Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I wanted to introduce myself and my dog, Athena, a 6.5 yr old female Rottie mix. I wrote up my first blog post earlier today, so it has lots of details... at least everything I can think of right now. And I really haven't been able to stop thinking about it since the osteosarcoma diagnosis on Tuesday. What a stressful few days! Well next week, she might be a new "tripawd", so I came here to learn all I can about what to do and what to expect. Also, last night I ended up in the chat room and I had a chance to talk with some great people already! I have to say I am so happy to have found other people that have been through (or are currently dealing with) a similar situation of cancer diagnosis. I am doing everything I can to give Athena many more months of a happy life.
~Jessica
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Hi Jessica & Athena, welcome! We're so glad you found everyone in the chat last night, aren't they a great bunch?
I'm really sorry about the osteo diagnosis. It's not an easy thing to deal with at first but we'll do our best to lighten the load and help you and Athena through everything. If you haven't already, be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and our ebook, Three Legs and a Spare , for lots of tips and ideas.
Thanks for starting your Athena blog! I'm hopping over there now to check it out. Nice to meet you, let us know what we can do to help you both OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jessica & Athena,
Hugs from a brand new member of the tripawd club! We wish you the absolute best!!!
Ilene & Harley
Hi Jessica & Athena
Welcome to the club no one wants to join. Sassy is a 6 year old Rottie who has been diagnosed with Osteoscaroma. Tomorrow actually is her 5 month ampuversary. I am so glad you found the chat. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you have them. Sometimes recovery periods can be a little rough so don't get too down if Athena doesn't have the same personality right away (some pain medicines can do that). What leg is being amputated? Athena will do great.
Michelle & Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Welcome Jessica and Athena - Sorry you had to join our club, but glad you found this wonderful place that helps us through this very stressful time. Someone is always to around to be a cheerleader!
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Hi Athena and welcome!! Yes, this whole process can be scarey a d settling to say the ,least! This is absolutely the best place to be K doubt there is any question or concern you can come up with that someone here hasn't already experienced. It really helps the fear subside when someone else let's you klw that whatever it is you are experiencing is "normal"
You will. be so pleased with now well Athena handles her adjustment to three legs. The recovery fre actual surgery can be kind of rough for a few days or. more so just know we are all here should go need us. The bond will be eternal and unbreakable! You will just glow with pride at how well she handles things!
You stay strong and know that all is well with Athena...she's not worried about a this g and could care less about statistics or diagnosis. She just cares about being love.
Surrounding with calm, Shall 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 for the welcome everyone! And Michelle, it is her front left leg.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Today has been horrible for her pain. One of the worst yet. And it's another 5 days until surgery day. I just watched her hobble outside and she was practically sitting on the ground to pee. 
I called the vet earlier today and they told me I could up her tramadol dosage to every 8 hrs. I will be calling them back tomorrow morning if it doesn't help. Feeling pretty helpless now. Yesterday she wasn't this bad.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Poor girl! FWIW, Kermit was on Tramadol every 8 hours from 3 weeks before the surgery until 5 weeks after, so don't be afraid of over medicating her if she's acting otherwise normal. If she isn't already getting famotidine or some other tummy med you probably should ask about adding it.
Less than a week before that mean ol' leg comes off & stops hurting her, then she can get back to being her old self again. Just try to keep her as still as you can- if it's that bad she'll just start using only 3 legs anyway, so she'll get some practice in ahead of time.
Meanwhile, extra hugs & belly rubs are known to relieve stress- for the huggee AND the hugger! 
You can always ask the vet if there is something else you can add to her meds. If it's between a sleepy, sedated dog and one who hurts, I'll take the sedated one. You might also ask them if there is any way to work her in sooner. If you are nice about it but make your point, they may be able to do something. If they know how much she's really hurting, then perhaps. Keep us posted.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Jessica and Athena. I know it,s so hard watching your dog be in pain. So hard. dharma had some good advice.
Just want to add to ask your vet about adding gabapentin to help manage the pain. I can't remember the dosage combo. that I had Happy Hannah on bit it seems like I had to include the gaba.a good four or five days prior to surgery. And it is true, as sad as it is, as the discomfort increases, Athena will be using her other legs more and more.
Jessica, you are strong! You have the courage already within you right now to get through this. Athena is a special girl who has what it takes to power through this. Just love on her and comfort her as best you can. She knows you are there with her and that's the best medicine... In the meantime, we are here for you helping support you in anyway you need.
I do recall that as I was waiting for Happy Hannah's surgery date, the increasing pain seemed to come and go. The next day maybe less painful than the previous.
We are with you. You go be with Athena and give her lots of treats and munch on a few goodies for yourself! Ice cream is always good for the soul:-) 
Infusing you with calm and strength. Consider yourself infused!!:-) Sally and Happy Hannqh
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!
Oh poor Athena! I know this is rough to watch, I'm sorry. I agree, ask for stronger pain meds, there are better medications out there than Tramadol. Let us know what they say and hang in there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the support everyone! I really do appreciate it. Today was a little better than yesterday. She wasn't so slow and stiff getting around. The tramadol every 8 hrs seems to be helping. We also put together a quick ramp for the door to the backyard that the dogs always use, yesterday. Now I've got a decision to make and I could use some advice... My vet does not have overnight monitoring. I have a few options: leave her there (they close at 8 pm the day of her surgery & open at 7:30 am the next day), transport her to a vet emergency clinic for supervised monitoring, or bring her home. I am leaning towards leaving her with the regular vet overnight. The emergency clinic thing is likely expensive.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Would our regular vet allow some of their vet. techs to spend the night for a fee?
Just a thought.
Glad that your sweet girl is feeling a little better.
Take care, 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!
I would definitely NOT leave her there unsupervised. Transporting her to an emergency facility will be awkward because she's so big, but she'll still be pretty "out of it" so with some help it would be doable. They're used to people doing this, so they can give you some advice.
Bringing her home is certainly an option, but be aware of how difficult it is and plan on a couple of all-nighters. I left Kermit at the hospital for two nights after surgery & the first couple nights home were still pretty difficult... and his recovery was fairly smooth.
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