TRIPAWDS: Home to 25277 Members and 2182 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives

Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Tripawd Heroes

Join The Tripawds Community

Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!

✅ Easy Photo Upload
✅ Direct Messaging
✅ Subscribe to Topics.
Live Chat and much more!

Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!

Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
The forums are currently locked and only available for read only access
sp_Feed sp_TopicIcon-c
Making the tough choice...Amputation or Palliative Care?
This forum is locked
14 February 2010
5:29 pm
Member
Members
Forum Posts: 62
Member Since:
10 February 2010
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Hello! I am new to this site and I feel so blessed to have found it.
I adopted my Golden Henri from the Golden Retriever Rescue, "SEVA GRREAT" when he was 5.

We have had an amazing .."almost 7 years together!" He is my best friend and has been such a sweet boy.Henri started limping back in September and after several visits to the Vet…Arthritis was the diagnosis…so he has been on Rimadly. The limp did not get that much better but started to get worse in late December. After our visit in January, my worst fear was confirmed..…the Vet was 80% positive it was Osteosarcoma in his front right limb. How could this be? Not my best friend??? Of course so many questions went through my mind but the shock set in, and I was depressed and upset beyond belief. Then I read so many things that talked about not showing your sad emotions around your dog because the can feel that negative energy. I have tried being strong despite this grim news. It has been so so difficult. Obviously, so many of us have been faced with this and the options are not favorable…none of them. Im terrified to death over amputation because Henri does have arthritis and is a big guy. He needs to lose about 10 pounds. When went to the specialist….I thought I was confident with my decision. Palliative care/radiation to keep him comfortable….Henri takes Tramadol and we even tried the pain patch Friday night but that ended in disaster! He must have had an allergic reaction because we ended up in the Vet ER! After evaluation, and fluids, and removal of the patch…we went back home and Henri has been resting comfortably all weekend. We have an Oncology appointment on Tuesday…they are located about 2 hours from me…and I pray that they will give me some sort of direction so that I have peace with this. It has helped me so much to read all of your stories and I feel the sadness that all of us have had to endure. I certainly want to do what is best for Henri…no matter what decision I have to make. He is about 11 and a half…..but he is still in good spirits, bright eyes, wagging tail, and still loves his food!!!

His bloodwork came back good last week and the chest Xrays showed no mets,…but we all know how quickly that can change. Im trying to stay positive and of course I am cherishing each and every moment with my sweet boy! I hate this for him and I hate this for me….it really is tough to be in this position…but I know there are so many other people in the same place I am. I have to pray for strength, peace, and acceptance through all of this. I keep going back and forth with the amputation….I wish it were more clear….but it is so tough!!!!

14 February 2010
6:41 pm
On The Road

Team Tripawds

Administrators
Forum Posts: 35
Member Since:
25 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Welcome, and thanks for joining! Henri has a beautiful smile indeed.

Everyone here certainly undertands the difficult decisions you face. Just keep in mind that it's all about quality of life, not quantity, and that amputation is the only way to remove the terrible pain associated with a growing OS tumor, not to mention avoid a traumatic fracture.

Every dog is different, but be sure to review Jerry's top ten questions and answers about canine cancer and amputation to get an idea about what you might expect during recovery.

Many members have also found the book <a title="Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees" href="