Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Glad to hear surgery went well.sounds like you've gotten yourself in good shape for him coming home. First month is a lot of R&R for sure. Little steps, take one day at a time. Make sure you rest when you can also.
Good thoughts,
Esther and her Snoop
Thinking of you-so glad that everything went well.I can only echo what everyone else has said-focus on his sweet face-Lily hopped out to me wagging her tail:) You sound very prepared-runners are important--they are all over our house.Please keep us updated and get some rest before he comes home.
Sending hugs,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Yay..Wooly made it through surgery. It really does sound like you are prepared. You will feel better when he's back home with you.
Linda is right, the first couple of weeks can be a roller coaster but mostly that's from trying to get the right balance of pain meds. Keep in mind, these meds can make them act a bit wonky.
First big step is over with and Wooly won't have that awful leg pain any more.
Amy & Spirit Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Yay Wooly and Mama Wooly!!!! Step 1 - check. How sweet of you to bring his favorite food to the hospital! When he eats it he'll know for sure who brought it for him. I know he feels your immense love. Can't wait to hear how he is tomorrow. I sure hope he's strong enough to go home with you!
Cheering for you two. It's tough, no doubt, but it sounds like you're ready. He'll most likely be out of it for a couple of days due to drugs. Hang in there!
Claudia and Angel Jersey Girl
I called the vet's office at 9:30 this morning, to check on Wooly. The office mgr said he had eaten and they had taken him outside. She put me on hold to speak with the vet and came back on the line to say that Wooly could go home anytime today. I didn't get any specifics on his condition...did he just lay there, did he try to stand, how's his mood?? I was doing some last minute cleaning before leaving to get him and my eyes started tearing up again. All last night and this morning, the guilt is creeping in. Did I do enough to try to save his leg? Did I do the right thing for Wooly? Will he be able to walk? Will he be happy again? How long before the cancer causes more destruction? I read on here about a dog who only made it 39 days post amp and the parent still had no regrets. I'm not sure if I could feel that way. I think the guilt would just eat me up if Wooly had to go through this and didn't live much longer or was never happy again.
Joan, I'm amazed and happy for you and Lily...2+ years with osteosarcoma! Is your story posted somewhere?
Be strong. Remember, Wooly doesn't have regrets or anger about the situation, he just wants to feel better. He will look to you for leadership. Stay pawsitive, don't panic and truly believe with all your heart that he will be OK. He may be slow, dopey and a little out of it for a week or so but I'm going to bet that he will surprise you in a good way.
Good luck with your homecoming, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Its so so easy to second guess yourself - I TOTALLY get it. I second guessed my decisions for a long long time. Jill's cancer started in her toe, so we had her toe amputated first. The decision was left up to me after that whether or not to amputate her leg when we learned the diagnosis and that her margins were good - but there was still a CHANCE it could spread.
I decided not to amputate at that time and six months later it metastasized in her leg. I cannot tell you the guilt and horrific sadness I felt. I completely blamed myself. For a long time I couldn't make decisions about the next course of action, because I didn't trust myself. But what good did that do? That didn't and wouldn't help Jill.
It took me a long time (and sometimes I even look back and feel a twinge of guilt about it) to accept that fact that regretting and feeling guilty was going to get me nowhere on this journey. You have to follow where it will lead you and use your best judgement and follow your instincts.
In the meantime, love on up on Wooly - follow his lead, you never know where this journey will take you. I didnt think after the cancer had metastasized in Jill's leg she would still be here 16 months later, but she is and she's going strong. She doesn't regret, she doesn't know, so why should I?
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Thank you. Wooly has been strong through all of this, it's my turn to be strong for him. Without the amp being done sooner and not being able to handle the chemo, he has surpassed their expectations, he can continue to do so. I'd better get moving so I can bring my boy home.
Dorothy
Hi Dorothy
I'm so happy that Wooly is doing so well!! Please give him a big kiss from Lily and me. Everything that you're experiencing right now is so normal, and so many of us have been through all these emotions. I still "visit" them from time to time. You are being strong for your furbaby-you are there for him. The first few weeks can be difficult with some ups and downs--we are all there for you and any questions you may have.
I haven't posted Lily's story anywhere; I am teaching full time ( a year away from retirement), and I just haven't had the time--I don't know if it's possible to find my original posts and read through them-her journey has been recorded through my posts.
I do remember that after her December surgery I just kept praying that I would have her for the summer--I wanted to be home with her all summer. We have been so fortunate, and I don't regret anything.
Enjoy your furbaby's homecoming--he is so fortunate to have you.
Thinking of you,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
I just tried to find some old posts--I clicked on Lily's picture-then on Profile-then on Topics I have Started. Hopefully that helps
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
I'm so glad to hear that Wooly's surgery went well! I know where you are coming from with all the worry. But like everyone has said if you take it one day at a time it will all be ok! The first two weeks are hard, little sleep and lots of worry, but keep trucking on. Try not to dwell on the what-if's. I know it is SO hard. I sometimes find my mind wandering to what-if and what-next and how-long. But it gets us no where. We need to stay in the moment and allow our babies to have the best of whatever time we have with them. Wooly will adjust and so will you! Remember to look into those eyes and smile, because when you are happy and worry free... so is Wooly. Keep us posted!
Praying for a smooth first night home <3
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
Wooly's first night home wasn't the best. He had some coughing. Is that normal, from the tube during surgery?? He also had an accident, which has only happened a couple of times before. I think he got up on his own, took a few steps and fell and decided to stay there, in his urine. Poor guy. He has gotten up on his own a few times, is able to hop around for a few feet, then either trips or gets tired and goes down. I have a sling to help keep him upright but he doesn't like it. He hates to be picked up, always has, so I'm not sure if he's thinking that I'm going to pick him up with it or if it's just annoying to him. I'm not sure how much I should let him try on his own, I don't want him to fall and hurt himself. The wound isn't bandaged and it's draining so anything loose is sticking to it, like hair on fuzzies from his bedding. Should I clean it with something? The vet didn't give me any instructions on that, just said to expect swelling and drainage. Any suggestions would be appreciated by me and my handsome boy.
Most Tripawds have a rough first couple of nights, I'm so sorry Wooly is.
I would assume the coughing is from the tube but keep an eye on that and let your vet know if it continues.
Don't expect him to do much walking right now. Especially at his age, the recovery period is exhausting. He will get there but be patient. Setting down some pee pads will help if he has another accident (not too unusual so don't panic).
If he doesn't like the sling then wait to see how much help he does or doesn't want. It's a fine line between being helpful and babying too much. He sounds like an independent dog who wants to try things alone. You can prevent any slips or falls by ensuring he has plenty of carpeted areas to walk on at his favorite spots and on his way to go potty.
As for the incision, here's a post about how to care for it.
Amputation Wound Care for Post-Surgery Dogs
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Dorothy,
I'm glad Wooly's surgery went well. Maggie the Tri pug could hop on her own the first day, but she was a rear amp. She fell quite a bit at first but usually only into a sit, but she did get discouraged so I really had to be a cheerleader. She would not move if I put anything around her body so no sling for us.
Is Wooly a front amp? I'm sorry I don't remember. If so you might put a tee shirt on him to catch drips and keep the area clean.
My pugs have all coughed after surgeries, for a day or two. But do keep an eye on it and let the vet know if it continues.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I'm sorry you had a rough first night. The first 2 weeks are such a roller coaster! Cody hopped around pretty well... but did take a few spills going potty and even ate laying down for a couple days. We didn't let him do anything besides walk to the water bowl and go out to potty. We even confined him to the living room so he didn't have anywhere to go. They needs lots of rest during this recovery time. Let him try to walk and give him the space to experiment... that was SO hard for us. Also.. try the T-shirt idea for the wound that way things aren't sticking to it. We were sent home with bandages to keep it covered so we never had to use a shirt but lots of other tripawds have done that and have had success. Cody also hated the sling... we tried once but it really wasn't worth it because he disliked it so much. Hang in there. Its so hard the first days... we are all here for yoU!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
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