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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
It is with a saddened heart 
that I write this post today, because I lost Angus Og, on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. It's been difficult for us to even deal with his loss because it was so sudden, we believe, and unexpected, as it was due to an Staph infection from the amputation operation at the hospital.
We had Angus' amputation done on Wednesday. 10-28-09 and he came home on Friday, 10-30-09. His wound started leaking on Wednesday, 11-04-09. When we picked him up from the vet on 10-30-09 they said not to worry if the wound leaks, it may do that at the pouch. However, this leakage on 11-04-09 was a clearish, bloody fluid (not a thick a blood) and it wasn't a big leakage, just enough to fill a small 2" gauze pad. But it also wasn't constant either, it would stop and I told her that. So I called the vet anyway and she said to bring him down (to Valley Forge, PA which is where the specialists vet is located 1 hour away) so I can wrap it. I said if all you are going to do is wrap it, can't I bring him to my local vet who is only 5 mins away? The specialists vet said, well it could be a senoma (a leaky pocket that may need to be drained near the wound), or it could be an infection, and well, I did the operation I'd like to see it, and what if your local vet doesn't wrap it right and Angus' other leg swells. I'd appreciate it if you'd bring him over to me. Long story very short....
Angus wound up staying at the hospital from 11-04-09 through 11-18-09 and enduring 4 additional major operations on top of his amputation operation, with the doctor opening up the wound and closing the wound, draining the wound and debriding the wound. He was on antibiotic after antibiotic and even a blood transfusion and according to the specialist vet nothing could save him They did culture after culture of the wound and finally they did 2 more cultures of the wound and his urine and found that he developed two more infections and they said that his body couldn't take being on two different antibiotics to fight these two new infections and he wouldn't survive it. He was anemic, his white and red blood cells were very low. His bone marrow wasn't producing any new red blood cells, he was losing protein, he couldn't stand up he was either so weak (according to the vet) or (I believe he was suffering) she said no. So, we decided to put him to sleep so he would be at peace on, Wednesday, 11/18/09. My sweet baby boy is sleeping with the angels now.
I am so sorry you lost your special baby Agnus. I am also sad that you and your family to had to endure the stress of him not recovering from surgery.
No matter how hard it was, you did what was best for him. He is free from pain now and he is happy.
Hugs,
Michelle
I am so sorry to hear that you had to let Angus go! That is very unexpected and unusual. Was he taking antibiotics post-op? I'm sure that the specialists must have given him IV antibiotics during surgery but sometimes they can develop other infections. Our Mastiff Tazzie developed a liver infection while she was still in the hospital but luckily she responded to a change in meds. I know how much you will miss your big sweet boy.
Pam
Opie, Joe, and I are so sorry to hear about Angus. Stay strong. You did the best for Angus and he knows it.
That must be a horrible way to lose your your boy. I am so sorry. He is such a beautiful dog and it must have just been awful for you to endure the last two weeks when he was hospitalized. You did everything you could for him.
Susan & Tazzie 2
I'm so sorry about Angus. He was a very handsome boy. My thoughts are with you.
Di
Thank you for sharing Angus with us all, our hearts go out to you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so sorry for your loss. His story is a true tragedy and must have been very difficult for you and your family. My thoughts are with you.
RIP sweet Angus. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
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.
I am so sorry you had to lose Angus like that. It's so sad and so unfair. I hope he's able to send you a sign as he's flying around pain-free and whole.
Many hugs
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
What a beautiful face....I am sure he with the angels. I am so sorry that Angus had such a terrible outcome after surgery, it is heartbreaking for you all. I am sending you love and prayers as you grieve.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
I'm so sorry to hear about Angus... Such a beautiful boy... I don't know what to say... I know you're heart must be broken in a million pieces right now... 
I wish I could give you a big hug... but I know that wouldn't help to ease your pain... They say that time heals... but after 2 weeks... it still hasn't healed for me... Like you said, your baby is sleeping with the angels now... My thoughts and prayers are with you...
Luv,
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
I am so so sorry to hear that you lost Angus. Even though we are all told that there could be complications from surgery we really don't expect them. I am just heart sick for you. Angus was so cute and I know that you will miss him so much. My heart is breaking for you.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Angus. What a terrible ordeal that you all suffered. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
Thank you so much everyone for all of your wonderful thoughts and very kind words. I know that Angus is at peace and running pain free with all of his new Tripawds friends he has met at the Rainbow Bridge. It seems like I will never get over the loss of him, but I know it will just take time. But when I see our Black and Tan Coonhound "Bowser" (who was his best buddy) walking around like he is lost, I just start to cry (but I try not to let him see me). I try to show him extra loving and play with him a lot. I really am glad I have everyone here to talk with and share my grief with online. I know that everyone here understands what I am going through and won't mind if I feel like crying once in a while.
Pam, to answer your question about the post-op antibiotics. Yes, Angus was on post-op antibiotics on 10-28-09, I checked the bill from the amputation. He was on Cefazolin (injection) on the day of sx 10-28-09, with Simplicef (tabs) 200 mg. He was released on the morning 10-30-09 with a report. Also, when he came home he was still taking the Simplicef tabs for 7-10 days. The vet didn't show me if he received the same meds on 10-29-09, though. All I have is a bill with two dates of service on it in the left column, 10-28 at the top and 10-29, with Histopathology (ANTECH) next to it at the bottom, and a list of what they did to Angus for the sx on 10-28-09 is listed in the middle. 10-30 is the check out date.
I am so, so, so sorry for your sudden and tragic loss of Angus. I have sat here for ten minutes and cannot think a single sensible thing to add to such a heart wrenching set of circumstances. Saying that such complications are rare is meaningless if it is your Angus who had these complications. You did all the right things, but the deck was stacked against Angus, and no matter how hard he fought to stay, it just was not ment to happen.
Please except our deepest sympathy at this time. Please accept our prayers that you find peace.
Bob & Cherry
1 Guest(s)
