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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Since finding out my baby Madison has osteosarcoma is her back leg a few months ago its been a whirlwind. We have done radiation and bone drip therapy along with all the other homeopath vitamins and treatments and pain meds. If it wasn't one thing it was another, so it was weekly visits to our oncologist, who has made this journey so much easier I couldn't have found a better Dr. After trying everything to "save" her leg its time it goes. The tumor has grown and is giving her a lot of pain, she has been holding up her leg for the last 5 or so days and i can tell she's in lots of pain. We also got the bad news when we did X-rays the other day that there is a nodule in her lungs and they gave her 4 months. Even thou thats not a lot of time i just want her to be as pain free as possible for the rest of the time she has with us. Madison is a 90lb american bulldog 9 1/2 years young, and is very spoiled. the love of my life. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for the recovery process, I've read lots of these posts and it has helped. When she was recovering from her bone biopsy it was a hard week, so i know this is going to be even harder. Any advise would be much appreciated
I'm sorry I have to run right now, but I wanted to get your post approved so others could comment. I'll check back later.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Madison! Your avatar picture is absolutely adorable!! Cannot wait to see more photos!!
Your really jave been through a lot. Glad you plsted so we can be part of your support team and help you navigate through this amputation AND PAIN FREE LIFE!! I thin kyou will be amazed at how much better Madison feels with that hurting leg gone! Sure, this is major surgery and it hurts! But it's only for a relatively short time and then no more pain and no more surgeries!!
I want to applaud you and send you a great big cyber hug for doing all you can for your Madison! You are making a courageous decision out of love and that is always the right decision.
And one thing we all no for sure around here, statistics don't mean much!! Just as Sassy who got over seven months after her mets were discover. Ask Pug Maggie who was given 6-9 months and passed over four years later from a different cancer!
Madison does NOT have a timeframe stamped on her butt and she sure doesn't care about days on a calendar!! Be More Dog ...be more Madison! Live in the moment with no worries about the tomorrows. Let NOTHING interfere with your time together! Spend every second living in the moment spoiling and loving and taking pictures and going thru drive thrus and spoiling and loving some more!! Make every day even more glorious than the day before! Make everyday MADISON DAY!! 🙂
When is the amputation? Your vet will keep Madison overnight and she'll be seeing link elephants. He'll most likely send you home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an a antibiotic. The first two weeks can be a little rough...maybe some whining, some restlessness, loss of appetite...and maybe not!! If Madison is holding her leg up it is really hurting. The bone biopsy itself is very painful. I think you'll see fairly quickly how much better Madison feels without that bum leg!!
Lots of rest and short potty breaks for the first two weeks. You may use a towel sling under her if she needs a little extra support at first. Of course, o stairs, no jumping around. Non slip scatter rugs for traction are important if you have hardwoods.
We'll be right here by your side the whole way, okay? Will look forward to more uldates.
Oh, and when you lock Madison ul, just look into her druggy eyes and tell her how much you love her and what a good girl she is! She's not gonna look at her incision, so why shoukd you? A scoop of ice cream and a cheeseburger may be in order as a celebratory snack!!
Sending you lots of (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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 again, sorry it was so long before I was able to get back.
Sally always has awesome information to share, and so much support!
Yes, my pug Maggie far outlived her prognosis. Not all are so lucky, but you just never know what will happen.
You might want to look at The Required Reading List, lots of good links there to info on what to expect from amputation and recovery. We also have several eBooks you can download from the Tripawds Library.
I'm sorry to there appears to me a lung met. Has Madison done chemo? Has your vet mentioned metronomic therapy? Many pups with lung mets have lived longer than 4 months.
The recovery period can be bumpy so stay positive and don't get discouraged. I think most of us have gone through the 'what have I done?' period during recovery- but it gets better. Madison will be very happy to be rid of that painful leg.
Karen and The Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
benny55 thank you so much for your kind words and support. Couldn't help but cry reading your post, means a lot. This whole process is the hardest thing I've ever had to go though. Madison has been my whole world for 9 1/2 years now. I love that there are places like this where there is so much support and information. When I first found out she could have bone cancer I googled it and it led me here as well. And I have found out so much information. Tomorrow is the day and I couldn't be more anxious. Just ready for it to be over. I know she is in good hands, just ready for her to feel better and on the positive road to recovery. Thank you so much for the support. Really means so much!
I will be keeping you and Madison in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Please keep us posted. We'll be here for love and support whenever you need us. This is indeed an intense journey but you and Madison will build a bond that will be forever. Stay strong! Madison will look to you for guidance so you will need to show her all is well and be a strong pack leader for her. Many hugs! (((())))
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max
To tell you to try and get some rest is pretty futile. So, for now, just devour as much CHOCOLATE as you possibly can! Some members become instant alcoholics for 24 hours! Whatever works!
Remember, Madison is not worrying about a thing! Isn't that great?
Stay connected! We are all right here by your side! We pretty much know al ost every nuance I involved in recovery,so dont hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
You are a powerful advocate for Madison a d doi g EVERYTHING possible to give her a quality pain free life...and she knws it! Give yourself a hug...really! Do kt! You've earned it!!
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Sending strong, positive thoughts your way today for an easy and successful surgery.
Update us when you can.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Howdy and welcome!!
I love American Bulldogs! And Madison is soooooo CUTE!
Keep us updated. I'll be thinking about you and your sweetie. Take advantage of the time right now to get plenty of rest. When you bring her home you'll be so busy worrying with (and about) her that you'll forget to take care of yourself.
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
Welcome! I hope things went well today. Yes, it's scary to go through this but you will both do great, I can tell you have the right frame of mind: it's all about quality, not quantity. Mets or no, she doesn't keep track of time or prognosis, she just wants to feel good again and spend time with you. And sure, recovery is no picnic but odds are she will be in less pain during amputation recovery (as long as she has good pain management ) than she was when she had the bone biopsy, which is extremely painful.
Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello, Thank you all for the kind words and support! Madison's surgery went so well! I've been a little busy so haven't had the chance to get on here and write an update. But so far so good! I was so anxious to pick her up on tuesday, and once i got her home things were gong well, she peed and pooed almost right away and drank water. Next step was getting her to relax and sleep. I bought a twin memory foam topper and have it on the floor, i put some mattress protecters and a sheet on it and some pillows around it. I was looking for a memory foam bed for her that was big enough, I didn't find anything i thought would work. This has worked out so well, takes up some room but i can get on it with her and have snuggle time, and she has plenty of room to move around and get comfy. At first it looked like she had a little trouble trying to figure out how she should lay, but she seems to have figured it out she switches around laying on each side. Since she was hopping around on 3 legs and holding her leg up for awhile now before the surgery she has this whole 3 leg thing down, makes it so much better. The only problems we've had were the drugs and drainage pump so far. Ive already known that she's super sensitive to the opiates so i wanted to keep those to a minimum but keep her from being in pain. After she came home she was panting and breathing hard, which were from the drugs so i didn't give her her next dose of buprenex until way later that night and i only gave her 1/2 of what they prescribed, seemed to be ok, she was a little heavy breathing but not for long. The next morning her pump drain didn't seem to be working, like it was clogged, we kinda tried everything to get it working so they suggested to bring her in so they could fix it and double check it. So i gave her another 1/2 of the buprenex before we went in, not a good idea. She was really panting and even shaking. The nurse fixed her pump and we had talked about the drugs and she said she didn't think it was a good idea to give it to her anymore, she wasn't coping with it well. Good that was i was thinking, just good to hear it from the nurse. Now that its out of her she's doing so well, no panting, sleeping well, that anxiety gone, And mine too. So the only pain meds she's on right now is the Gabapin, Which she's been on for a month or so already. I gave her a tramadol today and seems to be fine with that. She's also been on CBD oil for the last 3 months, I'm gonna start that back up tomorrow. But this is less pain meds then when she had that awful painful leg. She seems so good and I'm so happy that we have done this amputation, i think its harder on me then it is on her. Like you guys have said don't look at her wound she's not. It is a big shock and gonna take some getting used to, but just seeing how well she is dealing with it make it all that eaiser for me. Im so proud of her!
Wonderful update! She's so lucky to have you as you are such a strong advocate for her and seem to instinctively know what she needs or doesn't need. Madison's avatar is just beautiful. Keep us posted on her progress. Sounds like she's got this well handled.
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max
Awww, we're proud of you both. This is the kind of news we need around here on a day like today, thank you for sharing your recovery victory. It won't be long until you both find your new normal and get back to living life the way you know how. Hang in there and let us know if we can help OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Madison's 2 1/2 week update. Wish there was good news. The first week and half was going so well. She was walking around with no problems and seemed to be in a lot less pain even without the pain meds. Then she started looking not well. Had a fever shaking and just wasn't feeling good. Took her to the after hours vet. she had a fever and they did someblood work and gave her a camel hump of fluids. Her surgeon was in the next day he didn't see any sings of infection. Her insision sight looked really well, she was getting her stitches out in 2 days. He suggested doing chest X-rays. To everyone's surprise expcially my own the cancer in her lungs had quadrupled in those two weeks and there was more. How did this happen. Right before the surgery there was one very small nod and they said 4 months. I'm devastated. Since its growing so fast in her lungs that's what's making her sick. Now she's on some steroids and nausea pills just to try and help her feel better. She's eating and drinking. A lot harder for her to get around since she's week. I got that ruff wear harness before she had her surgery and its helping a lot now. I've also had a doggy ride since she was little to hook up to my bike. Since she's was diagnosed I got the stroller kit and we are taking daily walks and beach trips in it and she just lays in it and loves it. Talking with my oncologist asking if she will pass on her own or if i have to put her to "sleep" he said that if she did pass on her own she will have had to suffer. So here I am trying to figure out when is the time. I had this idea of her passing in my arms on the beach at sunset. Crazy as it is. I found a dr that will meet me at the beach and do it. They do house calls but are willing to do it anywhere. Still can't imagine her not being here. don't want her to suffer. This has been such an emotional ride and it has just happened way to fast. Wasn't ready for this. F U cancer.
Oh gosh! Popped on quickly before heading to work.. this is shocking beyond words.
I'm goi g to PM you my home number....USE IT!!! Also...use the Tripawds Helpli e. 844. TRIPAWDS
Roght now....and this is so hard ro wrap your head around...right NOW she is doinb okay. Try not to jump ahead. She is thoroughly enjoying all that loving and spoiling and bei g treated like a Princess. Being tired doesn't hurt. She's earing and drinking
I cant help but think she had a bit of an infection too with the fever. Did the vet put her on antibiotics? Certainly a fever can make them feel yucky.
I can tell you that my Happy Hannah got some good extended time and she was on Prednisone and an occasional Tramadol. I say this again, being tired doesn't hurt.
You still have so.e good quality time, okay. Based on what you've described, It is not time!!! I'll share.more later about my Happy Hannah's transition while eating deer poop and ice cream at home, but you can definitely have a celebration of her life at the bwach...at sunset...when the time comes...but not yet!!
Everyday is .MADISON DAY!! Ice cream, steak, cupcakes, waffles, pizza! Whatever she wants! She is with you NOW and NOW is all that matters in her world.
Have to head to work....just want to send you as much love as possible through the computer screen!
With love!
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
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