Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
We have a vacation coming in October. We planned this unique trip with friends back in January when Milo had 4 legs and no cancer. We've never done a trip like this and have already put many thousands of dollars into it and can't just shift to another time. Come Christmas time, we'll be facing another travel demand when we do our once-a-year family visit.
What to do with Milo? He is so lovable and easy that we've never had a problem finding someone to keep him when we're gone, and he's never been in a kennel. But he's never had cancer before. We're not doing chemo. His amputation was 6.5 weeks ago. Our vacation will be 3 months post-amputation. There is a very real chance he could take a sudden turn for the worse while we're gone, and maybe even need to say goodbye. I've seen where dogs are fine one day, and gone 2 days later. I don't think most of the people we usually leave him with are up-to-the-task of having a possible end-of-life situation. I know this all sounds a bit harsh, but I need to face reality.
I will talk to my sister-in-law and her husband today. They have never had a dog, but keep him regularly, and love Milo completely and I would trust them to spoil him,watch him, and do right by him. But there is a real chance they won't want to take him. My sister-in-law may not want to take the chance of having her daughters see Milo pass. If she says "no", what can be my Plan B? Is there a Plan B? Or do I push her hard to say "yes"?
Hopefully, Milo is doing great come late-October and this is all worry for nothing. But I'd be foolish to not be planning.
Thanks for any advice.
Jenifer & Milo
I was in a similar situation with my cat Mona in 2014. I was gone for a month and could not be contacted for most of that time.
My cat sitter is a young woman and I discussed the situation with her and her mom. I discussed it with my vet and gave the cat sitter the authority to make healthcare decisions for Mona and to spend the money (I left my credit card info with the vet).
Perhaps having a conversation with Milo's vet will put your mind at ease so you can enjoy your vacation.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
I know it's hard not to jump ahead and think of all the what ifs. That's good to cover your bases, it can't hurt. Here's a GREAT article a friend of ours wrote that will help give you some pointers to put your mind at ease:
Tips for Finding a Pet Sitter for Your Special Needs Animal
Where are you going? I'm nosy and it sounds exciting!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi, Jenifer:
You are wise to be thinking about contingency planning, etc. Better prepared than leaving this all to chance. One thing I would do is inquire about what medical boarding is available in your area - just to have that as an emergency back up. Then perhaps if your SIL is willing to take Milo, she knows she has an option if things took a bad turn where he could get the support he needed.
Second, you might plan on a health check the week before you leave to give anyone who is caring for Milo a baseline and some reassurance and comfort in terms of how he is doing at that time.
I always leave my pet sitters with a letter authorizing use of my credit card for emergency care - including euthanasia - even when everyone is healthy. Copy of the card front and back, copy of my driver's license. I leave phone numbers and addresses of regular clinic and e-vets. In a case like this, I would probably even call the clinics to let them know someone other than me could call or come in with my dog - have them put info in his file so there is less confusion.
Hoping, of course, Milo will need none of this. And for your sake and Milo's, I hope your SIL is not too intimidated by this and is able to take him in.
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.
We normally have my adult son or our groomer (who will dog-sit in her home) watch them for us. We actually had a situation while we were on vacation and the dogs were at the groomer's house. She called & said that Taz was acting funny, but wasn't sure is something was wrong. We were a full day's drive away, so I had to trust her ...I told her to do what she felt would be right. So she took him in to my vet. Luckily I have been going to the same vet forever and he knew us. With just a phone call to me for permission he did x-rays, blood work and medicated him, then sent him home with Mindy. He knew that I would take care of the bill when we got home. I had a bad feeling, so we packed up and started driving. However, we just didn't make it back in time. It turned out that Taz had large tumors in his liver & spleen. It was probably better that we didn't make it, because he was my baby and I would have done anything to save him - probably more than he could have handled.
Since Murphy's had his surgery, I worry every time I start to make plans. A few month in the future always seems so far in the distance. Luckily, I still have my son or my groomer available, and my vet is still practicing. I hadn't thought about keeping a copy of my credit card with him, though. I've never thought to put my dogs in a kennel, either, I feel like that would be too stressful for them, so that's never been an option.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank you for all the great advice. So much that I didn't think of, but that makes sense. Hopefully, my sister-in-law will say yes. I sent an email tonight so she can think about it before we talk to her. That's her style -- very practical -- but that's also why we think she and her husband are the best choice. Sort of like choosing god-parents or guardians for the kids, which she actually was for some of ours.
The trip is to Turks and Caicos. We are renting a private, waterfront villa with good friends. We vacationed with them once before when we still had kids in high school, but now we're both empty-nesters. Our vacation styles are well-matched. For the first time in 24 years, our vacation time is not determined by the school vacation schedule. Plus, we're going somewhere for us. We have kids in Colorado, Florida, southern Virginia, and DC (and one local in Massachusetts), so most of our vacation time is traveling to see our kids for long weekends, or once a year to see my family. This is pure beach time and food and drinks with friends.
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
Ooooooh! We're gonna be stowaways in your luggage!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
For what it is worth, I was thinking the exact same thing every time I left Otis to go on a business trip - what if something happens while I am gone? Part of me just wanted to quit work and stay at home with him full time.
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.
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