Hi I would like to introduce myself.  My name is Donna and I am Cassie's mom.  Cassie was a year old in April and she is a Alaskan Husky.  Both her Momma and her Pappa have competed in the iditarod. 

As of a week ago I had no idea that I would be in need of this wonderful forum.  Cassie's path to becoming a tripawd is a little different than most.   While out playing with our other dog Bogart last Thursday, in a freak accident she drove a stick into her groin area.  Severing most of her main arteries.  So after the vets battle to save her life from all that blood loss, it was decided that her right rear leg would have to be amputated. 

It was such a shock for me.  I truly believed that all I had to do was to get to the vet's with her and they would stitch her up and send her home.  Naive I know.

She has been such a trooper.  Up and peeing the very next morning.  Our first priority was to get her blood count back up, and I'm very happy to say that she is very close to being back in the normal zone.  Second was infection, there was no time to spare in the initial surgery to stop the bleeding.  So although everything in the clinic was sterile, Cassie wasn't.   In response to this risk she has been on antibiotics and I'm sure has cleared that hurdle now, as we have seen no real temperature spikes.  So that bring me to now, learning as much as I can so I am able to help her live her life as a tripawd to the fullest.

Hi Donna,

I'm so sorry to hear about Cassie's accident… Poor baby! But she has made it through the surgery and the infection… Now it's time to start healing. The first two weeks are usually the most difficult… and you'll read all about it in Jerry's Required Reading List.

Looking forward to reading all about Cassie's progress… Hope you post some pictures of her soon!! We all wanna see your cutie-pie!!

Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom

In response to "how much is too much for her?".

Hi Cassie's mom,

  My dog Chloe had her amputation 8 days ago (spindle cell sarcoma, no trace of cancer left now) and she too loves being active despite the recent amputation (watched your video).  If you are really concerned you should talk to your vet, but its always good to caution on the conservative side and get plenty of bed rest!  My experience with Chloe has been to walk a little, tiny bit more every day on bathroom breaks to get her more comfortable using the remaining legs (plus she is getting bored inside and just paces around wanting to go out and do stuff).  I have to use the sling with her until the staples come out next Thursday (per the vets orders), but she's a pro standing up, sitting down and walking along on our bathroom breaks already. I only "spot" her with the sling at this point. I know that with Chloe I have to use my discretion because the first day we went on a potty break, we only got about two houses down when she decided that was enough. My neighbors were kind enough to drive her back, so ever since I have made sure we get back inside before she gets tired.   Chloe just sleeps the rest of the day between bathroom breaks when she isn't pacing around wanting to go out. Wishing Cassie a speedy recovery!

-Chloe's mom

Thanks for the quick responses.  We have been keeping her walks to minimum,  she just really seems to want more.  In the house she just sleeps.  Almost seems depressed.  Take her outside and she is a different dog.  I usually only take her out for 10 – 15 minute walks.  So far she has shown no symptoms of fatigue.  Will stick with what we are doing for now.  Better to error on the safe side.

A little worried today as she is not showing any interest in her breakfast.  Up until yesterday she has been eating with gusto.  She's on a super high calorie canned mixed with her kibble.  So maybe she just doesn't need as many calories now as she did when her blood count was so low. 

Rear leg is better than front.  We have a shepherd at our local dog park that outruns many 4 leggers.   Its main disadvantage is turns though.  They just tumble off though and start back up running again.