Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Dear All,
New to Tripawds. My gorgeous greyhound, Millie had surgery to remove her rear right leg yesterday – her osteosarcoma diagnosis was confirmed last Saturday. All started on October 12 with a limp, xray found a small lesion, she recovered, 4weeks later started limping again for no apparent reason. 2nd xray showed the lesion had spread so it was time to make a decision. My first reaction was she was going to have pain relief, then as it got too bad, we would let her go. It was only after talking with others who had been through the amputation route that it actually became the preferred option. The questions I had to answer were – will she survive the operation? Will she get stressed at so many visits to the vet? Does she deserve a chance? Can she carry on as she is? Answering these questions led to only one conclusion.
She came home today and is being incredibly brave. 24 hours after surgery, she is eating, drinking,wagging her pretty tail and walking – much better than before the surgery. Worst thing is she wants to go walkies, but there is so much ice around, I won't risk it today. There is a long way to go, but so far so good.
Glenn & Millie
Welcome Millie and Glenn,
So sorry you have found yourself joing our group. But it's nice to hear that Millie is doing well after surgery.
Just a couple of things to keep in mind even though she is feeling good. Typically they feel a little too good immediately after surgery thanks to drugs. It's important to keep her calm and quiet with no activities for several days. This is super duper major healing surgery that requires some down time! Even as a human, the day after a surgery feels good but then it crashes if we over do it.
Feel free to ask anything you need to. We are here to help if we can.
Here's to a quick and fast recovery!
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Sounds like Millie is doing very well. Sorry you had to join us, we love meeting new folks, but sure wish it weren't because of osteo. Hope Millie continues to do well.
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.
Glenn & Millie,
Will have to add that we too are very sorry to hear of Millie's diagnosis, but you have found a wonderful communityfilled with great people who will share their collective experience base, provide excellent advice, and always be here for support as you both make your way down this journey. Comet's mom is absolutely right about being cautious and erring on the side of protection. We often hear that they come home full of energy because the pain is gone, over do it, and then crash until they recover some more. It is normal, and please do not be too worried if Millie has both ups and downs during the next two weeks. They are clearly the hardest.
I have a usual set of suggestions that I give that may help you during Millie's recovery. Stealing from a recent Jerry posting, I would suggest:
What to Expect Part 1: http://tinyurl......tToExpect1
What to Expect Part 2: http://tinyurl......tToExpect2
Also, there are my usual personal suggestions:
1) Remain as positive as possible around Millie. They will pick up on your feelings and if you are down, it will only make it harder. I often left Cherry, left the house, and then totally lost it before regaining composure and returning with a smile. It will make a difference.
2) Remember to treat the spirit as well as the body. Find something that they love and can still do during recovery. Then exploit that love to give them purpose. For Cherry, it was her trips in the truck/car. It was the first and for a long time, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered. As the time came when she thought that she is going for a ride approached, you could see the excitement grow. Like Millie, Cherry loved her long walks, but the truck rides were nearly as good for both of us. Jake's mom would probably tell you that for Jake it was the swimming pool. Once Jake saw the pool and was allowed back in, the improvement appears to have been remarkable. View the Fun! Doug and Heidi will tell you that for Molly it continues to be canoe trips. Watch her celebrate her one year anpuversary! Finally there is Calpurnia who loves the life filled with the outdoors and sledding and has survived the amputation for more than two years. View the fun! Help them find a purpose to fight.
3) Consider keeping a journal. I kept a journal and posted much it on-line. It allowed me to go back days/weeks/months and make a good comparison. The detail that you keep in this journal is more than I would ever put into a blog, which is also a great idea. This very detailed journal really helped to make honest assessments of Cherry's progress during the ups and downs of recovery. Our oncologist actually used these journal postings to keep up to speed on Cherry's condition. I have even used the data in this journal to help others nearly two years after some of the events in Cherry's Tripawd Journey. I have a page of thumbnail photos (with links to larger versions) covering from just after the diagnosis, first days home, chemotherapy treatment, through the end of Cherry's Journey. View Cherry’s TriPawd photos.
We want to wish you the very best, and urge you to keep in touch with this great community. Sending Pawsitive Thoughts.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Glenn & Millie,
We are so glad to hear the surgery went well. A cancer diagnosis is a hard thing to experience, but when you see how she just moves forward with life despite this setback, you will be amazed.
The first two weeks can be tough, but we're here to help. Like Comet said, don't let her overdo it. Some dogs will try to do too much because they're doped up on painkillers. Others may lose their appetite, and most won't go potty for at least a day or two. Sometimes going #2 will take longer as well. Those pain drugs really slow things down.
If you check out our Required Reading List, it should answer most of your questions. Ad of course if you haven't already, we also recommend downloading our Tripawds eBook, "Three Legs & A Spare," which goes into more detail about recovery and what to expect.
One last thing that you probably already know but I just thought I'd throw it out there: Greys are susceptible to heavier bleeding after surgery than other breeds. Please review this Forum Discussion, which has links to further reading. Just something good to know, but don't let it scare you OK?
Whatever we can do to help, just let us know. Thank you for joining us here!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Millie and Glenn
As others have said, sorry for the unexpected journey you find yourselves on, but glad you found this site. As you can tell by the posts you've received already, there's a wealth of information and marvellous support here.
Millie sounds like she's doing really well. Amazing aren't they??
Millie, make sure you get lots of rest. No walkies for a little while - we can appreciate the worry about ice.
Sending positive thoughts for a speedy and smooth recovery!
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
WElcome, Millie & Glenn.
It sounds like Millie is ahead of the curve on her recovery - that's great! Here's hoping it continues that way so that she doesn't have to miss her walks for too ling (although old man winter may have other plans!)
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
Hi from another greyhound tripod - Sid! Sid's amputation was due to a horrendous hock fracture, not osteosarcoma, but he's here to tell Millie that she's going to be fine on three legs! He's a right rear amputee too, and does just fine.
He'll be seven in February and has some arthritis in the hip joint (I nearly wrote 'hop' joint!) but he's doing really well three years post-amp and enjoying life to the utmost.
Good luck for Millie's healing - sounds as if she's ahead of the curve!
Hi to Glenn & Millie,
I hope you find the answers and inspiration here that I have. Every one here has gone through this and it really helps to know that our furry children will recover and live happy lives.
As has already been mentioned, look around, ask questions and don't take anything for granted.
Joy & Champ (left rear amputee - in remission from hemangiosarcoma/ostesarcoma)
Dear all,
Thanks for all your lovely messages of support. When I first received the telephone call from my vets with the terrible xray results, my first reaction was to panic, then to feel terribly alone and then how are we going to get through this. I had read up on osteosarcoma and all I had was dire statistics of how long we had left.
Then, I went on line and found that many, many dog lovers had not only already been thru this experience but were willing to share their experiences, to help, to care and be there. I also found the Twipawds guide "3 legs and a spare ". How wonderful is this? I now know that when we have bad days (like today), this is perfectly usual and with every bad day, there will be good days and those are the days when we get on with the business of living. I could not have hoped for more. Thank you all.
I will post some pics of Millie's recovery as soon as I work out how to!
Glenn, Millie and Sid2.
Awwwww, you're too kind.
We had the same experience when I got diagnosed...all bad news, nothing really to hope for or lift up our spirits. And that's exactly why this community was formed!
Thanks for the compliments on the book, it's good to hear feedback, pawsitive or otherwise.
Hugs coming your way! Let us know if you need help with the pics.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry to be joining the conversation a little late... But I just gotta say Hello! to our newest Tripawd Greyhound!
Our almost 11yr old greyhound, Boo, is 15 months post-amp (front leg) and is doing just fine! (Actually she does better on 3 than she ever did on 4)! If you ever need advice, from a greyhound perspective, just ask! Boo has all the "common issues" typical to the breed; thyroid trouble, post-op bleeding complications, kidney issues....and a few of the more normal traits as well, like being a 45 mph couch potato!
Welcome to the club! Wishing for a speedy recovery for Millie, and an extra dose of patience and cheer for you Glenn!
Amanda & Boo
Boo became a Tripawd Warrior Princess on Sept 8, 2009. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 2.7 years later on April 29, 2012. Run free Angel Boo!
Thanks for your good wishes and warm welcome to the world of Tripawds! It is only reading about experiences such as yours that encouraged me to have the op in the first place. 16 days post op and how different life seems. Stitches out, chemo started yesterday. No pain relief in a week. She is improving day by day and seems perfectly happy on 3 legs. Nobody reading this will be surprised at that.
We have much snow here at the moment and that is helping her to run around and remember how to play. Still early days, but at least we can look forward positively.
With all good wishes for the festive season.
Glenn, Millie and Sid.
Thanks for the update! Glad to hear Millie is doing well, please keep us posted on her progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Millie is now 33 days post amputation and will have her 2nd bout of chemo this coming Tuesday. Apart from a bad tummy for a couple of days after Christmas (due possibly more to my cooking skills than anything else) she has been absolutely fine. The first chemo treatment was using Doxorubicin and we will alternate this with Carboplatin. So far, so good. She seems really happy, really normal, doing all the things a dog should do. I am even tempted sometimes to forget everything we have been thru.. To think, only 35 days ago, Millie's story could easily have been ended.
I would love to post a video and some pics of Millie's recovery - could someone please advise how I can do this?
Many thanks
Glenn, Millie and Sid2
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