Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Re: amputate or not? Here is something I just found out that I wish I had known earlier and while I don't want to be an alarmist, I do want to wave a flag: In the few days I was deciding what to do with my dog after a misdiagnosis and before the specialist, I knew that the fragility of the bone could cause a break at any time, but I didn't realize just how serious this could be. I thought it meant a clean fracture, but it doesn't necessarily. The mesh of bone structure gets eaten away and can be as weak as spun sugar crystals, and yes while it could cause a clean break from a big trauma, more likely the structure collapses in intermittent little breaks, in degrees and is extremely painful for the dog and you don't even know it has happened.
I'm sorry if this is graphic but it's important to know about this possibility. The guilt of it is crushing me, but more importantly my boy went through a series of painful days that might have been prevented, especially if the original vet had properly diagnosed him so I could have had better choices. I had Buster scheduled for surgery and I believe that very night more extensive damage had been done, as he rushed up to me in pain and I don't even know what happened! The surgery was to prevent what unfortunately already happened. I was devastated, while he was being a little soldier!
Any little thing can can break it, a twist as he lays down...and like with him, he was "just" chewing on a bone!
So please forgive me if I put fear in you. I just say it so that if your Dr. thinks it would help to amputate, don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I would do it all over again and I would like to think I'd have done it earlier had I known more.
Listen to yourself!
micki z.
Knut said:
My opinion is that many vets are not trained well enough to diagnose cancer in dogs
Agree completely. The vet I had seen since a puppy
couldn't figure out why I was limping, which delayed my diagnosis for
over a month, and caused unnecessary exposure to arthritis drugs, and
expensive tests. It never occurred to my pawrents that it could be
cancer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I AM SHOUTING ON PURPOSE!!!
ASH, STEVE & VANDA - WE LIVE IN OLDHAM, UK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*I am so giddy with excitement, I'm doing a jig in my chair* 
(Everyone else - this means that we live very very very close to eachother!)
Steve, if you want to have a chat on the phone, go to my website http://www.dogsndubs.com and fill in the Contact Us form on there and let me have your phone number and I'll give you a call!!
(Jerry - I hope it's OK to put my web address on but I can't find out how to privately give Steve my contact details on here).
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Bevd said:
(Everyone else - this means that we live very very very close to eachother!)
WOW! COOL! This is great news, we would love to see you two have a Tripawd Pawty! Please let us know if you work something out, and if you do, send us lots of movies and photos and we'll put it on the site! We are so thrilled for you all!
And yes, of course you can put your URL there, thanks for asking.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry!
(I came back to see if Steve had been back yet. Not that I'm excited or impatient or anything) *snort*
(Steve, if you do see this and you do decide to contact me, I'm out all day tomorrow (Sunday) until mid/late evening so can you let me know when is good to contact you).
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Bevd said:
Thanks Jerry!
(I came back to see if Steve had been back yet.
Bev, we are going to drop him an email for you. Stay tuned.
Love,
Jerry
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
ASH GOES TO HOSPITAL.
Hi to you all,
Firstly, Micki, Ash sends his best wishes to Mr Buster for a speedy recovery.
Ash's appointment has been brought forward, he goes in tomorrow morning, Monday 9th June to see the specialist. We have been warned he may stay in, depending on decisions made after the consultation.
We have your comments printed and also some film footage to take with us. The 'E' word will not be part of discussion this time around.
Caroline and Winston from Seattle, I've a feeling it will be 'Sleepless In Manchester' tonight.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your guidance and knowledge leading to tomorrows visit. Without you, we would have found it all a lot more difficult to cope with.
Bevd and Darcy, seems we live a stones throw from you on the other side of town in Urmston, its a small world!! Have left our Email and telephone details on your Web-page. It would be great to make contact.
Jerry, thanks for your offer of assistance with getting Ash's photo onto the profile, have sent an up to date one to your Email.
Regards to you all..............Ash Steve & Vanda.
Channeling good doggie thoughts across the pond to Ash tomorrow!
scout, the wonderful tri-wonder dog!
lauren
ASH BIDS A SAD FAREWELL.
It is with deep regret that Vanda and I must inform you all, of the very sad loss of our big four legged friend Ash.
He did go to see the specialist on Monday morning, and things were put in place for his future treatment. We feel the journey and experience may have been just that little bit too much for him. On our return home and put on his new medication, he quickly took a turn for the worse during the day and night. We stayed up with him throughout that night, his poorly leg ballooned up and he was extremely anxious with himself. We got a second opinion first thing Tuesday morning, although his body language and intense eye contact were very clear, in his own doggy way of commuting his thoughts to us both, he made the decision for us. His local Vet made a home visit.
He went to sleep peacefully, yesterday afternoon, a beautiful sunny day, under the shade of his favourite tree in the back garden on his comfortable bed, wind chimes calling, birds singing and beside a picture of his litte sister Cedar. He even struggled up to say hello to the Vet on arrival, not surprising, as he always was a brave and friendly dog.
Finally, and I'm sure Ash would approve, so from the three of us, thank you all for the help and kindness given throughout this very sad and tortuous time in our lives. His memories though, are ingrained for ever. And if his experiences can help others, we think he would say, "GET IT CHECKED EARLY, DONT DELAY"
Ash's final walk will be with his little sister Cedar on their favourite sandy beach in Wales, once we get his 'ashes' back, to be scattered together (Vanda did warn me 9 years ago, that our choice of name for him would come back and bite me one day, sorry Ash).
Kindest regards to you all, Ash, Steve & Vanda.
All love to you all. We're thinking of you all on the sandy beach in Wales.
Bless, Ash
Steve and Vanda,
I am So sorry to hear of your loss. This is heartbreaking every time, almost to much to bear. (I just lost one of my pugs about 5 wks ago, and I too had a home visit so I'm still feeling raw and know what you're going through). That's why, on my blog dedicated to my pugs the title says, "there better be a heaven" (http://cannedpu.....gspot.com/) as I can't bear not seeing my good friend again.
As I'm new to this site, I didn't hear Ash's story from the beginning...is there more info and in what forum? (I don't understand why he was hospitalized.)
As for Vanda's warning, please don't be superstitious or self-blaming (maybe you're kidding), but his lifespan certainly isn't dependant on his name. Isn't 9 yrs. still a good long life for a big dog?
My Buster's condition has been further complicated by yet another oversight by his regular vet, (I'm looking for a new vet now), a corneal ulcer, so now, yet 7 days after losing a leg, his has to also wear a collar. So much for balance. He woke me early this morning after trying to change position and falling over and he couldn't get up and yelped. He is not happy..his mood is so changed from his clown-ish silly self. and chemo starts in a week. This is too much for such a tiny creature. I have such doubts putting him through this, but the alternatives are worse. So I cannot leave his side (don't want to leave his side) even to go shopping, I'm having groceries delivered. At least for now. Fortunately I don't have to be working now.
I feel selfish that I want a tail wag or his silly antics...to make me feel better, but I have to just let him be and heal. That's the hard part. I just don't want him hurting.
So, again so sorry about Ash, I'm sure he loved being with you. Who knows, maybe he chose his home!
Best regards,
Micki
micki z.
stgeorge said:
ASH BIDS A SAD FAREWELL.
It is with deep regret that Vanda and I must inform you all, of the very sad loss of our big four legged friend Ash
Steve and Vanda,
We are so deeply sorry, our hearts are aching for you all.
You two did such a generous and beautiful thing, by digging deeper for answers that might have brough Ash some extra time on this earth. Ash was so lucky to have you for family, and obviously you felt that way about him tenfold. What a lucky, lucky boy.
How fortunate we humans are to be able to remember the many good times we've had with our canine family members, memories that we will hold close in your hearts, forever.
Please know you are in our prayers. We wish you the best.
With deepest sympathies,
Jerry, Jim & Rene
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Steve and Vanda,
I am very sorry to hear the news.
Ash was indeed a very brave boy. I am sure he is now playing happily with Cedar.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.
Jessie
I'm so sorry Steve & Vanda.
I did get your telephone message earlier today Steve but I thought it best not to call you back but to pass on my sincere condolences here instead.
Although the outcome was not as anyone would have wished, you should be proud of how you handled the situation. You did everything within your power to fix things and make Ash well again, even when the odds were against you.
Don't be a stranger will you?
B
x
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
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