Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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She is out of surgery and apparently did great. I will pick her up in about 2 hours. I'm not really looking forward to the next few days, but hopefully everything will go ok. I'm sure I'll be here asking questions!!
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YAY!!! I know that's a huge relief for you. Congrats on her successful surgery! 
Well I just got off the phone with the vet and did not get good news. He found a mass deeply tucked underneath her arm, deep into the armpit. I said, "Oh, that's bad, isn't it?" and he said, "Yes, I would think so." He is sending the mass and the leg off for pathology and we will go from there. The mass was so deep that it was not possible to feel with a physical exam. SO.
I don't really know.
ok, so this is scary stuff...but as you said, 'i don't reallhy know'....so for now, focus on what you do know, what you know for sure.. you love your girl with all your heart, and she loves you. she's gotten through surgery, and you will face whatever challenge is ahead - together. sending our best wishes for good news.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Oh, I'm so sorry you got some scary news. But like Charon said - try to focus on the known right now - she's out of surgery and that's a big hurdle to get over.
Hope you get good news! Sending pawsitive thoughts out to you and your girl! Keep us posted.
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 have so many questions right now...We have her home, and she's just been sleeping the whole time, hasn't been up at all, although she does move around to stretch. She doesn't seem to be in any pain, but I'm thinking I should go ahead and give her the meds. It is breaking my heart to look at her.
It's very very very hard at first. It might even get worse before things start to get better. But hang in there and it will get better!
Try to not get run down - when you are super tired, regrets can start to creep in.
For us, I tried to err on the side of always giving the meds as scheduled. The pain meds can mess with their personalities, but I figured that was better than risking having Abby be in pain.
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!
What I am hearing on this forum from others is that we have to be strong pack leaders and have pawsitive feelings coming out of our souls.
We can cry and be sad in private, but when you are with her, as bad as it looks, you know you did the right thing by her and that she will be up and going in no time.
I am scheduled for Thursday 17th and I will look at him just as I had before- strong, handsome, and a fighter. I hope that i am prepared to hide my emotions and know that removing the pain was the best route now.
I hope the lump is a blessing in desguised. If it had been in the other leg you may not have found it until it was too late. Everything happens for a reason. Please enjoy the time you have. I pray for you all.
Thank you, everyone, for your kind words. I keep telling her she's gorgeous, and I know when she's back to herself I won't feel so bad for her.
I'll be thinking of you. I agree with Angel Abby's mom, keep giving the pain meds as prescribed. As others have said, don't worry about the lump because you don't know yet whether it is something to be concerned about. Whatever the future holds just enjoy each new day with your girl and deal with each new piece of information as you receive it. Hugs!
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Just catching up on this post and just wanted to add my encouragement. The next two weeks may be worrisome, but will pass — just hang on and you will be shocked by how quickly your baby will be up and running. As for the unexpected mass, we are praying for good news.
BTW, we had both a harness and sling for 95-pound Sammy (right front leg amputated) but he was insulted by both and refused to walk or go potty if we were using either of them. God forbid we should try to help him jump into the car and he seemed truly outraged by the sweaters we bought to cover his shaved side during the cold Illinois winter.
Anyone need a couple of large size dog sweaters?
Beth, Spirit Smilin' Sammy and MB Wrigley
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
I am so sorry that you have the added stress of the mass to worry about. Please let us know what you find out.
smilinsammy said
God forbid we should try to help him jump into the car and he seemed truly outragedby the sweaters we bought to cover his shaved side during the cold Illinois winter.
Anyone need a couple of large size dog sweaters?Beth, Spirit Smilin' Sammy and MB Wrigley
Zeus grew up in the Outer Banks of North Carolina until we moved to Pennsylvania four years ago. We also bought several (large) sweaters and a nice down-filled coat. He was mortified at having to wear such stuff. I will also offer up his fancy threads to anyone who thinks their dog may need it!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Well, what a night! I had Stella by the bed and woke up every time she moved. She has eaten a little bit this morning, although I haven't been able to get her to drink any water. She's going potty though (thank God for puppy pads that I can put under her). She will stand up but will not walk yet. I'm not sure if I should be worried about that or not, although it's barely been 24 hours since the surgery.
Oh boy do we remember the sleepless nights. Well, if she's eating and going potty that is a great sign. Keep in mind that one of the big reasons dogs have trouble walking after surgery is because they're still high as a kite from the surgery pain meds. Hang in there, she will perk up but it might take a few days. But if anything concerns you, call your vet. Don't hesitate, that's why you pay them. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello. So glad to see that Stella made it through the surgery and she at home with you. I know that mass the vet found has you scared to death. Praying for a good outcome for Stella and strength for you as you go through her recovery with her and the waiting to find out the results about the mass. Happy to hear that she has eaten a little and yes those puppy pads are very handy. She will be wobbly at first and she may be just too tired and drugged up to try to walk but she should be up and about in a few days. Don't be surprised if she stumbles a bit at first or even falls. Valentina fell on her chin a few times. It takes a bit for them to find their new balance. When she finally does start to walk going potty might be tricky for her at first but she will get the hang of it. It is likely that she will need to lay down and rest just going on a potty break. She will build up her strength over time though. Good luck with everything. Hope you can get some rest soon.
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