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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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MY BELOVED BROWNIE
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Member Since:
4 April 2019
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7 April 2019 - 8:40 am
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I rescued Brownie 11 years and 2 months ago. He is now 12. Brownie has stood by my side thru thick and thin. Thru moving several times, divorce and many other things. We are inseparable .  There has never Nan a day when my boy has not greeted me at the door. When i travel he co.es with. There has only been two nights since I had him that we were apart.

On February 9th I took brownie to the vet because of limping. I knew it had to be 1 of 2 things. Since we were on a three mile him  the day before I thought he made is strained his leg. The other would be bone cancer. It was confirmed it was cancer.  All I heard the vet say is pain, amputation or put to sleep. Now I knew it was not time for brownie to go. I can see it in his eyes. Due to his size, age and being the front leg I decided to treat with medication. Bit his pain got worse . I spent many nights doing research, including this sight.  I came across a video "Tripawd Odie" which inspired me. Brownie went to surgery on March 21, 2019.

It has been a little over two weeks and he is waking and eating but  not as excited as he use to be. He walks around with his tail between his leg. Sometimes I think he is mad at me. 

Now the deluma that I hope someone can help me with. Brownie hates the vet. It takes four people to hold him down for an xray. His heart races and he gets extremely stressed.  His chest xray came back clear. I am trying to decide on chemo or seeing a holistic vet. I know the chemo is expensive but I will swing it. He is my dog, my responsibility and I will do whatever I can to keep him pain free and happy. He has taken care of me all these years and now it is time for me to take care of him!

Any advise on chemo, holistic care or anything would be much appreciated!

My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019.  With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer.  I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud!  He will live forever in my Heart!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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7 April 2019 - 9:08 am
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Hi Brownie's person, welcome. I am sorry you are dealing with cancer but so glad you decided to join us. Brownie sounds like such a love, a once in a lifetime dog. And he is so fortunate to have you looking out for him.

No, he is not mad at you. What I believe you are describing is pain. Tail between the legs is one of the big pain signals that dogs give us. What kind of medication is he on? What did he come home with? If his amputation pain was not adequately addressed it can lead to a delayed recovery.

Two weeks for a dog his age is not a long time at all. Older dogs just need a bit more time to adjust but they do get there. What is his day like? What kinds of things is he no longer excited about? Again, that can be a pain indicator. I would talk to your vet about addressing any possible pain, and also take advantage of our Tripawds Foundation Rehab Reimbursement program. These experts can help assess Brownie for any issues, and show you how to help him get strong. The best part is the foundation may pay for your first rehab visit .

Also, speaking of your vet...I don't know this practice, and only based on what you are describing, I'm guessing that they are not practicing the most current Fear Free animal handling protocols? This means that animals are not forced into submission for any kinds of procedures, but dealt with gentler hands that help him relax instead of stress him out. Sometimes sedation is necessary, but vets are moving away from that kind of rough handling of animals.

I would ask your vet for a referral to an oncologist, so you can get all of your information and make an informed decision about whether or not it's right for Brownie.

Meanwhile, be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List for answers to many of your most common questions.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
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8 April 2019 - 5:42 pm
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Thank you for responding. Brownie came home with a pain patch, tramadol , antibiotics and yellow capsule that starts with a g. It is suppose to help with false pain.

I am feeding brownie a grain free kibble, and I add meat, vegetable, sardines and a mushroom powder.

Brownie has two much smaller siblings. I work in the day but there is a doggie door that brownie has mastered with 3 legs. When I come home he greets me wagging his tale. But he use to bark when he heard the garage door. He is very vocal and barks when he wants something. He hasn't barked since his surgery . He did get excited about his short walk this morning and he did pretty good.

The vet did sedate him for his 1ts xray. Dogs usually take 10 min to wake up. But Brownie being a light weight it took 30 and he was like drunk all day. When I took him to get his stiches out the doc ask brownie to get up and he did. But once brownie got up he started running away. He has never done that. I feel like he is not the same dog. His barking use to get on my, nerves but now I miss it. I want my dog back!

My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019.  With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer.  I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud!  He will live forever in my Heart!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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8 April 2019 - 6:50 pm
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Sounds like Brownie is getting great pain management ! That "g" is probably Gabapentin, for nerve pain. 

Oh and his diet sounds healthy too. Good job clap

And now I totally understand what you are describing as far as how he reacted when he came out of anesthesia. That makes sense. I know you'll hear it in our community a lot, but many of the odd behaviors that our animals experience just before and after amputation surgery are directly related to the experience as a whole. These behaviors tend to go away in time, as life gets back to normal.

Brownie's pain sounds like it's being managed with the medication. And he will get his sparkle back. I know it's hard to believe that right now but try to keep in mind where a human would be like at this point in amputation recovery. Brownie is ahead of the curve! Most dogs return to their old selves within two to four weeks, depending on the dog.

I have a feeling that Brownie's barks will return before you know it! If you notice that he seems painful at all, let your vet know right away. But for now, try to be patient. You'll see your boy back again!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Livermore, CA


Member Since:
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8 April 2019 - 10:27 pm
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Hello and welcome to you and Brownie.

I know it's hard but be patient!  My Pug Maggie was a grumpy slug for 6 WEEKS after losing a back leg to cancer.  I was sure I had made a terrible mistake by choosing surgery.  Maggie was a stubborn Pug who hated any change to her routine so looking back (when I was rested and less stressed) it made sense that she took her time to get used to her new normal.  That being said most see the sparkle come back in two to three weeks- I think you are right in between that now.

The vet did sedate him for his 1ts xray. Dogs usually take 10 min to wake up. But Brownie being a light weight it took 30 and he was like drunk all day

I know the worry with this.  My quad Pug boy is very sensitive to sedation and pain meds.  When he was sedated at the emergency room for x rays (everything is fine!) a couple months ago it was supposed to wear off in 3 to 4 hours.  12 hours later he was still a bit tipsy.  And they gave him a med to help sooth his throat and that wacked him out every dose.  Since Brownie is sensitive to sedation maybe the pain meds are making him a bit quiet?

And in my book you have to take 'hate the vet' into consideration when making treatment choices.  I second Jerry's suggestion to see an oncologist.  That way you should know your options and how the chemo would be given, how long at the vet each time, etc.  It's all about quality of life- if going to the vet for 4 to 6 chemo treatments (or whatever the protocol would be) makes his life miserable- well that is something to consider.

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

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9 April 2019 - 9:58 am
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I found my girl got back to her normal self about a week after all medications were finished - like it took a bit of time for her to get them out of her system and eat regularly and feel herself again. I know what you mean about the barking. I would spend half my life trying to stop her from barking at stuff. After surgery, I found myself saying "look, a dog walking by, don't you want to bark at it" 😊 After a few weeks she was back to her normal self and not only barks at everything again, but has taught her younger brother to bark at stuff too! I would encourage you to at least explore the option of chemo and not reject it only because you feel he is scared. I found my girl got increasingly scared every time we went to a vet because we had so many visits. She would shake at the door when we went into radiation treatment (and she is a big german shepherd). Looking back, I think I was nervous and upset and that didn't help. I wish now I treated it more like a happy place. I also know she freaks out when I leave her so I asked to stay with her as much as possible. It really really helped. I am in theory against any uneccessary medication but now get a light sedation for chest X-rays because I think it is better than them fighting with her and her petrified. I stay with her right up until she gets the sedative and they let me in the room with her while she comes out of it. I stay with her when they draw blood. I think you if you decided to try it, you could arrange to stay with him for chemo too and to try to make it a fun experience as much as you can and he will pick up on that energy.

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10 April 2019 - 6:54 pm
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BROWNIE BARKED! So happy to hear that annoying deep bark again.

My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019.  With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer.  I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud!  He will live forever in my Heart!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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10 April 2019 - 8:02 pm
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WOOF!!!!   WOOF!!!   YAAAAAY FOR WOOF, WOOF!!😁😎  YAAAY FOR ANNOYING BARKS BEING THE BEST THING EVVVVER!

Huge smile on my face!  Made my day!😁   And the victories  keep coming!!!

I remember  with my Happy Hannah how joyous I was when she first came to the door to greet me....then came to the door with her stuffy.....then came to the door with her Rooooo. Rooooo happy sound.

Hearing Brownie bark today is her way of letting  you know Brownie is  Brownie again.....and it only gets better.😊

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!

On The Road


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11 April 2019 - 11:55 am
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YEAH! Did you ever think you would be so hoppy about that bark? Wonderful news! Brownie's getting his mojo back!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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11 April 2019 - 6:26 pm
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I'm so proud of him! He is also learning to take shorter quicker steps instead of long strives. I am really happy I found this site and thank you all for your suggestions and support.

My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019.  With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer.  I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud!  He will live forever in my Heart!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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11
11 April 2019 - 7:00 pm
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And we are proud of you, what a great attitude you have there! We are happy you found us too. Just let us know what questions you have.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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12 April 2019 - 6:25 am
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Yeah a bark!! Now can we do something to stop mine from barking LOL (just kidding, I am happy to have her back to her normal crazy self). I think you will find every week Brownie will become more of himself and do all the same things he did before. And then for some things they learn to adjust and it is amazing how adaptable they are. Kaiserin for example used to like kind of digging with her front paws really fast in a really plush carpet we have. I saw her try to do it a few times and she fell over. Her one rear leg couldn't support her enough to do that. It is hard to watch. So then a couple of days later I saw her digging but one paw at a time. She did this a few times but I don't think she was happy because it was too slow using one paw at a time. So then she figured out if she lay down on her side, she could still dig at the carpet with a fast speed with both paws! She seemed quite proud of herself! So funny!

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12 April 2019 - 6:44 am
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Brownie has always know he is not suppose to get on the couch. I mean he has a deluxe dog bed with a pillow and blanket. But I always new once I left he was up on the couch. I thought,  well I don't have to worry about that anymore. Well...the other night he looked at me and jumped right up on the couch like it was nothing. Instead of me saying "no" I yelled out "GOOD BOY". He can do whatever he wants. I love him more then the couch. Lol

My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019.  With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer.  I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud!  He will live forever in my Heart!

Brownie Bubba Bell

04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020

"March Saint"

Virginia



Member Since:
22 February 2013
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14
12 April 2019 - 8:49 am
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Love the story about Kaiserin!  😁  Smart doggy!!   Where there's a will, there's  a way!!😎

And Brownie now owns the couch...and gets praised for it!!!😁   Love it!!

Tripawds learn very quickly that the word "no"  shall never be heard again!!  

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!

On The Road


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12 April 2019 - 9:03 am
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kaiserinmom said
 So then she figured out if she lay down on her side, she could still dig at the carpet with a fast speed with both paws! She seemed quite proud of herself! So funny!

Oh my gosh Wyatt Ray does this too! I need to capture that on video! Maybe it's a shepherd thing?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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