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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Well my baby Dobe Sleepy had her front right leg amputated on 06/24 due to osteosarcoma.... She is doing okay, but I can't seem to get her to walk w/ me.... She just goes outside, does her business, and then wants to come in and lay down.... I try to do short walks, and she gets tired within 5 min?? I'm just very sad right now.... it has been 3 weeks since amp, maybe I'm being too unrealistic??? Has anyone else gone through this?? Sleepy is 100 lb dobie and she has just had her 1st chemo (Carboplatin) this past Friday 07/11. Any help would be appreciated!
Hi there...my name is Zeus and wow, Mom and I can really relate to your story. Mom wrote a novel about my experience under "share your story" if you want to read for some insight into what I went through.
We had the same leg amputated and I had the same chemo treatment that you're on. I'm a 10 year golden retriever and my amputation was on 4/9/08...so I'm about 3 months post (just to give you a bit of a background). I did all four of my treatments - I'm finished with them...no side effects except a little tired on the day of treatment.
It's a very, very traumatic surgery and it was extremely difficult for mom to see me in pain, uncomfortable and struggling to adjust...but I adjusted really well and so did she...but it takes some time. Short walks are all we can do - i used to be able to walk for an hour...but now it's 15 min walks and I still stop and rest about 2 times during a walk. Hopping takes a lot more energy for us. 5 minutes seems about right - at least to me - after 3 weeks. The first 2 weeks for me was a lot of R&R and hanging outside by mom's feet while she read or journaled. She even brought my bed out on the deck so I could be outside in the sunshine and warmth and she swears that it lifted my spirits and sped up my recovery. Also try and stay positive and upbeat - even when you are sad...our guys can pick up our emotions easily and they will mirror how we feel. Mo m often went into another room when she needed to cry so I wouldn't feel it. When you trip over yourself and do a chin dive on the stairs...tell your mom not to panic - my mom just told me to get up and try again and I did...and I rarely miss a beat these days.
Mom has also kept my weight down...I'm 10 pounds lighter than before amputation so that my other legs and muscles don't have to work overtime. I get one cup of food in the morning and one cup in the evening with a lot of fresh, raw vegetables mixed in...and fish oil...our oncologist said 6,000mg of fish oil to help fight the cancer.
Lastly, if you need rest then rest...our bodies tell us what we need and we have to listen to them. Life is going to be different, but it can be even better because we are now free of the pain that the cancer caused.
We really hope this helps - please keep us posted - this is a wonderful place for love, support and answers to questions.
Love,
Zeus and Mom
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Thanks for registering Jenchet!
Don't worry too much about Sleepy. Just let her, uh ... sleep for now. It is still early. Once she's off pain meds, and has had her stitches removed, then she needs to regain her strength.
I didn't go for my first walk until about three weeks after my amputation, and that was only 100 yards or so. Slowly but surely, I regained my strength and soon I was walking around the block. Then a couple blocks.
Yes, we do bounce back from amputation and make full recoveries. But don't expect miracles. At least not too soon. Your walking routine will be different. Shorter walks, more often are what we recommend. And always be sure to take along lots of water. And if Sleepy needs to rest, stop and rest with her until she's ready to go again.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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