Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Banjo was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and had a front limb amputation Aug 3 2022. Our 9.5 lb dog was doing really well since his surgery 2 months ago. He fell a few times at my dads and has deteriorated since. For 4 days he has been un willing and unable to stand on his own. We have to support him with harnesses. We can get him out to the washroom but its so much work. When he has motivation he can walk, he will go to the washroom then lay down and not want to get back up. We got him a wagon to bring him back to the house. He went to the vet and got x rays, no broken bones, no visible tumours or arthritis. Physio said he has nerve response and no identified disc issues. He takes gabopentin every 12 hours 400 mg. And he get a dose of meloxadin.
This is the worst he's been since diagnosis and it makes me feel we have caused him worse pain with this procedure. We were told he would recover within a few weeks and be almost normal. Then physio said more like 12 to 16 weeks to normal. His cancer is so likely to come back within a few months so I just don't know that he even has time to heal. Basically, how long should we keep him like this before we consider letting him go? He's breaking my heart. He has physio again this week and we will see in a couple days how he is doing, but if he cant stand....what is his quality of life?
Thank you for your thoughts. He is just our best bud and we are having such a hard time with this.
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Hi Shannyn and Banjo, welcome. We are so sorry he's having mobility issues. It's great that he is seeing his physio this week, you should have some good direction to help him get back to feeling better. These folks are so skilled at pinpointing pain issues and treating them.
I'm not a vet, but here's my thoughts:
What happened that caused the fall? What was his activity level like before that happened? It's not unusual for a Tripawd to overdo it and pull a muscle. We see it all the time, like with Django, who is going through the same thing right now.
Try not to think the worst, it's normal for dogs to have ups and downs even this far out of surgery. As we learn to manage their activity, their mobility improves. By having Banjo see a physio he's well ahead of most as far as getting professional guidance.
Ask your vet about breaking up his Gabapentin dosage to 3x daily. This is a more common routine to treat acute pain. Every 12 hours leaves a huge gap between dosages, which gives pain a chance to spiral. Your goal is to stay ahead of the pain by giving more consistent medication throughout the day. Again, don't do anything without asking your vet OK?
As for the cancer returning, remember there are no expiration dates stamped on a dog's butt. Yes, statistics may say that certain cancers are more likely to come back, but they do not predict exactly what will happen with Banjo, or any dog. Right now, just focus on getting him better and feeling good again. It will happen, just be patient, and take things one day at a time the way he is doing.
You can try cheering him up with interactive brain games and indoor activities that don't create a lot of physical movement. Engaging a dog's mind is just as helpful to tire out a pup, and keep them happy. Check out the link for some ideas.
Keep us posted on how he's doing OK? Oh and please consider registering as a member so your future posts won't need to wait for approval.
Thank you for your thoughts, its so hard to watch him like this.
I wrote 9.5 lbs! I meant 9.5 years old and 90 lbs. He has a little more energy today which is encouraging, we have just been so worried about him and sad since his diagnosis. But thank you, we will try and remember that, take it one day at a time.
I feel really blessed that my husband and I can both work from home right now and we can take all this time needed to get him to the washroom.
I will check out the links you gave.
Also I did try to register but it wasn't working it seemed so I just posted
Banjo has not really improved. He's has been approved for more gabopentin, but he cant get up. He won't stop crying and its mostly because he cant get where he wants or he cant move easily to go to the washroom. This breaks our heart, he is just slowed right down. We don't think this is a good life anymore, its not what anyone led us to believe and he is just not the same guy.
We cant sustain this and its too hard on him. Its time to say goodbye. We have scheduled it for tomorrow afternoon and will focus on loving him dearly until then. He will still go to physio at the pool tonight because I think it will be fun.
We love him, good luck to all other tripawds.
Shannyn, I'm so sorry and so sad about Banjo. It's hard to say why this happened, or what will resolve it, if anything. But we are not there, and you know him better than anyone else. You understand where he is at in this journey and putting your own grief aside so that he can be out of pain is the greatest gift you can give him.
It breaks our hearts to know that he will get his wings tomorrow, and we are keeping a candle lit for your sweet boy. We are deeply sorry. Please let us know how we can support you now and after as you cope with such a great loss.
So very, very, very sorry to read this. Pretty much no words right now.
Sometimes this piece of crap disease has already plotted it's evil course undetected. No, this is not what anyone expects. Like you, we all ho on this journey with hope snd because we HAVE to try. You tried, You gave him a chance but the crappy disease must have already been lurking.
I hope he has a good time in physio tonight. And I'll silently hope it helps him in a way you can see. Maybe "the" appointment tomorrow will be delayed if he does show improvement.
No matter what, you clearly love your boy and will do what's best for him.
Please stay connected no matter what tomorrow may bring, okay. We are here for you
Wishing you peace and clarity
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!
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