Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am getting emotional just trying to write a quick sentence or two however I will be strong for my baby girl Mya. I rescued her at 8 months and now she's 11yo with osteosarcoma in her back left leg. It's been a week since her diagnosis, tomorrow she has an ultrasound for her liver and her surgery is a week from today. I just realized that as I wrote it...a week from today. I keep going back and forth about if this is the right thing to do, if she'll be mad at me, how long will she live afterwards, etc. My saving grace is seeing how much fight she has in her to keep going despite the pain she's in and knowing that it will be better soon. I will fight for her until she is ready to throw in the towel. I am scared. I am scared. I AM SCARED! Hopefully I will build up the courage and strength to write more without crying but right now I cannot. I am just trying to be emotionally prepared for her day of surgery and what we will endure afterwards. Thanks for allowing me to write this as tripawds.com was the reason why I was able to come to the decision of amputation for my Mya. I have no idea what I would have done if this website was not available. The wealth of information has been overwhelming and life-saving. Until tomorrow...
Mya and family, we totally understand your fears and are so glad you posted. It is an emotional thing to get that diagnosis, but you ARE strong, we can hear it in your voice, and you will be a great advocate for Mya as you embark on this journey.
I apologize for the quick reply but I'm in transit right now. Will write more later but until then please know we are all cheering you on. Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List if you haven't already, and the Tripawds Start Here Page too OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
YOU STAY RIGHT HERE WITH US....YOUR NEW FAMILY!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 From this point forward YOU ARE. NOT ALONE
We ALL unserstand the fear, the hysteria, the panic, the worrying, the sleep deprivation, the uncertainty....oh yeah, we get it!!
Tak e some deep breaths.....B R E A TT H E.....B R E A T H E.....B R E A T H E....
Go find some CHOCOLATE and eat it all right now!! Alison likes to pour wine over her CHOCOLATE!! 🙂
We understand how you want to do everything in your power ro help Mya, but you're just no sure which way to turn!
It IS major surgery and, like all surgery, it does have risk. Your Vet will do all the pre check ppssible to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
It sounds like your Vet thinks Mya is a good candidate, so that's good! Clearly Mya thinks she's a good candidate and has no intention of going anywhere anytime soon! 🙂
This is an awful "forced choice" we all must make. There are no guarantees about anything on this journey. Ut one thing we know for certain in the amputation will take the pain away. As you already know, it will only worsen very wuickly a d possibly even fracture. I was completely againest amputation at first (had not found this site) and was giving her some pain meds....but then the pain got worse quickly and I would either jave to "release" her or give her a chance at an quality life!
Recovery is rough for a couple of weeks. It took me three weeks before I ould say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her! IT WAS THE BEST DECISION! Any decision out of love is the best, and the right decision!
And it is clear you love your Mya dearly!!
I know it spunds ridiculous right now, but keep things chunked down and try not to focus in recovery just yet. We will guide you every step of the way.
You can prepare a few things like getting nonslip rugs for jardwoods
Others will give you books to some of the download books here.
The most important thing you can do for Mya and yourself is Be More Dog !!! Mya is not worried about a thing!'''She sure doesn't jave a timeframe stamped anywhere in her butt and could care less about days on a calendar! "A diagnosis does t mean squat to her! But being by your side pain free for more loving and spoiling and tummy ribs and treats...yeah....that means everything to her!!
Okay, we need pictures of this sweet girl!!
STAY CONNECTED!! We are with you every step of the way!!!!
Lots and 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!
Mya will surprise you with how well she does once she gets through the recovery period. Although my Otis only lived almost 7 months after he lost his leg (broken due to osteosarcoma) they were good quality time and I do not regret my decision for even an instant. And Otis just figured out how to do whatever he wanted to do on three legs - he didn't have any emotional issues about the missing leg. Once he got through the recovery, he just got back to being Otis.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Good morning everyone!
ALL of Mya's preliminary testing results were good. She's just showing signs of aging but otherwise she looks good, no metastasis. This morning she is at the doctor's waiting for surgery. Inhale and exhale. I am just waiting for the call to let me know she's in surgery and the call to let me know she is out of surgery and resting. She has to stay overnight so that the doctors and nurses can monitor her and she is expected to return home tomorrow. This will be her first time ever spending the night anywhere and I am not with her. Thankfully I will be able to visit her later tonight and give her a goodnight kiss. The house will be a little quiet this evening as Tyson won't have his buddy to harass. Right now I am doing well, no shed tears. I am going to just consume myself with work so that I don't dwell on my baby and to keep my mind occupied or else I may fall apart. I will post again once I have an update. Thanks so much for the kind words.
Alrighty, mopving forward! 'Good nob!
And as far as Mya spending the night away from home, no worries. She'll be high as a kite on some really good pain meds! 🙂 Lots of pink elephants will be swirling around her as she watches them fly! 🙂 🙂
Glad she's staying at the Vet for a night. That will give you a chance to catch up on sleep. You may have a few sleepless nights the first several days of recovery.
And when you do go tompick her up, just ignore her ince site. She isn't paying it any mind. She'll must be focused on seeing your smiling face and listening to you tell her what a good girl she is! 🙂
Update when you can. Keep the deep breathing going! You're doing great!
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!
Hello,
Mya's surgery went well Tuesday. She did well overnight at the hospital and I brought her home yesterday! YAY!!!!
Her first night home went well except she turned up her nose at her old kibble so I feed her some canned food, sardines, and cooked ground turkey. #DIVA
I heard her walking around last night...ON HER OWN...and it just rattled my nerves. This morning she went out to potty for me and walked over to the kitchen...ON HER OWN...for her breakfast.
I guess she's ready to get moving independently of me but I am not. I just don't want her to hurt herself and/or overdo it.
2 weeks ago I couldn't fathom her having a good life with only 3 legs but today she has definitely proved me wrong with her resilience to keep on moving! She has taught me that she is still whole even with one less leg and she's not ready to give up!
She is a Bad Mamma Jamma!
Great update! You go Mya! Remember to limit her activity to short potty breaks and short hops in the house too. Sometimes they still have some of the surgery meds in them so these very early days they can overdo and you end up with a bit of a crash on about day 3 or 4. Sounds though like she's got good mobility for so early out so Yay! Give that sweetie hugs from us! You're doing great!
WELCOME HOME MYA!!! 🙂 And look at you all walking arpund a d stuff!! Way to rock those three legs! 🙂
Ditto Linda! Still take it really, really easy!
Thisnupdate has me grinning ear to ear! EXCELLENT UPDATE! Keep em coming! 🙂
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!
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