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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Comet, don't feel like a Debbie downer, I have considered all of these things to and that is why I almost gave him to the woman that is a dentist because I knew she could afford all of the things he needs or may need in the future. I do plan on being in a better financial situation later in life, I will be graduating from college in a year and that should help a lot. I did not really think that I would have a puppy with so many problems, I just thought the first few years of his life I would only have to worry about immunizations, heartworm and flea and tick medications and the occasional vet visit. The saddest part of it all is I got Apollo for my disabled daughter which makes me feel even worse about all of this.
Thank you Jerry for the link I will definitely be looking at it, she definitely plans to breed more. When she took the oldest female from her litter to the vet, she left it there for an entire month. They said they she had abandoned the puppy and the manager at the vets office planned to keep it (wish she did) however the terrible breeder got the state to make the woman give the puppy back. Even after I contacted the news trying to inform them of this woman they still did not want my story. I guess they only want to help bad people.
Angel, Apollo is 5 months old now that is another part of my decision right now he would be at the age where he could probably adjust to a new owner rather quickly. It is such a hard decision to make because I just want what is best for him, the woman who I spoke to that day made me feel like I was just trying to get rid of him and asked me that if my child had a health problem(which both do), would I just give them away? no way! but at least my kids have health insurance to take care of their problems. Apollo and I have a very strong bond, when he came home from the vet after parvo treatment he was still so sick I had to give him water with a syringe, feed him a spoonful of food every half an hour and baby him you can tell this when I leave the house and even though there are other people home, he cries for me.
I guess what it comes down to is breaking his heart (and ours) and possibly saving his leg. OR keeping him and losing a limb. I feel kind of cruel keeping him and feel heartless giving him away after all he has been through already.
Oh, this is so sad. I wish I knew of something to help you. I can tell that you really care about him and you want to help him so badly. The reality is if you don't have the money to help him , you just don't. You still have to take care of your kids and with them having health problems too obviously you have to put your kids first. The fact that you are considering giving him to someone else that can take care of him financially is being responsible. As much as I adore Dogs I would hate to see you separated from Apollo. I know what that bond is like. I had the strongest bond ever with Valentina. We almost had to put her to sleep instead of doing the amputation because of the financial part of it. We looked for ways to cut costs so we could do it. It was hard but we did find ways. We ended up cutting $100 a week from our grocery bill and we sold some things and that really helped. But Valentina also had complications that ended up costing more than the actual amputation did! I would do it again though. I understand if you cannot find any way to afford to fund what Apollo needs.
So, can you describe how Apollo is getting around. Is he still able to walk somewhat ok? Can he go potty without much difficulty? And does he seem to be in pain or unhappy? Sorry about all the questions. I am just trying to get a mental picture of his general well being. If the amputation can fix his problem and you can find a way to do it , you will still be giving him a good life and if he is happy being a Tripawd which I am sure he will be, there is no reason for you to feel guilty about that. You would just be trying to help him. How and when will you find out what needs to be done to help him? I'm a little confused. Do you mean that maybe some other things could help him regain use of his leg but you may not be able to pay for it?
You brought up a good point about Apollo only being 5 months old and that he would probably be able to adjust to a new owner more easily now than if he was older. Gosh. I am just so sorry and saddened that this had happened to you, Apollo and your children. I have been thinking about you so much. Still praying for you and Apollo.
Sorry,that was me. After I typed my post I realized that I wasn't logged in an I didn't want to rewrite that post so I signed in as a guest. Before I did the same thing and when I went to sign in it erased my post and I had to do it all over again.
Angel, Apollo is completely paralyzed from the hock down. He gets around just fine, climbs onto the couch, the bed, and has no problem going to the bathroom. Apollo does not know he has any problems at all. The biggest problem is he basically walking by dragging his knuckle and often he cuts it open often he drags it so hard that if I wrap it in a bandage he actually cuts open the bandage. Right now his right right paw is very swollen the vet said it is from poor circulation it is nearly triple the size of any of his other paws. Even when massaging I cannot get the swelling to go down. The dentist who was willing to take him could afford to take him to physical therapy and to more acupuncture and can afford for it not to work then do an amputation. For me I would have to save up a few months just for the amputation. I am going to put up a link to a picture of Apollo. This picture is of Apollo at about 10 weeks old, showing you how he stands please do not be alarmed about how skinny he is this was taken 5 days after he came home from the vet with Parvo: http://i40.tiny.....57q1sm.jpg
Hi Snoozie,
That is terrible that Apollo's foot is swollen and he just has to drag it with him. Poor boy. He does look skinny in that picture but Valentina was really skinny when I first got her too. I think alot of Great Dane puppies are skinny.I think when they are puppies they are so hungry and if they are sharing food with other puppies some get more than others sometimes. It wasn't long after I had her though that she filled out. She gained about 16lbs a month while she was growing! We were astounded. Apollo looks like exactly the same color as Valentina. She was lighter in color as a puppy and her fur got darker as she got older.
I tried to research Parvo and it's effects last night to see if I could find anything about it causing the paralysis but I didn't find much. Most of what I read said it mainly affects the gastrointestinal system so of course that's one reason why he was so skinny. Some things that I read said that it can cause brain damage and neurological problems but other things said that it didn't cause those problems. Did your vet do any additional tests to try and find out if the problem was from something other than the Parvo? Both of Valentina's back feet did what Apollo's foot is doing and she could hardly stand at all. But her problem was from arthritis and her spinal nerves being compressed. That was the reason that we had to put her to sleep. We had to carry her out to go potty and she couldn't even do that. She would just fall over. I know that Apollo doesn't have arthritis but maybe he has some kind of injury in his spine or something that he had already before you got him and maybe the parvo made it flare up. Some things I read said that while the Dog has the active virus that some of the toxins can leak out of the intestines and go to other parts of the body and cause damage. So it could or could not be related to the parvo virus. But it sure seems like it is if he didn't have the problem before. I hope I am not confusing you. I just want to try to help in someway. I am so worried about all of you and I wish there could be some kind of answer.
Also while investigating Parvo I learned some things I didn't know before. I had no idea that if your Dog has Parvo that it infects your yard and your house. That is just crazy. It's a good thing humans can't get it! I wish there were no such thing as these diseases Dogs get. Still hoping that you can find a solution. And please know whatever you decide to do no one here will judge you and we will support you completely. We know that you want the very best for Apollo.
The vet said it was a neurological response to the parvo. When I did my research too I could not find anything solid in regards to this. After spending much time on this website and thinking a lot, I have come to the realization that yes a dog needs love and he gets a ton here, but there are other things we cannot provide him with that I think will benefit him and give him the best chance at living a long and happy life and I think that it is best to give him to the dentist who will not only love him but take care of his medical needs better than I ever could. Apollo will be going to his new home on Sunday. I will be sad to see him go but in my heart I know this is the right decision.
You are an amazingly kind, strong and generous person to make such a decision. I can tell how much you love Apollo and to place his long term needs above all else is selfless....you're doing what many would be unable to do in your situation. Bless you and know you have support and strenght coming your way in what I'm sure will be some difficult days! xoxo Sue
Hello Snoozie,
Awww. I am glad that you have come to a decision. I know that it is heartbreaking for you right now but I think you will also be finding some relief in knowing that Apollo is going to get all of his medical needs met. I am very sorry that you don't have the resources to help Apollo but what you do have is strength and a big heart to be able to let him go to a new owner that will be able to pay for his medical care. I think that you made the right decision. Thank You for telling us Apollo's story. I hope that Tripawds has helped you by being able to talk out all your feelings and possibilities. Will you still be able to see Apollo after he goes to his new home or will the dentist lady keep you updated on his status? If so we would love to know more about Apollo as he goes through his treatments and recovery. Bless you for being so brave and responsible to do what is best for Apollo. He will appreciate what you have done for him by giving him a new home and everything that you have already done for him as you nursed him back to health after the parvo. If you need to talk some more to help you through after Apollo goes to his new home we will all be here for you. Take care of yourself. I know this will be hard on you and I will be praying for your comfort as you do what is best for your boy.
Sincerely,
Angel and Valentina Angel Dane
I know that was tough for you, but we're glad he's going to a great home, and hope to hear from his new pack members when he gets settled in.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
we know this was a difficult decision, but you love apollo enough to want the best for him. hopefully you can keep in touch with the dentist, and with that handsome pup.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
You all have helped me a lot through this trying time , thank you so much.
Apollo's new owner already has a tripawd great dane so this would not be her first time dealing with all of this. She lives 3 hours away and we will be meeting at a half way point, I know she would let me visit him if I asked, but it is a little far for me to be traveling with my disabled daughter. She will definitely keep me updated and I will let you all know how things turn out for him. She says she plans on getting him to the new vet for acupuncture within a week of him getting there. It would be a total blessing for me to find out she was able to get him to regain use of his leg , even if he is no longer living with us he will always be my baby boy in my heart.
Awww Snoozieq!
I'm so very sorry for you because in your heart you want to do what you can. You are being completely unselfish and all of us here have a lot of admiration for what you are doing. Please never, ever forget that you are doing a very, very good thing. And bless the dentist for taking your baby. I think it was fate your paths crossed.
Of course, he'll always still be yours in a sense.
Hugs to you and your family. Please don't hesitate to hang out with us regardless. We are here for you.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Oh you are very brave and unselfish to send him on to a home that can hopefully meet his medical and rehab needs. I hope you have peace with the decision. It sounds like you are doing what is best for Apollo, but I know that must be so hard for you.
Sending hugs and nose pokes from Rita,
Jackie, angel Abby and Rita's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Hi Snoozieq,
That is awesome that you will able to stay in contact with Apollo's new owner. We are all pulling for him to make a full recovery whether it is from acupuncture and other therapies or from an amputation. We just want him to be a happy healthy puppy! Eager to know how Apollo's story turn out. Many prayers for You, Apollo and his new owner. She is being very gracious to take in a pup with already existing medical problems. It's good too that she already is familiar with having a Tripawd and has experience with a Great Dane as well. I think everything is going to work out perfectly thanks to you!!
Angel and Valentina Angel Dane
Maybe you can suggest to the person taking him to come by here so we can hear of his progress?
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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