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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Reading the posts have helped. I had a breakdown today. My dog, Buddy, had his right rear leg amputated 5 days ago. Dx is likely osteosarcoma but pathology is pending. I've been riddled with guilt. Did I do the right thing? Was this selfish?
He's a healthy 10 year old who developed leg issues and within a month we got an X-ray showing the tumor. I know this is probably palliative but I wanted him to have quality of life for whatever time have together.
Will he be OK on stairs? Should I take him out of his pack (3 weimariners)? Also, no bowel movement yet but won't eat pumpkin. Any advice??
Anyways, I'm tagging on to Reno Mom's post b/c there are so many similarities. So thank you for that.
I'm so glad my friend recommended this site. God bless our fur babies.
Best,
Julie Darling (and Buddy)
Hi Julie and Buddy,
The Admin guy will probably encourage you to start your own thread so we can focus our responses on you and Buddy. But I want to respond now with hopefully some words of encouragement. My kitty Mona had her leg amputated due to a tumour caused by a vaccine injection. The whole procedure is very overwhelming and Mona went pretty psycho from the meds. She even escaped from the house for over 24 hours. I was a mess but I had friends jump in and help. Please ask for help if you need it and this forum is a great place to start.
Yes, you did the right thing by having Buddy's leg amputated. You removed the pain. No, you aren't selfish. You did it for Buddy, you wanted the pain gone. You will have quality time with the time remaining.
Yes, Buddy will be okay on stairs. Is he a front or rear leg amputee? Others will chime in with how they helped their dog manoeuver the stairs. I'd be cautious while he still has stitches in.
I don't think you'll have to take him out of the pack except that he needs quiet time now while he's healing. I don't think you want any rambunctious play during recovery.
Others will chime in about pooping. You might want to phone your vet tomorrow if he hasn't pooped yet.
Looking forward to learning more about Buddy and seeing some photos.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Howdy and welcome Julie and Buddy!
I concur with Kerren. Just want to add that these emotions you're going through are very normal. Our Harmony has been gone a year 11/1 and the hub-a-dub and I talked last night about feelings of "coulda, shoulda, woulda". But the facts are, you will do anything you can to make sure your fur-baby isn't suffering. None of the decisions are easy because there's always baggage that comes along with them. You've just got to remind yourself not to pick up that luggage and keep keepin' on for Buddy. Don't let cancer make you second guess your decisions on his behalf.
pam
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
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