Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Lucy is my 10 year old AmStaff/Basenji mix. 6 months ago she blew out her right rear ACL and had it repaired. Two weeks ago we noticed a lump on the same knee that grew to golf ball size within a few days and doubled in size a few days after. The lump was a tumor that we had removed last Wednesday.
The tumor biopsy revealed a very aggressive sarcoma. Without amputation she was given 3-6 months. The type of sarcoma is not known for regrowing in other parts of the body so with amputation her full life expectancy is hoped for.
My family including my wife, 15 year old daughter, 3 year old daughter, and I voted to amputate. Lucy is so good with the kids and is a perfect dog for us since we rescued her 8 years ago. How could we not give her the best chance?!
So this morning we took her in for surgery. It went well and the vet aspirated two other harder lumps she had and found them to just be fat cells. We get Lucy back tomorrow for our Tripawd family journey. I just really hope all the cancer went away with the leg. We've put her through so much already!
I just bought a raised water and feeding dish, carpet runners for our hardwood with non slip bottoms, and we will be getting her one of the web master harnesses with brush guard.
We also just ordered 4 kinds of dog food for her, Honest Kitchen, Merrick, orijen, and wellness brands to try. They are much better than the Puro a one she's been getting. We should have switched a long time ago.
Hello Lucy and family! We're glad you found us (even though this is the club nobody wants to join 😉 and jumped into the Forums. It sure sounds like you all have a terrific attitude about the situation. That is worth its weight in gold, Lucy will show her gratitude in so many ways! A Tripawd family united is a beautiful thing.
You've done a good job preparing for her homecoming. If there is anything we can help with just bark OK?
One tip though: don't have regrets about any part of how you cared for her. You are doing your best and that's all any dog can hope for in their humans. Lucy has a great life with you and we hope with all our hearts she has many, many more good times ahead!
Thanks again for joining. Your future posts won't need approval so share more photos and let us know how her recovery phase goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Lucy and her wonderful humans!!! Yep, sorry you jave to ve here, but u der the circumstances, there is no better place to be for support, information and u understanding! And we sure do understand all the emotions of getting to this piint!!
We also understand the joy of seeing Lucy's sparkle come back once recoverynis over and that bum leg is gone!!! Now, recovery is no picnw for a couple of weeks and it can be quite exhausting as you navigate through some sleepless nights and try and get the pain meds balanced.
Sou ds like Lucy is probably somewhat used to three legs, so mobility will probably come fairly quickly for her after several days.
She needs total rest and potty breaks and then back to rest. It sou ds like you've done your homework and have prepared your home nicely.
When you go tonoick her up, don't even bother looking at her incision! She just wants you to look into her druggy eyes and tell her what a good girl she is and how beautiful she is! 🙂 And she is BEAUTIFUL!!! Can't wait to see more pictures of her cute self! 🙂
A dd you jave some mighty fine food selections for her! She may not want to eat for a day or so, but drinking and peeing are important. Pooping might take a few days.
STAY CONNECTED!! We are in this with you and looking forward to celebrating many victories for Miss Lucy!! 🙂 🙂
Update us when you have a chance, okay?
A d I love that yiur 3 yr old "voted" too!! 🙂
Lots of hugs to Licy's great family! 🙂
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!
Welcome Lucy and Family,
Lucy is adorable! I am in love with her big bat ears and those sweet big eyes. You have definitely come to the right place. My dog Rusty had his left rear leg amputated one month ago and the community on this website has been invaluable. Everyone is incredibly supportive and understanding and I could not have managed nearly so well without all the information and inspiration on Tripawds!
The surgery is rough. I took Sally's advice and did not look at Rusty's incision immediately but when I saw it for the first time it was actually much easier than I thought, I was just so happy to see him and see that he was ok. It is a bit shocking and for the first couple days I just kept thinking "they took your whole leg clean off.....and you're doing great?" and he did do great and I am so happy about the decision to amputate. Tonight I got to stand in the back yard and watch Rusty rolling around in the grass happy as a clam or as a dog with three legs apparently!
I hope that Lucy's surgery goes well and her recovery is smooth and quick. Anything you need I promise this group will know an answer/find a solution/make it happen - they are the best!
Love - Amy & Rusty
Awww Amy! Love the visual of Rusty rolling jn the grass just Beind Dog! 🙂 🙂
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!
Thank you for the welcome and kindness.
Lucy is home now. She walked herself. She even tackled the 3 steps into the house without issue. I hand fed her a serving of the Honest Kitchen food, she wasn't interested in the other dry food right now. She is in and out of sleep with some bouts of whining. But she seems to be doing ok. She even took herself to her water dish, and no issues peeing with one hind leg!
Woo Hoo! Way to go Lucy!! I am so happy to hear that she is home and doing amazingly well. Walking and eating and drinking and potty - check, check, check and check. It's just incredible how resilient our little buddies are, isn't it? I'm so happy that things are going well for you. I think all the meds just leave them whiny and confused for a few days. Rusty and I had some sleepless first nights as he was working through the anesthesia and pain meds. Thanks for posting the picture, Lucy looks perfect and just beautiful.
Thanks for the quick update I know lots of us were wondering how you were doing and I am so happy to hear that things are going so well so far. Here's to a continued smooth and quick recovery and to you all getting some sleep. Give that girl a kiss from me.
Love, Amy & Rusty
EXCELLENT UPDATE!!! WELCOME HOME SWEET LUCY!!
Yep, ditto Amy, the first few nights may be a bit whiny and restless. Plus she stull jas hospital meds in her and they can make her a bit squirrelly, but better than being in pain!!
Lucy needs rest, rest and more rest. Try and get a little sleep yourself when you can! It's quite exhausting getting to this point. But recovery doesn't last forever!
STAY CONNECTED and let us know if you have any questions, okay? Update when you can! A d keep those ADORAVLE poctures of Lucy coming! 🙂
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!
Took Lucy out today and she decided she wanted to sunbath for a few minutes! Then she took a small walk with me. Just to the corner and back.
LUCY!!! YOU ARE A SUNBATHING GODDESS!!! 🙂 Look at you all relaxing out in nature! 🙂
Sometimes, not always, once all the hospital meds are out of their systems they can have a bit of a "crash"and it's a matter of getting the pill pain meds dosed right. Goodness knows Lucy sounds like she's having a "normal" recovery after such a .ajor surgery!! 🙂 Good job beautiful girl! 🙂 🙂
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!
We just received our Ruffwear Webmaster harness and brush guard from this site. We took it for a little spin to try it out.
Blue is definitely your color Lucy! I love the picture of her getting a hug - how sweet. Looks like you are doing great - so happy for you both. Keep it up.
Love, Amy & Rusty
LOOOOOVE THESE PICTURES!!! We love having reasons to smile around here...And we tha knyou for giving us these great reasons today!!
Lucy is absolutely adorable and she looks stunning in her lovely harness! Yes, she wears thst color...And a little girl's hug...very well!!! 🙂
Sooooo sweet!!
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!
Awwww what a supermodel! She looks so hoppy to be out and about in her new gear, and with her best pal.
Would you mind if we post these in our Tripawds Photo Gallery? They're adorable. And thank you so much for shopping with Tripawds, every purchase helps keep us online! xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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