Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Some of you may have seem my other posts; my 8 year old black lab was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma stage 1 in his right rear leg. Because of the low risk of mets (and confirmation through multiple CT scans that none currently exist), we were given surgery or radiation as optional treatments. We were clear about surgery until we found out that the tumor could not be removed with sufficient margins due to its location, and therefore the only surgical option was amputation. We researched conventional and sterotactic radiation, but ultimately determined that siince Ajax in in otherwise perfect medical and orthopedic health, amputation was the "gold standard" of treatment. It was a particularly difficult decision especially since the leg had not been hurting him, though this weekend after a bunch of running and playing he finally seemed to favor it, which made us feel slightly better about the decision.
Anyway, I've reviewed all the "what to expect" info here but have some questions:
1. Our vet doesn't bandage. We live in the middle of NYC, and thus there is no private place for him to go out. Have others had this experience? Did you worry about the gory scar upsetting people?
2. Our vet insists he should be walking around the block in 2 weeks. Is this really realistic? When, for example, can I expect to be able to take him on a short road trip to a friends suburban house?
3. When can we expect to feel comfortable leaving him with his (incredibly competent and trusted) dog walker (who has known him since he was 9 weeks old)? I only ask this because we have 3 (uggh) important weddings coming up Labor Day and in the fall.
4. DId anyone else feel that this was surreal when they dropped off their dog? he ran and swam in the ocean all weekend, and I just dropped him off and can't quite get my head around the fact that I am asking them to remove a limb ...
First, let me assure you - you are not the first one to have all the questions running through your head. You WILL begin to settle once you have Ajax home. Life starts to return to normal and that overwhelmed feeling eases off.
I wouldn't worry about the wound and what people think. Simply explain it is how you chose to save his life if you must explain at all. The other thing many of us did was put a t-shirt on him. It protects the wound from outside dirt and grime. Trouble always insisted on laying on her incision and I was paranoid about it getting dirty.
I'm thinking two weeks is pushing it a bit for a two block walk, but maybe it depends on how athletic the dog is prior to surgery. Trouble has never developed a large amount of stamina, but then again she is almost 12. We let her take things at her own pace.
I would be comfortable leaving him anytime with someone who has been educated on what to expect. Within days he will be moving about on his own. They need some special care during recovery, but overall they are the same dog as they were before.
It is sureal to leave them to be altered. The adjustment is harder for humans than for dogs. For Trouble, it was really important that WE were ok with her new look. As soon as she knew we accepted it, she never looked back.
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.
oh thank you. I think the super-rosy picture the surgeon is painting is making me fear the worst (perverse, I know). I'll keep everyone posted.
Sorry to hear about Ajax. Amputation is such a difficult decision. Catie's right front leg was amputated on January 13 of this year so I don't have experience with rear leg amputees. We were able to keep a t-shirt over Catie's incision for the first couple weeks however.
I've always found it hard to leave my dogs at any time for extended periods of time, even before Catie's diagnosis and surgery, so I appreciate your concern about leaving Ajax. It does sound like you have an exceptional caregiver however. Ajax should be feeling way more himself by Labour Day and will be past the two-week post-op recovery period. You will no doubt be amazed at his resilience from day one. 🙂
I'm leaving most of your queries for others with way more wisdom than I have but will say that yes, the day of surgery was surreal. So many complex emotions hammered me all at once: anxiety over the outcome of the surgery; fear over Catie's recovery and adaptation to life with three limbs; guilt; helplessness; sorrow that this awful disease had happened to her. Surreal? Yes indeed. I completely understand too well what you must be feeling. It sucks.
I'll be thinking of you and Ajax today and sending many, many positive healing thoughts for both of you. Ajax, I'm sure, is in very capable hands. Hold on to good thoughts and remember to breathe.
Hang in there.
Carmen
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
kazy55 said:
1. Our vet doesn't bandage. We live in the middle of NYC, and thus there is no private place for him to go out...
2. Our vet insists he should be walking around the block in 2 weeks. Is this really realistic? ...3. When can we expect to feel comfortable leaving him with his (incredibly competent and trusted) dog walker ...
4. DId anyone else feel that this was surreal when they dropped off their dog?
1. Why care what other people think? Ajax will where his wound like a badge of honor. Follow his lead. The vets who do bandage, usually do it more for the people than the dog. The incision needs to breathe to heal cleanly and quickly. Using a T-shirt, however, can help keep the site clean and avoid licking.
2. How long is a walk around the block? Don't push Ajax. Allow him to heal at his own speed and focus on lots of core strengthening exercises, stretches and mobility the first few weeks.
3. Depends on his healing progress. But there's now reason why you shouldn't be able trust him with your walker anytime. Though if Ajax gets walked en-masse with other dogs, we might request some one-on-one walks for a while.
4. Surreal for sure. We hiked about 12 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail with Jerry just a few weeks before his amputation. But remember, all dogs know is now.
Best wishes to Ajax for a perfect procedure and quick, complete recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dropping Ruthie off that day was unreal. And I was so anxious on the day I brought her home, so scared about what I would see. But when she walked into the waiting room I was just happy to see her!
You are lucky to have a dog walker you trust so much and knows Ajax so well. Labor Day is weeks away and Ajax should be well on his way to independence by then...it's suprising how fast they recover from what WE perceive as a horrible thing.
Don't worry about what people may think or say, but mention the word cancer and you may find people will completely understand. But does anyone in NYC actually look at anyone else to even notice? (joke).
My prayers are with you today,
Spirit Ruthie's Mom
Pat
Thanks everyone, this is helping. And believe it or not, the answer to "does anyone in NYC actually look" is a resounding "yes" - ESPECIALLY at dogs. It's the only unconditional love anyone gets in this town .... j/k. When Ajax had a tshirt on for 2 weeks following removal of a benign thymoma in his chest , I think 85% of the people we walked by on the street commented ....
Jerry I'm going to look at the link - I keep asking my surgeon about exercises and she says no need to do anything, but I'm not buying it ....
kazy55 said:
I keep asking my surgeon about exercises and she says no need to do anything ....
May she should watch our video interview with Dr Waldman from Cal Animal Rehab!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
kazy55 said:
I keep asking my surgeon about exercises and she says no need to do anything, but I'm not buying it ....
Canine rehabilitation / physical therapy is such a new field, I'm not surprised to hear this. But we have met with several board certified PT experts in the last year and they all advocate for supervised, low-impact exercises as a way to help Tripawds cope better and stay strong.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
"supervised, low impact activities" - like swimming (of course the best if you have a place))? I can't think what else is low impact. I watched the CARE videos, but that was mostly stretching. I tried those stretches on Ajax pre-surgery and he was less than cooperative. I actually got him to stretch more by immitating me in down dog than by manipulating his limbs ... wonder what Dr. Waldman would say to that, other than of course acknowledging that I have a furry genious.
kazy55 said:
I can't think what else is low impact.
Check out Maggie's core strengthening exercises using the FitPaws Balance Pads and Discs. You can also use sofa cushions for the unstable surface work Dr. Waldman recommends. She also suggests lots of "transitions" – sit, down, up, repeat – and bends from side to side (reaching for treats). See another example of these exercises in Wyatt's recent homemade Booja Board dog exercise video.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I love it. Am ordering the fitpaws disk asap. I think it will be great practice in the hallway, as the NYC streets are anything but smooth and even ...
First of all, what a beautiful boy! I'm sorry that you are faced with this but you have come to the right place. I found your comment funny and so true about NY: ....Dogs. It's the only unconditional love anyone gets in this town ….
You've already gotten some great feedback here but just wanted to add that having your petsitter visit with Ajax or spend time with him even during his recovery would be a great thing for him, especially to lift his spirits. The first 2 weeks of recovery can be pretty tough and it seemed that when my petsitter came to visit during this time, it really boosted Mackenzie's spirits- she was so happy to see her. So don't worry too much about leaving him when you have to go away either, especially since they have this strong bond already.
What you are going through is totally surreal and completely overwhelming, not to mention stressful and difficult....especially when the day comes that you drop Ajax off at the vets. I remember oh so well that look Mackenzie gave me when I walked her into the back and then had to say goodbye. Only to be the last time I see her with 4 legs. But hey, when she came out hopping on 3 the next day, I was ectastic because she was alive and I could care less about that 4th leg. So you will likely go through a rollercoaster of emotions but that's because we love our dogs so much.
We'll be keeping our paws crossed that Ajax does great! Good luck with everything! 
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
I am sorry to hear about Ajax. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
My Ronnie was daignosed this past April and I was devistated. The doctor may as well have told me I had the cancer and amputation. Coming here was the best therapy for me. Everyone here was fantastic and I can not thank them enough. The one peice of advice I received from Jerry was to expect a three legged dog. I read the words but didnt really expect it until I saw Ronnie. She healed faster than anyone expected and the day I picked her up after amputation, she jumped in the back of my SUV while the vet techs were figuring out how to lift her. That's my girl! All dogs are different but they do live in the now.....Hang in there and be sure to come back here for support, you will receive it.
God bless Ajax and family.......
Laurie, Ronnie's mom
Ronnie Smith, born July 13 2000. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 4/2010. Right front leg amputation 4/2010. Cancer returned after 4 rounds of chemo July 2010. Reunited with her amputated leg 7/21/2010. God bless my baby girl.
lauriesmith said:
Coming here was the best therapy for me. Everyone here was fantastic and I can not thank them enough.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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