Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone. Wanted to share the story of my girl Lili. She's an 8 year old mutt, some sort of scruffy terrier mix, approximately 53 lbs pre-surgery, and she is now 3 days post-surgery. Our journey started with minor limping last fall, and initial x-rays revealed a lucency. Our first consult thought it clear enough to recommend immediate amputation, but we sought a second opinion and decided to biopsy the bone to see what we were dealing with. The biopsy of both the bone and the marrow came back clean, and chest x-ray was clear, so I thought we were out of the woods (though had no answers yet). But, a follow up leg x-ray early this week showed significant deterioration of the bone. On Tuesday, we proceeded with the amputation of her left rear leg. We are awaiting biopsy of bigger bone samples.
The first few days have been difficult, but she seems to be doing okay. As the vet suggested, the bone biopsy a few weeks back may have been more painful than the amputation. Tail is wagging and she is still giving kisses, anyway! She's figuring out the best way to get around, though she seems fairly restless and unable to get comfortable while laying down. On the plus side, she's cruising around with relative ease and, as always, her appetite is good, which I hope are good signs. I am focusing on the positives while bracing for the worst, since the deterioration between the November x-ray and this week's was pretty terrible. We will have biopsy results next week.
She has no problem hopping on the couch, and down the stairs is a breeze. Up the stairs is slower. We have lots of stairs and hardwoods, which she seems to be handling pretty well.
So much info on this site and I'm soaking it all in! Although we have been working through the pain for months, the initial biopsy results made me think we wouldn't need to go down this road. Then, when we made the decision, the surgery was less than 24 hours later. This week has been a whirlwind! Looking forward to nice weather this weekend so we can try some more short walks to help her hit her stride. She's such an important part of our family and we'll do anything to help her be pain-free for as long as possible!
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Welcome Lili! Your post will no longer need to be moderated. Glad you are finding the info you need here. It is like finding a new home when you settle in here with all the people and experiences.
Wising you a speedy recovery.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Welcome Lili! Glad to hear your surgery went well and you are doing well so far. Yes, UP stairs is harder for rear amputees, but they get the hang of it eventually, my little jill still (three months post amp, and she is a cat) hesitates before she has to jump up, but shes getting to be a pro at this point! Down is always much easier! Let us know what other advice you need and stop by the chat room some time if you are around and have some questions.
Erica & Kitty Tripawd Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Hi, all! Just checking in to share a bit about Lili's progress. It has been a roller coaster since surgery (now 11 days ago). I had read up on this site and thought I was prepared, but man, you guys weren't kidding!
She did so well in some ways, eating and drinking like normal, relatively good at figuring out how to get around (even up and down stairs), bathroom breaks were a breeze, the surgery site healed nicely. But in other ways, we have really struggled. It's hard not to coddle her, because she seems so very sad. She basically moves around just a couple times a day -- from sleeping in the bedroom to downstairs for potty break and breakfast, then plants on the couch until time for another potty break, then couch again until dinner. And then we coax her upstairs for bed.
I know much of that is the recovery process, and the pain meds, and, well, it's just a major adjustment. But she was so joyful and vivacious before the surgery, even with the limp. Now, it takes massive effort just to get her off the couch. Trying hard to be patient and have faith that our happy girl will return soon. And I am appreciating the small improvements that I see day to day (she followed me upstairs when I came home from work yesterday! Voluntarily! She used to race me upstairs and run circles around me while I got settled, but getting off the couch for my arrival is a big improvement!).
Yesterday, I stocked up on fun things (a couple new squeaky toys, some chewy bones that I know she loves, etc.), just to see if we can get some pep back. Looking forward to getting the staples removed next weekend, and anticipating (though not looking forward to) the results of the biopsy.
peterlili said
Just checking in to share a bit about Lili's progress...
Thanks for the update! And for registering, your future forum posts will not require moderation now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hang in there guys, she will get there. 11 days still isn't a long time and some dogs need longer than others. That little sparkle will be there soon, I'm gonna bet as soon as the staples are out. Those toys and other new mental stimulation like that will help. Remember that at this point if you can keep her mind active it's more beneficial than trying to get her physically active during recovery. She'll get there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
hey lilli
u will get better believe me my desi has been through this her left back leg and she was so sad for a while once her stitches came out a week later shes the same happy girl
Hi Lili! What a cutie. If she's still on pain meds, that can contribute to her feeling down.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Thanks guys. We stopped all pain meds yesterday -- after the Fentanyl patch came off a week ago Friday, she was on Tramadol and Rimadyl. Stopped Tramadol early in the week, and stopped Rimadyl on Friday. She seemed really tired and unwilling to move yesterday, and I'm paranoid it's because she is in pain, but fingers crossed that we see her sparkle once it's all out of her system. She was back to her impish ways a bit yesterday, staring craftily at our other dog Peter's bone after wolfing down her own. 
The biopsy results are in. As we feared, it is osteosarcoma. Lots of tears here tonight, and we are figuring out what to do next. 
Awww I'm sorry guys. This news is just heartbreaking, we know. Don't let those depressing statistics get you down. We like to say "nine out of ten statistics are wrong!" We hope with all our heart that Lili beats the odds and lives a long, healthy life. Whatever you decide to do about treatment, if anything, just remember it's all about quality of life, not quantity. There are no "right" or "wrong" decisions here, the only ones that matter are the ones that are made with love.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lili - so sorry about the news. You're a terrier so I know there is lots of fight in you. Sending you all our pawsitive thoughts!
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Hi there,
Just want you to know you aren't alone. My coonhound, Banjo had his front leg amputated on Monday due to suspected (and now confirmed) osteosarcoma. I miss that sparkle as well and really look forward to seeing it in him again. How many days post-amp did you stop the tramadol? I'm wondering if I should do the same. He sleeps ALL the time and looks at me blankly, but I also know the rest is important for his recovery.
Hang in there!
Christy
Welcome Christy and Banjo! We're glad you joined us, your future posts won't require moderation. Banjo will get his sparkle back, you'll see! Most times it takes at least two weeks before the light really comes back, sometimes longer, but he'll get there. Usually people keep their pets on the pain meds for about 10 days but be sure to ask your vet before you change anything.
We look forward to hearing more about your pack. Sorry about the OSA diagnosis but we'll be here to help make it easier for ya. Paws crossed that Banjo has many healthy hoppy days ahead!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Lili! Boy, all this sounds soooo familiar. Only you have your emotions far more in eck than I
Try not o compare Lili's recovery to others...or even n comparing hen some get off pin meds
Now, here's the exception....fell free to compare to Happy Hannah ho didn't start showing that glorious sparkle energy returning well into her third and fourth week!! I, like you, felt she was a happier dog before the amp. and even with the limp----the sparkle and personality were there. And then for several weeks I'm seeing none of that and she's restless with pin and not happy. I started taking her off pain meds after about second week to see if she would "return". Nope, she needed to be back on gabapentin for awhile longer
Anyway, here we are almost six weeks after and she is beyond great!! I look at her everyday and cannot believe how happy and joyous he is!, She,s glistening with sparkle....she's snap, craclin' and pop pin' all over the place!
We all promise, it will get better! You don't have to make a decision about chemo right away....so don't worry about that now
He is doing great and so are you!! She is getti
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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