Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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surgeon confirms its a spindal tumor. the options are amputation, which will take care of the issue (cancer) or pain meds and the tumor can grow and maybe spread.
doesnt seem like a hard decision but i am having a real tough time thinking about an amputation for caesar.
I asked about the luxating patella in the leg that would be left and he said it could be an issue, but if it hasnt been a problem for the last couple of years, it may not be.
Why is this do hard?
Why is this so hard? Because we attach human emotions to their issues. We think about how we would feel and how it would effect us. If you do the amputation you'll quickly learn that they don't over think the way we do. A person can read our advice and stories all day long, but there's something inside that makes you think your dog is different, that your dog WILL react in a more human way. You just won't really see how amazing they are unless you're forced into this position.
I'm sorry about the cancer diagnosis, but I guess the bright side is the lower chance for spreading. When it came time for my decision I finally just had to spend some quiet time with Roxy, just me and her, no outside distractions and try to "listen" to her, just try to feel the moment. Maybe that will help you find peace with this????
Did you ever have a chance to look up Grace, the other bulldog? It might help you just to see another of the same kind.
I hope you're able to make peace with what ever path you decide is the best for your pup.
Leslie
Ryan that's the best kind of cancer news you can get around here, really. My advice is to go with your gut and take it from there. If you are having such a difficult time deciding, maybe there is room to wait and see?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think Leslie hit it right on the head - its my hang ups with it that i think are the issue. Fear of unknown when it finally happens to you - you hope you have the same success i have read about on this website .
Leslie - i did connect with Erin (Gracie's mom) and she has been WONDERFUL to email with. My surgeon has done 2 other bulldog amputations - i am hoping to connect with those people just to get a sense of how they are doing.
Bottom line is i want what is best for my dog - watching him today play and bark when he hears a dog on TV brings a smile to my face - i am not ready for him to go and i know he isn't ready to leave just yet. He has a little brother coming in 1.5 months that he has to meet.
Everyone on this website has been SO caring, sympathetic, thoughtful, insightful and just plain great. I am so glad i found you - even though the reason why is pretty crappy.
My wife and i need to do some more talking so we are on the same page. If we are doing surgery, we want to do it ASAP -maybe as soon as next week.
Reading these emails truly do help me walk this road.
Hi Ryan,
Our golden, Honey, had her surgery last week. It was unthinkable to us just a couple short months ago that we would be here. But we now have our doggy back. She's no longer in pain. In fact, we say that she had her 'pain' removed - not her leg! The vets told us that we would know when the time was right and that it's different for everyone. I think we could have done it sooner especially now that we see her energy and bright eyes again.
We just found Tripawds a couple weeks ago and the support, encouragment and advice has really helped us through this tough time. We'll be praying for you. Your pup is a real sweetie!!
Dx Osteosarcoma 3/31/10. Amputation 7/21/10. Honey put up a valiant fight and lost her battle 9/22/10. Missing her and treasuring 9 years with our Honeygurl.
Hi Ryan,
I totally understand why it's so difficult for you and your wife to make a decision regarding Ceasar's amputation... In my case, Jake had fractured his leg (due to bone cancer) so out only 2 decisions were to either put him to sleep, or amputate and take a chance on his life. Jake did so well after his surgery... got to swim in the pool, play, eat and cuddle with us and his brother Wolfie... Unfortunately, his cancer metastasized to his spine, and he lost his battle almost 8 weeks post-amp... But we wouldn't trade that 8 weeks for anything... it gave him more time to enjoy his life, and for us to love him until the end. Jake was a front leg amputee.
You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers as you make your decision... Whatever it will be... we are there for you!!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Ryan said:
surgeon confirms its a spindal tumor. the options are amputation, which will take care of the issue (cancer) or pain meds and the tumor can grow and maybe spread.
doesnt seem like a hard decision but i am having a real tough time thinking about an amputation for caesar.
I asked about the luxating patella in the leg that would be left and he said it could be an issue, but if it hasnt been a problem for the last couple of years, it may not be.
Why is this do hard?
simply because that's human nature and I am sure even animals will try to hold on to a bodypart prior to casting it aside 😉
Being it's a hind leg that is sort of good from everything I read and I will say the two dogs we have at dog park get along just fine with a missing rear leg. I was in an obedience class with one of those two and didn't realize for the first 3 classes he was even missing a leg until the instructor brought it up.
He lost his being thrown from a car as a puppy along with his littermates.
He hauls butt with the fastest of the dogs there.
My Foxy isn't so fast with a missing front limb. She has to be really sure of each front footing for balance and occasionally divebombs into the ground...doesn't seem to bother her any, but the dogs with both front legs don't seem to be falling down much.
Foxy | Golden Ret./Corgi Mix | Born on Date ~1999 | Tripawd mode – 10/02/2009 | RIP - 03/05/2012
Well - we have made out decision. Caesar will have his right rear limb amputated either this week or next - took alot of soul searching but in the end we decided that Caesar need to have the cancer removed, be pain free and get back to his old self. Its clear the leg is bothering him - he is already starting not to use it.
Little snafu in our surgery - our surgeon broke a bone is his foot this weekend so his associates will be performing the surgery. I spoke to one of them at length today and fell very comfortable.
Other than ordering a harness and getting some mats down on our slippery floors any advice to prepare?
Thanks again to everyone's support.
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
Caesar is one handsome boy. I'm sorry I didn't reply to your post earlier. I really had a hard time making the decision to amputate Fortis' right rear leg as well, Ryan. But once I made it, I never really looked back. Oh, we have had some difficulties but I don't have any regrets with my decision to amputate.
I'm glad you feel comfortable with your Vets associate. That's really important.
I used a scarf until Fortis was able to wear his harness. I have a really long and wide one that can be wrapped around twice and tied at the top making a handle of sorts.
I'm sending positive thoughts your way. Keep us posted and let us know when the date is set. Try and relax and get some rest.
I'm sure others will have lots of advice for you.
Fortis'Dad Brett
Ryan said:
Other than ordering a harness and getting some mats down on our slippery floors any advice to prepare?
be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for loads of advice and recovery tips. Do you have a raised feeding station for Caesar?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the link again, there is some great information there. We are going to get him a raised feeding station and harness. Going this weekend to get carpet runners for the linoleum floor.
Surgery has been set - August 11th. Was hoping to be sooner, but as I mentioned the surgeon broke his foot and is out for 6 weeks.
I just hope we have the same success as all the others tripawds that i have read about. We have found so much support and comfort with this group.
I feel a sense of relief in making the decision, now i can concentrate on getting my pup on the mend so that we are ready for the baby in mid September!
Hi Ryan,
I'm sorry I dont' have time to write more - I'm at work and REALLY have to get back to it. But this is what I want to tell you:
My Lab Ajax had his rear leg amputated 2 weeks ago today. His diagnosis was chondrosarcoma, level one (also differentiated) with low risk of spreading. And we weren't even sure it was causing pain. I had a horrendous time deciding what to do, and explored in great detail radiation options, including stereotactic radiation which was a decent option if one wasn't worried about the spread of the cancer. Ajax is only 8, and VERY active, and I was very worried about what would happen to his activity level, or if he slipped on the NYC streets in the winter and tore an ACL, and a whole other parade of horribles.
Also (sorry everyone) I truly thought everyone on this site was incredibly helpful, but also putting a really positive "spin" on a situation that they had no choice but to deal with. Which was not bad, except that I thought we did have a choice.
Bottom line from me to you:
It has been SO much less bad than I thought it would be. And yesterday (Day 13) it was basically like it had not happened at all. If you search Ajax on this site you can see all my posts. Good luck!
kazy55 said:
If you search Ajax on this site you can see all my posts.
FYI: If you use the Members search button above, or click any member's Profile button above their posts, you will find a link to all posts the member has started and/or posted in.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well, the day has finally arrived. Caesar goes in for his amputation tomorrow morning at 8am. We will be able to bring him home Thursday morning at 9am.
Watching him get around this week has made me feel at peace with our decision to amputate. He is already starting to not use his leg. He seems to be adjusting ok, but will really see when he gets home and we start the process of healing.
He has been getting a lot of extra attention and belly rubs this past week - and he is loving every minute of it.
Please keep Caesar in your thoughts and prayers and we will keep you posted on his progress. I am hoping to start a blog about him and post some pictures. Would love to be able to give back to others what i have received from everyone on this site.
Ryan
Ryan,
My thoughts will be with both you and Caesar tomorrow!!! I'm glad you're at peace with your decision...it'll be sooooooooo much better once he's out of pain...and after the recovery process.
Hugs,
Tracy & Maggie
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
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