves her bananas and eating some chicken) and does not fight us taking her meds. She was already a sleeper before but she has been sleeping most of the day. Overall, I think our situation for now is start in the right direction and each day will get better. Biggest concern is just being a bulldog and how she carries her weight up front. Other than that…one day at a time and I will continue to update her story!
WELCOME HOME SCARLETT!!!
Overall, I think our situation for now is start in the right direction and each day will get better
Absolutely 100%!
She's eating drinking, taking her meds, partying and it seems like her pain is well managed. Great job! Rest is good for healing, so sleeping g a lot is A-OK.
Ability to get around on her own will happen. Right now she is recovering from MAJOR surgery and is on some good pain meds, all while figuring out life on three.
Can she sit up on her own yet and can she stand, even with assistance yet? Jist take things slowly, one hop at a time.
Keep us posted, okay?
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!
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