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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Feel Like I made the wrong decision
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Member Since:
5 March 2009
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22 March 2009 - 9:22 pm
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I am almost at the end of week two with Winston's recovery, and I am not sure I made the right choice with the amputation.  It seems like this week is worse for mobility then last week.  The medicine kept him so out of it that he was close to completely dysfunctional to get around, just out of it trying tot hop in closets or the bathroom.  Getting him to eat has been a huge challenge, but one that  seems to be resolved with the slight decrease in pain meds.  The worst is when he tries to get up from laying down.  He can't sit at all, everytime he tries he just gives up and lays down.  So for 23 hours a day he is laying down and his three legs are stiff from that.  I have tried ice, and heat.  I just feel like I made him worse! 

Member Since:
26 November 2008
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22 March 2009 - 9:51 pm
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To Winston's Mom & Winston,

I am sure that for all of us who have gone down this path, we have had times that we question the decision to take this medical path.  However, I have stated many times that you know Winston better than anyone, and be assured that you did make the correct decision.  For us, the amputation and chemotherapy was the only path that would allow Cherry to have the quality of life that had defined her previous eleven years.  The alternatives were only extending a poor quality of life with extreme pain.

Having said this, I can totally sympathize with what you are going through just now including specifics about what you are seeing.  Things were really tough for the first six weeks (amputation and first two chemotherapy treatments) but slowly started improve from there.  February was nothing short of a great month for us and that was just weeks after the last Chemo treatment.  I saw the sparkle in the eyes, the inquisitive explorer, and a real zeal for life; all of which made the journey worthwhile.  I kept a journal of what was happening because, like you, the appetite and mobility were real problems.  The journal allowed me to make real assessments of progress or regress.  You can find that journal posted at http://home.com.....ryjourney/.  I also wrote down everything that Cherry ate so that I could to an accurate measurement.

Don't lose your courage, try to keep your attitude up while around Winston, and remember to treat their spirit as well as their body.  They need a purpose to recover.

Keep us posted, and all the positive thoughts we can send.

Bob & Cherry

Sacramento
Member Since:
2 March 2009
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22 March 2009 - 9:52 pm
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I'm sorry Winston's not doing better.  We were at a similar place last week with Montana.  She just had her amputation as well (March 3rd).  What helped her tremendously was an accupuncture and chiropractic treatement.  I can't say enough about how much it helped her.  There is a post somewhere on this board that shows you how to find a certified dog chiro in your area.  Maybe Admin or Jerry knows exactly where it is.  They say the first two weeks is the hardest and I know it was really hard for us.  I wish you the best of luck with Winston.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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22 March 2009 - 11:31 pm
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First things first: There are no wrong decisions here. If there is one thing Jerry taught is, it is to never regret. Winston is free of pain and will let you know how happy he is about  that soon.

It is still early in Winston's recovery, once he gets off the meds and starts to rebuild strength he'll be a completely different dog. What he needs most right now is rest, time to heal, and patience. Don't personify his healing process. In the wild, he would run off to be alone and heal quietly under some tree after such a major injury (surgery).

I know its terribly dificult to watch and wait, feeling hopeless. Believe me, we all know. Please try to remain a strong pack leader for him and take it one day at a time.

PS: What you're feeling is perfectly normal. You're not alone.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Orange County, CA
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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23 March 2009 - 12:41 am
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Winston's Mom, what you feel now is pretty normal, at least from my own personal experience.  We had Max's left front leg amputated 4 months ago.  We didn't see him getting back to "normal" until about Week 5.  That was the week he started to play with his sister again, play-bowing and even chasing.  I won't mince words with you:  the recovery period sucks.  There's no two ways about it.  I went back and forth by the hour as to whether or not I did the right thing for him, or just mutilated him.  At Week 5, I knew I absolutely made the right decision.  Things will change. 

For us, the first two weeks were him in pain and on all the medicines.  The next two weeks were him in slightly less pain, but now coming off all the medicines.  Trust me, it will get better.  You just have to give it some time.  Dogs are resilient.  Winston will get around fine on three legs, he'll start eating again, he'll be the "old" Winston you knew before all this happened.  You can see that for yourself by watching the videos of everyone's dogs here.  It's pretty amazing. 

Good luck to you, and keep us posted on Winston's recovery.

Diane & Max

Northern Indiana
Member Since:
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23 March 2009 - 9:43 am
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Diane & Max are right, "things will change". That is the hope to hang on to. I know when you are in the middle of post-amputation hell it is hard to believe it, but we have all walked in your shoes and want you to know to hang on during this rough period.

Paris and I send you hugs and licks.

Gineej & Paris

Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!

Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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23 March 2009 - 8:22 pm
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I suspect Winston isn't progressing as quickly as you had hoped for.  There are a lot of new amputees that are back to normal at the end of week two, but there are many that take longer.  It depends on the dog, they all heal on different timelines.  Trouble did amazingly well with the initial recovery period, but 4 months later she still will hardly play anymore.  And if she stumbles while playing, it's over.  Even though they adapt quickly, just like humans, it takes a while for a total heal - body and soul.

Hang in there, one day soon you will stop doubting your decision.

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.

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28 May 2008
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24 March 2009 - 12:50 pm
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Cherry said:

Don't lose your courage, try to keep your attitude up while around Winston, and remember to treat their spirit as well as their body.  They need a purpose to recover.


For me personally, my dogs MIRROR my emotions and mood - almost to a "tee" at this point. They have been with me 11 (Zeus) and 8 (years). If I'm stressed and showing it, they go and lay down on their beds and just look at me as if to say, "ok, mom - we're gonna just leave you alone and let us know when you're done". If I'm upset and sad and teary, they provide comfort, but I can see a sadness in their eyes too. When I'm happy and upbeat, they are prancing around, playing and always up and about and ready for a walk.

Winston IS recovering and think of the surgery that he just had - can you imagine? Not to mention the pain medicine that he's on (I know that when I've had to take pain medicine, all I do is sleep!). Zeus panted and was anxious the entire 2 weeks before he went off the pain meds and had the stitches removed...and yes, I had my regrets during that period too - so much that the first night/next day I had him home I spent a lot of time in the bathroom getting physically ill. What did I do to my baby? It was really, really difficult as we all realize.

Well, 11 months later (it will be one year on April 9th), he runs, he plays, we walk, he chews his sticks in the back yard, he chases his tail, he eats, he sleeps, he hangs out on the couch while I work out, he listens to me when I need to vent and he is still here to share his life with me and continues to be the teacher that he has always been for me. 

DON'T GIVE UP on Winston and yes...treat his spirit too...he will do what he needs to do to recover physically - dogs are intuitive that way, but you have to be pawsitive and upbeat and he will respond accordingly. It's hard, I KNOW...but really try to change the approach. You know, one more thing...when Zeus slips/trips and falls and gets up a looks and me like, "what's wrong with me?", I just say, "You're OK pal...come on, let's go" and just focus on something else. Works like a charm.

Hope this helps a little bit. You're in our thoughts and prayers - this is not an easy time, but you'll get through it and soon you'll be writing to tell us all about the crazy thing that he did!

xooxo

Much love

Heather and Zeus

Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together

Member Since:
13 January 2009
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26 March 2009 - 5:39 pm
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Hi Winston!

We've all been where you are at.  Trust me, the first 2 weeks of Shadow's amputation was probably the roughest 2 weeks ever in my life.  But it will get better.  Shadow didnt get back to resembling anything of his former self until around 3-4 weeks.  He is now almost 7 weeks post-amputation, and we are finally getting back to pre-amp Shadow.  Whatever you do, do not let this guilt you into thinking you made the wrong decision.  Stay pawsitive, and stay focused, and take charge.  It got worst for us before it got better. 

All dogs heal at their own pace, and the pain meds they are prescribed really do not help their mental state.  Shadow took alot longer than we thought as well, because he was always Mr. GO GO GO before his surgery.  After surgery, he laid around, looking sullen and defeated.  But as his pawrents, we had to find different, creative ways to stimulate him mentally and physically, so he wouldnt get too comfortable being his sullen-self.   Shadow would have trouble too, trying to get up by himself.  So instead of letting him give up, we used the towel sling they gave us, helped him up, and let him lead us to wherever/whatever he wanted to go do.  With our help, he was able to figure out his new body and what he had to do differently to get around.   They will need assistance the first few weeks, and once they are sure of themselves, they'll get around fine for the most part w/out our help.  But there will be some physical limitations that we must help them with (getting in/out of cars, stairs, etc).

Whatever you do, don't give up, and don't beat yourself up and second guess yourself about making the wrong decision. Winston will get there at his own pace.  You'll have to help him along some, but give it some time and you'll see!  There is some great advice in these forums, everybody here really has been pivotal to Shadow's recovery.  High paws to everybody here..we ruff you!!

Tina and Spirit Shadow

Portland (Lake Oswego), OR
Member Since:
19 July 2008
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26 March 2009 - 7:36 pm
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For me personally, my dogs MIRROR my emotions and mood - almost to a “tee” at this point. They have been with me 11 (Zeus) and 8 (years). If I'm stressed and showing it, they go and lay down on their beds and just look at me as if to say, “ok, mom - we're gonna just leave you alone and let us know when you're done”. If I'm upset and sad and teary, they provide comfort, but I can see a sadness in their eyes too. When I'm happy and upbeat, they are prancing around, playing and always up and about and ready for a walk.


I can't agree more with Heather and Zeus on this one!  Smokey follows my every mood change!  I know it's easier said than done with us providing our thoughts, but we'll be thinking good thoughts that Winston continues to improve.  We had a day where Smokey took a turn for the worse but the next day he was better than ever.  It definitely helped once he was off all those darn pain meds.

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28 March 2009 - 12:23 am
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Winston's Mom and Winston--

There's not much I can add to what people have posted, except I agree.  I spent 2 weeks in tears definitely and then still worrying constants after that.

My girl is almost 4 months most op, and I can honestly say I don't notice the leg gone.  Right after surgery, I was hating mysefl and losing it, but really, think about what happened to your baby. They have to recover, and they are going to do a damn better job at it than we would.

We took our girl off pain meds early because she was not doing well. (Puking, restless, whining, etc)  After we went of pain meds, she perked up, was happier, and SLEPT ALOT.  She preferred to be lucid and aching, I guess. 

It will be okay, think 'dog' and realize they need a 'cave' or private area.  Silence, rest. You'll read about massages, I highly recommend, it helped not only Tika, but me also, just talk  and lightly rub. 

Really, it will be okay.  You have got more time in the long run.   In reality, that's all that matters.

Take care, best wishes,

Kim and Tika

Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com

On The Road


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28 March 2009 - 11:25 am
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Well said, think more dog indeed and try to remain a strong pack leader for Winston.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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