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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you betcha she can live a quality life after amputation! Cooper is 10 and a half and we have no regrets over the amputation! Good luck and welcome to the group!
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Tai came to do all of the things on three legs that she did on four, including digging huge holes in the yard, swimming, chasing gophers and outrunning me. It's a tough decision and ultimately one that only you can make. Do whatever you do out of love and it will be the right thing but don't for a minute think that amputation will lessen the quality of life.
Laura and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Wow, this is a tough topic to follow - two very different things going on.
Sadie & family - there are no wrong decisions. You will find most make the decision to amputate with osteosarcoma, the reason being to eliminate the pain and buy some time. We made the decision, and once we had Trouble home and could see she would adjust quickly, we never considered the choice was the wrong one.
Bear & family - I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine what a terrible shock this was for you. Sometimes we make the right choices, yet it turns out very badly. My thoughts are with you.
RIP sweet Bear. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
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.
just wanted to tell all you thoughtful posters how very tough every hour and day are, but to read your comments is comforting. Baer had much life left, but that won't be. Baer was our home, our 'child', our friend, our buddy. He still seems to be in the room sometimes, maybe just in the next hallway!
Thanks again to you all- Dave.
Dave,
We are just heartbroken for your loss. No one here has an easy time of it but this shock is just more than anyone should have to tolerate. We are so, so sorry you lost your boy so suddenly and so tragically. We are praying you will find peace and comfort in your 10 years of memories of your home, your child, your friend, your buddy.
Jan
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Dave-
From the bottom of my heart, my deepest condolences on your loss. I cannot even begin to imagine what you must be going through. The "what ifs" and retraces of steps and decisions can overcome a person in this situation. Try to remember the gift that Baer gave you for those 10 years, and know that your love was the greatest gift you gave in return.
We have decided to go through with the amputation. Sadie will go in on Thursday. I know it is the best decision, for her pain and future comfort. I look at her now, how she drags and barely uses her front right leg. It's almost like she has been a tripawd for the past few weeks. I have a few questions for those of you who have gone through this. What can we expect for the first week or two after surgery? We have decided to move into a first floor apartment to make it easier on her. Assume that her crate will not be the best place for her to be after she returns home. She has a soft square bed that we can put on the floor. Is there anything else we need to get to make it more comfortable for her? We just ordered a Ruff Wear Web Master harness to help with mobility-we are having the surgery at the University of Georgia and live in Greenville, SC, so we have to get her in and out the the car for the 100 mile drive. My husband remains stoic and supportive through this, but I am still having a very hard time accepting it. I have watched videos of tripawds and continually convince myself that this is the right decision. Did anyone else have trouble? Emotions will probably be tough after seeing her after surgery. I am trying to be tough, and usually am in all other facets of life, but this is beyond difficult. Any advice would be so greatly appreciated.
Thanks,,
-Jen
Hi Jen,
I hope you found a little relief in making the decision.
As far as what to expect, check out Jerry's Required Reading list (admin guy posted this earlier). This is a compilation of what to expect with amputation, recovery, and treatment if you choose that route. Many of us found the first couple of weeks full of ups and downs as our pups dealt with lots of meds and new balance. Some lucky pups sail right through. My pug Maggie had me questioning my decision to amputate. (Mag lost her leg before Tripawds was here, so we went it alone). But she was being her obstinate self- it took her longer than most but she did adjust. She was walking the day of surgery, and never needed help getting around- she just didn't deal well with change.
Check with your vet on using the harness with the sutures or staples are still in- some want you to wait. You can use a towel, scarf, or a reusable shopping bag slit down the sides as a sling. Be sure you have rugs down on any slippery floors, and you might consider raising her food and water dishes.
As far as coming to grips with amputating your dog's leg... I don't think any of us ever envisioned having to make that decision. But keep a couple of things in mind. Bone cancer pain is BAD- the meds might mask it some but it is always there. And- once healed up Sadie is not going to miss her leg or things she can't do anymore. I felt bad for Maggie for quite awhile, even though she was getting around fine and was getting her personality back. I finally realized that it was only me that was missing those things- dogs get over it and just deal with what is in front of them. You have to be strong and positive for Sadie to let her know everything is alright right after surgery. Once healed she will show you that indeed everything is OK!
One other thing you might do- look at some post amp pics so you know what to expect when you pick her up. Some vets wrap the incision site, some don't. You should ask before surgery so you know what to expect.
Good luck on Thursday, let us know how she (and you) are doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
frostygirl77 said:
... convince myself that this is the right decision. Did anyone else have trouble?
Ony just about everyone here. Many have found the book Without Regret helpful in dealing with the emotions you're experiencing, we sure did. Welcome and thanks for joining, please consider starting a new topic (or a blog) to share Sadie's experiences.
Any advice would be so greatly appreciated.
If you have not already done so, be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of recovery and care tips. And for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions consider downloading the Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
dave, I'm new at this forum, trying to read most of the posts & all the stories. I share everyone's thoughts for you for your loss. You know dog lovers know how you're feeling.
Jen, I'm at about the same point you are. Waiting now for a phone call to schedule our dogs surgery to remove her back leg. I have to say, altho I'm a bit apprehensive about how she'll adjust, my main concern is the recovery time. I'm expecting that to be very emotional but will work thru it knowing it will be for a short time, based on reading the stories of others at this site. The experiences shared here help reinforce the belief dogs are very resilient & doggone happy if they're not suffering. Not having a leg doesn't cause suffering.
Jo
Jo-
Thanks so much for your warm thoughts ( and all others' well wishes). I had about 2 hours to decide whether to do an amputation for Baer before his life ended, thinking it would then be done in a week. It was such a rapid investigation and challenge, since I thought maybe the leg should come off immediately. ( turns out the vet hadn't done many amps- and I didn't have that option shortly thereafter. I wish this discussion had taken place pre-operation)
But- maybe to replay some of my thoughts will help: At first I could only picture what I previously thought would be a 'crippled' dog, kept around for my benefit. Then, as I read the various posts here, it dawned on me that it was MY difficulty with an amp- not the dog's. In recent year's I have also seen more and more people realize the mental make up of dogs as companions, that are resilient and thoughtful beings in their own right- the love they give and receive makes their lives, and ours. So the decision became clear for me and Baer- at that moment. Baer would have adapted, and helped me adapt, as well.
I sure hope your decision clears for you, and other amps listed above meet with healthy, long term outcomes!
Dave
( Baer's spirit is still strong and real for us.)
These are some really good answers, and Dave really hit the nail on the head.
I tried to detail Tate's recovery in his blog if you want to have a look, but I'll add a couple thoughts here. He had a hemipelvectomy so his recovery was a bit longer than most. In retrospect, two things:
1. Think twice before visiting her in the hospital. Hearing Tate cry when we left was just too much for me. I think most people here would advise against it.
2. Lots of dogs do amazingly well and then have a downturn. Recovery is definitely not linear!
3. You can't fix everything. Do your best, and know it is just a matter of time before your girl's personality is back even if she's physically different.
Best of luck!
Jan
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
tatespeeps said:
1. Think twice before visiting her in the hospital. Hearing Tate cry when we left was just too much for me. I think most people here would advise against it.
Yep, I'd have to agree with that observation. It's often harder on the dogs, who could be confused about why they aren't going home with their folks and the pain meds make their confusion even worse.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jen -
I am sorry you are having to face such a touch decision - We were in your shoes the first part of December and finally had Rileys front leg amputated on January 27th....The delay was because we had to run multiple tests as I was weighing all the options as it sounds like you are along with the fact that my actual vet opted not to do Rileys surgery - and we had a board certified vet surgeon come in instead...(cost me twice as much but worth every penny).
We had gotten Riley a ramp before the surgery so she had mastered it before she went in as we knew we would not be able to lift her (85 lbs). We use it daily for getting in and out of our vehicles and if you don't have one - I would suggest it.....
When I saw Riley charging thru the door - knocking over a cart and leaping into my arms....a missing limb didn't matter nearly as much as it did before...we are almost at the 5 month mark and she is doing wonderful - it was a challenge in the beginning, but I am so glad we made the decision to amputate.
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