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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Hello Everyone,
We are new to this site and look forward to learning from everyone. Our precious black lab, Mercury, was scheduled for ACL surgery this week to help with his increasingly troubling leg pain. When the surgeon was examining him he realized that this was not the problem and was concerned about cancer and decided to not operate. After a whirlwind of 2 days, CT scans, visits with surgeons and oncologists.....it is the general consensus that cancer is highly evident and in order to save our dog we need to move forward in having his left hind left amputated as well as part of his pelvis. Not what we expected. It was such a shock and we are still trying to wrap our heads around this being the only option. He is 9 years old and weighs 77 pounds. It is reassuring to hear that dogs can recover so well from this surgery but I am SCARED. I am terrified of complications during surgery, devastating pain post op, etc. My primary concern is making my sweet pup as comfortable as possible after surgery. Any helpful hints, tips and advice would be greatly appreciated. This dog is my world and is the sweetest thing. Thank you in advance for any guidance.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
I'm sorry to hear about Mercury and yes, the cancer diagnosis does make your head spin.
We like to point new members to Jerry's Required Reading List, or the ebook Three Legs and a Spare. Both have info on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
Does he have osteosarcoma or do you know yet? If it is a bone cancer then Mercury has been dealing with pain already. There is some pain with the surgery- it is major surgery- but there are good meds that will be prescribed to keep him comfortable. Remember- the pain from surgery is temporary- most pups around here are off pain meds in two weeks or so. Some sooner, and just a few are on them longer.
Pain meds can cause our pups to not be themselves- and getting used to being a tripawd is tiring. More often than not the first couple weeks are full of ups and downs. Don't get discouraged is Mercury isn't himself for a couple weeks! I convinced myself that I had done the wrong thing by choosing amputation for my little pug Maggie because she just wasn't happy for several weeks. But she was one obstinate pug who HATED any change in her routine- but she came back to her happy self on her own schedule.
This community is a great resource for information and support. We have been where you are now and are here to help.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi and welcome! Well I am one of the few that has a kitty tripawd, and my baby just had her surgery on Wednesday, so I'm not sure what I have to offer yet. But, here are two things: read the blogs and start one if you can. I found this sooooo helpful. It really helped me with what to expect and by writing my own blog I felt like I got to verbalize my feelings and that helped me from going crazy. The second tip came from mazimutt. She suggested I bring a tshirt with me for Jill to have at the hospital with her. It was really comforting for me for some reason to know that she'd have something from home when she woke up and I wasn't there. Good luck and let us know whatever you need!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I'm so sorry you and Mercury are in this situation, it's so tough. What kind of cancer do they think he has? Karen is correct; if it's osteosarcoma, try to take comfort in knowing that the pain of this kind of cancer is far worse than the recovery itself. Many dogs quickly bounce back, and you'll probably notice a huge difference in his happiness once that bad leg is gone.
The best thing I can suggest is to take things one day at a time. Deal with the amputation, then consider how you want to treat it. Remember that chemo isn't a requirement, it's optional and a very personal decision. We will support you no matter what you decide; many of us here did chemo, many of us did not.
Oh and be sure to search the forums for "Hemipelvectomy" for more information about this type of surgery. It's not as bad as it sounds, dogs do bounce back from it fairly quickly.
We're glad you found us and send all our best wishes for a speedy recovery. Keep us posted and be sure to post some pics of your pawesome pup!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to the forum. You chose the right place for support.
It's never easy to ear the word cancer. You've done the right thing so far. You've met with the right professionals. As far as surgery goes I've been told that they make them nice pain killer cocktails through and after surgery so they don't feel it and can bounce back fast. I've been impressed by my own dog. Like it been said. Take it one day at a time. It's hard but otherwise you go crazy. Also start a journal to keep track of everything even your own emotions. It's helping me.
Good luck with everything.
Melanie and Hank
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
I'm so sorry you had to find us here. The recovery period can sometimes be a bit rough - but most dogs come through it just fine! It usually ends up seeming harder for the people to adjust than the dogs.
Try to rest up ahead of time. If you get low on sleep, everything starts to seem worse. Know that he might seemed depressed for a few days. It's totally normal. Usually once the pain meds are done and the staples are out (usually 10-14 days), you'll begin to see his old personality emerge.
We're here if you have specific questions during his recovery.
Hang in there,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I am sorry you had to find us here. But this is a great support team. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Today is Sassy's 30 day ampuversary. She has Osteosarcoma but when we amputated we didn't have a 100% diagnosis. The vets felt she was a good candidate but were worried at her weight that she couldn't support herself. Well she has proven them wrong and did so from the beginning.
Like others have said there will be ups & downs with the recovery period it just depends on the dog.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
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