Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, Our lovely Lilly the tall lurcher and we are going through this tough time that we never thought would happen. Reading lots of helpful posts has been so great at helping us to make the decision to go ahead with surgery for hind leg hip probable osteosarcoma. the vet was unable to biopsy and CT scans show no sign of spread so far. Its been a very emotional time , her surgery is scheduled for Jan 5th- eek trying not to freak out.
Once the vet can take samples we will know what we are dealing with and what stage its at. We are unsure whether to go ahead with follow up chemo, we've been told Lilly may have 9 months with chemo, but id hope for longer if no spread so far- what is anyones experience?
We've already got our ruffwear harness which she didn't like to start with but is getting used to it so I'm glad we got it prior to surgery.
She is on Tramadol, Metecam and has been on gabapentin for a week, she's bouncing around like a teenager and all her pain seems to have gone! we are having to try and keep her chilled out with chew toys and snuggles as there a risk of pathological fracture.
We are in the UK, so many friends know of friends with tripawds but non through cancer so all your help and advice is very welcome.
Hope everyone had a lovely christmas x
Welcome Lilly! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
We have moved your post to its own topic here so the discussion will not get buried in Bree's yopic where you originally posted.
Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of helpful links or consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to most common concerns. Use the Advanced Search box above the forums to find specific topics or search all blogs here .
If ever overwhelmed with this site, start here . The page also has a Tripawds Library coupon.
Best wishes for Lilly's speedy recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for your kind wishes.
I met up with some dog walking friends today whilst out with our lab Jess, the friends were all sorry to hear about Lilly and i got mixed reactions to our decision to amputate. I have found all the information here so helpful in our decision but can understand that most of my friends think they would not go through with it for their dogs. Having some insurance has helped although I'm shocked at the cost of everything and our policy covers about 2/3rds of things so far. Im glad we have some savings to cover the rest of it.
Lilly is still bright and cheerful, she is very cross at only having short walks and furious that Jess gets taken out again for a longer walk whilst she gets left behind! she's very vocal about it all- definite teenage behaviour, her feistiness is great to see and I'm sure it will help her in the weeks ahead.
Hello Lilly and family! Welcome. I'm sorry that you are possibly dealing with osteo, it's such an emotional shock to get that kind of news. But it sure sounds like Lilly isn't letting her stop her, and as you'll learn, dogs handle this much better than people.
Yeah, I'd say most people here have mixed reactions about amputation from well-intentioned (but clueless) friends and family. Until you go through it yourself, you really have no idea what it's like. So if you encounter any harassment, you just tell them Tripawds Spokesdawg Wyatt Ray will set them straight! Haha just kidding, he doesn't like to fly overseas 😉
Lilly sounds like she has a great vet, I'm impressed with her pain management protocol. Where is she being treated?
Lurchers are so wonderful. Thanks for giving her a chance at a great life despite the cancer diagnosis. 3-paws up to all of you, may she have a long, healthy life ahead of her!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Lilly, Jess and Humans!
Sorry you have to be here. However, there is no vetter place to be for support, understanding and first hand knowledge and insight.
The initial diagnosis makes you feel like you're sruck in a nightmare. I hadn't found this site when my Happy Hannah was first diagnosed. When my vet first mentioned amputation as a possible option, I said "No waaay"! I wouldn't do that TO my dog. He scheduled an appointment for to talk with a Surgeon and Onco. I researched until I thought my head woukd explode. I cried non-stop. As her pain increased and the lain meds were having to be increased, I knew I had to proceed with the amputation or lost her in a matter of weeks.
I learned very quickly not to mention my "treatment plan" to others as they, for the most part, were shocked at my decision. They were uninformed. They hadn't done the research. They were, as Jerry said, clueless. I learned to merely say that I was proceeding with a treatment that would alleviate her pain and give her extended QUALITY time for more loving and spoiling!
One of the great gifts our dogs give us on this journey is learning how to Be More Dog ! Lilly is living in the moment, in the now. Lilly isn't worried about days on a calendar. Lilly isn't worried about tomorrow. Lilly doesn't give a rip about statistics! Lilly does NOT have a timeframe stamped on her butt! And remember, six months in doggy years is over three years in human uears...twelve.months equals seven uears!
Recovery is no picnic so stay connected to us. It's full of ups and downs for a couple of weeks. But once Lilly recovers and her sparkle comes back, you will be gladnyou did this FOR her!!!
Can't wait to see pictures!
Sending hugs...and a couple of boxes of CHOCOLATE!
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!
I think all of us have had friends say things which are at best unhelpful and at worst hurtful. I had a situation where a friend kept going on about 'how much you're doing'. I think it was meant as a positive, but it always set my teeth on edge because there was definitely an undertone of disapproval. I find myself still keeping a distance from that person!
It is easy to say that you wouldn't do "it" to your dog. But when you're presented with the choice of either amputation or ending their suffering (because OSA will bring terrible suffering), the choice becomes a lot clearer. I know our first thought was that we couldn't put Ellie through it. But then you watch how much they still want to live, how much they still enjoy going for walks and chasing squirrels and laying out on the patio and you think, "how can I not give her the chance?" At least with amputation whatever time they have left will be w/o the pain of OSA. So hold your head high. You're doing it for Lily, because you love her. 'Nuff said.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Hi thanks for your kind words and support having a teary moment reading them all
Our vet is Duncan Barnes at eastcott referrals in swindon wiltshire, we were referred by our regular vet. I had a 6th sense that it was an OSC but vet thought osteoarthritis so we had a week of rest and metacam and she got worse. The vet was shocked at the X-ray results and referred us to Duncan as surgery will involve a hemipelvectomy which my vet wasn't happy to do. Duncan has been so reassuring, discussing all the options with us nothing has been too much trouble. He will do the surgery with a musculoskeletal surgeon too so i feel we a re all in good hands.
Unfortunately a few years ago my lab charlie had a periosteal tumour which was very aggressive and had mets already so we didn't consider surgery for her. My partners dog Pip passed away a few months ago he had mast cell tumours in his groin but had a happy 18 months. We've had some bad luck but lots of great times with our dogs. They are so special and resilient.
I work as a human osteopath so my inner anatomy geek is helping me to get my head round all of this, my animal osteo friends have been very supportive and I'm reading up on massage and rehab i can do at home.
Lilly was a bit quiet yesterday but today its sunny outside and we saw deer and Jess chased pheasants on our short walk, I'm making sure Jess also goes for a big walk each day so she doesn't feel leftout.
Happy, healthy and fun new year to all you 2,3 and 4 legged creatures
Im a bit of a technophobe I've tried to clinch on the insert image link but can't seem to find the photos on my laptop any tips?
the rollercoaster continues, our vet just called. On Lilly's CT there is a 2 mm something in the lymph node closest to her hip, it could be regular inflammation from the changes to her walk, it might have been absorbed since last week or it could be cancer. So his colleague thinks he can get needle in to take a biopsy, then if its all ok her surgery will go ahead on tuesday. If its cancer then we may rethink our plan as she may not have much time left and her pain management is going well at the moment
Wow what tough decisions just when we were all agreed on our plan
will let you know how it goes, trying to stay positive and stop crying as its not helping !
Going to enjoy the next few days x
Okay...deep breaths....really, take some deep breaths....B R E A T H E....B R E A T H E.......inhale deeply...exhale slowly..B R E A T H E...B R E A T H E..
Now, it is NOT uncommon to jave swollen lymph nodes in tese situations. Additionally, even if it is lymph involvement, that is not an immediate "death" sentence. Some dogs here have proceeded with amputation ro get rid of the painful leg and have gotten great extended quality time. I'll have to do some "research", but I think a dog named Kermit was one example. Some dogs have just gone the holistic route and have also done very well.
And here's another first hand experience...mine with Happy Hannah (osteosarcoma). The Surgeon told her Onco (after the amputation surgery) that there was lymph node involvement. The pathology report showed no tissue sample was presented to confirm involvement or not. The Surgeon's response was basically thst it was so badly deteriorated it must have disintegrated! I kid you not! The Surgeon stood by her "assessment".
My Happy Hannah and I had THE most glorious bonus time of over one year snd two months of loving and spoiling and spoiling and loving!!
None of us have crystal balls...and none of our dogs and cats have timeframes stamped on their butts. You know your Lilly better than anyone. You know yourself better than anyone. Sometimes it just comes down to that "intuitive feeling in the gut" as far as which way to proceed. Amputation is about removing a pain, and always with the hope of extended quality time. It's also abput living with our decisions...forced decisions...as best we can.
You've been through mentally and physically exhausting times getting to this point. For now, just keep things chunked down. For now, there is no reason to not proceed as you've planned. Just deciding on a treatment offers some relief. One day at a time...ond day at a time. And today Lilly is doing just fine! And my "intuitive gut" tells me she'll continue to do so for a very, very long time, regardless of the number of legs!!
STAY CONNECTED!!! We understand! You are making decisions out of love and they are ALWAYS the right decisions!
Love and hugs to you and Lilly and Jess 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!
Aww . . . bless your hearts.
Howdy and welcome! I'm so very sorry you have to be here, but I'm also glad that you are. There's nothing worse than feeling alone and when you have others who don't understand what you're going through, it pretty much makes you feel more isolated in your decisions.
I think I can speak for everyone here when I say the first thought we have once we get the suggestion of amputation is absolutely no-way! But then after a few hours, sometimes days, our logic kicks in and we start to deal with the situation with a level understanding of what we're dealing with. It sounds the same for you.
Our Harmony had MCT and the hub-a-dub and myself sat in the parking lot of the vet's for at least an hour sobbing in disbelief and denial.
We definitely feel your sorrow and pain. We're here for you.
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
l1lly said
I've tried to clinch on the insert image link but can't seem to find the photos on my laptop...
To share photos anywhere, you will first need to find them on your laptop. Cosider searching for whatever default filename you give photos when transferring them from your camera.
Please Note: You do not upload photos directly to these forums. Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts . If you do not already share photos online, you can start a free blog here anytime and upload them there.
If you need additional assistance, search or post in the Tech Support forum and we'll be happy to help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for your calming words, I'm breathing again!! its just those odd emotional punches to your gut that take you by surprise
Lilly is a real fighter and so wants to enjoy her life, i want to make the best choices for her and your experiences help so much to know we are not alone. She is the lucky one of 13 puppies who is the only one still standing on however many legs, this litter really had some bad luck, i think Lilly is part cat as she has had many near misses in her 91/2 years and is still ready to grab life and hold on to it.
Im not giving up just had a meltdown and am back now 
thanks harmony and benny55 for keeping me sane x
Hey, don't worry about javing meltdowns jere! We ALL do...and we do them wuite masterfully!! So don't hesitate to vent, scream, cry anytime! We understand! And we all usually feel a little more empowered and clear headed after our meltdowns! Weel, at least til the next one!
Ond day at a time...and today is a good day! Yep, go give Lilly an unexpected treat and watch her eyes light up and her tail wag...today is a good day!
Hugs a d 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!
I don't think there is a doggy parent on here that hasn't had some sort of melt down to be honest! I know I have and it's such a lot for you all to take in!
Thinking of you both can't imagine what ur going through right now!
I am in the uk as well and Duncan Barnes is a great vet. (Used to live near there)
i had so many people tell me I was cruel for not putting down my Leo and opting for leg removal instead...... I don't care mainly Because these are our dogs, part of our family and in our hearts!
You will know the right thing to do as your Lilly's mum! Stay strong we are here anytime you need us!
Proud Mummy to Leo the Trio
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