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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Annie sorry you had to find us but... there is no better place to be under the circumstances. I agree that you have explored all scenario's. As far as the radiation- while it may decrease the tumor it causes "radiation burns" topically and will decrease the integrity of the bone making Betsy more susceptible to fractures. There is no RIGHT decision! Continue to post and ask questions. You will find the answer.
Laurie
P.S. My Jake only lived 6 weeks after his amp. but he did great as a tripawd and I would not have done it any other way. BTW he developed another tumor that grew like wildfire. But I can say that the amp. decreased his pain and helped him have a few great weeks.
Hi Annie,
I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this disease, but you are certainly in the right place--the best group of people!! I can only share my experience. My Lily, a greyhound, started limping on a Monday-xrays on Tuesday-amputation on Thurs. I had heard about the pain of osteo, and I knew that I didn't want her in pain. But, I understand your dilemma-you want to make sure she can handle it. My Lily is a couch potato, so she has happily spent the last 33 months post amp (and chemo) going on short walks and relaxing. I wish you the very best with your decision--it sounds like you are certainly going to the experts- the doctors and this community. Please keep us posted.
Best of luck,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Hi everyone! She has had the op and is now home. I'm not sure how she is coping, the nurse who looked after her on the first day thought she was doing well but she still trying to put the missing leg down and so almost falling over. She ate lots yesterday when we got her home and then slept right through the night, but didnt finish her breakfast this morning so I don't know whether to be worried.
We had to help her all the way out to the garden this morning with a towel under her belly and she almost collapsed whilst having a wee, is this normal?
I don't have picture of her after her op yet but this is her before:
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Annie x
Sounds pretty normal. It takes a bit for them to adjust their balance. The pain meds can affect their appetite and disposition a bit. More tired, etc. she slept ALL NIGHT? That is incredible! She will also get tired more quickly for awhile. This too is perfectly normal. Gald her surgery us over and she is home. The first few weeks are the most difficult and then it begins to get easier. Hugs from, Lori and TY
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Annie,
I'm so happy to hear that your precious baby came through her surgery ok.
The light eating is normal in the beginning...between having a major surgery and all the meds they don't typically have much of an appetite. For me I was just happy to get some grilled meat (chicken, steak, pork) in Leland with some rice.
My Leland also went through thinking the hind leg was still there when stepping off the mattress onto the floor (we slept on the floor with our baby after the procedure). It will just take your girl a bit to figure out how best to get herself around.
With assisting them with belly slings...we did that for Leland the first few weeks. I would help him get to where he wanted to go in the yard and then we he started assuming the "position" to pee I'd slide the sling up to his chest so when he was done I could immediately place it back around his stomach. With pooping I'd loosen up on the hold when he started to hunch up but I would keep it around his belly to give him support so he wouldn't fall over. This takes a little time for hind leg amps (or at least my Leland) to figure out since they have to balance on one leg. He did get it figured out eventually though.
I'll be keeping you and your precious furbaby in my thoughts through this recovery period.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Hey
thanks Lori and Sahana I did think it was because of loosing her balance but wasnt sure,
I had to go to the hospital myself just now for a test, I was terrified about leaving her but when I came back she was stood up (albeit a bit awkwardly) and wagging her tail (or stump rather!)
I think I need to figure out the best way to support her as much as she needs to figure out things herself!
Thanks for the replies everyone and hope your all well!
Annie
P.s. just realised my photo didn't go on I don't know how to do it lol
Glad she's home! I agree, that's pretty awesome she slept all night.
Instead of using a towel to assist how about trying the old canvas grocery bag trick?
As for adding photos, here are instructions, let us know if you need assistance.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Annie- Sounds like Betsy is doing great. Just remember there will be good and bad days in the first few weeks. Keep us posted.
Laurie
Hope everything came out okay for you at your hospital "visit". Make sure you are taking care of yourself while you are caring for Betsy!
As already mentioned, be prepared for somenups and downs over the next week or so. My Happy Hannah didn't sleep for nineteen hours straight when she first came home and was clearly miserable!. Took many, many nights before she slept somewhat comfortably.
Sounds like Betsynis "ahead of the curve" and doing very well. Yeah, mobility can take a bit of time for somendogs to figure out, especially while they are on drugs! Some dogs don't eat well for days. My Happy Hannah ate just fine, but she didn't want to drink water! Crazy!
Has Betsy had her first poop het? Sometimes the meds can throw that off too. Let us know, we love to do hoppy poopy dances around here!
Hugs...and take care!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
Hi Sally
Yeah she has been the same eating fine but not drinking! She did have a big drink of water finally earlier though!
No poo yet! But I'm not surprised with all the drugs and the fact she is struggling to get her balance for a wee I doubt she is brave enough to try a poo! She has been up a lot more today but is also a bit panicky, I keep trying to sneak out to walk our other dog and she tries to follow us and then is panting like crazy until I come back in and sit with her 
Annie
I'm happy to hear that your baby is eating better and finally taking in some water.
For Leland he didn't poop for 5 days after he came home. When he finally did I felt so bad for him because he clearly was struggling to get the poop out (he was puffing and blowing which he'd NEVER done before). After that first time though he didn't struggle as much. Just be prepared and don't panic when your girl finally goes.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
YAAAAAAAAAY! HAPPY POOP DANCE GOING ON ALL OVER TRIPAWD LAND!!!!
Glad to hear she's slowly getting somenof sparkle back! Wanting to go for a walk is a good sign! Right now she just needs to rest and go out for potty breaks though. And yeah, some dogs constantly need reassurance from their human and want you by their side 24/7! And then to add drugs and some pain from major surgery on top of that.....WOW! Are tripawd dogs the most resilient souls or what?!
As far as not drinking, I think I mentioned my Happy Hannah would not drink either. I finally resorted to putting a scoop of ice cream in her water snd bringing her bowl to her in bed! It worked....but I had to do this for a couple of weeks! Yeah really! You can also try some boiled chicken and mis some water in with the broth.
Sounds like Betsy is really doing well and is going to sail through recovery just fine!
Extra treats for pooing!!!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Whoop! Woop! Everypawdy do the POTTY DANCE!!!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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