Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone!
First time poster here!
My name is Jamie and I am a licensed veterinary technician at a specialty referral practice in SC.
I have a new tripawd to introduce. Nellie is a 5 month old Chihuahua mix that I rescued from a local human society. The HS originally brought her in to my work 5 weeks ago for a surgical consult on a distal femur fracture. The fracture was about 4 weeks old (chronic) at this point. The surgeon recommended cross pinning in hopes of repairing the fracture. However, the HS did not have the funds at that time, they were going to try to raise the money. The surgeon suggested amputation at that point for cost concerns. The HS took her back to attempt to raise money.
I absolutely fell in love with this dog. She is the sweetest little thing! So 3 days later, I called the HS and asked if she was still available (my worry was that they would have euthanized her!) She was available and I told them that I would take over her care and have her leg repaired. I adopted her on Monday June 18th. The next day, she underwent surgery to correct the fracture. The surgeon places 4 pins in her femur. He told me that it may very well "fall apart" because her bones were very soft due to disuse.
After 2 weeks in recovery, radiographs were taken as she was still not attempting to use the leg and was painful on palpation. The rads showed that the pins were still in place but the bones were not even attempting to heal. He felt that the pins were just "floating" within the bone and that was the source of the pain. His recommendation at that point was amputation.
We gave her a few more weeks to gain weight and a little size. So today, Nellie had her left rear amputated. Within 10 minutes after extubation, she was able to stand and walk around. It helped that she had not used the leg at all in approximately 8 weeks. She is doing well tonight, still hospitalized on a Fentanyl CRI for pain control. The house is very quiet tonight with out her here. She will hopefully be home tomorrow and I know that she will quickly be back to terrorizing everyone again!
Her photo is my avatar.
Thanks!
Jamie
Welcome and thanks for sharing Nellie's story! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jamie and Nellie,
Welcome to tripawds. The young pups seem to recover quicker and get on with things, and it will help her that she was a practice Tripawd for awhile.
My little pug Maggie lost her left rear to mast cell cancer. She was walking the day of surgery too, but was not happy with her new situation. She was 7.5 years old and one obstinate pug at the time of surgery!
How big is Nellie? Maggie was about 17.5 lbs and about 12" at the shoulder- Nellie is probably smaller?
I hope she gets to come home today- home is the best place to heal.
Karen and the pugapalooza
She is a cutie! Welcome and wishing Nellie a speedy and event free recovery!
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Welcome Jamie and Nellie! Thanks for helping this special gal to live a great life with you. We're so glad you joined us. You sound really experienced with amputation and surgeries, so we really look forward to hearing more about your work and of course, Nellie's adventures!
Oh if your practice would like some Tripawds business cards, let us know and we'll send some your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good news! Nellie is home tonight and running my 2 other dogs ragged already! Her discharge instructions of "keep quiet and confined for 2 weeks" are something that she WILL NOT follow! LOL
I am very comfortable with surgeries and amputations. While Nellie is MY first tripawd, my mother's lab was an amputation (rear) for osteosarcoma. So I had personal experience with him as well.
Jamie
Welcome to you and Nellie. She's adorable! You are so sweet to adopt her. I'm sure she'll give you a ton of joy in your life together.
And it sounds like she's going to do awesome as a tripawd. I hope she has an uneventful and speedy recovery. We're here if you have any questions!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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