Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, we have a 19 month old pitbull that was diagnosed with bone cancer in her front right leg. We have been going to University of Auburn since this was discovered. Well, she is scheduled for amputation this monday the 2nd of Feb. We are just nervous and worried about how well she will adapt. We've already purchsed the harness and the little shoe from ruffwear.com to add more support to her good leg while moving around on our floors. I've been reading through the forums, and have picked additional tips. I'll try to keep this post updated on MIA's progress...thank you
Trouble is a pitbull also. Her primary vet was not real supportive of the amputation because with their build, they carry so much weight up front. The surgeon also cautioned us it could be a difficult adjustment.
Trouble has adapted extremely well. Pitties are so sure of themselves, I think the that helped her more than anything. I'm sure MIA will adapt just as well. We'll be thinking of you as your journey begins. Take it one day at a time, enjoy each moment, and let Mia guide the way. We allowed Trouble to try anything she wanted to do and it has worked out well. Watch closely and know when she needs some human support and use lots of common sense.
Life will be better with the surgery behind you.
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.
We are scheduled for our 12 yr old choc lab Marley to have her left hind leg amputated Monday as well. We will be on the same schedule as you and MIA. I cannot tell you how anxious I am about it. Shanna - I like hearing your note - "Life will be better with the surgery behind you." I cannot imagine it much worse than right now....
When I asked our ortho surgeon vet about Paris and what to expect, he said "She will feel better the day after surgery then she does the day before" . Try not to be anxious, they will let you know what they need and sometimes you make it up as you go along. Paris did great the first couple days, it was a week later she got very goofy on all the meds. Continue to communicate with Tripawds, I know it was a great help to me.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Lily is also a pitbull, mixed with something... I don't know, she was just a tiny baby piglet when a hippie handed her to me and asked if I knew anyone who needed a puppy. Well of course, I did, and brought her home, to be our fifth dog, without even talking to the family. My husband actually loved me MORE for bringing this one home.
Anyway, on a very important note, we were beyond happy to see, in the very first second of our reunion with her after the surgery, that the pitbull wiggle was left intact. Holy wiggling pitbull, it was a beautiful sight. She lost her front leg, so I don't know the wiggle factor of back-leg amputees.
Indeed, the week before the surgery was horrible. The decision making, and doubt, and terror, and guilt... awful. And the day before, I watched her with her favorite adversary, the watering can, running crazy circles around the yard, and thought this dog needs her leg cut off? So I spent a lot of time crying and reading these posts and realized it was OK. But the minute we dropped her off we felt better. The decision was made and it was time to face the next part but it has been better than the first part.
It is the start of Lily's fourth day and still so far it's been problem-free. The main issue is trying to keep her settled so she can heal. Our harness came yesterday but I guess I should look into the other foot thing.
Big pitbull wiggles to all,
Jody
CA Wrigley had her left front leg ampuated Dec. 22. She has Osteosarcoma and they removed a large tumor off her scapula. For one month prior to surgery Wrigley limped off and on until the point where she didn't use her front leg at all she was in so much pain. When I picked her up from the vet I could immediately tell in her eyes, the cancer pain was no longer there. That is the best part about the amputation- they are out of pain finally- immediately.
Wrigley has adapted just fine as a tripawd. You will be so amazed how well they recover- truly a lesson for us humans. The first 2 weeks are rough, and it is very important to keep them rested and quiet- even if they don't feel like it. After that you will find life goes on just like it did before. Wrigley can use the stairs, she figured out her dog door, she has figured out how to sheild herself when her big brother- our other dog-100 lb shepherd comes running at her to play ( Wrigley is only 60lbs shep mix). She dances around when she knows its time for a walk- we still go on our walks, just a bit shorter for her sake, but not any slower-
The harness will be good when the incision heals. It works great for getting them out of the car or climbing on uneven ground.
Good luck, we'll be thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers. It will go just fine. Just stay strong- you are the pack leader and they rely on us to lead the way - so if we stay strong, they can be strong- if all's ok with us, alls ok with them.
Keep us posted .
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
mlowell said:
... just nervous and worried about how well she will adapt.
You have reason to be nervous, but your pup will most likely surprise you. All dogs are different, and we have heard a couple horror stories, but the vast majority adapt very quickly and quite well to life on three legs. I say prepare for the worst and hope for the best!
Best wishes for a full speedy recovery.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
02-02-09, Today we took mia to Auburn this morning. She was excited about the ride as usual. In the waiting room, mia likes to climb up in the chairs and sit. she was up and down the entire time in the chairs while we waited. they did xray on leg and lungs. the lungs looked good, the dr said no metastasis. the leg had more signs of the cancer growth.
It was tough today for all of us that went. The student called about 5:30pm est., and said mia was a little disoriented right now from anesthesia. My daughter talked to the student, so I didn't get to hear first hand. They will watch her tonight in ICU, and call us in the morning on how she is doing.
02-03-09, Today we got the call from Auburn that Mia is ready to come home. Wow, one day later. It's about an hour drive to Auburn. We got to the Small Animal Clinic about 4:30 est. The student came out to get us. We went back to another waiting room, where the student explained everything, the meds, how she was doing, follow-up, and chemo. She had already had 2 chemo treatments prior to surgery, after she had about 1 1/2 inch of her ulna bone removed for biopsy sometime in December.
After the student was done, he said he would go get Mia. I walked out in the hallway to wait, and about the same time Mia's doctors were walking her down the hallway, her tail wagging, and she was hoping towards me. She looked happy to see us, and seemd to be moving pretty well considering. I think it hurt me more than her. The Doc said this morning, she was trying to jump up on the couch in the lounge area and that everyone up there knows and loves Mia. That's Mia, she loves to lay on the couch, or sit in the kitchen chairs with us.
She was ready to go. She basically walked me to the door, and towards my truck. I eventually picked her up after about 20-30 ft of walking outside towards my truck. I put her in the front seat, and she was sitting right up. She did finally lay down on my daughters lap on the ride home.
We got home, pretty much carried her into the house. I had to run to Walmart to pick up some small area rugs for her. When I got home, she was waiting at the back door for me. My wife said she jumped up and ran to the door when she heard my truck.
Right now, she resting/sleeping on the couch. Mia seems to be doing better than I expected.
We go back next friday to have the staples removed, and start chemo again. Now, it's time to fight off any cancer cells that remain.
Mia is a very loving and family dog. With all the bad rap that Pit Bulls have (even i was reluctant to get one). She is the best! (we have 4 other dogs)
Way to go Mia! You just can't keep those pitties down. What heart and soul they have.
For those pitbull lovers out there, the other forum I spend time on is Pitbull Talk. You should join us sometime.
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.
Yipee! What a fabulous report, thank you for sharing your and Mia's experience. It really helps so many people to know that dogs can literally walk right after surgery and hop on out of the hospital. A lot of people ask us, "How long did it take Jerry to adapt to living on three legs?" And my pawrents say "Oh about an hour."
We do tend to act like superheroes though, when we're all dopey, so don't let her over exert herself.
Many hugs going out to you, what a great day!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good for Mia! In addition to Tazzie we also have a Dogue de Bordeaux (Loki) and a 10 yr old Pitbull (Kona). Kona has severe hip dysplasia in both legs, spinal arthritis, and fused elbow joints but that dog has so much heart and love of life that you just can't keep her down. Loki knocked her over once 2 years ago and she couldn't use her back legs for about 4 weeks, but an MRI showed only minor spinal cord compression so we walked her with a sling and started acupuncture and now she can play with her Kong again and take short walks and still has that Pitbull wiggle. Truly an amazing breed...
Pam and Tazzie
02-04-09, Mia slept pretty good last night, being her first day home after surgery. This morning she walked/hopped outside to go potty. We have a wheelchair ramp out the back door, and she did real well going doing it. She used the bathroom, and actually grabbed a stick and took off running, like she use to. She looked like she was on 4 legs. She had a pretty peaceful day. My daughter stayed home with her, so they just lounged around. My daughter said she wanted to jump up in couch on all day, but we have it blocked so she wouldn't hurt herself. As soon as I got home, I helped her up on the couch.
She ate well, her appetite is very good. We have her on a high protein diet. She eats EVO dog food, and is also on the K9 immunity supplements. We asked the doctors at Auburn if it was ok for her to take these supplements with the meds she is on, and they said there should be no problem, and the Omega pills would be good for her.
Currently, she's on Tramadol 2 & 1/2 50mg tablets 3x day for pain, Carprofen 1/2 tablet 2x day for inflamation and pain. She's also on Rapamune 2mg every mon,wed,fri, which the Docs say are similar to a chemo treatment (from what i've read, it's an immune suppressor, which helps the chemo work better and get into the bad cells)
Mia's sound asleep right now on the couch. She's doing good!
Wonderful news for you and Mia.
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.
Yipee! Mia is doing GREAT! Congratulations.
So the auborn docs recommended the Rapamune? I'm not familiar with it. The information we saw online is very scientific. What else can you tell us about it? Is it being given instead of chemo?
Many hugs to Mia and you. You all make a great team. Keep it up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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