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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Hi Jen and Moose!!
I just LOVE Moose's name and his avatar pic is just adorable. I know what you mean by wanting to do everything you can to give Moose a good quality of life. My Leland (108lb Dobie) was a hind leg amp as well but the decision to amputate was thrust on my husband and I due to an infection that the vet couldn't get under control after a failed procedure to fix his knee. We were told he would either need to be euthanized or have the leg amputated so we didn't have much time to prepare. It's good that you're able to get things in order and prepare for when Moose comes home.
I just wanted to let you know that I'll be keeping Moose in my thoughts tomorrow that he has a safe procedure.
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!
Hi Jen,
Although my dog is much younger, he's only 7, we have some commonalities. Eddy is a larger breed dog, a Golden Retriever (75 pds.), diagnosed with osteosarcoma in July. He, too, was misdiagnosed as arthritic. Eddy's osteosarcoma struck in his left hind leg. Two years prior, he had a complete knee reconstruction in, of course, his right hind leg. This left him with a compromised leg if we opted to amputate. After a few consultations with different experts, we did decide to amputate. And, I have to tell you that Eddy has done great! He was on rimadyl and tramadol following his surgery, and he was up and walking the next day! It has been nothing short of amazing to see how he has adapted! He can run and he races up and down the steps!
So, my advice would be to amputate. It will make Moose feel SO much better to not have that horrific pain. Eddy was panting all of the time before his surgery. It was wonderful to see that subside. And, if you need help of any sort following, this group can help. I hope you keep us informed on Moose! I wish you the best!!! ~Betsy
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Jen, So happy to see Moose's avatar. What a handsome man! Love it...will keep you in my thoughts.
Hi Jen,
It was nice talking with you the other day. Great avatar- I LOVE the gray muzzle! I'm glad you guys have made a decision- now you can focus on getting through the surgery and getting Moose comfortable.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Jen and Mooooose! Great name, as Sally said! I'm the mom of Lexie, one of the senior stars who is now an angel, and I absolutely would amputate again if I had to do it all over again. I'm so glad y'all are moving forward!
Agree that checking out the Size and Age Matters forum will be helpful. And as you'll in other posts, traction for your Tripawd is key. If you have hardwoods or laminate or vinyl or tile floors, get some carpet remnants and runners (I had some runners and small area and hall rugs made out of remnants very reasonably; just called around to different carpet outlets).
And I triple agree with Kathy and the others who mentioned that physical therapy is even more important for older Tripawds. It's worth asking your surgeon and any ortho vets for recommendations of for vet physical therapists. Lexie loved her water treadmill sessions (if you search water treadmill and Lexie you should be able to find some pics and videos). Cold laser therapy and massage worked very well for her too, and you can do massage at home.
Also, if you search the forums for physical therapy + Maggie you'll find some great links to posts from Maggie's mom (whose name I'm blanking on) with info and videos.
Good luck, and please keep us posted!
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
All,
Thanks again for the encouragement and sharing your stories. This site has really helped me so much!
I spoke to the vet this morning - he is on board with the amputation, but his schedule is hard this week - he can't do it till Friday. So he will be calling me back this morning after he speaks to his associates as he believes they can get him in tomorrow or Wednesday the latest. He said he doesnt want him to wait till Friday (I dont either!).
I told him we weren't concerned with biopsying, or the chemo at this point. He agreed that he didnt feel it would be beneficial to put him through it, and said that as long as we are aware we could only be buying him months (he said 3-9), he would move forward with it. I'm just looking at it as a pain standpoint now - the leg needs to come off to get him some relief, and any additional time we get to spend with him is better than the alternative - provided he's not suffering.
Thanks again everyone - I'll keep you all updated on the surgery and progress, as I'm sure I'll be an emotional wreck having to have my baby stay overnight in the hospital and sick with worry.
Hi Jen,
So glad you have come to a decision on sweet Moose, who is so very handsome BTW......amputation can be a very difficult decision to make, but one we ultimately make in the best interest of our beloved fur kids. And you are right, as long as your vet is on board with this decision as well, Moose will get much more comfort and quality in his his life, and that is the most important thing for you both. Also, there is no timeframe stamped on him, so just enjoy every single moment with him and let him be his usual, loving, handsome self....we call it, being more dog.
Hoping he can get in a bit earlier for his surgery, as I know you are, and please keep us updated on everything....there is so much wisdom and experience here, we can all collectively help get you through all of this very scary new journey with Moose.
Keeping you and Moose in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Jen - Glad the vet is trying to get Moose in earlier. Glad that you are at peace with your decision. Love the big old guy and keep us in the loop.
Jen I really like how your vet is working with you and providing such great communication too, that's awesome. Glad Moose will be able to get in sooner, and you have a great attitude, a winning combo!
In a Tripawds quality of life survey we conducted last year, almost every respondent but 2 I think said they were glad they proceeded with amputation even if their dog didn't live as long as they had hoped. What made it worth it was they got a good quality of life that enabled them to spend time together and also prepare for the inevitable.
I hope with all my heart that Moose gets a long, long time on 3 legs, so let us know how things are going OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well, today is the day. We just dropped poor Moose Goose off at the vet to get his leg amp. Unfortunately the vet that is handling the surgery is different than the one we've been communicating with. He told us right before they took him back that he looked at the films and feels that the cancer has already metastasized to his lungs.
Since our plan all along was to ease the pain, we still are going through with the amputation, and will just hope for as much time as we can get - regardless of the cost.
So, I'll keep everyone posted. It was heartbreaking leaving my puppy there.
Online
Soooooooo.......it's it fair to say your heart is in your throat right about now? You feel like throwingnup? You are nauseated? You're already second fuessing everything? You get up to do something, but walk around in circles instead because you don't know what you're doing? YEP! ALL "NORMAL"!!!
Moose Goose will be seeing pink elephants today snd tonight and not feeling any pain! He'll have some reallygood drugs in him! Try and get some rest tognight. You may have a few sleepless nights when he gets home before things start settling down a bit.
You've made your decision to proceed out of love for Goose. I know this second vet through you a curve ball talking about the xrays. The other vet didnt thinknhe saw anything so I'd just stick with that vetsw opinion for now! You are removingnhis lain (once recovery is over) and you are giving him a chance!
One of our tripawd Angel Heroes SASSY SUGAR BEAR enjoyed a loving and spoiled life for seven months after mets were found!!! She's a GORGEOUS Rottie!
And remember, in dog years, six months is over THREE YEARS in humans!!
Now grab a bag of chocolate and all the junk food you can find and eat it all day long!!!! It does wonders for your nerves!!!!
We are all right beside you! We understand! You are not alone!!
Sending lots of comforting and healing hugs to Moose...and you!
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!
Hi Jen!
I can't add too much more than what's already been said.
Laurie brought up an excellent point, Labs are notorious for not showing their pain. If my Harmony (black Lab) hadn't limped, I would have never known she was so ill.
The things that helped me the most about her surgery was going to the gallery here and desensitizing myself. I promise it will help for your first visual of Moose sans his leg. The hospital was also kind enough to put a doggie t-shirt on her so to lessen mine and the hub-a-dub's stress level when we first saw her. Just these two small things will help you enormously!
Keeping you and Moose Goose in my thoughts and prayers today!!
<3 Pam and Halo'd Harmony <3
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Aww good luck to you and Moose, we wish him a speedy recovery.
As for the metastasis comment, while it is true that most time metastasis has occurred when osteo is found, you never know what amount of time you're looking at. We've seen quite a few dogs here beat those odds, including Zeus, another senior dog, and our Jerry, who lived a beautiful 7 more months with mets. Also, just because there are mets, not all vets believe that not doing amputation is the right way to go. Read this article by Dr. Joanne Intile, it will bring you some comfort today.
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Moose's surgery was yesterday. The vet called and said he did fine, and all went as expected. They kept him overnight last night. I'm a nurse and work night shift, so I had to work a 16 hour night last night - and went in with just a couple hours sleep. This morning, I came home and laid down planning to rest a couple hours before going to pick my puppy up, when I got the call I wasn't expecting. The vet said he believes he threw a clot, and he passed this morning.
We are all devastated and heartbroken, including his 18 year old "boy" who said Moose was his best friend since he was five years old. Moose is now laid to rest in our backyard, in his favorite spot. I think in addition to the obvious sorrow, I'm even more sad because my poor puppy died alone. Like I said before, he's never been apart from us - minus one week while we were on vacation, so I know he was scared and alone in a cage. I still wouldn't change our decision to proceed with the surgery, but I guess I just wasn't prepared for the "day after" call. I had it in my mind that he made it through, and now it's time to move forward with recovery.
Thank you everyone for your support and kind words of encouragement. This is really a great community and resource for people going through this, and it helped me tremendously this past week.
Oh Jen, I cannot believe what I am reading right now, I just let out a muffled scream, and am now crying.......I am so very sorry for this very unexpected, awful turn of events for you and your family.....please accept my sincere sympathy for Moose's passing, I am speechless......please know you did everything you could do and also what you thought was the best thing for him......I will be back to post more, when I can get my thoughts together...
Sending healing {{{hugs}}} and comfort for your breaking heart,
Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
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