Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 5 year old Lab mix Gunner was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in his front left wrist and they have recommended amputation. It has been an emotional roller coaster for the last week, making a decision on what is best. He is currently scheduled for surgery on Wednesday June 21st. I am so scared of what to expect after the surgery and how I am going to be able to take care of him, I am not sure that I can handle it.
To make matters even worse, I must go away on July 6th and I will be gone for a week. I do have a friend that is willing to stay at my house and watch him, but I can't leave if he is not feeling good.
My question is, what to expect after surgery, how hard it will be for him and for me. Also if that is enough time for Gunner to be doing well before I have to leave him with someone else. I know that every dog is very different, but wondering if someone can give me an idea of what to expect and how hard it is. I am just so scared
Hi Tori and Gunner, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm sorry about the diagnosis, I know it comes as such a shock. Gunner is a strong, young dog though and he should do just fine during recovery. Does he have any pre-existing conditions, like being overweight or other old injuries? If not it's more than likely he will have a typical recovery, which takes about 2 weeks give or take, before he starts acting like him old self.
The truth is, people take this way harder than animals. They don't care they're losing a leg, they just want to feel better. When that bad leg is gone, even the temporary pain of recovery isn't as bad as walking around with a slowly disintegrating bone. Gunner will likely surprise you and show you that he is much stronger than you ever thought.
It's up to you to be the strong pack leader and set the tone for recovery. Our animals reflect our emotions back to us. What you project, he will absorb and reflect right back to you. So the stronger and more positive you are the more he will be too. Animals tend to have harder, longer recoveries when their humans are not taking it as well as they should. Remember that you are doing this FOR him not TO him and he will soon start to be his old self again.
As for your upcoming trip, Gunner should be just fine. Are any slippery floors in your home covered with traction ? If not, now's the time to prep your house. Here's a Tripawds Shopping List for pre-surgery needs.
If you haven't already, check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books Library. That will give you so much information about what to expect, then you can share it with Gunner's caretaker. And stay tuned, others will chime in too!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Tori and Gunner.
My little Lab mix Junior is in his 3 day after amputation. He is very well and has a lot of energy.
About one week ago, i'm so scared too but in this community I found advices, answers for my questions and specially, a lot of support.
During the 24 hours of the day, you will find people who can help you with our experience, whether much or little.
Our best wishes to you and to Gunner.
Keep us informed and don't hesitate to
ask everything you need.
Hugs. Laura and Junior
Hi Tori! Many dogs start to really perk up once the staples come out, about day 10. The recovery is intense, but much quicker than something like cruciate repair. Your friend may still have to give some pain meds, but not round the clock. I left for my first biz trip about that same time - Otis had just had his first chemo, and he did just fine.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thank goodness for this site, hearing the positive thoughts and encouragement, is truly so important and helpful to me.
Gunner is in great condition health and weight wise. To be honest, Gunner is already acting like he has only 3 legs. He still runs up the stairs and jumps on the bed and couch, it's hard to believe he has cancer. I truly believe that he will do well after surgery, but being a squimish person, I am worried about what I will need to do for care.
I do have a few questions. First one is getting him home from the vet, will he be able to sit on my backseat in the car, or is that not going to work? Will he be able to manage the 3 stairs into the house after surgery? And finally, will he be able to go outside to the bathroom, making it down again a few stairs to the yard?
I have a tile floor in the kitchen and rug in the rest of the home. He doesn't slip now, but maybe I should get something for the kitchen area when he comes in from outside. Would anyone recommend a harness and if so, when should I begin to use it.
Any information is so crazy helpful! Thanks!!
torisullivan35 said
Thank goodness for this site, hearing the positive thoughts and encouragement, is truly so important and helpful to me.Gunner is in great condition health and weight wise. To be honest, Gunner is already acting like he has only 3 legs. He still runs up the stairs and jumps on the bed and couch, it's hard to believe he has cancer. I truly believe that he will do well after surgery, but being a squimish person, I am worried about what I will need to do for care.
I do have a few questions. First one is getting him home from the vet, will he be able to sit on my backseat in the car, or is that not going to work? Will he be able to manage the 3 stairs into the house after surgery? And finally, will he be able to go outside to the bathroom, making it down again a few stairs to the yard?
I have a tile floor in the kitchen and rug in the rest of the home. He doesn't slip now, but maybe I should get something for the kitchen area when he comes in from outside. Would anyone recommend a harness and if so, when should I begin to use it.
Any information is so crazy helpful! Thanks!!
Hi, Tori:
Glad you have found us! A few answers/suggestions.
A big yes on finding something to give him more traction on the kitchen floor. Rubber backed area rugs and runners, yoga mats and those link together squares of rubber floor covering you can get at the big box home improvement stores all work well.
Eventually you will want a harness and you should look at the Tripawds gear blogs for a sense of what might be best, but the Ruffwear Webmaster plus brush guard is very popular and well thought of. But more immediately, a harness could bother the incision and amputation site and you are better off with this clever DIY Sling Hack!
Most dogs will hop out of the hospital and some will need some assistance (sling). He will need to be able to lie somewhere comfortably on way home - back seat may work if it is a short drive and maybe if someone can sit back there with him to keep him calm?
He probably can handle the few steps with the sling - you don't want him to fall - but keep going up and down them infrequent in the beginning or carry him if you can. Sling helps with potty trips and maintaining balance.
My best advice, know what meds you are coming home with and the schedule and if you can tweak (increase or give more frequently) to manage pain proactively. Many come home with three pain meds to cover 3 modalities of pain management (and from my experience, this is frequently needed and leads to better recovery for many). Rimadyl, Tramadol and Gabapentin.
If you are having surgery soon, I think he should be past the tough points by July 6. But it can be a fair amount of work to maintain meds and support your Tripawd in the first few weeks. Many of us have been able to take time off or work from home to make it go smoother.
Let me also say very best luck for all of this for Gunner.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hi Tori. I'm from Colombia and i talk in spanish, but I hope that you understand me.
Junior had his surgery last wednesday in night. On Thursday morning the vet called me and told me that I could already pick up Junior. I was scared and i thought: it's so quickly. But when i arrived, Junior surprised me because He walked by himself. I think it's possible that Gunner sits on your backseat in the car, but I think it's important that a person goes with him in the backseat to prevent him from getting hurt.
Since the first day, Junior can down two stairs to go to the bathroom, but he may need some help and I think it's best to keep him from falling and then be afraid.
When he is recovered he will be able to use the stairs very well, but while he recovers it is not advisable to use them. It is more appropriate to have him confined in a small place to keep him from moving too much.
All these advices I give you from what I have seen with Junior, from what I have read and from tips that I have received from other members.
Hugs
Hey Gunner and Tori! Gunner sounds like quite a spunky fella who will handle three legs just fine! And so will you!!
You've gotten great advice from everyone!
And Junior's Mom....you express your experience perfectly!!
The onlynthing I will add is, when you do go pick Gunner up from surgery, don't pay any attention to his incision. All Gunner wants to seenis your smiling face telling him what a good boy he is and let's go home!!
And yes, as Pofi's mom said, I would try and find someone to drive sonyou could sit in the back seat with him.
Recovery is no picnic and you nay have some sleepless nights. My Happy Hannah was very restless and could not get comfortable for the first several nights.
As far as your vacation, yes, go!! You'll need to well earned rest and Gunner will be just fine! You'll most likely have all the meds workednout bynthen and he probably will be off most of them, if not all, by then.
Acclimate your friend to this site and our TRIPAWDS HELPLINE number. Of course, you'll leave Vet numbrr, etc. Is this a friend Gunner knows?
Gunner may not want to eat or poop the first couple of days. He does need to drink and pee though. Coating is tummy with some food is impotant.
Be sure and check out the "Shopping list" link Jerry gave you. Great info.
STAY CONNECTED! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! We understand how much you love Gunner and what a stressful time this is. And we also understand how happy you will be to see Gunner get his sparkle back and enjoy all the spoiling and loving and tummy rubs and extra treats je'll get because he'll be such a cute trilawd!!
And keepmlots of chocolate on ja d for yourself! 🙂
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!
I was stupid and didn't think about needing another pair of hands with Clyde when I picked him up. I did have enough functioning brain cells to pack the back seat with towels and a comforter - I wanted to completely fill the foot wells so he couldn't tumble into them. My vet is really close and he was just zonked out in the back. Getting him out of the car and into the house was not easy by myself, but we managed. If you have someone who can help, use that help.
Since then, I've gotten once of those seat covers that looks like a hammock for the back seat. It covers the foot wells and so even though Clyde is perfectly fine at balancing, just in case he turns the wrong way or whatever, he can't hurt himself. So if you do have to transport Gunner yourself, you might want to look into that.
I went the yoga mat route for the floors. Someone here said something like their house looked like a clown had thrown up in it because of all of the yoga mats. That's about right. All colors of the rainbow! I found really cheap ones at a store called Tuesday Morning - don't know if they have those where you are, but they were about $6 each.
Good luck!
Gunner had surgery today and they said it went well and was resting. I was told he had a pain medication that releases slowly over a period of 3 days. I can't remember the name, but I will get that tomorrow. I asked what types of mediation he would come home with and I was told tramadol and a anti inflamatory. Now from the reading I have done, that does not seem to be what most have come home with. Should I be concerned, or is this a case where the doctor knows best?
Also I was told Gunner should be ready to come home tomorrow and that makes me a bit nervous, it seems so soon. I am not good with this type of stuff and I would like them to keep him another night. How much care will he need the first day? Do they usually walk on their own? Will I need to change bandages or clean the incision?
Thank you for any information you can offer
Tori
While I think most people here were sent home with more meds, Rocky just got Tramadol, Deramaxx (an anti-inflammatory) and an antibiotic (the name escapes me at the moment) and he did fine. You can try what the vet gives you and if that isn't working for Gunner, don't hesitate to ask for something else.
Most dogs are up and walking by the next day. I don't think changing bandages or cleaning the incision is the norm, though you do want to keep it clean. My vet just had me give some warm compresses over the incision area.
One thing to be aware of, it's not uncommon for there to be a bit of a "crash" after 3-4 days when the hospital meds wear off. Rocky spend the first night in the hospital and did very well the first 3-4 days he was home, then had a couple of days where I could tell he wasn't really feeling all that great. But then he perked back up again.
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Hi Tori.
Junior and me are happy that Gunner did well in surgery.
Junior returned home 24 hours after surgery. He slept most of the day. In the days that followed, it was difficult for him to remain still. He walked alone from the first day, but it is important that there is always a person with him to help him in case he has problems and to avoid hurting the wound.
Any questions you have, do not hesitate to write.
Hugs. Junior and Laura
torisullivan35 said
Gunner had surgery today and they said it went well and was resting. I was told he had a pain medication that releases slowly over a period of 3 days. I can't remember the name, but I will get that tomorrow. I asked what types of mediation he would come home with and I was told tramadol and a anti inflamatory. Now from the reading I have done, that does not seem to be what most have come home with. Should I be concerned, or is this a case where the doctor knows best?Also I was told Gunner should be ready to come home tomorrow and that makes me a bit nervous, it seems so soon. I am not good with this type of stuff and I would like them to keep him another night. How much care will he need the first day? Do they usually walk on their own? Will I need to change bandages or clean the incision?
Thank you for any information you can offer
Tori
Hi Tori. I'm sorry you and Gunner are going through this difficult time. My Henry had his front right leg amputated on Tuesday morning, 06/20/17, due to mast cell tumors and came home that same evening. Trust me I feel you in regards to the nerves; I was sick to my stomach worried about how I was going to take care of Henry. Tuesday night was rough we both stayed up all night, but my mid-day Wednesday Henry was up and hopping along. I was given Quellin (anti-inflammatory), Cephalexin (antibiotic), and Tramadol. I'm also giving him Waldryl (generic Benadryl). You've probably read many times over how quickly our furry babies adapt. I was skeptical, but Henry has proven that to be true. I'll keep you and Gunner in our prayers and hope that his recovery is as swift as can be. Hugs - Henry & Waleska
torisullivan35 said
...a pain medication that releases slowly over a period of 3 days...tramadol and a anti inflamatory.
The Fentanyl patch, combined with the Tramadol and an NSAID (plus an antibiotic) is pretty customary and usually does the trick. Some vets prescribe Gabapentin as an additional nerve pain reliever to help with phantom limb pain, but this should be started before surgery to be most effective.
Check out our many pain management posts for tips to help determine if Gunner is ever in pain.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YAY!! SURGERY IS DONE AND GUNNER IS DOING WELL!!
Remember, we are all here for you PLUS you have the TRIPAWDS HELPLINE if you need some support or have questions. 1-844-TRIPAWD
When you go to pick Gunner up just ignore his incision! He needs to see you smiling and telling him what a good boy he is! 🙂 Put forth a strong and confident pa k leader energy. He needs to feel your confidence.
STAY CONNECTED!! 🙂 Update whennyou can!
Lots of 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!
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