Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thank you all for the help y'all gave me on my first post, and thank you admins for the help getting logged back in.
Buddy seemed to be doing better this morning. I checked on him as soon as I walked in the door from work tonight, and knew immediately that he needed to go to the emergency vet.
His incision was awful. His tissue had rotted beneath the incision and it opened up while I was at work. It was horrible. I took him in, and they told me what I had suspected. He was butchered in that surgery. Everything about it was wrong.
He has to have a huge amount of tissue removed. He has an infection that was getting worse by the minute. They actually suggested that I sue for malpractice (which none of them had ever suggested to anyone). They are turning the vet in to the licensing board.
Because I can't get ahold of anyone at the rescue this late, I had to agree to pay the bill which will be about $1600. The emergency vet is really working with me to save money and is going to allow me to make a payment plan (which has never happened either) so that I can try to raise the money through the rescue (or by suing the vet himself). They were really wonderful and I'm confident he is in good hands now.
His prognosis is very good. It will take about 5 hours of surgery, and they will let me know how it went when he is out. They will try to just keep him for one day to keep cost down, but told me to use every bit of that 24 hours and pick him up around 1am tomorrow if he's well enough.
Thanks again for all the help and for the wonderful resources.
Tessa
Here are some gruesome pictures. This one shows the whole wound. He has a large area that rotted out from the inside. By the time it made its way to the surface and his flesh tore away, the infected area was deep. Because of that, the vet is concerned that the area beneath the intact part is rotted away as well.
">at the vet
This is a closer look at the wound that is open. It started looking bad last night but it looked like he'd only lost one stitch and the red pusy part seemed to be mostly on the surface (like from scratching at it). And he was lethargic. This morning, it actually looked alot better. It was still oozing, but only a little and the fluid was clear or a little pink. The redness and swelling on the actual incision were both improved. There was no foul odor (and never had been). His energy and mood were so much better. I was supposed to take him for a follow up the next day, and it seemed like it could wait.
When I got home from work, I was horrified. It was gaping open, and I could see deep into it. Awful stuff was oozing out. It was apparent that the stitches didn't come out. His flesh just rotted away so they had nothing to hold on to. His energy and mood were good though. I immediately took him to the emergency vet. Foster dog or not, no animal should suffer and even though he seemed to feel fine, I knew he wouldn't for long. And he'd gone down hill so fast I knew it would probably be too late by morning. The vet said he would have lived another few days without intervention but it would have been too late to save him by morning.
If you look closely you can see that his stitches are still there.
">The nasty wound
I'm glad he's getting good veterinary care now and that they are committed to communicating with me about his after care and what to expect.
Thank you again for the help and support. I will update when he's out of surgery.
Tessa and Buddy
OH MY DAWG!!! Tessa... I am just shocked at that poor boys condition!
Ok.. I must breathe now... (hearing Sally's words in my head..) Postivite vibes to Buddy on a clean, easy recovery! good that he is in good capable hands now... phew.. and on the road to recovery... and much better care ahead... and kudos to the vet for working with you on paying on a plan. This shows that they are there for the care of your sweet boy.. and not just the dollars.
but.. don't let those jerks get away with this.... that is just terrible and Buddy should never have gone through that.. poor baby boy!
Yes.. I would suggest going forward with suing them... if you can get something in writing from your emergency vet to say what went wrong, etc. I would definitely proceed forward with suing them... they should be covering the cost of the care of fixing Buddy and getting him healthy!
But for now.. concentrate and getting that boy healed, recovered, and happy again...
Please let us know how the surgery went.. we are all praying for you guys.. and we are a pretty strong pack here.. so don't be concerned when you get hit with a whole bunch of cyber hugs at once!!
Christine.. with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Oh My God!!! I knew from your prior pictures in your other posting that things didn't look good and they turned even worse in these recent photos. You are truly Buddy's savior because I really believe he wouldn't have lasted much longer with an infection of that magnitude setting in. Thank goodness this emergency vet is willing to work with you financially which shows he's there for the animals not the dollars as Christine mentioned. That shelter vet needs to lose his license to practice for what he did to Buddy and I'm happy to hear the emergency vet is reporting him.
If you are seriously considering going the legal route for Buddy make sure to keep all the pictures you've taken of his incision site. And I'm sure the emergency vet would be more than happy to give you copies of Buddy's medical records and if he's prepare a letter that would be even better.
Buddy is so blessed to have found you because perhaps if it had been somebody else they may not have put the time, energy, and finances into trying to save him after he was butchered by that shelter vet. The bond you two will form after this will be unbelievable!
I will be keeping Buddy in my heart and sending up a prayer that this sweet boy has a safe surgery and can FINALLY get on the road to recovery!
Hugs
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Again, wow. I cannot believe how bad this looks. Tessa, you are truly a brave and wonderful person for taking this and on giving Buddy someone to count on.
It does sound worthwhile pursuing the other vet -between the poor quality surgery and post-op care, it sounds like malpractice. It's terrible what he put Buddy through. Please keep us updated on everything.
Oh, my.....I have no words......I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like this. Your poor, sweet Buddy, how brave a soul to have to suffer with this, and you for dealing with this awful situation for him. And wow, 5 hrs of surgery.....So glad you have a professional vet that will take care of this for Buddy
Keeping you and him in my thoughts today, and please keep us updated on him as well....
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew
B R E A T H E ....DEEP BREATHS......Oh, Imsaying this for me as well as you! My heart is just racing!!! GRRRR!
HOLY CRAP!!! This is a nightmare!!!
I ditto every single word everybody has said!!!
For now, focus on Buddy healing! As Sahana said, you ARE his Savior! My heart just breaks that he has ro go through this....and for y ou too! But I am sooooo glad he has you in his life....he deservest to be loved and spoiled and to have joy everyday! And you are the chosen one and clearly up for the task!!
This whole community is cheering for you and yes, sending you cyber hugs!!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))/)))))/))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Ohhhhh my DOG. No animal should ever have to go through a horrible situation like this. I have this urge to go hack that vet's leg off with my pocket knife. OMD did I just say that? I did. I'm mad. 
This is the worst amputation post-op pic we've ever seen here. I'm very, very sorry you are both going through this. Awful, just awful.
How is Buddy this morning? I'm glad you were able to update us. Sorry about the log-in problems.
I knew a vet like that in Northern CA, where we used to live. He was very volatile to work with. The rescues would all use his services but he was a very unpleasant person. But they'd put up with him because he practically gave away his services. Ugh.
Your ER vet is AHMAYZING for working with you like they are. They deserve a medal. The grumpy vet on the other hand, should be put in jail for animal cruelty and have his license revoked. And as for the rescue. ... I know their heart is in the right place, but it sure sounds like they need some serious help and are in over their heads. Are they aware of your bill?
The best thing you can do right now is help Buddy heal. Redirect your anger and turn it into energy toward helping him get better. Poor guy. I am really, really sorry. Keep us posted and let us know how we can help OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
A POCKET KNIFE...ON THE VET..TAKE OFF HIS LEG!!!! And if that knife slips a little and you slice off another appendage....
GRRRRRREAT PLAN!
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!
Such a wonderful idea Jerry with the pocket knife!!! I have no doubt many from this community would happily join in with the taking of the leg....or anything else for that matter. Every time I look at poor Buddy and that awful mess that that butcher left him with just pisses me off (sorry there's really no nicer way to put it) !!!!!!
This picture (along with the previous ones Tessa posted in her first posting) should be added to the gallery to indicate this is what your incision site is NOT to look like. I think it would be helpful as a quick reference for newcomers that aren't really sure if there's a problem or not. I know Tessa was trying to explain through words what she was seeing but sometimes it can be hard to understand the gravity without a visual. Plus sometimes when people aren't as technically gifted (I for one) in figuring out the lovely world of computers this would save precious time for somebody who may need to get their furbaby seen by a vet sooner rather than later.
Plus what better way for Buddy's horrible experience to be turned into a positive for somebody in the future.
Anyway, that's just my 2 cents.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
I know we all learn from pictures... and Sahana... although I agree with you that it should be in there.. my other side of me says... it just might scare people into NOT amputating, if you know what I mean.
Under no circumstance do I want to "hide" what has happened to poor buddy... but.. I just hope that it would scare someone into not doing the right thing... We would definiately have to stree that THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS!!!!
Now.. speaking of knives.. I am a scout leader.. and have many... anyone want to borrow one? I have pocket knives up to a very nice straight blade about 8 inches long that I wear on my hip when camping...
Of course, I could see this vet saying.. well.. he was too active after his amputation and that's why it pulled apart.... grrrrrr....Bastard!!!
I'm hoping Buddy is comfortable now... and on the road to an easy recovery for him... and Tessa!!!
Christine.. with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
You're completely right! If I had seen this before Tommy's amputation I wouldn't have done it. That being said...
I'm so upset I'm crying. How could anyone be so careless.. That doctor should not be allowed to keep working on animals ever again! It's just appalling!!
I don't even have any words.
Please add my outrage to the mix! Poor Buddy! I am so glad things are finally in a better place. You are a true rescue SAINT and Buddy is such a lucky pup to have ended up under your care. I hope the rescue will help you out.
Sending lots of healing vibes to Buddy and peaceful vibes to you,
xoxox,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
I'd call this vet a butcher but that would be unfair to butchers!
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Oh my Gosh...I can't believe that. Poor Buddy. I hope he is doing better. That just is horrible. Prayers. Add my outrage too and my wanting to do something with a pocket knife
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
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