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.
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sunny77 said
Oh you guys are my angels! I almost backed out having doubts ect needed a sign. Talked to his vet again who thinks its best to take it off. Thursday should be the day, Ill keep everyone updated. Im already too extended for care credit. Hes had 2 hospital stays at the ridiculously priced er within the last 6 months. I can afford this surgery barely but not a specialist. His vet has been practicing for like 30 yrs and Im confident in his abilities. Ill have to get around to starting a shutterfly account to post pics of my handsome old man. One question, would it be feasible to go to work the next day? My vacation starts but I have the day after surgery to work. Im trying to get out of it but if I cant I can leave him at home for that one day ir reschedule for Monday. Vaca is 9 days to look after him.
Not all of us have access to 24x7 care at our vets. Many do take their dogs home the same day and then there was Nixon who demanded to go home and got kicked out of ICU because his singing the blues was freaking everyone out, humans and canine. He stopped as soon as he saw me. He just wanted his home, his bed, and his pack. I delayed his surgery by 3 weeks just so I could get him into a 24x7 center that could keep him for 72 hours and he was home in < 36.
It is possible to go to work the day after but not something I would recommend. I personally would reschedule for a Monday. There are people who have done that and were successful but it was very stressful on the human. They weren't very productive at work that day either and most do arrange for someone to stop in a check on their dog every 2 to 4 hours. Your vet may even work something out with you that you take Jerimiah home the day of the surgery and then bring him back in the morning for observation so you can go to work. A lot of rural vets do that.
Yes Ill see what his vet says if I cant find someone to fill in for me at work. It would be agonizing leaving him so soon after the surgery.
Okay, just ro clarify, is the plan for Jeremiah to stay one night at a 24 hr Vet? Or is that type of monitoring not an option? The main reason I strongly suggest it IF possible is because you mentioned your 13 yr pup has an arrhythmia.
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!
Jerimiah is going to come home the afternoon of surgery day. Hes had a heart murmur for a few yrs but has done well after procedures. I cant afford the 24hr hospital. Ive spent about 4200 there in the past 6 months and am tapped out. His regular vet is performing the surgery. And...good news someone at work will cover the day after surgery for me so Ill be home with him for 9 straight days! Home that is enough for recovery.
It's great that you get to stay home with him!
Good luck with everything, to a speedy recovery and keep us posted!
Hugs
tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
Nine days should be great! Many dogs are doing much better by then! And while it is hard to bring your dog home day of, it can be done and is better than him being unattended overnight. Several members have done it successfully, but without much sleep. 
Good luck with everything!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Izzy came home the day of surgery and we had a 2 hour drive ... getting her in the house was the hardest part, so I would recommend that you have someone with you and make sure Jeremiah is on a blanket sturdy enough to serve as a "stretcher" to get him in the house.
Every dog is different but Izzy had her surgery on a Friday so that I could be home with her. My boss allowed me to work from home the week following, but I ended up going in to the office for a half day that Weds or Thurs ... can't recall ... but she was in good shape much sooner than I expected.
Where are you located? I missed that part.
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Oh thank you I didnt think if that part. He is a big boy too! I really hope Im doing the right thing for him. Getting pretty scared for him as we get closer to the day. Im only 20 minutes from the vet in Spokane, Wa.
You are - any decision made from love and in the hope of making his life better/easier is the right one!
I'm sure you've seen the many posts on how to prep your home in advance, but I overlooked getting her up the stairs into the house ... thank GOD I had a friend with me and she was on a sleeping bag! I recommend lots of sheets ready to go and housebreaking "puppy pads" to keep under (or on top) of them in case of seeping, accidents and the interest of general hygiene. Izzy was so determined to GET UP the night of her surgery that I had to sedate her and she pooped in her bed lol Poor girl. But pooping after surgery is a milestone, so I just slide the sheet and puppy pad out from under her and voila! Fresh bed! (I also had them on in layers so I could remove the top sheet & pad to have a fresh one underneath)
Stay connected and keep us posted. And ask as many questions as you want!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
They get away with poopin the bed better than we do haha. Thank you for the advice. Im sure Ill have more questions later!
Awww....that avatar picture with a touch of gray....soooooooo sweet!!
More pictures please!
Yes, stay connected, we'll be here to help you through those first few nights and beyond! Make sure you have your Vet's home phone and plenty of pain meds. Usually Vets send you home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. Some come home with a morphine pain patch.
Seeing dogs shake off anesthesia while drugged up and trying to stand on three legs that first night is not going to be easy. Hang on to us, okay,?
Keep lots and lots of CHOCOLATE on hand! You'll need it!
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!
Oh chocolate got it! Yes he is a distinguished fella. Thank you Im sure Im going to fall to pieces later...
Don't worry, you can come and fall apart here if you feel like it OK? We've all been there! Stay strong for Jeremiah and you two will get through this before you know it. We'll be thinking of you so keep us updated.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
His chest xray shows its spread so he didnt have the surgery. Its all throughout his lungs in different sizes. I was shocked. He is happy regardless though. Thanks all for the advice and encouragement. I think this is a great site and will share it with anyone I come across who needs it.
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