Welcome!  Admin and Sally have both given you excellent advice!  We all know how hard it is to wrap your head around this diagnosis and the many emotions it brings with it.  I chunked it down in my mind to we had to try to get our boy out of the pain of walking on that diseased limb and see what the future brings.  At least I had an action plan now and I knew to do nothing would mean having to let him go shortly.  All the wonderful people here got me through the recovery stage and taught me to be strong for Max.  If I panicked he panicked.  If I stayed strong he stayed strong.  You can do this!  We'll be standing by ready to help when needed!  Hugs!

scandela said

Hi everyone.  I have an appointment scheduled to have it amputated this Thursday.  I am worried as I'm sure many of you were that this is not the best decision.  My current concerns are pretty typical

Hi Escher and Pawrents

Im sorry that you find yourself in such a heart wrenching situation. We can all definitely relate to those heart stopping moments when we were faced with the huge decision to amputate, or not to amputate! Paul and I were initially horrified at the thought of amputation, then we came home and found Tripawds!!! We knew that without trying, we would lose Stewie in too short a time. But we also came to realize  that taking his painful leg away would make his life a whole lot easier and happier. We still don’t know when Stewies journey will end on this earth, but we don’t worry about that right now... he is almost 7 months past amputation and we couldn’t feel more blessed!!

1) is this surgery going to really be the big pay off I'm expecting?  Will she be happy on 3 legs?

The pay off is huge... We didn't realize just how much pain Stewie was in before his surgery. After getting through the first 3 weeks of recovery, we saw a whole new pup emerge!! The frown on his forehead disappeared and even now we comment on the lovely deep sleeps he has!

Escher will be super Hoppy on 3 legs! She will amaze you, I promise! Escher has had a few extra issues that she has had to deal with in the past, but you have pulled her through those times right?! You will both rock this thing! 

2) her current mood is declining.  She is becoming more lethargic seemingly each day.  Is that normal due to the pain?  Prior to the limping she was very playful and active.  Now there is a lot of understandable laying, and panting.  She is still very food motivated, so that is my one big re-assurance.  

I would have to say that yes, Eschers mood is more than likely due to the pain. Bone Cancer is extremely painful!!! I can not imagine the pain and i think if i was them, I wouldnt just be a bit moody, I would be screaming bloomin’ murder and wondering when the next shot is coming! Stewie was definitely not himself prior to his amputation. Patience and having a calm assertive manner around Escher is going to help immensely during this journey, she will be looking to you for positive reassurance and direction.

Yeah for food motivation... she will tell you at times that she doesn’t feel hungry, so having extra stinky, treats and such will be needed to bribe them into thinking otherwise. I fed Stewie Steaks, Roast Chicken, Salmon, you name it, we tried it... most times it worked, sometimes it didn’t.

3) Chemo! What should I expect?  Do all dogs experience vomiting and diarrhea?  

Stewie had 6 rounds of Carboplatin Chemotherapy (administered by IV) right after his stitches were out and he rocked it!!! He was tired after and each session and we had trouble with his veins, but we managed as a team and Stewie was sooooo well behaved, even Dr. Laurie was amazed!

He didn’t have any trouble with his appetite during this time and no vomiting or diarrhea. I have noticed that his undercoat is not growing back, even now, he is still ‘thin’ in his coat, but I can not say if this is due to the Chemo or not? I dont know if other people have complained or noticed that their dogs coat is different after, its just something i noticed with Stewie. 

Thank you in advance, I feel quit lost and constantly sick over this decision.  

You don’t need to feel lost anymore... there are many people that are here to help you navigate this very difficult time. Yes, we understand the sick feeling and the anxiety that it can produce, but please know that it will get better, Escher will get better and she will show you and thank you for giving her this beautiful life on 3!

Please take care and stay in touch. Thursday seems like a long ways away, so take all the time in the world to give your girl the extra lovin’ that she deserves!

All my best wishes from Petra, Stewie 🐾 and his Pride >^..^<

It is the right decision! I say that even though Otis had some complications after surgery (nothing that wasn't treatable, but it did stress me out)

The first two weeks are not fun. Tomorrow will be a month since surgery and I can say Otis is acting more and more like himself. We don't go on many walks now, but we hop a few houses down the street and there are lots of tail wags. 

Two pieces of advice:

1) If something doesn't seem right or you have questions, call your vet, surgeon or general practice or both! I got valuable advice from both of my vets on the phone and was able to avoid a more problematic situation by calling them

2) do not be afraid to ask questions here! Tripawds saw me though my decision making, the recovery, and then some (including how to clean dog ears!). People here will calm you down and understand what you're going through. That is invaluable.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Camille & Otis

Hi Escher and Mum

im sorry you had such a heart wrenching cry last night, but i am really pleased that this site offered you some relief! As most of us can probably attest to as well!

Sally and Admin gave you excellent advice, especially in regards to the chocolate! 😉 

It is excellent news that she is already using your assistance with the towel. The canvas shopping bag idea is this... you know those cloth shopping bags that are almost square shaped, well imagine cutting out the sides and having only the handles and the main body of the bag to help support Escher. Similar to using your towel, but with handles. My friend sewed the sides on mine, but Stewie didnt like it, as he is a front end amputee 😉 so the bag (and harness) irritated his incision site. 

Escher will probably want to do everything herself, we just need to be close to support them when needed and to ensure that they don't overdo it. We put Stewie’s regular collar on him and I had his extendable leash, so we were able to work with each other on the maneuverability end of things. It is definitely a learning process as you go and each dog is definitely different! Right Frankie?! 😉

As Sally mentioned, the closed off living room area worked for us too. Stewie was able to get up and comfortable change position and I could be close to him, lying next to him when we both needed! 😉 Be sure to have a variety of tasty foods for her to eat, they get finicky and will turn there nose up at the most amazing things, but don’t get discouraged, its pretty normal over the first few days. Lots of rest, lots of water, pee breaks when needed, more rest, more water, more rest, food whenever you can and tons of loving for you both! The 💩 thing can also be a few teeth clenching days for both! 

I am fortunate that I can be home with Stewie. Like Sally also suggested, probably a week, would be a good amount of time to book off, and Maybe your Mum can come in and do checks the week after? 

As far as Eschers current hind end issues, I think if you offer her that extra support and tell her her limitations, plus the benefit of rehab if possible, then she will be on the road to Tripawd recovery in no time.

Best of luck through surgery and dont worry about fretting, we all do!

Petra, Stewie 🐾 and his Pride >^..^<