Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This November quite frankly has been awful. My beautiful 15 year old Rag Doll cat had to be put down then 4 days later I found a lump on my Franklin's leg. I took him into the vet immediately. I was hoping against hope that it was an abscess but that was not to be. They did a fine needle aspiration and confirmed the worse, it's cancer. I immediately scheduled a biopsy which has been done and we're waiting for the pathologist's report to see what kind and what stage the cancer is in. My Franklin is already scheduled for surgery Dec 6 to have his leg amputated.
I am taking this decision real hard. Sometimes I go thru it's the best thing I can do for him; he'll still be alive. Then it's we'll never be able to hike and camp like we used to it will never be the same. He's roughly 7 years old I don't know for sure as he was a stray when I adopted him from the shelter. He weighs in at around 40 pounds so I'm hoping he will adapt easier than if he were a large breed. All I know is this is breaking my heart. I need to know that I'm doing the right thing and that it will get better. I'm retired and living alone so my boys are everything to me. I also have a Chihuahua mix who's 14 years old. While his passing would be devastating I could accept it more since he had a full and happy life but my Franklin is still so young.
Anyway, I'm getting my home prepared for this new reality. Large area rugs and runners so he won't slip. I got him a ruff wear harness from this site and raised food and water bowls to help him out. I've done a lot of research both here and on youtube. My understanding is the first two weeks will be the hardest. I think I'm rambling now so please let me know I'm doing the right thing.
Thanks...
Hi Joseph, welcome. Your future posts won't need to wait for approval so post away.
You have our condolences for the loss of your kitty. Yes it has been an awful month! I'm so sorry you and Franklin are going through this. You've come to the right place though, we understand how hard this feels and how upsetting it is. Everything you are feeling is normal, and totally understandable. You are doing everything right though, by researching your options and making a decision from the heart for Franklin. He is a very lucky dog to have you.
Yes, the first two weeks can be rough. Not always, but it's good to be prepared just in case, which you are doing. Is your decision the "right" one? Well that's not something we can answer because only you know Franklin best. And in this journey there are no right or wrong choices, everyone is different. But, if you make this decision from the heart, and your gut feeling is that Franklin will do well on three, then you are giving him the best chance at a longer, pain-free life ahead. How long is anyone's guess, even if he didn't have cancer. Nobody can predict the future right? But what we can say is that in most cases, dogs will go on to live without pain and enjoy a good quality of life with their favorite people.
Try not to focus on what you won't have in the future because you just really don't know how things will turn out. In almost every case, it will be better than the Tripawd parent imagined it would. No, he probably won't be a long-distance hiker, but that doesn't mean once he's recovered and strong again that he cannot go on short walks in the woods. It doesn't mean you can't push him in a dog stroller on your favorite paths, with his Chihuahua buddy too! Chances are he will surprise you. But that's in the future. For now, focus on being pawsitive so that he can feel your energy and it can get him through recovery. We call it learning to Be More Dog .
You are not rambling. Write as much as you'd like. Ask as many questions. That's why we are here. Feel free to call the Tripawds Helpline too, we are always here for you.
Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and our What to Expect articles .
Stay tuned for feedback from others. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Can only ditto everything Jerry said.
And goodness knows we all understand the emotions, the fear, the uncertainty. We also understand your cond with Franklin is o e of a deep love. And you are mak a decision out of love with the best interest of Franklin in mind. You know Franklin best and clearly he has a lot of life to live and a lot of spoiling and tummy runbs to receive. All without pain.
And he will be able to do all the things with you just on tnree and with some moderation. We have so many videos of dogs participating in agility, or dock diving, or running ahead of their hooman as he bicycles down a ature trail. The reality is, as long as our dogs are with us, it doesn't matter to them what we are doing.
Let us know as questions arise, okay? We are all here for you. And it looks like Franklin has a special Guardian Kitty Angel watching over him too♥️
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
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