Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi All,
I am so happy to have found this online community for our upcoming adventure with our sweet boy, Pablo. As noted in the title, Pablo is a 12 year old Pit Bull/Mastiff mix who weighs about 80 pounds and is an absolute angel, you know..one of those once in a lifetime type dogs. He lives with 3 teacup chihuahuas (yes, you read that right!) 
and he loves them all to pieces. You can often find them spooning or even find a "chi" hanging out on top of Pabs! We are sad about his diagnoses but feel lucky to be able to do anything we can for him. Going into this we weren't sure if amputating his leg was even fair to do to him.
We have had an interesting 5 weeks with our big man. On May 2nd we went to a vet (while traveling for work out of town) because Pablo had a tooth root infection and needed antibiotics before we could get him home to have the dental surgery. The vet felt around in his stomach and felt an odd mass. Upon arriving home he went to our normal practice and ended up in surgery that same night having a splenectomy, also removing a 7 pound mass filled with inflammatory fluid that was miraculously benign. Fast forward to two weeks later when Pabs (still recovering from surgery) was outside (walking and going to the bathroom) and came back on three legs (with a history of some hind end lameness). After a bone biopsy, it is confirmed to be Osteosarcoma in the right hind leg. Chest X-rays are clear and amputation (and chemotherapy) seem to be the next step. We are scheduled for Monday and want to be as prepared to help our guy as possible.
He has been on Rimadyl and Gabapentin since this all started and the surgeon said they would continue to use those meds post operatively with the addition of an antibiotic. I also have him on Cannagurt, a freeze dried goats milk & hemp seed oil liquid that seems to really have helped him be comfortable, in fact he isn't three legged anymore but has been using the right hind again, with a limp. They will do the amputation at the hip joint and will likely keep him for a few days in the hospital. He advised me to get some yoga mats to assist him on the hard wood & tile floors that we have in our house. He also recommended him sleeping downstairs (away from the chi's) for the first couple weeks until the staples are removed, which I think means setting up a human bed downstairs too! I really feel like he will do great with the surgery and the dramatic change to his everyday life. There is no question that he is strong willed and happy as can be. I admire his spirit.
I feel like I have exhausted my questions for the surgeon but are there any pieces of advice anyone can give pre operatively? Have I forgotten anything? Probably! My head is spinning with all of this! Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated!
With Gratitude,
Rachel & Pablo
Can't figure out how to post photo's to show you Mr. Pablo!
pabbywasabi said
are there any pieces of advice anyone can give...
Can't figure out how to post photo's to show you Mr. Pablo!
Sorry to hear about Pablo, but you've come to the right place for lots of help and plenty of support from others.
Start here for lots of helpful links (and an e-book coupon) if you ever need help navigating the many resources Tripawds has to offer.
Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you don't already share photos online somewhere, you can start a free Tripawds blog any time and upload them there. Need further help? Post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Best wishes, please keep us posted! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome and sorry your journey brings you here! Pablo has shown already what a fighter he is! I see admin has given you the links to help you in your journey so a lot is covered in those. I also read a lot of the recovery stories on here ahead of Max's amp. Those too helped me prepare ahead of time. I learned very early in our journey the Be More Dog part of this. Just take one day at a time and don't worry about tomorrow. I learned Max was taking his cues from us. If we panicked so did he and if we stayed calm and acted like all was normal so did he. We'll all be here for support when and if you need it. Will be sending pawsitive thoughts and prayers to you both for Monday. Keeps us posted when you can. The first week is intense but you'll soon find a rythmn that works for you guys. Sending you and handsome Pablo hugs!
Pablo and family, you have a terrific attitude! Never feel like you've asked too many questions of your vet, or us. The more you can put your mind at ease the better recovery time will go. Write things down as they pop into your head so you don't forget to ask.
Your vet's tips are spot on. Sounds like they might have a Tripawd at home? Yes, traction is key. Also, you want to make sure you know exactly what pain medication Pablo will come home with, and what potential side effects may occur. Ideally new Tripawds come home with an antibiotic, a non-steroidal like Metacam, a Fentanyl patch, Gabapentin and Tramadol. I know that sounds like a lot, but the more you can keep on top of the pain and prevent it from happening, the better off Pablo will be. Stay current with the medication schedule and never hesitate to call your vet if you suspect he needs an adjustment.
This will be a long week as you lead up to the big day, but as long as you prepare yourself and your home over the next few days you'll do fine. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Rachel and the very, very handsome Pablo!! Can't wait to see more pictures of the smoochable face and his "Teacup" pals!
You two jave jad quite a few rough weeks! Wow! What a roller coaster ride! Nope, not the diagnosis anyone wants to hear, but you are doing exactly what needs to be done to get rid of that vum leg! You are giving Pablo a chance at a pain free life and more spoiling and loving and tummy rubs than you ever imagined possible!
You are doing an EXCELLENT job of preparing for surgery and getting everything in order. You have great positive e ergy and that will help Pablo stay calm and confident during recovery. You already jave great links to read up on and good input.
When you dompick Pablonup after surgery, just ig ore his incision. He just wants to see you smile and tell him what a good boy he is! 🙂
Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. It can take larger dogs a bit longer to recover sometimes and t oget their mobility worked out. He may be off food for a few days and may not poop for a few days. Drinking and peeing are important though.
STAY CONNECTED and let us know how we can hep or any questions you may have, okay? You're already ahead kc the game with yiur attitude! 🙂
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!
Hi Guys!
Thank you so much for your responses. Well, we did it! Surgery went well and Pablo handled it as well as could be expected. My husband John and I went to see him late last night after he was fully recovered and honestly it was rough. We had to remind each other of the "Be More Dog " mentality.
I was frustrated because to me he seemed pained. While we were waiting to be brought back we heard him yelp loudly and when I asked the tech if that was him, (knowing full well that it was) I was told it was a reaction to taking blood to check some levels. Shouldn't he have been drugged up enough to not be bothered by a needle stick? During our visit he exhibited some trembling as well as some excessive panting. I spoke with the nurse and asked what he was currently receiving and voiced that I felt it wasn't cutting it. I was told that they had stopped the Fentanyl because he was becoming too euphoric. I tried to be nice about it but asked that they make sure his pain management wasn't falling below his therapeutic threshold because I thought that it was.
Leaving him was impossibly hard but upon returning home, I logged on here and just read, read, read. I wanted to be prepared and ready to speak with his surgeon this morning, particularly about the pain management . During our conversation he told me that those signs he exhibited were probably due to too much medication and not too little medication, this made me confused and I truly hope it was from too much, the last thing I want for Pablo is to be in pain!! Does anyone have thoughts on this? I have insisted that he comes home on Gabapentin, Rimadyl and Tramadol for pain as well as the antibiotic.
My visit with him today was great. He WALKED to a patient room so we could hang, just the two of us. He seemed pretty sturdy on his feet, he has a urine catheter in still and he also did some more excessive panting but really did well other than that and even on slippery floors! The nurse was trying to coerse him into the room but he wasn't having it, until I walked in in front of him, then he practically ran in. That made my heart happy. I gave him a bunch of birthday cake flavored treats (that smell so good, i'm surprised I haven't tried one yet) and he was tooting up a storm, that's my boy!! 
He laid down pretty quickly into our visit and stayed down until it was time to go. It was even harder leaving him today and he made it clear that he wanted to come home with me! The plan was to start switching him from IV meds to oral meds overnight and if all continues to go well, he should be coming home tomorrow.
I have a couple more mats to get in the morning so that we are covered in the slippery floor department, I am going to set up a doggie play pen thing for him inside, so the little ones can't mess with him too much. Although, our littlest Chihuahua "Crook" has been super bummed without Pablo here, each time I have come home from a visit he smells me like crazy, we often call him "Mini Pabs" they look alike and just love each other.
I tried to find a cooling bed and a heating pad made for dogs but failed on both accounts. I think I could use human versions and make them work. I also am a huge proponent of a company called Back On Track that uses ceramic heat therapy. I use the products on my horses, myself and on my dogs. I am a huge believer. I ordered him the front and hock dog boots (although I have a right hind I can't use, if anybody wants one!) We also have the blankets (to which our dogs always gravitate to on their own) that he can lay on if he wants. I ordered the Webmaster harness which should arrive tomorrow. We have an elevated water bowl and are working on the food bowl, but Pabs will totally eat laying down too, which may help in the short run. I am hoping he doesn't develop a seroma , is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening?
Anything I am missing? I am so sorry for the novel!!! 
If you made it through all of that, thank you!!!
Rachel & Pablo
Today's visit
PABLO IS SOOOO OF HANDSOME!! His face is soooo smoochable😚
And applause to you👏👏 for standing strong about pain Medication! And yeah, the patch can make them whacky. The Tram and Gababentin should work well rogether And yeah, I would think he would be drugged enough that he would not have felt a needle Draw!
Zero as can develop even with the best of care. Sometimes too much activity can increase the chances. Check with your Bet, but light...very light massages around the incision and alternating warm and cold compresses may help. But, again, check with your Bet on correct procedures My Happy Hannah had quite a large fluid pocket that eventually was reassured. Generally it's not a big deal if it happens. So edited a drain is us3d if necessary.
You're a GREAT ADVOCATE for your ADORABLE boy! You'll do ju still Fine!
STAY CONNECTED! YOU ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB!
Lots of hugs! Can't wait for homecoming pictures!,
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'm super happy he made it through surgery! What a smoochy face, I love him 🙂
During our conversation he told me that those signs he exhibited were probably due to too much medication and not too little medication, this made me confused and I truly hope it was from too much, the last thing I want for Pablo is to be in pain!! Does anyone have thoughts on this?
Could very well be. There's a fine line and sometimes it's tricky to determine. There's only one way to find out and it's by adjusting dosages. Your vet's decision sounds reasonable to me but if he gets home and is still antsy let them know. I love that you are such a great, confident advocate for Pablo's needs.
I am hoping he doesn't develop a seroma , is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening?
Don't worry. They're usually harmless and subside on their own. But yes you can do something to prevent one, and it's by minimizing the activity level. Keep him calm and confined to a small space in your home so he doesn't move around too much.
You're doing terrific, hang in there! I hope you have a great reunion with your sweet ol' doggie.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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