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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But I just feel like I need so much help. I don't know what to do and I don't wanna do the wrong thing or do something at the wrong time. I don't wanna rush it, because I want every single day with her that I can have, but I don't wanna wait until she's lost all of the playful puppy that has lived inside of her this long.
Eva has started coughing, her first coughing fit happened october 1st, but it's gotten worse over the last three weeks. When she tries to play too hard or bark a lot, she coughs, and needs her mama to rub her sides and then she usually stops. She's still cognitively there. She's still pottying outside, giving me loving, and playing with her brother almost every day.
The last two days she's seemed to have a little bit less energy than usual, but it's on and off. When people come visit or when we go somewhere, she's the normal dog she's always been. Maybe she's just having a tired day, but I swear today she just wanted to stay in bed. Her brother seemed to be more of an agitation than anything to her, and she barely wagged her tail for anything.
I don't wanna wait til i've waited so long that i feel guilty for making her push through it longer than she wanted to, but (forgive me for being harsh, but these are MY feelings, not how I feel about what anyone else chose to do with their babies, because I know this isn't how it is) i can't help but feel like it's my job to protect and save her, not to kill her...
I just need some kind words.
mushyeva said
I don't know what to do and I don't wanna do the wrong thing...
There are no "wrong" decisions. You're doing the best you can do since Eva can't tell you how she feels.
It's all about quality of life. Consider this tip to help you determine how she's doing...
Penny Jars Measure a Dog’s Quality of Life
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I wish I had words of wisdom for you but it's so personal... each decision is always made with LOVE which I know you love Eva so much and always put her best interests first from reading your other posts.
I wish I could give you some advice but I can offer you support, which I know you need, and know that our community surrounds you with love ... always~!
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I agree, there are no right or wrongs. Your mind will play games and try to tell you otherwise. There seems to be guilt felt either way. I did a version of the penny jar. I put smile faces on a calendar for a good day and red sad faces for a bad day. I started seeing way more sad faces. Those days included the 3 days I made him stay at vet for wound debridement. When his fever returned, I knew. It is different for everyone. Some say they just know. Ty lived for running, jumping, eating and fetching shoes. When he could no longer do any of those things with pleasure 🙁 I made the decision. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. It is especially hard when we have spent so much time trying to save their lives. Then to suddenly turn the tables, heartbreaking! Please know you have support here. No none will judge you for decisions made or not made. We have been there, we know how awful this feels. Hugs to you, Lori, Ty & Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Today, five days after her amputation, we coughed up a large spot of blood. I had said at the beginning that that would be the line in the sand I drew, and when she began bringing up blood, I was going to help her through end of life treatment, because she MUST be in pain.
despite being more active today than the last few days, i'm not sure that i can ignore her symptoms any longer, and i think today might be the day. I don't ever wanna regret that maybe we could've slept together one more night or had one more breakfast kisses session, but i don't want her to be in pain, either...
Like everyone else has said, this is such a personal decision, but one you have to make with your sweet Eva in mind....... This crappy disease is terrible all the way around, and trying to see through all the ups and downs of it is so stressful, and like Lori said, it starts playing with your mind on a constant basis. However, the one thing I can say for sure is that you will always know in your heart when she has had enough, days will no longer hold happiness, and she will rely on you to help ease her pain and misery..... We all know what you are going through, and how absolutely difficult it is to see through the muck to make the right decision, and like Admin said, there are no right or wrong decisions when we are dealing with our beloved fur babies going through this awful disease. Just follow your heart......
Thinking of you and Eva, sending {{{hugs}}}
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
I'm so sorry, I know this is very, very hard to go through. You are absolutely doing your best for her and that's all that matters. If she doesn't have the quality of life you know she wants, then that's when your heart speaks louder than the brain. Follow your gut instinct and you can't go wrong and you will always be doing right by her.
Lots and lots of hugs to you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry...
I know you gave Eva every chance that you could give her. Sorry we never made a date to get her & Murphy together.
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
I think you know that it might be that time, that you have made your mind up.... and yes.. it's hard... it's the hardest, most loving thing that we do as pawrents to our best friends... Ironic isn't it? Calling it loving when we decide to let them go... But it is.. it is becase we love them hard that we do not want them to suffer, do not want them having their last days in pain, uncomfortable, stressing, and having them knowing that something is wrong when they are trying to please you and they can't do it. That is the worst part.
And.. sometimes waiting for "that look" from them.. well.. sometimes we have waited too long if you know what I mean.
My Franklin started a cough about 3 1/2 months after his amputation. When I took him to the vet, I saw a different vet, and he said "if it was lung mets, he would be coughing all the time". We didn't xray. He coughed ocassionally, but then I noticed that he couldn't lie on his one side without started to cough and gag. An xray showed lung mets. I gave him benalyn cough syrup for dry cough with some ham to help ease his cough. His energy level was lower, and the final decision was when he hopped into the bedroom and suddenly he started coughing and threw up a whole bunch of bile. The look in his eyes killed me... and I made the appointment for the next day. He was 14 1/2 years old when I kissed his brow for the last time...
On that day, he was happy.. we ate steak, he lay in the sun, we went to have ice cream cones.. and while we were waiting outside the vets office, his tail was wagging and he was happy to see everyone. It almost made us change our mind, but..... I knew he wasn't going to get better.. I knew he was going to vomit again, etc etc.. and I didn't want him to go through that. He went out on a happy note... as happy as we could make it for him....
I would have loved another night of snuggles, another morning of him sitting up on his haunches and giving me his one front paw for his treat.... I would have loved not to have the pain in my heart.. but the pain was going to be there anyhow.. whether it was that day... or the next week. And, if we waited.. then that pain would have been coupled with the pain and regret that I let him go too long.....
I have no regrets... and yes, sometimes the pain is still there... 2 1/2 years later. But that is ok... cause when you love hard, you grieve hard. I learned alot from that boy... and all my future dogs in my pack will benefit from it... That was his best gift to me... learning to be more dawg!
I wish you strength through it... and you will smile as well with memories.. even though your cheeks may be wet...
Christine.. with Franklin and Maggie in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Christine, you always have such heartfelt, true wisdom to share, thank you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Please know we are all sending hugs and support to you for this the hardest point of this entire journey. Eva knows she's loved and this will be your last greatest gift to her. May your joyful memories of your loved Eva be some comfort to you in the days to follow.
Linda
We said goodbye october 28th. i held her the entire time, and she left earth knowing i love her more than anything i'll ever encounter.
😔
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
Mmy deepest most heartfelt condolences. Eva went on to the rainbow with love and hugs. You are a great mommy, you were selfless and that is beautiful XOXOX
Check out Chloe Sasha's Adventures
http://chloesas.....pawds.com/
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