Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I remember these same feelings all too well. I promise you, Dotty will not hold this against you. When you see her, try your hardest to focus on her cute face and sweet eyes, not the wound site. She will be thrilled to see her humans.
The next few weeks will be tough, but soon you will start to see glimpses of your Dotty, maybe even parts of her personality you didn't realize had faded. The first time Lili reached for an old toy to toss in the air, we were beside ourselves with glee.
One thing I did that made me feel better was to take pictures of the wound site every day or two. Lili (left rear amp) had bruising and lots of fluid build up and it was tough to keep her from nagging the staples. I hovered and fretted, which is what prompted the pics on my phone in the first place (lots of texting with my good friend the vet tech). But she healed up pretty quickly, which I only realized when I scrolled back through a week's worth of pictures. To have day by day comparison really made the progress obvious. When Lli was doped up in pain meds and a bit morose, I focused on the fact that at least physically, she was coming along great.
Thinking of you and Dotty and sending healing wishes her way!
Awww what a way to go off to surgery! I know that was a very tough thing to do, you're definitely not alone in how you feel about the whole ordeal.
How wonderful that Dotty made it through surgery! We agree with not visiting her the same day of surgery. Many dogs get agitated when their people come to visit and then leave, so it's just best to leave them rest. You done good!
Keep in mind that the recovery isn't always ruff; many dogs sail right through. Hopefully your little dynamo will be one of them!
Let us know how the homecoming goes, we are thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Victoria,
Wishing Dottie a speedy, and as smooth as possible recoup. We're right behind you with our Snoop today with surgery. So well be walking the same path as all these wonderful people we've come to meet hear. Our thoughts are with you.
Esther
Victoria,
I'm so glad to hear Dot did well in her surgery! I hear ya on the vomitting thing, after I dropped Jill off at the vet I had a feeling of severe nausea for hours. You will feel so great once you have your little baby back in your arms. I think bringing Jill home was one of the best feelings I ever had!
Keep us posted on her progress!
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Hi Victoria
Your sweet Dottie will be home soon!! I remember all the feelings you are having-I was nervous about seeing the incision, etc. When Lily walked out, all I saw were her beautiful eyes and wagging tail. Best of all-pain was gone along with the cancer(tumor).
You are in our thoughts-keep us updated!
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Oh yeah, when you look into her eyes you won't even look anywhere else!! She doesn't know she has a not so good looking surgery site.....she just know her pawparents are here ready to spoil her and love her:-) 
Do you think Dotty would give a second glance if you had one arm tied behind your back---heck no:-) As long as you have a hand to give her a treat that's all she cares avout:-)
Lots of love and hugs to ya'!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thanks, everybody!
I am feeling very excited to be getting Dot home this afternoon. The vet has said the wound will be bandaged until Friday when we go back to get her checked before the weekend. So, that's one hurdle we don't to jump just yet.
Dotty had the night on a continuous IV infusion of morphine, lidocaine (I think) and ketamine. Quite a cocktail! She is currently snoozing in front of a heater at the vets and they are pretty relaxed about her and say she is doing everything they expected of her. Not that interested in food yet but is very well hydrated.
I will post a photo later (if I can figure out how to do it, may start on the Tripawds Facebook Page and see how I get on) of Dot when she is home and settled in.
Thanks again, for all your wisdom and gentle words. I feel so lucky to be here and not trying to reinvent the wheel by myself.
Talk later.
Victoria said
I will post a photo later (if I can figure out how to do it, may start on the Tripawds Facebook Page and see how I get on) of Dot when she is home and settled in.
Here's a post about adding images to your Forum post. Let us know if you need more help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Gulp.
I was halfway to the vet clinic to collect Dotty when the vet rang to say she was concerned enough about her to keep her in hospital another night. She has some swelling around her vulva and her other back leg and they are now pumping her full of IV antibiotics to rule out an infection. They had her firmly bandaged and have said the bandages may have been too tight and they have taken them off. The wound site is looking "beautiful", Dot is eating, alert, has had an assisted pee outside and her temp is normal. So, those are encouraging signs.
So, now we wait and keep a cool head. We are scheduled to get an update by phone from the overnight vet, fingers crossed for good news.
Come on, Dotty, you got this one...
Hang in there! It's not uncommon for something like this to happen. You want her home with everything as ideal as possible. We went through this with another of our dogs with a surgery. It knocked the wind from my sails at first but he came home 2 days later than expected he soared through his healing. Keep us posted.
Good thoughts
Esther
At least you have a conscientious vet who is taking extra care with her!
Barret wasn't supposed to stay overnight after his first tumor removal either. When I got that call NOT to pick him up at five... I remember that feeling and it was terrifying. I know all you want is to have her safe and sound and with you, but don't despair it sounds like she is in great hands!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
I agree, your vet sounds very thorough, better safe than, well you know!
She'll be fine! Hang on, it can be a rollercoaster but when recovery is over you'll be smiling again every time you look at her.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Slept ok but woke up early with disaster scenarios running through my mind. A quick read of these replies from you wonderful people has reassured me that we are still on the bumpy, windy road to recovery. Thank you.
I spoke to the overnight vet (who was in the middle of a run of accident victims 
) before I went to bed, late last night, and she said Dot was still not up walking but she said "She is being very sensible" and simply lying in her crate with her head on a pillow.I guess Dot knows what she needs to do and I need to have faith in that knowledge (I nearly wrote knowleg...sounds like...no leg).
I will keep you posted when we get the next update.
It's nice to know you are here.
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I've been on photo bucket, started an account, uploaded some shots from Facebook and will hopefully be posting a picture of Dot, staring thoughtfully out the back windows, one day before her surgery.
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