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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Ohhhh my gosh I'm so sorry. You are doing so much for this sweet pup, it's clear you love him so much. What a great life you've given him, it was fate that brought him to you.
With his current health situation in mind, is there any chance you'll be able to take him to get a second opinion from a rehab vet? Many times dogs can start walking again with therapy, depending on the diagnosis, but it takes dedication and of course financial resources . Is there any chance your wife might be agreeable to a second opinion?
I hope tomorrow brings improvement, we all do. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We have one of the best rehab guys in the business here but since Cooper has gone even more downhill since yesterday not sure I can get him in a car. Just moving his head to a pillow a few minutes ago he cried. I was able to roll him over and he did not cry. They want us to get him up every few hours but thats not happening today. I wonder if we over did it getting up his ramp yesterday to car. Just so crazy how we walked good for two weeks post surgery and now cant walk at all. I think I can get by a few more days with the wife but hes going to pretty much be wetting and pooping himself at the moment. Just praying these meds kick in enough to get him back to vet for xray or physical therapy.
I would call the rehab vet to see if they'll come out. Many times vets will do things like this, so many have a heart of gold and go above and beyond in situations like this.
Hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
That is a lot of prednisone! I hate to say it but that kind of pain is usually neurologic and if the pred is not helping then I would suspect cancer metastasis to the spine or possibly an inflamed disc in the neck and/or back. Mastiffs are also prone to Wobblers disease which is a vertebral malformation seen in middle aged dogs.
If he is not getting pain relief from Tramadol and pred then you are usually looking at surgery which can only be determined by an MRI. My Mastiff Tazzie was doing great then suddenly had one off day with a little rear leg weakness which progressed to pain and inability to stand. It was very difficult to watch. You would not be wrong to consider euthanasia if he is not better by tomorrow.
I am so sorry! You are a great person for rescuing him and giving him a chance with amputation but sometimes this cancer is quite aggressive.
pam
Online
We are all hoping for improvement. Regardless, whatever happens, Cooper now knows what love feels like, what it feels like to be cared for and to be part of a family. You have given Cooper joy and happiness. You have made Cooper's life whole and complete. He waited all those years for you so he could be loved. I hope you can take comfort in that.
Love to all
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 really want to thank all of you on this site for your support. Unfortunately we had Cooper put down at our house this afternoon. He was not responding to even the highest amount of pain meds and predinsone. We tried Cephalexin at the end too. He cried everytime we moved him the last two days. The worst was today I left the room to get some good sleep in a bed around 5am. (been on couch almost 30 days) I came back at 6am and he had pooped and got it all over himself. I was able to get him outside to wash him off but he cried the whole way and all the dogs in our neighborhood chimed in. Once I got him inside we made the decision. We talked with our vet first and she agreed. What if there was something else going on? would we put him through a surgery or other options. I am upset that he did so well after surgery but took a turn for the worse. We could not see him be in this pain any longer and it was a really tough decision. I stayed by him the whole time. I really love all the supportive comments and helpful advice along the way from this website. I will direct anyone in the same situation to your site here. I will also be making a donation soon.
Thanks everyone,
Cooper and Jason his owner
Pam,
Maybe it was inflamed disc in the neck and/or back. It started as his back at the end he cried when we moved his neck. I would think with all of those meds like tramadol, gabepentin, prednisone, that he wouldnt have got worse. He was diagnosed in January and were now in May which is about the average or longer for this disease. I appreciate the comments that we did the right thing... just hurts that this was our outcome after surgery. The positive thing is that as a mastiff owner now we will know what to expect with these larger breeds. Thanks for all your advice and help.
Oh Jason and familu, I'm sorry, from the bottom of my heart so very, very sorry. We all cry with you tonight and our hearts break with yours. Cooper, magnificent,sweet, gentle Cooper jumped into our hearts with his first post. And your love for him came shining through with every single word you wrote.
You tried EVERYTHING for Cooper and you DID get some good extended quality time to lpve and spoil him. Always remember that. And when this piece of crap disease took over, you released him from his earthly body that no longer served him. As you can see from Dr. Pam's earlier post, you could not have tried harder and there was nothing more to do if this last option didn't work.
Cooper let you know he was ready for the gift of transition. He knew you would listen. Cooper knew your love for him was so great that you would give him the most selfless gift of all.
Jerry always reminds us that these last few moments or just a blink of an eye compared to the thousands and thousands of happy memories that you and Cooper shared. This journey is 1 of great intensity. It also intense if I was the depths of love that we have for our dogs in a way that only those of us who have been on this journey can understand.
After all of this time of caregiving and being by Cooper's side, the void will seem unbearable at first. You will be able to, at some point, take solace in knowing that you gave Cooper the very best life possible!
Please stay connected and share more of your life and your adventures with Cooper. Of course, we must have pictures of this magnificent gentle giant! And be sure and let us know how to reconnect with you. Oh yes, he will send you signs and messages that he is ok! Everyone here who has gone through the devastation of the losx of our loved ones will tell you that, at some point, we have all received sign to let us know they are with us and they are well!
We can assure you that as Cooper got closer and closer to the bridge, he was feeling more and more fit, healthy and pain-free! And the welcoming committee shower him with ice cream, steak, Pizza, and more junk food then a dog could ever hope for! Jerry is always there to greet each new cumber. He passes out purple hearts to acknowledge the bravery of each of our tripawds. I'm pretty sure he gave Cooper two!
Just know that Cooper touched us all. The.bond you shared touched us all. His presence here made a difference. He showed everyone big dogs can handle three legs just fine!!
I know I've said it before, but Cooper knew what love felt like because of his time with you. Hold onto that. Let that guide you through the roughest times of your grief...and there will be plenty of rough times. The happier times will eventually push the sadness further into the background.
Wish their were words to help, but there are none. Know that Cooper will NEVER be forgotten! His life mattered to us. And I'm sure he's.at the Bridge.now telling everyone what a SPECTACULAR time.he had with you! "THANK YOU DAD! IHAD THE BEST TIME!!"
Sending love to.all and surrounding you with some slobbery kisses from Cooper!
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
That was the best message ever. My wife is having a real hard time as she was never a animal person and took care of Cooper while I worked hard. We gave him a good rest of his life and tried until the end. This one hits us hard because of all the sacrifices we made and having three kids who dont really understand. We will miss our big boy so much. He really was just a sweet dog. I dont know why but I am 40 years old and rescued my last 4 dogs since I was 18. My mom says how are you so lucky all of them have been such good dogs. We may take a break from dogs for a little while as we have a 12 year old english mastiff at home. I rescued her when she was 2. The one thing is I will always continue to rescue or adopt dogs for the rest of my life.
Thanks
My heart is breaking for you and your pack. You're the epitome of what a dedicated and responsible pawrent is.
Peace be with you,
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
It is always a hard decision. Always. But I don't think there is any question that it was Cooper's time. When we can't take away the pain any more, then we must release them from it. It is our greatest gift to bestow and our greatest burden to bear.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Ohhh my heart breaks for you and your family, but we totally understand. Yep, like Pam said, you made the most compassionate situation you could given the circumstances (thank you for your insight Pam).
Cooper fought so hard and you did too, I hope you can take comfort in knowing that you gave him the life he dreamed of and always deserved. In the end he did not suffer and left his painful body behind for a place in the starts, a place that will always be within you too.
If you want to share photos and talk more about him, I encourage you to visit our Coping with Loss Forum topic, it's a good place to process grief and heal.
Our deepest condolences, we are so sorry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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