Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My cousin gave me this link this morning, and I think it's excellent for anyone who has never before reached this stage with their pet. It is a tremendously comforting examination of how you know--from a veterinarian: http://www.natu.....oodbye.pdf
I hope it helps.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I'm sorry I wasn't able to post last night, and I'm sorry you have reached this point with Levi.
Like everything on this cancer journey you have to do what it right for you. For me there was no doubt I would be there with Maggie. She went to sleep peacefully in my lap, she looked more relaxed than she had in several days. In fact she started snoring- which gave us all a chuckle. After it was over my vet and I shared some tears and I left. I had already said good bye to Mag. The body is not that important to me- it was a shell. I know her spirit had moved on.
When I was in my 20's I had to have my first big dog put down. I could not bring myself to watch- and I regret it to this day. Be sure whatever you do that you will be comfortable with your choice.
I have experienced lots of losses in my life, pets and people. Maggie was not my first or my hardest so maybe I have a different perspective. That day was not easy, but I do know that I did the right thing at the right time for Maggie, and that brings some peace.
I hope today is peaceful for you and Levi.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Just wanted to add that I am thinking of you today, and I am so very sorry Levi cannot go on any longer. Scout was my fist experience with death, with grief, and it just plain sucks. I, personally, needed to be with Scout; the vet came out to our house. It was just me, the vet, and Scout. Very peaceful; like the others have said, it really was a huge relief to know his suffering was over.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
So sorry for you and Levi. I remember when I lost my first dog. It was really hard. I cried a lot and it helped, but when I think of her today I still get tears in my eyes. I also got both my first dog and our first rabbit cremated and put in wooden boxes with photos on them. Sometimes I hold them and think of them. I say like others here that some day you will be smiling again and think of all wonderful things you and Levi did. We are thinking of you!/Gunilla
Wow, that was some tearful reading. But all super great advice and it gives me a better idea of what's to come. We decided we would go Thursday but Levi, that little poop, is all feeling great today. Jumps up when we come in to the room and outside playing ball and barking at us. I may just have a nervous breakdown before this is over...
Obviously, he is still extremely sick but he's going to have to be acting little worse than this for me to be able to do it...
I think I will go with my husband to bring him in. I'm Ok with the Vet's office. Like Abby, everyone loves him there and he is a major "people dog". I also talked to our Local Pet Cemetary and we are going to have him buried there, not cremated.
I have to head to work (something i haven't been doing much of these days). I want to read through all of your links tonight...
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
we know these are hard decisions to make. your love for levi is so strong, and saying goodbye is so hard. sending our best to you guys, hoping you can find peace with your decisions - when you decide out of love, it's always right.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I am very sorry about your precious baby, I too am reading this with a knot in my tummy and tears, it's just so hard to say goodbye. I have had to say goodbye to several four legged babies, having no children, they are our world.
When our Sordita, our deaf Dalmatian came to that time, she was so ill, she had not gotten up on her own in days. She had refused ANY kind of food for days and with so many horrible things breaking down her organs so quickly we knew it was time to release her from her pain. We took her to the vet, my husband had to carry her in. We stepped outside to spend time until they were ready for us. She saw a squirrel and started running after it!! There goes my husband on the end of the leash trying to keep up with Sordita. Part of me thought that she was giving us glimpse of her old self and part of me said 'oh, she's feeling better!! We were both laughing and crying as she seemed so happy getting her last chase in.
It is so terribly hard to make this decision. Lot's of prayers your way.
I'm so sorry that you are on this roller coaster. I am right there next to you having that nervous breakdown. No matter what, you have given Levi everything you have, and you have even had some fun through this - he was so happy in those pictures on the boat!
It sounds like you are planning to go with him when the time comes...as everyone has mentioned, it is such a personal choice and it is so important to not have any regrets. I agree that it offers some closure - for me, I've actually always been able to hold it together somewhat for the last few minutes so that I can talk them through it and hope that that comforts them - then I lose it! If you decide that you can't do it, it is good that your husband will be there so that, no matter what, he has one of his people, someone he loves and trusts, by his side.
Alex & Holly
So so sorry to hear about Levi. I just wanted to echo pretty much everyone here by saying whatever you do, it's ok-it's a very personal choice and I think you know no one here will judge you. I just wanted to say that I was terrified when we had to let our family dog go, but I found going through the experience with him very comforting. There was no pain, he just went to sleep with me there talking to him. Were there tears-yes, many, but no vet worth their salt will be surprised or make you feel awkward for losing it, they know you are losing part of your family.
Whatever you decide to do, we are all thinking of you and brave Levi!
Anne
I'm so sorry that Levi's journey on this earth has come to an end. I know this is hard (which is an understatment) but know that he will no longer be suffering. As hard as it is, there is tremendous peace in knowing our furbabies are not suffering.
Sending you peaceful wishes.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
So sorry you have come to this part of your journey with Levi. For me there is comfort in being with my furbabies. My first ever dog died alone at the vet and I swore that would never happen again. I was a girl then and the decisions were not mine to make. I want to give them all the love back that I can. Yes, I have the memory of them gone but the memories of the times we shared shine through.
Trust your gut. I wish you peace and comfort during this so very difficult time.
heather & spirit shadow
Oh no. I'm so sorry that Levi isn't doing well. I'm glad to hear that he is bouncing back some and I definitely think that if he is doing well right now to hold off. But I think it might be good to stick with the plan to go when the time comes. Sadly, I have had to make the decision to put 4 pets to sleep now. The first one was a cat I got when I was in 9th grade. I had really grown up with him and it was such a hard decision to make when I was only like 24 years old. With him they had gone in to do exploratory surgery and really didn't think they would find anything too horrible; but then they called me and suggested he not even be brought out of the anesthesia. I rushed over and was there while he was put to sleep; but still regret not being there right before his surgery to pet him while he knew I was there. Next was my doberman before Spencer, my husband and I were both there as he went to sleep that last time and I actually took comfort in that. Then was my cat I got in college - he got sick suddenly and I had to make the call at the ER vet. I stayed with him too. And then Spencer. For Spencer the kids came in and said their goodbyes, then I had my mom take them out of the room. Then my step dad and I stayed in and were petting him until he was gone. I view it as the last gift I can give to them - being with them while they go to sleep that last time.
And I'm totally different with people. I nevver go to viewings. I want to remember people as they were alive. But I do think if it were ever a close loved one I would want to be there right at the end if I could be. I just don't like the idea of seeing them lain out in a coffin. 🙁
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Oh, we are thinking of you all during this difficult time. Sounds like Levi, even though not physically great, sez "I'm not ready to go yet Mama". What a Tripawd Warrior dude.
Sending many good thoughts and hugs
Joanne & Lylee
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
I'm so sorry to hear that you've reached this point with Levi. Its not easy letting them go. I put my girl down last Thursday and decided to stay with her...I wanted to be the last face and voice she heard on this earth, to let her know I loved her and supported her as she left. Its truly a personal decision and what you decide is right for you. Will be thinking of you all today and tomorrow.
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
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